Executive Flight Training

Raleigh Executive Jetport (KTTA), Sanford, NC





Here at Executive Flight Training and Services we embrace the world of general aviation for one reason, we love to fly.


Our Managing Director Carson Willis has served as our Chief Pilot since 2017 and is a CFI, CFII, MEI with more than 5,500 hours of experience. Carson began flying in 1995 and was hired with a regional airline flying the Beech 1900 at the age of 22. He left the airline industry as a Captain on the CRJ 200/700 in 2007, but his passion for flying remains. He continues to train new students, develop & mentor our CFI’s and share his love of aviation. Carson is also in the financial services industry in Raleigh, NC.

David is a Gold Seal instrument, single (land and sea) and multi-engine flight instructor who has been flying since 1998. In 2010 he was selected as the EAA Outstanding Chapter Coordinator for Young Eagles. He holds instrument and advanced ground instructor certifications and has taught aviation ground school at Wake Tech Community College. His previous company, Wildon Software, provided initial support for the Operation Fly NC program.

Gene is a dedicated flight instructor (CFI, AGI) and also a member of our administrative staff as the Secretary of the board of Directors. Gene has over 35 years of flight experience and more than 4,500 hours with a history of membership in military flying clubs all over the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, and even Guam.

Joshua is a North Carolina Native who was raised in southeast Raleigh near what is now known as Fuquay Angier airfield, a short grass strip. His first flight was at 8 years old in an old wooden, tandem seat Aeronca Champ. As soon as the plane left the ground, he screamed to have the pilot land. On short final however, he got over his fear, and fell in love with aviation. He swept hangars in exchange for rides in old WW2 trainers, and some cool modern aerobatic planes. He decided to pursue a career in aviation in the fall of 2018. With only 1 hour in his logbook, he started part 61 training, and in late 2019, he obtained his Commercial ASEL. Now, as of spring 2022 he is a CFI with over 800 hours dual given. He is also a Medivac pilot for fixed wing operations at local hospitals, as well as a charter captain for a local 135 operation. Josh enjoys challenging pilots young and old to exceed their own expectations. He always tells everyone he quit working for a living when he started flying.

From a young age, Waverly was captivated by aviation. One summer, while out boating with family, he witnessed a seaplane perform takeoffs and landings on the lake. It was an incredible sight that inspired him to set a goal of becoming a pilot. Later that same year, he earned his private pilot's certificate, and then pursued further flight training at a local college, graduating in May 2022. Waverly is now thrilled to be working as a CFII and eager for the opportunities ahead in aviation.

Sean is a CFI and CFII, born and raised in New York and recently moved to North Carolina. Sean's love of flying started when he was 12 years old when his dad took him to visit a friend’s hanger. Sean got to sit in a Su-26 aerobatic plane and spend time flying in a simulator. He realized that day that flying was destined to be in his future. As Sean got older, he pursued a career as a project manager and plumber, and was brought back to flying when he was gifted an intro flight lesson for his birthday. That lesson changed his life. Almost immediately after landing he decided that flying would be more than just a hobby and left his job to enroll into a full time flight school. After completing flight school, Sean worked as a flight instructor in New York before relocating to North Carolina and joining Executive Flight Training. He is excited for the new adventures and opportunities NC and Executive Flight Training hold.

Andy decided to take up flying while away on deployment after speaking with another soldier who used to fly traffic watch. Now that he’s retired from the Army National Guard after nearly 27 years of service, Andy enjoys helping pilots reach their goals. He’s a volunteer for Angel Flights, Pilots N Paws, Veterans Airlift Command, and Operation Airdrop. Andy’s experienced in 30 types of general aviation planes, and fly’s a Mooney M20J 201 out of TTA.

Luke would sit in on his older brother's first flight lessons and found that he enjoyed learning about flying more than any subject he was ever shown in school. Before heading to college he became fully immersed in reading books about aviation, watching documentaries and studying for flight exams. Earning his Private Pilot certificate right before heading to College to study a 4-year degree in Aviation Sciences. After being surrounded by other pilots and finding joy in helping his peers study, he then knew he wanted to become a flight instructor to help others achieve their goals in flying.

Mark received his first flying lessons as a 38th birthday gift from his wife who was tired of hearing about wanting to fly ever since watching Sky King as a kid. Jan thought this would get it out of his system. She claims she hasn't seen him since. In 2012 Mark moved to North Carolina after 20 years in Colorado, where his teaching included mountain flying in the Rockies. He has been a volunteer pilot with Angel Flight, Lifeline Pilots and Pilots & Paws and is am aviation attorney as well as a commercial pilot and CFI/CFII.

Dan started flying as a student in 1998 and is an instrument rated private pilot who also holds a certificate of professional photography from the New York Institute of Photography. Dan served as the President of EFTS from incorporation until January of 2013. He currently resides in the Tacoma, WA area and continues to work with EFTS through online collaboration and the occasional transcontinental flight. Dan currently flies his Bonanza F33A out of Pierce County, "Thun Field" in Puyallup, WA.