Meet the Team

Wayne Foss began flying helicopters in the Army in 1970​, deploying to Vietnam and later obtaining his civilian ratings in helicopters and airplanes. He attended the University of Houston while flying charter and flight instructing. After college, Wayne worked as a CPA for one of the world's largest firms and flew corporate on the side. In 1999, he semi-retired and went back to flying as his primary pursuit, including instructing, contract flying for the State of Texas, and then flying EMS helicopters in the mountains of Arizona. In 2001, Wayne began working for Evergreen International Helicopters, Inc, flying both helicopters and airplanes in the Gulf of Mexico. In 2010, he became the Program Manager/Lead Pilot/Instructor for the first major civilian search and rescue/EMS operation for Era in the Gulf of Mexico, standing up a 24/7/365 operation covering the entire Gulf Coast. He also flew and instructed in Brazil and Argentina teaching SAR/EMS operations. He became an instructor for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in 2016. Wayne is now the general manager and chief flight instructor for Knoxville Flight Training Academy.  He has accumulated over 13,000 accident-free flight hours in helicopters and airplanes and over 3,000 hours instructing. 

Troy Williams is an FAA certified gold seal flight instructor, instrument instructor, multi-engine instructor, and advanced ground instructor. Troy's aviation background began in West Texas, where he earned his private pilot certificate. He went on to graduate from the Prescott, Arizona campus of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He holds the ratings of commercial pilot, single and multi-engine land airplane, with instrument privileges. During his time off, he enjoys kayaking with his wife and dog. 

​Jack Quinby comes to Knoxville Flight Training Academy from the Pacific Northwest. He began flying at the age of 11 when his dad bought him a discovery flight for his birthday. It was on that day that Jack decided to make flying his life. In high school, he began flying gliders, soloing at the age of 14 and receiving his certificate at 16. After graduating high school and serving in the military, he used the G.I.  Bill to go back to flight school. There he received his private, instrument, commercial, and flight instructor certificates for both single and multi-engine airplanes. He also received his bachelor's degree in Aeronautics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He moved to Knoxville in 2017 and began instructing at Knoxville Flight Training Academy. 

Adam Rogutich grew up with a passion for aviation. His father is an avionics technician for American Airlines and his mother is a United Airlines flight attendant. He wanted to be the pilot of the family, and he began flying lessons in 2012 at Poplar Grove airport in northern Illinois. He received his private pilot certificate in 2013, flying a Cessna 152 and 172 and quickly added a tailwheel endorsement, flying a Piper J3 cub and Cessna 140 from grass strips. Adam continued his aviation career through Indiana State University at the beginning of 2014 and has since obtained his instrument rating, single and multi-engine commercial, and flight instructor certificates. He is a Part 141 graduate and has flown a variety of aircraft including Cessnas, Pipers, Diamonds, and even the Cirrus Vision Jet. He is looking forward to an exciting career in the airlines and loves to share the knowledge and experience of aviation with all his students. 

Gabriel Martin began his flying career as a student at Middle Tennessee State University in the aerospace program. After graduating and beginning work as a flight instructor, he made the move to join the team at Knoxville Flight Training Academy. He is the latest instructor to join the Knoxville Flight Training Academy family, having joined in early 2020.

PJ Vlok is a native of South Africa and has lived in the USA for five years. He holds a Ph.D. in industrial engineering and is an adjunct professor at UT. He obtained his private, instrument, multi-engine and commercial certificates in South Africa and then converted them to FAA. He earned his flight instructor certificates here at Knoxville Flight Training Academy and has been teaching here since 2017. He is also qualified as a Mission Pilot with the Civil Air Patrol Squadron in Knoxville.

When the airplanes are all grounded due to weather, you will sometimes see Yuca around the office, bringing smiles to the faces of staff and students on those gloomy days. She is a rescue and all of 7 pounds, and while shy around new people, she is never one to turn down a good scratch behind the ears.