Our instructors are some of the best in class! We have instructors that can help with students of all types work to earn their certifications as well as a number of ratings and endorsements, including instrument, high performance, complex, tail-wheel, and multi-engine.
Mike Pratt
Mike Pratt moved to Louisville in 1998 as a new-hire pilot with a Louisville based international airline. While flying as a DC-8 flight engineer, Mike attended graduate school at the University of Nebraska and obtained his Master’s Degree. As a graduation requirement, Mike had to write a business plan for a start-up company of his choice. Since Mike had rented general aviation aircraft all through high school and all through college at Michigan State University, he knew the flight school and aircraft rental industry firsthand. Using the knowledge of his flight training and his graduate classes, Mike wrote a business plan for a flight training and aircraft rental operation. The professor thought the business model was strong and recommended that Mike follow up on this plan and start this flight school upon receiving his Master’s Degree. Nineteen years later the flight school is flourishing and owns several dealer licenses and aircraft. Mike is now an MD-11 captain with over 12,000 flight hours and still flies small airplanes in his free time when not flying around the globe. Mike is a firm believer that the student pilot and his/her instructor should have a lifelong bond and friendship as aviators. Should you have any questions, concerns, or comments on flight training or Louisville Aviation, please don’t hesitate to email Mike at mpratt@louisvilleaviation.com.
Morgan Audsley
Morgan grew up as a military brat living in a variety of locations. She graduated high school and college in Louisiana and earned her degree in Professional Aviation from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA. Morgan’s love for aviation and traveling began at a young age, her dad is a retired Marine Corps helicopter pilot and is currently a B777 pilot for FedEx and her mother has been a flight attendant for Delta Airlines for over 30 years. Morgan is excited to instill her passion for aviation in her students and looks forward to exploring her new home in Louisville.
Karyn Ranzau
Karyn is a Kentucky native and has been in Louisville for over 20 years. Formerly a structural designer, she moved her skills to teach through the theater at Sacred Heart School for the Arts and Trinity High School. After a discovery flight, she knew a career change was in order, and with the support of her family, attended flight school full-time to make this dream a reality. Since then she has earned her CFI, and CFII and is working on her MEI. With a daughter that is also in flight school, Karyn hopes to share her love for aviation with the next generation.
Tom Koen
Tom is a transplant from Minnesota who relocated to Louisville where he works as a ground instructor at a major airline teaching aircraft systems. He has a long history of instruction serving as a field training officer in EMS and law enforcement, a police department firearms instructor and general subjects law enforcement instructor during a 20-year career in public safety, and a flight instructor in part 141 and part 61 programs. In 2017 Tom went back to college where he earned a second degree in commercial aviation from Academy College in Minneapolis. Tom holds CFI, CFII, AGI, and IGI instructor ratings and still serves as an adjunct instructor at a nationally accredited college aviation program in Minneapolis.
Alek Babbs
Alek graduated high school with no idea what he wanted to do until he took a discovery flight. After flying for the first time he got the flying bug and his aviation career began. Alek attended ATP and finished in October of 2022 where he got certificates including CFI and CFII. Alek now enjoys instructing at Louisville Aviation where his love for flying continues to grow.
Elizabeth Wormley
Elizabeth was born and raised in Louisville. After high school she joined the KY Air National Guard and has spent the last 10 years working in operations. During that time she graduated from Bellarmine University in 2017 with a BA in Environmental Studies before she realized aviation was where she truly wanted to be. After her introductory flight with Louisville Aviation she’s since received her PPL, Instrument, Commercial and her CFI! As a CFI, Elizabeth looks forward to helping others find the beauty in flying while pursuing their own goals and aspirations!
Yahya Hasan
Yahya Hasan was born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq. He earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Al-Mamoon University, Baghdad. At age 22, Yahya left his home country seeking a safer and a better life. Aviation was Yahya’s dream since childhood, so after arriving in the United States, he decided to pursue his dream to become a pilot. He joined Louisville Aviation Flight School and started his training towards Private Pilot, Instrument rating, Commercial, CFI, and CFII. Now, Yahya shares his love for aviation with many students who are passionate about becoming safe and professional pilots.
Kacy Thompson
Kacy is from Louisville, KY and was first introduced to aviation in middle school attending OBAP Ace Academy out of Shawnee High School. She started her initial flight training in 2019 at Bowman Airfield and has completed ATP Flight training as of 2023. Kacy hope to one day fly for UPS but currently enjoys flying with others who are also passionate about aviation.
Dylan Waddle
Dylan was born and raised in Richmond Kentucky where he later attended college at Eastern Kentucky University. After two semesters of career searching he decided to book a discovery flight through EKU where and soon after swapped majors to pursue aviation. After completing private pilot at EKU he moved to Louisville to attend ATP where he completed his CFI. Dylan now enjoys instruction and hopes to spread his love of aviation with his students.
Ethan McCullough
Ethan was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, where he graduated from Saint Xavier High School. From there, he continued his studies at the University of Kentucky. He came home during the summer and was offered to fly in a Diamond DA20, and having decided to take up the offer, the rest is history. He had such a great time with this introductory flight that he chose to leave the University of Kentucky and enroll in ATP flight school to get the earliest start date possible. Ethan began his training in Indiana, but soon after moved to Dallas, Texas, to complete his training and obtain his Instructor Certificates. He still wanted to pursue a degree, and found the great school of Indiana Wesleyan University, where Ethan is completing his bachelor’s in Aviation Management. He is excited to continue to share the love of aviation in his hometown of Louisville.
Taylor Love
Taylor is a Certified Flight Instructor with an enduring passion for aviation. His aviation journey began early when he earned his private pilot’s license in high school. At Middle Tennessee State University, Taylor achieved his instrument, commercial, and multi-engine ratings, along with a degree in Professional Pilot. With his training and commitment to aviation, Taylor is excited to be your trusted instructor on your path to aviation success.
Jake Doezema
Jake began his flight training in 2018 at Bowman while in high school. Now a graduate from Western Michigan University with a degree in aviation flight science and a CFI he returned to Louisville. Jake is also working towards a Masters degree in aviation management online through Purdue University. As a CFI Jake shares his passion for aviation with students while pursuing a career path towards the airlines.
Joseph Barrett
Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, Joseph moved to the Louisville area with his family in 2008. Growing up with family members in aviation inspired him to pursue a career in aviation. He attended Indiana State University and graduated with a degree in professional aviation. Joseph is excited to share his passion for aviation with aspiring pilots.
Spencer Steinrock
Louisville born and raised, Spencer got the aviation bug at an early age from an aviation camp in grade school called OBAP. He served five years in the U.S. Navy following high school and upon returning home, he started working for his family’s roofing company but quickly realized he’d rather be flying. Spencer received his private pilot license through Louisville Aviation in 2022 and have since returned as a CFI/CFII/MEI.
Andreas Olsen
Andreas is a Louisville native and Trinity High School graduate. Having a UPS pilot as a father, Andreas has been surrounded by aviation ever since he was a child. He has always aspired to be a pilot, and that dream never left him. Andreas conducted all of his flight training with Louisville Aviation and is now a CFI teaching at the school. Andreas is also an RJet Cadet with Republic Airways and plans on becoming a First Officer for them upon reaching his ATP minimums. From there, he plans on flying for one of the major airlines and hopes to travel the world. Andreas is eager and ready to train the next generation of pilots.
Shelby Wuest
Shelby is a Louisville native where she graduated from Assumption High School and the University of Louisville with a Bachelors in Business Administration. She completed her private, instrument, commercial, and CFI here at Louisville Aviation. Shelby plans to fly at a regional airline and work towards her goal of flying for UPS. She is excited to share her knowledge and passion to help students achieve their aviation pursuits.