Our Flight Instructors

We only hire quality flight instructors who have a passion and desire to help students learn and succeed at their goals in aviation. Our instructors are dedicated to furthering their students, as well as themselves, in the local and national aviation community. You can be assured that when you fly with an instructor from Third Coast Aviation, you are receiving the best flight instruction Michigan has to offer.

Michael Niacaris

Mike Niacaris was born and raised in Los Angeles, where he obtained his private pilot license in 2009. He then moved to Kalamazoo, MI to attend Western Michigan University's aviation program, where he obtained his instrument rating, and commercial multi-engine and single-engine ratings. He then came to Third Coast Aviation in early 2012 to obtain his Certificated Flight Instructor certificate, and was hired on shortly after. Mike has a total of about 340 hours, 70 of which are dual-instruction given. He is currently attending his last semester at WMU, and will graduate in April 2013 with a B.S. in Aviation Flight Science and Aviation Administration. Mike is also actively involved with WMU's Sailing Team.

Ratings: Commercial Multi-Engine, Commercial Single-Engine, CFI

Hours: 370 total, 110 dual-given

Courses Taught: Private, Commercial

Aircraft: Cessna 172R, Piper Arrow

Steve Frye

Steve Frye moved to Kalamazoo in 2006 and attended Western Michigan University. After four years of college courses and obtaining his Commercial Single and Multi Engine rating, he graduated from WMU in spring of 2010 with a degree in Aviation Flight Science. About a year later, Steve finished his CFI and CFII and was hired on at Third Coast Aviation. After a year of instructing, he got his MEI. Steve is currently in the process of earning his Gold Seal CFI certificate.

Hours: 800 total, 500 dual-given

Courses taught: Private, Instrument, Commercial, Multi-engine

Aircraft: Cessna 172R, Piper Arrow, Cessna 310Q