Our Team
We pride ourselves on bringing our clients strong programs and exciting experiences with engaging and knowledgeable presenters.
Mike Schuster
Principal Consultant, Chief Instructor
Aviation Solutions was founded by Mike Schuster, who currently serves as Principal Consultant and Chief Instructor. Mike has been involved in flight training and commercial operations for over 20 years, having given thousands of hours of in-flight and ground school instruction. He has held the positions of Chief Flight Instructor, Person Responsible for Maintenance, and Director of Flight Operations for multiple FTUs ranging in size from 8 aircraft to 40. His experience includes managing university, integrated, and international programs of over 200 full time students, and 65 flight instructors; as well as delivering the DND Air Cadet power scholarship program. Mike’s experience in commercial operations comes from having flown the PC-12 for Canada’s premier fractional company, as a Training Captain on Bombardier’s Q400 with a major Canadian airline where he also served as a Flight Operations Safety Officer, and currently being qualified as a Training Captain and Instructor on the A320 with a Canadian air carrier - where is also involved in the development and delivery of their new-hire pilot training program across all fleets.
Mike has been involved in the development of such programs as the Integrated ATP (406), Safety Management Systems (406, 703, 705), SOPs (406, 703), Flight Operations Manuals (406, 703, 705), Maintenance Control Manuals (406, 703), Minimum Equipment Lists (705), Flight Dispatch Manuals (705), Quality Assurance (406, 703), and training program development at many levels.
Mike holds an Airline Transport Pilot License, Class 1 Flight Instructor Rating, and Authorized Person status for Transport Canada. He has also held delegated authorities as a formal aviation language assessor and Pilot Examiner (IFR). He is a regular aviation writer (see our blog), and has been published multiple times in Transport Canada’s Aviation Safety Letter. Mike also makes regular appearances as an industry expert through various media and events, including presenting at the TSB’s annual Air Safety Investigator Workshop. He received Special Recognition from the Selection Committee of the David Abramson Memorial Flight Instructor Safety Award in both 2011 and 2022, and in 2013 was listed as one of Wings Magazine’s Top 10 Aviation and Aerospace Professionals Under 40 Years of Age. In 2022, he received the Transport Canada Aviation Safety Award for exceptional dedication and contribution to Canadian aviation safety. As part of his continual skill upgrading, Mike has also completed various professional development courses and qualifications.
Scott Peters
FIRC Presenter, Course Manager, Quality Assurance
Scott started his flying through the Royal Canadian Air Cadet system and received both his Glider and Private Pilot Licences through their scholarship programs. Scott graduated from Confederation College’s Aviation Flight Management Program in 1993. His career as a Flight Instructor started at Aviation International in Guelph, Ontario in 1995. He earned his Class 1 Instructor Rating in 1997 and subsequently held the position of Chief Flight Instructor at AI. Scott has been an Authorized Person, Aviation Language Proficiency Examiner, and Pilot Examiner for recreational, private, and commercial flight tests – in addition to having been the Training Manager and an Approved Check Pilot for a B1900 and CRJ operator. Scott is currently the Training Manager for the B737 at a major Canadian airline.
Nicholas Smith
FIRC Presenter, Course Manager, Quality Assurance
After graduating from Seneca College in 2004, Nicholas obtained his instructor rating at National Flyers Academy where he then taught on the DND Air Cadet program and for Conestoga College’s CPL Program at the Waterloo-Wellington Flight Centre. Nicholas then moved to Maylan Flight Academy where he filled the role of Assistant to the Director of Flight Operations, later being promoted to Chief Flight Instructor. In addition to time spent working on the University of Western Ontario ICPL program, he was instrumental in building one of the country’s largest flight training units. Nicholas is a Class 2 Instructor holding an ATPL. He has held line pilot and training positions on the B1900, EMB190, B737, and is currently an instructor and check pilot on the A220 with a Canadian air carrier.
Brett graduated from the Sault College Aviation Program (with Honours) in 2007, where he was also rated as the top IFR pilot in his class. Following this, Brett completed his initial instructor rating at National Flyers Academy. While at NFA he conducted ab-initio flight, ground, and simulator training for both civil and Air Cadet students. He then returned to Sault College where he also taught multi and IFR ratings within an ICPL program. Additionally, Brett has worked as a fire patrol (C337) and medivac pilot (PC-12). He spent several years as a Captain with a Canadian airline on the Q400, followed by a Captain position on the A320. Desiring a move to overseas flying, Brett joined the wide-body fleet as a B777 first officer in 2025 and also maintains his Class 1 Instructor Rating. Prior to joining Aviation Solutions, Brett was the 2014 recipient of the Chief Flight Instructor’s Award recognizing superior professionalism, skill, and dedication.
Brett Frey
FIRC Presenter, Course Manager, Quality Assurance
Guest Speakers
Transportation Safety Board, NavCanada, Transport Canada
When available and circumstances permit, we are pleased to welcome a variety of guest speakers to our courses. These industry experts share unique perspectives with our attendees. From the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, we have previously hosted Kathy Fox, Ewan Tasker, Mike Cunningham, and Isabelle Langevin. Kurtis Arnold, Andrew MacKenzie, Alex Brault, and Steve Newman have presented on behalf of NavCanada. We have also had several TC Inspectors deliver presentations, including Mike Bohemier, Brenda Frame, Mark Dixon, Paul Spiers, Jack Wisnicki, and Marc Saulnier, in addition to the many TC Inspectors who have used our FIRC to renew their own instructor ratings and have contributed through their participation. Highlights from these presentations have been integrated into our course content, and many of these presenters continue to be available to us as subject matter experts throughout the year.