FLIGHT STAFF
Chris likes to tell people that he started flying the central coast of California at age 6, but that he started flying helicopters in 1992. After 8 years of commercial flying and working across the country he became interested in the airshow industry where he received a Level 1 - Unrestricted Formation Aerobatic Competency Card and flew 5 years for the popular helicopter acrobatic team "Showcopters". He also managed their airshow and sponsor relations, and was the youngest helicopter performer/member of the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS). Chris founded Specialized Helicopters at the Watsonville, CA airport in July of 2005 with 1 R22 helicopter.
He began teaching helicopter students in 1997 and remains an active flight instructor and Check Airman for Helicopter Air Carrier operators today. Over the years, Chris has spear headed all of the innovation at Specialized Helicopters. From the R22-GT glass cockpit trainer to the aerial "cloud" display system. He also offers his clients a strong background in both aviation business and helicopter operations, consulting and business development with innovation and expertise.
His extensive back ground with flight training, air charter, air tours, aviation maintenance, and aviation business combines to create his well-rounded approach to a fluid and diverse industry. His personal client list includes some of the most influential people and businesses on earth. If you have a question, he is always eager to help. Feel free to reach out, his door is always open and you’re invited to ask questions.
Chris Gularte
Director of Operations / Chief Pilot
Chief Flight Instructor - Helicopter
Helicopter Charter / Tour Pilot
Paul Henrichsen
Flight Instructor - Helicopter - CFI
Helicopter Tour Pilot
Paul Henrichsen is our senior Helicopter Instructor here at Specialized with over 6,000 hours logged. He has trained numerous cadet pilots for the Santa Cruz Police, Sheriff and California Highway Patrol departments who are currently keeping our communities safe from the skies. When he isn’t training student pilots, law enforcement officers or flying tours, he spends time with his wife creating beautiful art and riding massive waves surfing off the beaches of Monterey Bay. He’s a native to the Monterey area so ask him to be your tour pilot. His knowledge will blow your mind away on the local hidden facts about movie stars and movies filmed in the area.
Stephanie Fujihara
Flight Instructor - Helicopter- CFII
Helicopter Tour and Charter Pilot
Stephanie grew up in the Bay Area and graduated from Vilanova University with a degree in Criminal Justice. After working as a police officer for six years she desired a career change and decided to pursue aviation. Her other passions include hiking, escape rooms, and traveling.
Jakub Karwowski
Flight Instructor- Helicopters - CFI
Helicopter Tour Pilot
Jake is a commercial pilot and CFI in the Hayward location. He comes from a motorsport background and has been involved with aviation since his high school days, when he became an FAA-certified airframe and power plant mechanic. After graduating college with a mechanical engineering degree, he spent 10 years in the fast-paced corporate world before revisiting his passion for aviation and obtaining his helicopter ratings. He brings with him a wealth of teaching enthusiasm from his days as a race driving instructor. In his free time, he is an avid road cyclist and scuba diver.
Izzy Rowntree
Flight Instructor - Helicopters - CFII
Helicopter Tour pilot
Izzy was born in Monterey California and obtained her private pilot license at Specialized Aviation. She has experience flying in Long Beach, CA and Caldwell, ID but is happy to have come full circle to join the Specialized team back at the Watsonville airport. In her free time... just kidding she has no free time she's always in the office so come fly with her!
Brittany Wolfensburger
Flight Instructor - Helicopter- CFII
Helicopter Tour pilot
Brittaney grew up between Idaho and Arizona and attended Montana State University (Go Cats!) before beginning her military career on active duty in the U.S. Army. She continues to serve through the Army National Guard while pursuing her aviation career.
After the military, Brittaney followed a lifelong pull toward aviation and completed her helicopter training at Silverhawk Aviation Academy in Idaho. She now works as a flight instructor and tour pilot, helping students and passengers experience firsthand that the sky truly is the limit—and she’s proud to be living that pursuit every day.
Kevin began flight training in California and then moved to Minnesota to complete instrument, commercial, and CFI/CFII. Kevin is excited to be back in warm and sunny California and is excited to provide instruction to students along the beautiful coastline of the Central Coast. During downtime you can find Kevin tasting coffee, tea, and tinkering with food recipes.
Kevin Wong
Flight Instructor - Airplane - CFII
Alexander Ahmad
Flight Instructor - Airplane - CFI
Alexander Ahmad is a California local living most of his life in Los Gatos California. He found a passion for flying after taking an intro flight at Palo Alto where he trained and received his private. To further his knowledge and deepen his understanding he attended Utah Valley University and received his Bachelor’s in Aviation Management. While working locally for a charter company, he finished his certificates before joining the Specialized team as a full time CFI. If not at the airport you can find him on a golf course, skiing, or at the racetrack with his motorcycles.
Taylor Benson
Flight Instructor - Airplane - CFII
Taylor began her aviation journey in Colorado, where she received her private pilot certificate. She then ventured back to the beach to finish up her instrument, commercial, and multi training with Specialized Aviation. When not in the sky, Taylor enjoys rock climbing, skiing, mountain biking, painting, and all things fun!
Dominic Coutches
Flight Instructor - Airplane - CFI
Dom is a third-generation pilot who has been surrounded by aircraft his entire life. Born and raised in California, he earned his certifications in the Sacramento area before joining Specialized Aviation. When he's not flying, Dom enjoys cooking, biking, and skiing.
Daniel Henriks
Flight Instructor - Airplane - CFII - Multi
Cirrus CSIP
Daniel first learned to fly out of Santa Monica during his first career as a Juilliard-trained classical musician and has since flown all over California and central Texas as well as his native Germany. He is a Gold Seal instructor.
He lives in Carmel and when not in the air, he enjoys the ocean, playing guitar, cooking and exploring nature with his dog Bonsai.
Bill Walls
Flight Instructor - Airplane - CFII
Airplane Tour Pilot
Bill began flying when he was 17 years old. He then pursued a rewarding career with the Fire Service for 30 years. In 2020, he began flying again right here at Specialized. After retiring from the Fire Service, he has now come full circle and is a flight instruction here at Specialized Aviation.
Jon has been a local California pilot for 30 years and has a blend of experience in business, aviation, has earned his CFI, MEI, ATP and is an FAA Designated Examiner. Jon earned the FAA "Gold Seal" flight instructor rating by more than 80% of his students passing the check ride on their first try. Jon has trained many pilots all the way from light sport to the highest level of ATP Multi Engine and takes pride in safe, thorough, and professional instruction.
He is not only an airplane CFII but also has his commercial Helicopter Ratings. His friendly and professional manner makes him the perfect educator and an all around enjoyable person to learn to fly with.
Jon Thornton
Chief Flight Instructor - Airplane
Flight Instructor - Helicopter
Gold Seal Flight Instructor
FAA- DPE
OFFICE STAFF
Sierra Lewis
Flight Operations General Manager
Sierra is a Cal State Monterey Bay alumni, with her BS in Environmental Science and Technology. She is in our professional helicopter pilot training program and is working towards a career as a commercial helicopter pilot. Sierra’s love for the outdoors keeps her in nature as much as possible; whether it’s hiking, camping, or walks on the beach with her dog Sunshine.
Andrea Flores
Flight Operations
Andy was born and raised in Watsonville and had a career as a flight attendant which sparked her interest in aviation. She is now in our Commercial program and hopes to become a CFI in the near future. When she’s not flying she enjoys dancing, food, and all the simple pleasures of life.
MAINTENANCE STAFF
Clark Grace
A&P / I.A.
Clark joined our team in 2017 and brings with him almost a decade of experience in aviation maintenance. His love for machines and focus on completing his work at the highest level is apparent in all of his assignments.
Cody Lelievre
Director of Maintenance
A&P / I.A.
Cody got his A&P in 2009 at San Joaquin Valley College and obtained his Inspection Authorization in 2015. Cody has worked for Specialized Aviation for 5 years and wants to eventually get his PPL Rotorcraft. He enjoys tinkering with all kinds of gizmos.
Angel, “Doc”, has always been interested in aviation ever since his family’s friend took him flying at 10 years old. Angel has been a mechanic for 7 years and has been with us at Specialized for over two years. He is an avid outdoors enthusiast who loves camping, snowboarding, hiking and the occasional bowling session.
Angel Liciaga-Pellot
Maintenance Technician Floor Manager