the Speedway Team

Sammy Shlapak brings clarity, energy, and high standards to every flight lesson. As Assistant Chief Instructor at Speedway, Sammy mentors students and instructors alike through a detailed and performance-focused training style.

He is known for simplifying difficult concepts and helping students improve quickly through small refinements and consistent feedback. Sammy’s flight instruction is structured and focused—whether it’s maneuvers, checkride prep, or daily dual lessons.

In addition to flying, he works behind the scenes on instructor onboarding and quality control, ensuring that every student receives consistent, high-quality training.

Eric Schafhauser is an airline captain, standards captain, and veteran CFI who works with Speedway Flight Training as a senior advisor and stage check instructor.

Eric's training philosophy emphasizes consistency, confidence, and professionalism. He helps students prepare not only for their checkrides, but for the expectations they will encounter at the regional and major airline level.

Students benefit from Eric’s insight into CRM, IFR procedures, and airline training pathways. His background in 121 operations, combined with decades of general aviation experience, makes him a valuable mentor for students pursuing long-term aviation careers.

Kat Charnel is a flight instructor who makes learning both fun and effective. With a positive, energetic style, Kat helps students feel supported and confident from the moment they start their training.

Her strengths lie in early-stage development, including building strong foundational habits during taxi, takeoff, and pattern work. She also places a strong emphasis on radio communication, airspace awareness, and student confidence.

Kat is known for her ability to connect with students, ease nerves, and provide structure during the most exciting—and sometimes intimidating—phases of flight training.

Joey Keahey is a CFI at Speedway with a calm and composed instructional style. He helps students navigate both the technical and mental challenges of becoming a safe, confident pilot.

Joey brings real-world flying experience into every lesson, helping students apply their training in ways that go beyond just checkride preparation. He emphasizes decision-making, airspace understanding, and weather interpretation throughout all phases of flight.

Whether you're prepping for a solo or refining your cross-country navigation, Joey offers structure, feedback, and a steady presence in the cockpit.

Josh Haynes brings a real-world mindset to the training environment, helping students learn what it means to fly safely, efficiently, and with purpose.

Josh is especially skilled at cross-country planning, weather briefings, and teaching practical aeronautical decision-making. His instruction style focuses on building complete pilots who are confident in both normal and abnormal operations.

Students appreciate his calm, structured approach and his emphasis on repetition, checklists, and readiness for real-life scenarios beyond the checkride.

Garrett Hoffee is a systems-focused CFI who helps students build competence through structure, repetition, and clear procedures. He is especially effective with checklist discipline, cockpit organization, and risk management.

Garrett’s methodical instruction style builds confidence through predictability and professionalism. Students describe him as focused, calm, and detail-oriented—qualities that translate to steady progress in both maneuvers and scenario-based training.

Whether working in the pattern or teaching cross-country procedures, Garrett emphasizes safe operations, student accountability, and sound technical foundations.