15 Years. Two Seats.
One Passion.
Burgundy Star Aviation was born from a burgundy Citabria with stars on the tail — and a belief that knowledge makes better pilots.
Airline Pilot.
Sim Instructor. Aviator at Heart.
Charlie is a Boeing 737 pilot with 15 years of flying experience. He is an initial type rating instructor in the simulator for a large 705 airline in Canada. Before that, he flew the Metroliner as a line training captain — the kind of background that means every concept taught at Burgundy Star Aviation comes with real operational context.
Students consistently describe Charlie as approachable, humble, and genuinely invested in their progress. No question is too basic and no concept too complex to unpack — the environment is one where curiosity is encouraged and understanding is the goal, not just getting through the material.
Outside the airline, Charlie flies his burgundy Citabria — the aircraft that gave Burgundy Star Aviation its name. The stars on the tail, the colour of the fuselage, and a love of general aviation all came together into a brand built around genuine passion for flying and the intricacies of IFR.
He also flies and instructs in gliders, bringing a breadth of experience that spans everything from high-altitude jet operations to the pure, engine-off art of soaring. That range shows up in the quality and depth of every lesson.
The Advanced IFR Concepts series on Instagram — @burgundystaraviation — grew from the same impulse: sharing the kind of complex, real-world IFR knowledge that most pilots don't get access to.
Why Burgundy Star Exists
To provide advanced aviation training that develops technically proficient, safety-focused pilots capable of operating confidently in complex flight environments.
A future where every IFR-rated pilot possesses the knowledge, judgement, and technical skill to operate safely and confidently in instrument conditions.
What Sets Burgundy
Star Apart
Experience in the Classroom
15 years of flying and time as a type rating instructor means the scenarios, the decisions, and the standards taught at Burgundy Star come from real operations — not just the textbook.
Approachable & Open
No question is too basic and no concept too complex to unpack. The environment is deliberately welcoming — curiosity is encouraged and understanding is always the goal.
A Passion for Flying in All Forms
From the 737 flight deck to a Citabria on a grass strip to soaring in a glider — Charlie flies because he loves it. That enthusiasm comes through in every lesson.
Train With Charlie
Whether you're after the Advanced IFR course or a tailwheel endorsement, get in touch to discuss your goals and find out when the next course runs.