Our Team

With tens of thousands of hours of combined flight experience, our team of professional flight instructors is committed to providing the quality flight training that you deserve.

Adrian Van Zyl, the school's owner, wearing a headset with a microphone, smiling inside a plane.

Adrian Van Zyl

Founder

With a flying career that spans many decades and types of flying under his belt, Adrian created AVZ with the goal of training the next generation of pilots. If you see him around at the school, ask him for some stories from his career—he has a plethora of stories and pilot wisdom, and he loves to share it with students.

A headshot of our chief flight instructor, Stephen Abrew. In this photo, Stephen is wearing a gray shirt with our school's old logo, and is looking slightly to the left.

Stephen Abrew

Chief Flight Instructor

With a passion for aviation and desire to pass that longing to his peers and the next upcoming generation. Stephen is a board member with Knoxville Youth Aviation Program actively training new pilots and assisting in making aviation maintenance technicians. With AVZ Flight Academy Stephen is active in training High School students wanting to explore the opportunities that aviation careers present today. Stephen has an Associates of Applied Science degree in Air Traffic Control which brings a unique understanding for pilots in training to how to interact with Air Controllers. Stephen is a commercial pilot and a certified flight instructor with instrument and multi engine privileges.

Leo Beale

Assistant Chief Instructor

Leo is dedicated to excellence in flight training, and has been working for AvZ since 2024. He believes that every student who hold a passion for aviation and the drive to learn and strive to improve everyday, even in the smallest of ways, can succeed. He has been instrumental in the development of our program at Alcoa High School, where he has served as the primary flight instructor since the program began. Leo can provide flight instruction at all levels of training we offer at AvZ as a CFII/MEI, as well as an advanced ground instructor.

Flight Instructor

Janna Crow

Janna is alifelong learner and educator.  She earned her ratings while working as a classroom teacher and district administrator for many years.  Janna prioritizes safety while utilizing leadership, communication, and a passion for flying to help students progress with their goals.  Her certifications include CFI, CFI-I.

Young man sitting in the cockpit of an airplane simulator surrounded by flight controls and instruments, with a view of the sky outside the windshield.

Marco Artero

Senoir Flight Instructor

Marco is a straightforward to the point CFI (CFII and MEI), with over 1500 hours as an instructor and with over 15 students with first time check ride passes. Marco will teach you the skills you need to go from a student pilot to an instructor. You will receive efficient, intuitive, scenario based training.

A man in sunglasses wearing a blue polo shirt and white shorts standing in front of a private jet on an airport tarmac with a partly cloudy sky.

Colby Killian

Flight Instructor

With over 6 years of pilot experience. MTSU graduate with bachelor of science and major in professional pilot. Hundreds of dual given hours to students and focused on fostering a passion for aviation.