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.
Jon grew up in Belchertown, MA and has dreamed of being a pilot ever since going to his first air show at Barnes in 2003. He began his flight training in 2018, and he earned his private pilot’s license in 2020 while pursuing a finance degree at UMass Amherst. In 2021, Jon decided to change course from his plan to work on Wall Street after graduating college and instead chose to fly full-time. He earned his commercial license in 2022, spent the summer of ‘22 towing banners in Westerly, RI, and earned his CFI shortly thereafter. Jon has a passion for tailwheel flying and has his sights set on becoming a naval aviator. He is happy to share his love of aviation with you!
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.”
Mitchell is a Western Massachusetts native. He began flight training in 2020 at American Flyers in Addison, Tx, earning his Instrument, Commercial and eventually his CFI rating in 2021. When he isn’t flying he enjoys spending his time in the outdoors. Mitchell is really excited to teach you how to fly!
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!
Sammie began training with Fly LUGU in 2019 and has since earned her Private, Seaplane, Instrument, Commercial, and CFI ratings. She is excited to finally be an instructor and looks forward to helping YOU achieve your aviation goals!
Bill began working on his PPL in 1972 at just 17 years old! Since then, he has amassed over 13,600 hours and taught hundreds of students how to fly airplanes, seaplanes, gliders, helicopters, and balloons. His desire to give back to the aviation community is what inspired him to become a certified instructor in every category and class of aircraft and as a result he has changed many lives for the better. Bill can’t wait to fly with you!
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 10,000 hours of which 5,000 has been in an instructor capacity. Ken looks forward to sharing his experience with you!
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 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.