Who We Are
Welcome to Premiere Aviation Training, proudly owned by Ottawa Aviation Adventures and founded by Greg Reynolds. Located in the heart of the Ottawa Valley at the Ottawa International Airport (YOW), we recognized an urgent need for local, specialized multi-engine and IFR training programs following the closure of several local options. This gap inspired a winter of dedicated planning and team-building aimed at reviving and revolutionizing pilot training in our community.
Premiere Aviation Training is not just a flight school; it's a hub for aspiring aviators, facilitated by a strategic partnership with the Ottawa Flying Club. This collaboration allows us to offer top-tier training facilities, including access to a state-of-the-art Red Bird flight simulator, enhancing both the quality and the scope of the training experience.
Premiere Aviation Training operates on the Piper Aztec, an airplane with 2x250HP engines and equipped for flight into known icing. This will equip students with the practical skills needed to navigate complex multi-engine aircraft and challenging IFR conditions. Whether you're a private client or an Algonquin College student looking to soar above and beyond the ordinary, we are here to help you in your aviation journey.
As you explore more about what makes Premiere Aviation Training the premier choice for Multi-IFR instruction, we invite you to meet our team of passionate instructors, whose dedication and expertise are the cornerstone of our success.
Meet Our Instructors
Kris Mankala
Chief Flight Insturctor
Kris brings over a decade of flying experience in the Ottawa area, backed by a strong foundation in both flight instruction and operational leadership. His career has spanned multiple roles across aviation, including airport operations and supervisory and managerial positions within Flight Training Units. This mix of experience has given Kris a clear understanding of how aviation operates both on the industry side and within the regulatory framework. He has flown a variety of aircraft including Cessna, Piper, and Diamond platforms, and has also developed experience on tailwheel aircraft.
Kris also brings a strong regulatory and safety background, having worked at Transport Canada within the Pilot Training and Licensing branch. His work supported initiatives related to pilot training standards and licensing, reinforcing a disciplined approach to safety, compliance, and instructional quality. As Chief Flight Instructor, Kris is committed to delivering a structured, professional training environment while mentoring both students and instructors to achieve the highest standards of airmanship.
Lance Carr
Assisstant Chief Flight Insturctor
Lance learned to fly in 1977. He is a Pilot Examiner, Class 1 Flight Instructor and holds Multi-Engine, Instrument and Float ratings. He had a successful career with Transport Canada and Nav Canada for thirty-two years in the field of Air Traffic Control Simulation. Lance retired as a manager with Nav Canada eight years ago. He has been part owner and VP operations at a previous flight school and was President of a local aircraft engine distributorship for five years. Lance is a professor in the Aviation Program at Algonquin College and loves to teach.
Chris Ricci
Chris is a seasoned pilot with over 20 years of flying experience under his belt. His journey has taken him through a diverse range of aircraft, from vintage taildraggers to modern turbine twins. With qualifications including an Airline Transport Pilot License, Class 1 Instructor Rating, Pilot Examiner and type ratings on the L-29 Delphin, Learjet 60, and Challenger 604/650, Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to the table. As Chief Flight Instructor at the Ottawa Flying Club and a Captain on the Challenger business aircraft, Chris is known for his dedication to both flying and teaching.
Matthew Kwasniewski
IFR Flight Instructor
Matthew is an experienced instructor who has helped numerous students obtain their PPL, CPL and Night Ratings at The Ottawa Flying Club. He has also been alongside Premiere Aviation Training throughout the development of the Multi-Engine and IFR programs and knows what it takes to succeed. Through his attention to detail, Matthew is ready to ensure you become a safe and proficient Multi-IFR pilot.