Meet the Team
Our fantastic team of experienced instructors collectively have tens of thousands of flying hours and the experience come from a myriad of different places such Airlines, Business Jets, Military flying, Student Training, Private Leisure flying, Ferrying and they all work along the lines of having a common passion for aviation and the will to pass the knowledge and experience they have to everyone willing to venture into the field of flying. Regardless if you want to fly just for leisure or have the intention of continuing towards commercial flight training and a career in aviation, we are here to support you along your journey and give you the tools that will make you a confident, safe and knowledgeable aviator. You will also be in a place to meet like-minded people as well as an environment to start networking within the aviation industry from day one.
Our current and former students are the best testament for what we stand for; the love of flying and aviation. We pride ourselves on the service we provide and try to accommodate for everyone’s need.
Introducing the friendly & professional staff and instructors at Flight Training London:
Ivan Kurbanov – Instructor & Examiner
Ivan is one of the owners of the school as well as the Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) and is only available for Practical Tests, Solo Checkouts, IMC / IR(R), ME, IR and his current students.
PPL, IR(R) / IMC, Night, ME, IR & EXAMINER FULLTIME Languages: English, Bulgarian, Russian, Serbo-Croatian
Cameron Thompson - Instructor & Examiner
Cameron used to be an instructor with us back in our early days, but currently works as our Compliance Manager as well as being an Examiner for PPL Tests as now-days he spends time jet-setting around Europe flying Pilatus (PC12) Aircraft.
PPL, NIGHT, IMC / IR(R), ME, IR & EXAMINER ON REQUEST Languages: English
Nadeem Elahi - Instructor
Nadeem flies for an Easyjet maintenance support company in a King Air, but instructs in his spare time and he usually releases his slots very late notice. He is a very patient and friendly instructor and has been with FTL the longest out of all our instructors!.
PPL & NIGHT – SPORADIC SPORADIC - RELEASES DATES LATE NOTICE Languages: English
Jeffrey Monnickendam - Instructor
Jeffrey has been flying for over 40 years and decided to pass his vast knowledge and experience over to aspiring new pilots.
PPL , IR(R) / IMC, Night FULLTIME Languages: English
Chris Rigby - Instructor
Ex-business jet pilot, Chris teaches purely for the enjoyment. A very thorough, professional and friendly instructor with a great sense of humour
PPL, IR(R) / IMC, IR FRIDAY & SATURDAY (Other days by arrangement occasionally) Languages: English
Pedro Barcelo - Instructor
Pedro started instructing around 11 years ago with Ivan at Panshanger Aerodrome and recently came to instruct at Flight Training London without even realising he knew Ivan!
PPL, Night FULL-TIME Languages: English & Spanish
Jack Culver – Instructor, Mission Control, Ground Operations
Jack works as one of our friendly Operations Managers as well as an instructor. He does predominantly Trials, LAPLs and PPL Holder flights and prior to being an instructor had a PPL for many years!
Trials, LAPL & PPL Holders Only FRIDAY & SATURDAY Languages: English
Bass Chennells - Instructor
Some of you may know Bass from when he worked as an Operations Manager at FTL, but he now works as an instructor instead! Bass started his instructing career in South Africa, but after moving to the UK and converting all his licenses and ratings he is a full time instructor, and a very entertaining one at that!
PPL FULLTIME Languages: English
James Bilverstone - Instructor
James completed his PPL with FTL under the guidance of Chris Rigby and after working for FlyBe for a while he returned to FTL to work alongside his PPL instructor. A really cheerful, enthusiastic and great addition to the team!
PPL FULLTIME Languages: English
Prashanth Elangovan
After spending years teaching in America, Prashanth moved back to the UK for family commitments. A very professional and knowledgeable instructor with years of experience teaching and running his own schools.
PPL, IMC / IR(R), ME, Night & IR SPORADIC Languages: English & Bengali
Hayk Akbiyik - Instructor
Hayk did his PPL with FTL and after gaining his commercial license he returned to FTL to pass his knowledge on to future aviators (and to spend quality time with his favourite people).
PPL FULLTIME Languages: English, Turkish
Andy Rickett - Instructor
We really need to get a less passport-looking photo of Andy! Andy instructs one to two days a week around his Easyjet Pilot job that he has had for the last three years. A very patient and thorough instructor.
PPL 1-2 DAYS A WEEK Languages: English
Jaime Sainz-Pardo Barril - Instructor
Jaime started instructing with us four years ago before moving to the US to teach in a commercial school for a couple of years. He decided to return to the UK early last year and its been great to have him back!
PPL FULL TIME Languages: English, Spanish
Mikey Ramnauth - Instructor
Mikey has been with us for years and used to be Full-time but has now moved to a few days here and there due to other aviation commitments flying business jets.
PPL & NIGHT SPORADIC Languages: English
Philippa McIntosh - Instructor
Philippa joined us this year and has proven to be an instant great fit to the team and an excellent instructor.
PPL 5 DAYS A WEEK Languages: English
Anchal Lalji - Instructor
Anchal joined us this year as well and has also proven to be another great addition to the FTL team.
PPL 5 DAYS A WEEK Languages: English, Gujarati & Hindi
Mission Control
Most of you would already know our Operations Managers, Jack (Mon-Thurs) and Connor (Friday & Saturday) but if you don't, do come and introduce yourselves! And of course Tamsyn will be there on Sundays. Hopefully we can all be as helpful as possible during your flying time with us.
Our passion for flying is very contagious
You will love to fly with us.
We Love teaching how to fly
We love being up in the air and don't miss an opportunity to go flying.
Experienced instructors
Our instructors have thousands of hours of teaching experience.
LONDON ELSTREE AERODROME PHONE: 02030 053 276