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!
Mike Domnarski - Chief Dispatcher
Mike Domnarski - Chief Dispatcher
Mike Domnarski - Chief Dispatcher
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
Mike Domnarski - Chief Dispatcher
Mike Domnarski - Chief 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.
Sean Plourde - Dispatcher
Mike Domnarski - Chief Dispatcher
Matt Moriarty - Dispatcher
Sean is a first-generation pilot who has dreamed of flying from a very young age. He earned his Private Pilot Certificate in 2025 and, after completing his Instrument Rating, is now pursuing his Commercial Pilot Certificate.
Sean currently works as a dispatcher for Fly Lugu and looks forward to earning his CFI and sharing his passion for aviation by helping others discover the joy of flying!
Matt Moriarty - Dispatcher
Matt Moriarty - Dispatcher
Matt Moriarty - Dispatcher
Matt has his private pilot license and loves aviation.
Brandon Parks - Dispatcher
Matt Moriarty - Dispatcher
Brandon Parks - Dispatcher
Brandon has his private pilot and working towards his next rating.
Khosro Karamshahi - CFI-I
George Merriam -CFI-I Check Instructor and Redbird Simulator
George Merriam -CFI-I Check Instructor and Redbird Simulator
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 12,000 hours of which 6,500 has been in an instructor capacity. Ken looks forward to sharing his experience with you!
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
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.
Mateo Reyes - CFI-I
Collin Flematti - CFI
Chris Tarbell - CFI-I
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!
Collin Flematti - CFI
Collin Flematti - CFI
Collin Flematti - CFI
Collin began his flying career in 2020, first learning to fly tailwheel aircraft right here at Westfield Barnes airport. Growing up, he became inspired by aviation thanks to his father being an aerospace engineer, by witnessing various people in his life enjoying aviation-related careers, and being born and raised right next to Barnes. He graduated from UMass Amherst in Spring 2023, and serves in the Massachusetts Air National Guard as an aircrew egress systems maintainer. Outside of flying, he is an avid runner and reader, and enjoys spending time with friends. Collin is eager to help you take to the skies!
Will Walter - CFI-I
Collin Flematti - CFI
Collin Flematti - CFI
Hi, my name is Will! I’m an east coast native and grew up between CT and NC. I earned my Private Pilot License in 2020 after training in Newport, RI. I then spent the next 5 year’s adventuring around the central east coast while stationed in VA with the military as a Logistics Officer. I had a blast flying from the Mountains of Shenandoah to the islands of the Outer Banks. I even got some tailwheel time in Idaho. In May of 2025 I decided to leave the military to pursue a career in civilian aviation and attended what was formerly Melbourne Flight Training where I would eventually complete my CFI and CFII. This story along with the support of my awesome Mom and instructors along the way brings me here today as an instructor for Fly Lugu. At Fly Lugu, my passion to share aviation with others meets the opportunity to do so. In turn, I love having the privilege to provide the customers of Fly Lugu quality instruction and the ability reach their aspirations in aviation!
Louisa Quartuccio - CFI
I am a first-generation pilot and Certified Flight Instructor who has been flying for the past two years, primarily in Connecticut and Florida. I'm passionate about making flight training both fun and rewarding while building strong professional relationships with my students. My goal is to help every learner develop into a safe, confident pilot while sharing the excitement that drew me to aviation. I believe learning never ends. As an instructor, I'm committed to continually growing my own knowledge and skills, with plans to earn my CFII and gain experience flying tailwheel aircraft. Outside of aviation, I enjoy working on my two old Ford trucks and riding my dirt bike.
Troy Bocelli - CFI-I
Troy started his aviation journey at Trenton New Jersey and shortly after his discovery flight moved to florida to continue his flight training. He achieved his ppl right after high school and 2 years later became a CFII. Troy is a first generation pilot and he looks forward to sharing his experiences and teaching the next group of pilots.