VIA AIR FLIGHT SCHOOL

Home

Who We Are

Contact Us

Meet the Staff

Directions

Learning to Fly

Student Corner

Advanced Ratings

Aircraft & Rates

Application

Program Costs

What Would You Do?

Aviation Links

Classic Photos

Unusual Incidents

CATS Testing

Financing


MEET THE STAFF

Below are bios of the staff. 

Rob Hekking, CFII
I received my Private Pilot's License in 1987. I started flying at Via Air in 1992 when I trained for the Commercial rating. After completing the CFI training in 1993 I began working part time as a flight instructor and have been doing so since. I also have earned a commercial multi-engine instrument airplane rating.

Outside of aviation I also teach music. I graduated from Gettysburg College in 1974 with a B.A. in sociology. Upon graduation I began a career as a professional musician (guitarist). Some of my work experience includes; guitarist in the orchestras at Valley Forge Music Fair, Caesars and Sands casinos, Forrest and Locust theatres in Philadelphia. I have played with many entertainers including Bill Cosby, Bob Hope, Julie Andrews, Robert Goulet, Bobby Vinton, and Suzanne Somers. I have also over the years recorded music for 100's of commercials for radio and TV including ads for the Phillies, Sixers, McDonalds, Exide batteries, Subaru, Herrs, Peco, WYSP, KWY, Fox 29, Pennsylvania Lottery, Blue Cross, TV Guide, Bally's and others. I have recorded music for a bunch of TV shows. Some training films for Ford, Bell Atlantic, US Healthcare. I have a studio in Berwyn where I teach 45-50 private students a week. I've had this place since 1979.  

Charlie Hysek, Chief Flight Instructor, CFII
A Gold Seal flight instructor who has 17 years experience training pilots and over 3,000 hours of flight instruction given in the air. A flight instructor who loves to fly and enjoys teaching in the sky.
A pilot who has:

  • Advanced aerobatic experience in a Pitts Special (S2B)

  • Flown in the "bush" in Alaska, Yukon Territory and British Columbia

  • Experience in 30 types of aircraft

  • Owned a 1973 Piper Arrow for 16 years

An individual who is:

  • A graduate of Temple University

  • A veteran with two combat tours served in Vietnam

  • An experienced wilderness backpacker and canoeist

Dave Ingersoll, CFI
A licensed pilot since 1996, I received all of my training with Via Air.
I own and fly a Piper Cherokee Six-300. I earned my CFI from Via Air and teach here part time.

I also work as a software engineer, specializing in SAP implementations at large fortune 500 companies.  I got my Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration degrees from Temple University in 1992 and 1996, respectively. In addition, I earned an Executive Masters of Science from the University of Pennsylvania in 2001.

Jim McSherry, CFII
•Has been a licensed pilot since 1991. 
•Completed all the training, from Student Pilot to CFI, with Via-Air. 
•Currently flies a Cessna 182 with a flying club at PNE 
• Professional science educator for thirty years
• Part-time Chemistry instructor at Temple University

Brad Zacharia, President
I started flying with Via Air in 1994 and (as Victor Kiam said) "I like it so much  I bought the company". I caught the aviation bug a long time ago and have always had the urge to develop an aviation business. I have been a successful business owner since 1980 (Zacharia Roofing - a family business since 1940). In 1982 I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Drexel University and continued for one year of post graduate work. 

My goal with Via Air is to make a training environment that is top-notch and above board. For instance, I do not try to entice a prospective student with unrealistic prices that can't be realized. I feel that if you're honest with the person in the beginning they are more apt to do business with you.

 


Home | Contact Us | Who We Are | Meet the Staff | Directions | Learning To Fly | Advanced Ratings
Aircraft & Rates | Application | Program Costs | Aviation Links | CATS | Student Corner