Premier's Flight Instructors

Michael Berlin
Chief Pilot, Commercial Pilot, CFI, CFII, MEI, AGI, IGI, SUAS

Mike@PremierFlightCT.com

Mike is our Chief Pilot/Flight Instructor. He started flying in 1978 eventually earning his Private, Instrument, Commercial, Single and Multi-engine pilot certificates and ratings. He became an instructor in 1995 and an FAA Safety Counselor in 1997. In 1999 Mike was awarded the FAA’s coveted "Gold Seal Instructor" status. Shortly after, he earned the first of his 5 National Association of Flight Instructors "Master CFI" designations and became a “Master CFI Emeritus” in 2009.

In 2006 Mike was selected as the FAA Windsor Locks District and Eastern Region’s "CFI of the Year". In 2025, he was selected as an AOPA “Distinguished CFI”. With thousands of "Instructor" hours logged, he has also served as a Check Pilot/Instructor for the Civil Air Patrol and has been an aircraft owner.

Mike holds a Master of Science in Education degree from Eastern Connecticut State University where he was also employed as an Engineer for the Information Technology Services Department until his retirement. He has published several articles for AOPA Flight Training and NAFI Mentor Magazines. His General Aviation/Ham Radio website can be found at Mike's Website.

John Lampson
Commercial Pilot, CFI, CFII, MEI, AGI, ASES, ATP

John@PremierFlightCT.com

In 1994, well into the pursuit of a career as a guitar player/songwriter John discovered another passion on par with music, aviation! He earned his commercial, multiengine, and instrument certificates and ratings, in addition to advanced ground instructor rating and flight instructor certificate. John is also rated in single engine sea planes!

John earned flight experience working as a jump pilot for Connecticut Parachutists and Boston-Providence Skydiving, and he flew aerial photography missions throughout the northeast. In 2001 John was recognized by the FAA as a “Gold Seal” Flight Instructor.

John established himself as a factory-authorized instructor and demo-pilot for Flight Design USA during the emergence of light sport aircraft and the sport pilot certificate. He continues to fly for the leader in the LSA industry.

John has accumulated more than 9,000 flight hours, nearly 8,000 logged as a flight instructor. At Premier Flight Center, he has found a place to share his passion for flight, while he continues to perform with the rock cover-band, LA's Backstage Pass.

Patrick Boylan
Commerical Pilot, CFI, CFII, SUAS

Patrick@PremierFlightCT.com

Patrick was Born and raised in Connecticut, upon graduating high school he moved down to North Carolina “First in flight” and began his aviation career. When he got his private license he moved down to texas to accomplish more grueling training to get his instrument rating all the way to CFII.

After completing flight training he looked high and low during an intense hiring period for flight instructor employment and looked towards the New England area. While flying is one of his many passions he enjoys playing ice hockey, making music and helping mentor his robotics team.

Rawad Al-hawari
Commerical Pilot, CFI

Rawad@PremierFlightCT.com

My name is Rawad Alhawari, and I am an aviation professional with a deep-rooted passion for flight. Originally from Connecticut, my aviation journey began in 2017 with the Civil Air Patrol, where I quickly developed a profound love for aviation, inspired in part by flying with my mother overseas.

Watching aircraft take to the skies sparked a fascination that has only grown stronger over the years. My commitment to excellence in aviation is reflected in the progress I’ve made throughout my career, earning my Instrument rating in 2022, Commercial Pilot Certificate in 2023, and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certification in 2024. These accomplishments underscore my dedication to continuous learning and development, both as a pilot and as an instructor.

Aviation has been a part of my life from a very young age. I was captivated by air safety and aviation technology at just eight years old when I began watching Air Crash Investigations. By age 10, I was already fully immersed in flight simulators, constantly refining my skills and expanding my knowledge. This early exposure instilled in me a lifelong passion for flying — a passion that drives me to stay connected to aviation both in the air and on the simulator. As a Certified Flight Instructor, I aim to instill the same sense of passion and dedication in my students.

Beyond teaching the technical aspects of flying, my goal is to emphasize the core values of aviation: safety, professionalism, and discipline. I strive to not only prepare students for their flight tests but also to cultivate a mindset of excellence and responsibility, empowering them to become not only skilled pilots but also confident and safety-conscious aviators

Adrian Uzar
Commerical Pilot, CFI

Adrian@PremierFlightCT.com

Bio Coming Soon

Matt Maculoso
Commerical Pilot, CFI, ME, CFII

Matt@PremierFlightCT.com

Matt became interested in aviation from a young age. He began flying when he was 14 and soloed 6 months after he got his driver's license. He was a cadet in the Civil Air Pateol and one of only two in his squadron of 50 who took flight lessons. Matt was the only teenager in the entire state of Connecticut qualified to operate a flight line for the Civil Air Patrol.

He enjoys teaching his students to fly and experiencing the thrill of flight. He has been a flight instructor since 2019. He focuses on safety and fun! Matt is also a History and Social Studies teacher who has authored Pull Your Head Out Of Your Assumptions - What Teachers Know About Teaching and published the artcile What Is The Core Essence Of Teaching for Manhanttanville University's alumni magazine.

In his spare time he enjoys traveling, cooking and the outdoors.

Aida Hill
Commerical Pilot, CFI, CFII, AGI

Aida@PremierFlightCT.com

Aida began her aviation journey flying hang gliders — an experience that sparked a lifelong passion for flying. What started as a hobby soon grew into something more, leading her to change careers and pursue aviation full time

After completing her flight training, she became an instructor and now enjoys helping students achieve their aviation goals. She’s dedicated to creating a supportive learning environment where safety, clarity, and steady progress are the top priorities.

Outside of aviation, Aida enjoys spending time with her family,hiking and traveling.

Marco Acorda
Commerical Pilot, CFI

Marco@PremierFlightCT.com

Marco’s love for aviation started early, inspired by his father, an airline pilot. He completed his flight training at ATP Flight School and is now a certified instructor dedicated to helping students fly with confidence and safety.

With a deep passion for airplanes and teaching, Marco creates a supportive and focused environment for every stage of flight training. Outside the cockpit, Marco enjoys playing guitar, golfing, and spending time outdoors whenever he can.

Patrick Ngov
Commerical Pilot, CFI, CFII

PatrickN@PremierFlightCT.com

I'm a Certified Flight Instructor who is absolutely thrilled to be sharing my passion for flying. My aviation journey kicked off in 2022 in Danbury, Connecticut, where I earned my Private Pilot License. Wanting to take things further, I moved to Lakeland, Florida, where I dove into more training and picked up my Instrument, Commercial, and Commercial Multi-Engine Rating.

I later headed to Ohio to complete my CFI certification, which let me start teaching others. I’ve had the chance to fly Cessna, Piper, and Diamond aircrafts, getting to know each one’s unique feel. Flying has been such a great joy in my life, and along the way, I’ve met so many amazing people who’ve made this journey special.

I love sharing what I’ve learned in a way that’s approachable and fun, helping my students feel confident as they work towards their next goal.