the Speedway Team

Jordan Morris is passionate about making aviation accessible and rewarding for every student. He brings an encouraging tone to each lesson and adapts quickly to meet the needs of diverse learners.

Jordan emphasizes strong preflight habits, situational awareness, and sound aeronautical decision-making. He works closely with students to help them identify their personal learning styles, building strategies that work for each pilot-in-training.

Whether working on VFR maneuvers or teaching cross-country procedures, Jordan prioritizes clarity, consistency, and real-world relevance.

Eric Schafhauser brings a calm and steady approach to every flight. Known for his professionalism and clear instruction style, Eric has trained dozens of students through their first solo and on to checkride success.

With a strong background in instrument procedures and scenario-based training, Eric emphasizes judgment, situational awareness, and mastery of the aircraft. He is particularly effective in the cockpit during instrument instruction, guiding students through real-world approaches, holds, and procedures. Students appreciate his ability to stay cool under pressure and make complex material approachable.

As a Stage Check Instructor at Speedway, Eric plays a key role in evaluating student progress and ensuring readiness for FAA standards. His structured training sessions help maintain consistency across the curriculum, and his attention to detail helps students build confidence before critical evaluations.

Kat Charnel is a passionate instructor who believes in creating a supportive and motivating learning environment. She brings contagious energy to the flight deck and is known for her ability to simplify complex concepts for new students.

Kat thrives in helping students during their early stages of training — particularly in building confidence around takeoffs, landings, and radio communications. Her calm demeanor and clear communication style put even the most nervous students at ease.

She is dedicated to student growth from Discovery Flights through first solo and beyond, and she takes pride in watching her students develop into capable and confident pilots.

Joey Keahey combines real-world experience with a strong instructional foundation to guide students through every stage of training. He is detail-oriented, dependable, and passionate about safe flight operations.

Joey’s structured lesson plans help students stay organized and focused throughout their training. He tailors instruction to match each student’s pace and learning style, offering encouragement along the way.

Joey emphasizes decision-making, weather awareness, and aircraft systems knowledge — giving students the foundation needed for real-world flying and long-term success.

Josh Haynes brings a practical, safety-first mindset to every lesson. His background includes experience in both training environments and commercial operations, which he applies to create realistic, scenario-based instruction.

Josh is known for his patience and clear communication, especially when working with students on cross-country planning, airspace awareness, and emergency procedures. He sets high standards and encourages students to push beyond their comfort zones in a structured, supportive way.

He is a valuable mentor for students preparing for their checkrides and is committed to producing well-rounded pilots with strong decision-making skills.

Sammy Shlapak brings enthusiasm and a strong foundation in flight fundamentals to Speedway. With a focus on teaching precision and good habits from the start, Sammy helps students develop confidence early in their training.

He is especially effective at explaining key maneuvers and visual references in a way that resonates with new pilots. Whether in the pattern or during steep turns, students benefit from his focus on small improvements that lead to lasting progress.

Sammy is also a firm believer in building muscle memory and decision-making together — helping his students not only fly accurately but also think like pilots from day one.

Garrett Hoffee brings a steady and detail-focused presence to the Speedway instructional team. With a structured, checklist-driven approach, Garrett helps students develop precision and professionalism from day one.

He specializes in teaching the importance of systems knowledge and cockpit resource management, preparing students not just for the checkride — but for real-world responsibilities in aviation.

His students describe him as clear, calm, and methodical, and they consistently make strong progress thanks to his ability to break down complex topics into simple, repeatable steps.

Paul C. Nugent is a veteran instructor and check instructor at Speedway Flight Training. With thousands of hours logged and decades of experience in both civilian and military aviation, Paul plays a key role in quality assurance and instructor mentorship.

As a Stage Check Instructor, he evaluates students for readiness and compliance with FAA standards. His debriefs are thorough and thoughtful, providing actionable feedback that students can apply right away.

Paul’s commitment to excellence, mentorship, and safety continues to shape Speedway’s instructional standards and student success outcomes.