Instructors

Hello!  My name is Matthew and my childhood dream was to be a military pilot and around my senior year of high school I decided to join the Army just not as a pilot.  In 2023 I decided to get out of the military and pursue my aviation career.  After earning all of my ratings I joined the team here at Race City and can’t wait to meet you all and help you achieve your aviation goals!!

Hey, I’m John! I grew up around here and spent my summers out on Lake Norman, now I get to fly over it.I graduated from NC State in 2019 and worked for a little while to take a break from school before going back to get my Master’s to pursue a career in teaching. When the pandemic hit and all schools went virtual I decided to take a step back and reevaluate. I tried my hand in healthcare but ultimately decided it may not be the best fit for me. In 2022 I went on a Discovery Flight and was immediately hooked, I was “bit by the bug”. I’ve since change my career to aviation and haven’t looked back once. It’s such privilege to now get to teach people about the joys of the skies that I fell in love with. 

Hey, I’m Nick! As a kid, I had always been fascinated by the magic of airplanes. I spent many summer days on the water watching the USAF A-10 Warthogs and infamous B-2 Spirit Bombers soar high above the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Although aviation intrigued me, I never considered becoming a pilot. Instead, I attended the University of South Florida where I studied biology and was heavily involved with emergency medical services. However, after the pandemic hit in 2020, I decided to switch things up and pursue my true passion: flying. My aviation career began in Concord, NC, where I earned my certificates and ratings up to CFI, CFII, and MEI. I have thoroughly enjoyed every mile of my journey through the skies, and I am eager to share this experience with others. Can’t wait to see you up there!

Hey, I’m Elliott! I’ve always had a passion for aviation since I was a young child. My 5th birthday was spent watching planes take off from KMIA, however I never considered it for a career. After spending 13 years working in motorsports from the grass roots level, to most recently at the Cup level at Team Penske, I decided it was time to attempt a second career. Aviation has been nothing but rewarding since I made that choice. If your dream is to fly, come allow us to help you reach your goals. No one ever regrets becoming a pilot. See you soon!

Hello! My name is Dylan, and I was born and raised in Mooresville, NC. Growing up, I wasn’t quite sure what my ultimate career goal was. That changed in May of 2023, just before I graduated high school, when an instructor from Race City offered to take me up for a discovery flight. It was truly eye-opening—and from that moment on, I was bitten by the flying bug. That flight lit a fire in me, and I became fully committed to pursuing a career in aviation. I completed my training at Race City in February of 2025, and I’m proud to say I’ve now come full circle: I’ve been given the opportunity to be an instructor at the very same school that helped turn me from zero to hero. I’m excited to pass along the knowledge and skills I’ve gained at Race City, and I look forward to helping shape the next generation of safe, responsible pilots!

Hello, my name is Merritt Metzler! I always knew I wanted to be a pilot, the first one in my family, but never knew how to get started. After graduating from ECU, my business management degree wasn’t giving me the excitement I hoped for. That’s when I decided to take the leap of faith and make my dream a reality. I took my discovery flight and completed all my training and certifications with Race City. I’m excited now to be able to share my passion for aviation with student pilots, where it all began for me. I can’t wait to share the plane and the skies with you!

Hello, I’m Alexis! I grew up in the Lake Norman area, not really sure of what I wanted to do “when I grow up”. In 2020, I followed in my mom’s footsteps and started grooming dogs. While I love working with animals, I eventually realized it was not a career I wanted to pursue long-term. In 2023, I was introduced to aviation after a family friend started flying and also getting to see Life Flight helicopters fly while a family member was in the hospital. After the idea of learning to fly peaked my interest, I came to Race City for a discovery flight. I instantly knew I had found what I wanted to do! I’ve been flying ever since, earning all my certificates and ratings here at Race City. Now, I’m doing what I love everyday and enjoying every moment of it. I’m excited to see where this adventure takes me, and I can’t wait to help others do the same along the way! 

Hey, I'm Jack! I'm a 2nd generation pilot, and have been absolutely obsessed with aviation, planes, and flying since I was a young child! I had originally spent my life working towards my goal of joining Marine Corps aviation, just like my dad. Ultimately, I pivoted to general aviation. I took a discovery flight in 2021, and starting in 2022 I worked through every single one of my certificates and ratings right here at Race City Flight Ops! Even now, more than ever, I find sharpening my skills and jockeying aircraft to be the greatest part of my life. Now, I get to share my passion by helping others discover their wings and master the skies. I'm looking forward to meeting you!

Hey, my name is Charlie! I grew up on Lake Norman and I’ve been around aviation in one way or another for pretty much my entire life. After high school I wasn’t sure what I wanted to pursue as career until my dad suggested I consider flying. I’m not sure why it took me as long as it did to land on the idea but I couldn’t be happier that I did. I love all types of flying but my favorite would have to be grass strip hopping in the ole Piper Cub. I completed all of my ratings here at Race City and couldn’t be more excited to continue my career here as an instructor. My goal is to follow in my grandfather and father’s footsteps and become a third generation airline pilot.