Courtenay Flight Center Staff

Jim Slater

Jim Slater, the founder of both Qualicum and Courtenay Flight Centers has been training pilots since 1980. He was the Chief Flight Instructor (CFI) for both Comox Flying Club and Walt AV before becoming the owner and CFI for Courtenay Flight Center. With 25 years of military flying, a Class 1 instructor rating, and Designated Flight Examiner. Jim has accumulated over 16,100 hours of flying 6,500 of this time was spent teaching and setting the high standards for Qualicum and Courtenay Flight Centers.

Margaret Slater

Margaret is owner and administrator of both the Qualicum Flight Center and the Courtenay Flight Center. She helps the schools to run smoothly and makes any visit to the flight centers a welcoming and pleasant experience.

With many years of experience running the company with her husband Jim, she works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that everything runs smoothly and in order .

Robert Janacek

With almost 2000 hours of flight time, a class 2 Flight Instructor, Multi Engine endorsement with a group 1 Instrument Rating, strong business background, management and people skills Robert brings with him a high level of energy and professionalism towards training students.

As Chief Flying Instructor for both schools, the Qualicum Flight Center and the Courtenay Flight Center the schools are run smoothly with the best quality of training in the business.

"Students are my priority, and I feel that if you have the ambition and effort, I will help you get your license and have a lot of fun in the process." - Robert

Alex DiCosola

Alex is our the newest edition to our Flight Instructing team. He trained in the Toronto area and graduated with an advanced Aviation Diploma. He completed his training in both Thunder Bay and in the busy skies of the Greater Toronto area.

Alex has a hight level of energy and motivation that makes training students fun and exciting.

Gord Darling

With a life time of experience in flight following, dispatching and the holder of a Private Pilot License, Gord brings a high level of customer service and care to the students and visitors to the Courtenay Flight Center.