Certified Flight Instructors

Leadership

Ben Fouts standing in front of a helicopter

Ben Fouts

President/Designated Examiner

Ben has been a CFI since 1998 and company owner of MLH since 2000. Ben flew for Era Aviation in the Gulf of Mexico from 2001 to 2003, and also worked as a Check Airman for Paradise Helicopters in Kona from 2003-2008. Currently, Ben works full time at Mauna Loa Helicopters.
A smiling man with sunglasses on stands in front of the tail of a helicopter

Pavel Polasek

Chief Flight Instructor Pilot

Pavel grew up in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Canada. Having always been fascinated by flying, pursuing a career in aviation was a no-brainer. After completing his studies in mechanical engineering, he promptly moved to Hawaii to attend Mauna Loa Helicopters' professional pilot program and eager to face the challenges of being a CFI in Hawai'i. He hopes to return to Canada one day and fly utility missions in the Rockies.
A smiling man leans against a yellow helicopter.

Marco Burtscher

Assistant Chief Pilot

Having grown up in the Austrian Alps, Marco developed a keen interest in helicopters from a very young age. Later in life, he was a passenger on oil rig transfers where he started to warm to the idea of being in the pilot seat instead of cramped up in the back. A heli skiing trip years later sealed the deal for Marco and it wasn’t long before he’d completed his private license in Austria. He came to Hawaii to learn to surf, dive, and of course, fly helicopters. He hopes to return home to the Alps after his time here to fly utility and search and rescue.
A smiling woman with mirrored sunglasses sits in the pilot seat of a helicopter

Jasmin Erdin

Assistant Chief, KOA

Jasmin never had the childhood dream of flying helicopters. She grew up in Switzerland and traveled to the Hawaiian Islands in 2021. As she watched the beautiful Na Pali Coast from a bird's view and met some of the Mauna Loa Students, she got her new career dream. One step led to another, so Jasmin started the Professional Pilot Program in Summer 2022. Her goal is to continue her career path back home in Switzerland.
A smiling man stands in front of a helicopter tail

Luca Studer

Safety Officer, KOA

Luca grew up in the Swiss mountains, with helicopters flying around all the time. Eventually, he decided to take an intro flight, after which he was certain what he wanted to do. He did his private license back home, then took the opportunity to come to Hawaii and proceed with his training/career. In his free time, he enjoys swimming, golfing, cooking, and skiing. His long-term goal is to fly long line and utility work.

Flight Instructors

A man wearing sunglasses stands in front of a helicopter

Aditya Agrawal

Certified Flight Instructor

Since childhood, I had a keen interest in aviation and airplanes. I was always excited to see and travel in airplanes and dreamt of flying one as a kid which eventually came true when I started my aviation journey learning to fly airplanes in South Africa. Later, I went on to learn solo paragliding in Nepal through which I met Capt. Bimal who took me on a helicopter ride, my first time ever in a helicopter! The moment he lifted off, I knew I had to learn this, which led me to do my helicopter training in MLH. Coming from the land of the Himalayas, hills, and plains, further ahead I wish to experience flying different missions in Nepal and various places around the world for my love of adventure and travel and keep learning new skills in life.
A smiling man leans against a helicopter and gives a shaka sign

Alexander Ridout

Certified Flight Instructor

Alex grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. While studying mechanical engineering, he decided being a helicopter pilot would be way more fun. He moved to the Big Island to start training at Mauna Loa and it was even more engaging than he imagined. He looks forward to teaching the next generation of Mauna Loa pilots. In the future, he plans to use his career as a means of seeing the world and trying out all of the unique jobs that helicopters have to offer.
A smiling person stands in front of a helicopter

Christine Pham

Certified Flight Instructor

Born and raised in Central Texas, Christine has always been drawn to the outdoors. After graduating from Texas State University, she moved to New Zealand where she spent two years as an Adventure Cave Guide. In 2017, she moved to Kona as a Divemaster and soon became a Boat Captain. After a ride in the MD500 with Paradise Helicopters, Christine knew she wanted to fly helicopters. She thoroughly enjoys sharing her passion for helicopters with others and hopes to utilize her skills to try various jobs around the world.
A smiling man leans against a yellow helicopter.

Daniel Fuchs

Certified Flight Instructor

Born and raised in Germany, Danny is a passionate graphic designer by trade with a sense of adventure. Since 2009, he has been volunteering internationally with a Humanitarian Christian Missions Organization, building houses and other community projects. Since the age of 8, Danny has dreamt of flying helicopters, and his ambition is to use this skill in the near future not just to teach people how to also fly but to provide medical aid, disaster relief, and education to remote communities.
A smiling man leans against a helicopter

Dejan Adair

Certified Flight Instructor

As a child, Dejan grew up playing sports and was always fascinated with helicopters whether it was watching them fly overhead or selecting the helicopter option when playing video games. He never thought it was an obtainable career until the Kob incident happened. Dejan felt "I was flying that would have never happened" and at that moment he decided to the leap and enrolled in flight training. His journey brought him to Hawaii, "traveling and flying the best of both worlds.'
A smiling person stands in front of a helicopter

Derek Fitle

Certified Flight Instructor

With my family's encouragement and support, I began flying helicopters on Oahu. Grateful to God and the community at Mauna Loa Helicopters, I completed the Professional Pilot Program. Now, I eagerly anticipate the chance to share my passion as an instructor. My goal is to develop my expertise and eventually become a senior instructor. I’d like to give a special thank you to Andrew, Alain, Rigel, Travis, Kanani, and Aditya for their help!
A man in sunglasses sits in the pilot seat of a helicopter and gives a thumbs up sign.

Filippo Tracquilio

Certified Flight Instructor

Having spent most of his childhood holidays up in the Alps, Filippo was always exposed to and incredibly admired the helicopters operating nearby his house that would sling cows, logging and conduct search and rescue operations, although such dream seemed imaginable and didn’t have the tools to think of such career could even be possible, he decided to pursue an Art and Design path instead until at the age of 15 when Filippo moved to Kenya and took part of an internship program with the school which he had the opportunity to work for an airline company based in Nairobi, since then when he saw helicopters going back and forth he joined a helicopter ground school to understand furthermore about these ships at the local airport at 17 and had the privilege 1 year after to be taken on multiple helicopter rides, it was by then that he realized he needed a major change in life even if that meant to stop his art studies completely and move to the UK to get his private pilot license for then take the next step in his career by joining Mauna Loa helicopters in 2022 to pursue the Professional Pilot Program. Helicopters are incredible machines, I had the privilege to have learnt from amazing instructors along the way who taught me the philosophy of helicopter flying, transmitting such philosophy is my ultimate goal and purpose.Filippo wants to fly in a wide varieties of environments including Europe, Africa, and East Asia.
A smiling person stands in front of a helicopter with their arms crossed and their hair blowing in the breeze.

Kanani Keliipuleole

Certified Flight Instructor

While raising her kids in Wahiawā, Kanani watched helicopters training at Wheeler Army Airfield and wondered what it would take to become a pilot. Mauna Loa Helicopters base in Honolulu provided the opportunity to receive world-class training while remaining close to home. She loves seeing students discover a passion for flight and an appreciation for Hawai’i, and dreams of flying locally as a first responder.
A smiling man in a Robinson Helicopters hat stands in front of a helicopter

Lance Robertson

Certified Flight Instructor

I was raised in a small town called Breckenridge, Texas where the word “Work” defines who you are. After high school I found myself working 70+ hours a week in the construction industry as a heavy equipment operator. I developed such a passion for the industry that I started my own business at 24 years old and by the age 30 I found myself running a military contract here at Pohakuloa Training Area. As my crew and I were wrapping up the final weeks of the contract, I reflected on a childhood memory of my brother and I flying through the canyons in my very 1st helicopter tour. I must have won rock, paper, scissors that day because not only did I get to sit in the helicopter, I got placed in the front of the cockpit with the pilot. Growing up, I never actually considered that I could be the one flying the helicopter, much less to make it a career. That all changed the day I walked into MLH for my introductory flight. It was no easy task, and there were obstacles and challenges along the way, but with hard work and dedication I passed every exam and check ride on the 1st attempt, and if I can do it, SO CAN YOU!
A smiling person in sunglasses stands in front of a helicopter on a sunny day

Laura Strzelecki

Certified Flight Instructor

Laura grew up in Iowa, but thanks to the military she’s spent most of her adult life in the south and Hawaii. For the past 10 years, she’s been a medic in the Army National Guard and working in EMS. She’s wanted to be a pilot since high school and dreamed of flying Black Hawks. Between 3 kids and moving around, it never seemed to be the right time. A couple of months after coming to Hawaii, she decided to make time and fulfill her lifelong dream. With Mauna Loa, she was able to keep a good balance between school, work, and her kids. Switching from the medical field to aviation was a challenge, but worth it!
A headshot of a man standing in front of a helicopter

Matthias Dietrich

Certified Flight Instructor

Matthias grew up in a small valley in the westernmost state of Austria. Ever since he was a little kid, he had a strong desire to pursue a career as a helicopter pilot. His passion and interest in flying really took off when he worked as a ski lift mechanic, where he got to work with helicopters regularly. After he got his private pilot license in Austria, he decided to head over to Hawaii to enhance his knowledge and improve his flying skills. In the long run, Matthias envisions a return to Austria, where he aims to undertake utility operations and long-line missions amidst the Austrian Alps.
A man in sunglasses and a hat stands in front of a parked helicopter with his hands on his hips.

Paolo Ceroni

Certified Flight Instructor

While renovating their rustic home in the Swiss mountains with his family, Paolo became fascinated by the skill of pilots during long-line operations. The dream was clear: one day, he would fly those machines himself. After completing his apprenticeship and earning a Bachelor's degree in automation, he worked as an engineer worldwide. Until one day he decided to fulfill his dream. He set off for Hawaii with the aim of flying again in his valleys. In his free time, when not riding motorcycles, Paolo enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and kitesurfing.
A smiling person in sunglasses stands in front of a helicopter

Sonam Sherpa

Certified Flight Instructor

Born and raised in the foothills of the Everest region. Sonam has been witnessing mountain rescues since he was a child, which has sparked his interest in helicopters. Upon graduating from high school in Science, starting his professional pilot training program was a no-brainer for him. At the age of 19, he pursued his training and has been fond of flying over the Hawaiian volcanoes and valleys ever since. He aims to return home at some point in his life to become a high-altitude rescue pilot after gaining the necessary skills in his life and developing a strong mindset of being a safe captaincy & a disciplined pilot.