FLIGHT STAFF
Chris Gularte
Director of Operations / Chief Pilot
Chief Flight Instructor - Helicopter
Helicopter Charter / Tour Pilot
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.
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 is currently training a new group of San Jose County Police Officers cadets to be pilots. 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.
Trevor Saracino
Hayward Base Manager
Flight Instructor- Helicopters - CFII
Helicopter Tour Pilot
Trevor is a CFII that teaches at our Hayward location. He first became interested in helicopters through his mentor and rock climbing partner who is an air medical pilot. He has years of experience training others for circus performances and thinks that riding a 20 foot tall unicycle is very similar to learning how to hover. If he isn’t at work he is probably reading, cooking, or off climbing somewhere. Trevor recently moved to the Bay Area and is excited to explore everything it has to offer while flying and during his free time.
Andrew Atwell
Flight Instructor- Helicopters - CFI
Helicopter Tour Pilot
Andrew has been flying since 2015. He holds a commercial pilot certificate for both helicopters and single engine airplanes. He teaches helicopters in the Robinson R44 at Specialized Helicopters, and can teach in the Guimbal Cabri G2. He loves to share his passion for the aviation industry and wants to promote aviation safety in every community in the USA.
Stephanie Fujihara
Flight Instructor - Helicopter- CFII
Helicopter Tour 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.
Abbo Nathan
Flight Instructor - Helicopter- CFI
Helicopter Tour pilot
Abbo is a former student of Specialized Helicopters and is based at our Hayward location. After several years as a Hotshot firefighter for the US Forest Service, she joined a Helitack crew where she learned she wanted to be a pilot. When she’s not flying, she is probably backpacking, camping, or swimming in the ocean.
Jacob Sullivan
Flight Instructor - Helicopters - CFI
Helicopter Tour Pilot
Jacob Sullivan (Sully) is a CFI in helicopters at our Watsonville location. He began his training in Montana, and finished most of his ratings at Embry-Riddle Prescott, where he also received a degree in aeronautics. He has flown in a wide variety of environments which makes him a very diverse and capable pilot. In his free time he enjoys mountain biking and spending time on the beach.
Jon Wizard
Flight Instructor - Airplane - CFII
Airplane charter and tour pilot
Jon grew up in San Diego before moving to the Monterey Bay with his family in the late 90s. After finishing college and working in local government and the nonprofit sector, Jon made the jump to the aviation industry. Jon completed flight training locally, in Phoenix with the United Aviate Academy, and in the Twin Cities region, and he has completed multi-engine land and hopes to complete multi-engine instructor ratings soon. Jon's goal is to work for an airline so he can support his travel habit.
EJ Bright
Flight Instructor - Airplane- CFI
Elijah (EJ), is a former student of Specialize and has the majority of his hours in southern California. He is an airplane CFI, and wants to become an airline pilot. In his off time he enjoys surfing, fishing, and freediving.
Aidan first started flying in 2021 in sunny Santa Barbara, California. He earned his commercial in 2023 before moving to Santa Cruz and completing his Airplane CFI at Specialized in early 2024. He eventually wants to become an airline pilot. Outside of flying, he is a full time Computer Science student at UC Santa Cruz, and enjoys hiking, mountain biking and going to the gym.
Aidan Dhillon
Flight Instructor - Airplane - CFI
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!
Daniel Henriks
Flight Instructor - Airplane - CFII - Multi
Airplane Tour Pilot
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.
Anna Gooding
Flight Instructor - Airplane - CFII - Multi
Airplane tour pilot
Anna got her private pilot certificate with Specialized in 2021 and is now our airplane CFII. Her dream is to fly cargo in the Boeing 747 out of Alaska. When she’s not flying, she spends her time surfing and hanging out by the beach.
Mike Nelson
Airplane Tour Pilot
Mike Nelson has been the Chief Pilot for our next-door neighbors at Skydive Surf City for over ten years flying numerous skydive flights. His flying career includes flying acrobatic flights in our Decathlon and Waco bi-plane. When he isn’t flying tours in our multiengine aircraft, performing aerial ash scattering services, he’s out flying gliders and being a foodie trying different sushi restaurants.
Jon Thornton
Chief Flight Instructor - Airplane
Flight Instructor - Helicopter
Gold Seal Flight Instructor
FAA- DPE
Helicopter Charter / Tour Pilot
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.
OFFICE STAFF
Sierra Lewis
Flight Operations General Manager
Sierra is a Cal State Monterey Bay alumnus with her BS in Environmental Science and Technology. She is in our “Zero to Hero” flight 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. Maintenance Manager
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
A&P / I.A. Maintenance Manager
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 Liciaga-Pellot
Maintenance Technician Floor Manager
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.