Superior Aviation Family
At Superior Aviation Gateway, we pride ourselves in having the highest qualified and most passionate instructors you will find. What makes us different? We care about each student as if it were our own flight training. We are constantly growing, learning and bettering ourselves. None of us are perfect but we challenge ourselves to be the best that each of us can be. Come experience the difference of a Superior Instructor!
Marvin Harrigan
Owner - Commercial Pilot, SEL/SES/MEL, CFI-I, MEI
“Born in St.Thomas USVI and raised on a tiny island called Anguilla in the eastern Caribbean, it was always a passion of mine to fly for as long as I can remember. My brother and I would climb the tallest trees possible only to pretend we were pilots swaying in the wind on the thinnest of branches as if we were living on the edge filled with excitement and adventure. It wasn't until I was 30 years old that I decided to peruse this dream of becoming a pilot. I started my pilot training at St Petersburg Airport and continued at Tampa Executive. It was here that I met Michele Rash and became even more exposed to all the joys and thrills that is associated in this amazing field of Aviation that I never considered. I now seek to help those that share a similar passion to achieve such dreams and goals in any way that I can.”
Stacy Sosa
Commercial Pilot, SEL/MEL, CFI-I
“I was born in Miami and grew up in Guatemala and Qatar. I moved back to the US to attend Florida State University. While at FSU I decided to get my Private Pilot Certificate and I immediately fell in love with flying. I come from a family of pilots and I always admired and looked up to my dad and wanted to follow in his footsteps. As soon as I graduated from the university I decided to get my other ratings to become a CFI. I'm loving and enjoying every day of my pilot career and I want to share this passion with everyone who has an interest in aviation.”
Brinton Thrasher
Commercial Pilot, SEL/SES/MEL, CFI-I
I grew up as a military brat moving all around the Midwest and West regions of the U.S. My grandfather was a WWII bomber pilot, my uncle was a charter/air ambulance pilot, and my cousin is currently an airline pilot so flying runs in our blood. I had always loved flying since I was a little kid but always assumed that I had to either be rich or join the military to fly. After graduating from college at the University of Kansas, I moved to Florida to start a career in management. I spent 13 years with my company and even got a Masters degree in Organizational Leadership before I finally decided it was time to start flying! Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I completed the career program with Superior Aviation and could not be happier with my decision to change careers!
Duane Drummond
Commercial Pilot SEL/MEL, CFI-I
For as long as I can remember, flying has been my biggest passion. Being rasied in the city of Tampa, my father would always take me to Tampa International Airport’s parking structure rooftops to plane spot and watch airliners take off and land. I am fortunate enough to grow up with my dad as an airline pilot; because my passion for flight was identified as soon as I could speak. I could also bombard him with endless aviation-related questions, increasing my passive knowledge and fascination with flying. These experiences prompted me to pursue a career in aviation. I began flying at age 17. By age 20, I had received all of my initial certificates and ratings to become a Certified Flight Instructor. I love teaching and coaching aspiring pilots to achieve their lifelong goals and dreams - just as I was in the same position.
Daniela Sorgente
Commercial Pilot SEL/MEL, CFI-I, MEI
John Molnar
Commercial Pilot SEL/MEL, CFI
Growing up near a busy airport (Newark), it has always interested me how these massive objects, which we call airplanes, are able to leave the ground and fly. I passed the airport all the time and thought about how much I looked up to the men and women flying those things. I always felt as if being a pilot was nearly impossible. When I was around 12 years old, I started to get into flight simulators. After really enjoying it for a few months, my parents got me a discovery flight. Ever since then, I caught the "aviation bug," and there's nothing in this world that I love more than aviation. Not having any family in aviation caused a struggle to figure out how to learn the process of becoming a pilot. Fast forward a few years, and here I am. Now, I'm the instructor. There's no greater feeling than being able to guide, mentor, and teach people, helping with the process that I struggled with when I was learning the industry.
Josh Kindell
Commercial Pilot SEL, MEL, CFI-I
Ethan McCoy
Commercial Pilot SEL, CFI-I
Corey Clark
Commercial Pilot SEL, MEL, CFI-I
Lily Eason
Web Designer - Commercial Pilot SEL
I was born in China but grew up in Tampa FL. I am a student at USF St. Pete, and I am majoring in Environmental Science. I have always been fascinated with airplanes and every time I flew with my family, I would want to sit by the window so I could see everything that was happening. My first flight in a small plane was on my 16th birthday and I immediately fell in love with flying. Right after I graduated high school, I had a discovery flight with Superior Aviation, and I started my flight training the next week. Now I am a private pilot working towards my other ratings to eventually pursue a career in aviation.