About Us

The vision of Instrument Flight Solutions is to produce high quality, competent instrument pilots. We believe that focused, full time training, combined with dedicated top notch instructors, produces the safest, most competent instrument pilots. Our goal is to provide our customers with not only the best training, but the best value for their training dollar.

Andrew Watkins, President, ATP, CFII, MEI

Andrew Watkins Andrew has been flying since 1992, and instructing since 1996. He has over 3500 hours, with over 1500 hours of instruction given. He is an airline captain with a large regional airline flying the EMB-120 Brasilia. He has done extensive flying throughout most of the west coast, and a bit of flying in Brazil. The part he enjoys most about teaching is watching students when they achieve their goals. Andrew has the unusual ability to adapt his training methods to fit the learning style of each individual. When not instructing, Andrew and his wife Rosi like to travel to far off places like Greece or Brazil, or spend time locally enjoying all the activities of the monterey bay area.

Drew Willerton, ATP, CFII, MEI

Drew Willerton Drew has been flying since 1991 when he got his Private Pilot rating in an old Cessna 172 be bought from his father. He has been instructing since 2003 and has over 2,000 hours total time, and over 1,400 hours of instruction given. Prior to earning his flight instructor certificate Drew worked as a geologist in environmental consulting and in commercial and residential construction. Drew earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from San Jose State University. He enjoys finding new ways to challenge his students, including his unique 'blind pilot' technique. When he's not instructing, Drew likes to spend time outside, flying for fun in Baja California, surfing, and mountain biking around the monterey bay area.

Tony Barnes, CFII, MEI

Tony Barnes Tony has been flying since 1999 and instructing since 2005. Prior to earning his flight instructor certificate, Tony served as an intelligence analyst and Korean linguist for the U.S. Army, later attending the University of California at Santa Cruz and receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth Science (Geology). Tony has been on both sides of the airplane with Instrument Flight Solutions; initially as one of our first customers in 2001, and now as the most recent addition to our instruction team. Tony combines enthusiasm and an eye for detail in the cockpit with a background steeped in intensive training processes to create the best possible atmosphere for learning with every client. When he's not working, Tony spends as much time as possible with his family, and squeezes in a few taildragger flights when he can.

Jill Smith, ATP, CFII, MEI

Jill Smith Jill has been flying since 1986 and been instructing since 1992. She has about 3000 hours of instruction time and 7500 hours total time, She learned to fly in Colorado and started teaching in Texas after receiving her flight instructor certificate in Florida. She moved to Santa Cruz in 1992 to continue teaching. She has done 2 tours in Alaska flying in the bush. The first time in southeast Alaska and the second on the Alaska peninsula in Cold Bay flying in the Aleutian Islands and the peninsula. She stays busy now as chief pilot flying a Citation Encore.