Fly Lugu Team
Rika Ballard (Founder) - CFI-I
Rika is a second generation pilot who solo'd at Westfield-Barnes Airport at the age of 16. She returned to flying in 2016. She earned her Flight Instructor rating in August 2019 and her Instrument Flight Instructor rating in February 2020. She created Fly Lugu Flight Training to serve an unmet need in the community. Serving on the Advisory Council of Westfield Technical Academy she recognized an opportunity to "bridge the gap" and champion STEM education in our local community. Rika is an active member of the Ninety-Nines, International Organization of Women Pilots, Women in Aviation International as well as Western Mass Wright Flight and Kiwanis Club of Westfield. Her goal is to engage the greater Westfield community with the wonderful world of aviation and help new aviators achieve their goal of being skybound.
Joe Ballard - President
Joe is Rika’s life and business partner who is continuing her legacy with Fly Lugu. Joe is currently earning his Private Pilot’s license and has been a part of the Fly Lugu dream since its inception in 2019. Although not an instructor, Joe brings a wealth of knowledge to the business from his years of experience in various leadership roles in government and consumer industries. Joe is also continuing Rika’s work with the Westfield Technical Academy, New England Air Museum, Ninety-Nines, International Organization of Women Pilots, Women in Aviation International as well as Western Mass Wright Flight and Kiwanis Club of Westfield. Growing the dream is another genuine aspect of Joe’s mission to honor Rika, partnering with new businesses and organizations to greater serve the local aviation and Western Mass communities.
The Sky Isn't the limit!
Michael Bourbeau - Director of Operations
Michael Bourbeau - Director of Operations
Michael Bourbeau - Director of Operations
He grew up in Greenfield. Got interested in aviation while attending Westfield State College. Got my PPL in 1990. Gave up flying to raise 3 kids and focus on my business career. Have worked in many local industries, including being the Accounting Manager for Signature Flight Support at Bradley Airport. I returned to flying in 2022 and currently pursuing my instrument rating. I'm excited to bring both my business experience and aviation knowledge to Fly Lugu.
Mike Domnarski - Chief Dispatcher
Michael Bourbeau - Director of Operations
Michael Bourbeau - Director of Operations
As a teenager, Mike worked for Al Tobiasz at the Palmer Airport in the 1970s as a line-boy. He joined the Army and served as a helicopter Crew Chief and later as an Aeroscout Observer. He left aviation in the early 1990s to pursue other career interests. In 2021, Rika hired his son Mitchell as a CFI at Fly LUGU and Mike returned to aviation. He received his Private Pilot's License at Fly LUGU, bought a Cessna 172 and currently works at our flight school as a dispatcher.
Shannon Corbett - Dispatcher
Michael Bourbeau - Director of Operations
Shannon Corbett - Dispatcher
Shannon’s interest in aviation started when she participated in the Wright Flight program offered at Westfield High School. From that point on her love for aviation grew and she became a part of the Fly Lugu family in 2022 as a student pilot. Shannon is currently working towards her Private Pilot License with future goals of becoming an airline pilot. In her free time, Shannon plays trumpet in the community band, enjoys art and reading.
Khosro Karamshahi - CFI-I
Khosro Karamshahi - CFI-I
Khosro Karamshahi - CFI-I
Ken started flying gliders in 1972 while going to high school. He finished his Private Pilot’s license in 1975. Over the next 25 years he earned all advanced and instructor ratings. He flew professionally worldwide until he retired in 2015 after a long tenure as Flight Facility Inspection Pilot. Ken has flown everything from a Cessna 150 through A Falcon 2000EX. He has a over 11,000 hours of which 6,000 has been in an instructor capacity. Ken looks forward to sharing his experience with you!
Mike Kudish - CFI
Khosro Karamshahi - CFI-I
Khosro Karamshahi - CFI-I
Michael grew up in Connecticut and currently lives in Suffield. He began flight training in 2020 at Fly Lugu earning his Private, Instrument, Commercial, and eventually his CFI rating in 2022. When he isn’t flying he enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering in the community, and the outdoors. Michael is excited to teach and pass on his love of flying.
Chris Penniman - CFI
Khosro Karamshahi - CFI-I
Alex Espinoza- CFI-I, MEI, ATP
Chris began flight training at in 2016 at the age of 19, earning his private pilot’s license and his instrument rating. Chris enrolled in Vermont Technical College’s Professional Pilot Technology Program in 2018 where he earned his commercial pilots license and CFI. Chris is also a full time Crew Chief in the Massachusetts Air National Guard where he maintains the F15C Eagle. Chris looks forward to flying with you.
Alex Espinoza- CFI-I, MEI, ATP
Alex Espinoza- CFI-I, MEI, ATP
Alex Espinoza- CFI-I, MEI, ATP
Alex earned his pilot’s license in 1997 during high-school. He joined the Marine Corps and began training to become a Naval Aviator upon finishing college in 2003. Over a 24-year career, he flew over 3200 hours in the F/A-18 “Hornet”, King Air 200, and Gulfstream 550 all over the world. He is currently a professional pilot based in NJ flying Bombardier Global 6500 & 7500 for a private company. He has a passion for sharing his love of aviation and can’t wait to help you reach your goals!
Bob Cipolli - CFI-I
Alex Espinoza- CFI-I, MEI, ATP
Bob Cipolli - CFI-I
Bob Cipolli is a 3500 hour CFI-I Commercial SEL/MEL pilot who is an Unlimited Aerobatic Competitor and retired airshow pilot. He currently owns a Staudacher S300 aerobatic aircraft and an Aviat Husky A1B. He has given 1000 hours of aerobatic, unusual attitude, and spin flight instruction and has 35 years flying experience in a number of aerobatic and tailwheel airplanes including Pitts, Extra, Sukhoi, Yak, Decathlon, Citabria, Skybolt, Eagle and Hyperbipe. He also spent a year flying the Word War II era, B-25 Mitchell Bomber Killer Bee.”
Justin Cole - CFI-I
Alex Espinoza- CFI-I, MEI, ATP
Bob Cipolli - CFI-I
Justin began flying with his dad at the age of 6 and has always wanted to be a pilot since then. He started his initial flight training with Fly Lugu in 2022 and has since earned his Private, Instrument, and Commercial ratings. Justin also received his Complex and Tailwheel endorsements with Fly Lugu shortly after, followed by his CFI in February of 2024 and his CFI-I in May of 2024. If that wasn't enough, Justin also recently earned his Seaplane rating in June of 2024! As you can see Justin has an array of experience and can't wait to help you achieve all of your flying goals!
Aleks Kucinski - CFI
George Merriam -CFI-I Check Instructor and Redbird Simulator
Chris Tarbell - CFI-I
Aleks began flying in 2017 and made his first solo flight at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport. After spending four years in Philadelphia studying finance, he returned to Western Massachusetts and completed his instrument rating, commercial pilot certificate, and certified flight instructor certificate with Fly Lugu. Outside of flying Aleks enjoys traveling, cooking, and skiing. He looks forward to flying with you and helping you along your aviation journey.
Chris Tarbell - CFI-I
George Merriam -CFI-I Check Instructor and Redbird Simulator
Chris Tarbell - CFI-I
Chris has been flying since he was fourteen years old. While honing his piloting skills, he pursued a degree in engineering and worked on jet engines for six years. Now a first officer at Breeze Airways, Chris continues to share his knowledge with his students. Chris' affinity for airplanes doesn't stop there! You can find him working on or flying his 1947 Cessna 140 in his free time.
George Merriam -CFI-I Check Instructor and Redbird Simulator
George Merriam -CFI-I Check Instructor and Redbird Simulator
George Merriam -CFI-I Check Instructor and Redbird Simulator
FAA Volunteer Safety Representative
Wright Brothers Master Pilot award
As soon as I was able and could afford lessons I started flying and never stopped. 4 short years after I started I earned a flight instructor certification. It becomes easier to build flight hours by teaching. They say that if you really want to know the subject try teaching it. After accumulating over 15,000 hrs I’m still learning. I’ve flown with two commuter airlines, towed gliders and banners and dropped parachutes.
Instructor TypeCHECK INSTRUCTOR
Matthew Liquori - CFI
Alex C Doyle - CFI-I, MEI
George Merriam -CFI-I Check Instructor and Redbird Simulator
Matt grew up in Granby, CT, and decided to begin flight training during his senior year of high school, earning his PPL in July of 2020 just before leaving for college. He attended Saint Louis University, earning an Aeronautics degree and his Instrument, Commercial, Multi-Engine, and CFI ratings. After earning his license, his favorite aviation experience was his first flight with his dad, who’s also a pilot. Matt is looking forward to sharing his knowledge and passion for aviation with you!
Alex C Doyle - CFI-I, MEI
Alex C Doyle - CFI-I, MEI
Alex C Doyle - CFI-I, MEI
Alex has spent most of her life living in Monson MA, where she graduated high school in 2021. She earned her CFI-I and MEI ratings in 2024 and continues to learn new skill sets while teaching and sharing her passion for flying with others. Outside of flying, she enjoys the outdoors and has several hobbies that include snowboarding, playing guitar, surfing and more. Alex is excited to guide you towards your best throughout your aviation ambitions!
Mateo Reyes - CFI
Alex C Doyle - CFI-I, MEI
Alex C Doyle - CFI-I, MEI
Mateo was introduced to aviation at a young age. His father earned his pilot's license when Mateo was in Kindergarten, and since then Mateo dreamed of becoming a pilot. Mateo earned his PPL in his Junior year of high school through Fly Lugu and continued his training after graduating high school. Mateo is excited to teach and share his love of aviation with others!