About Azzurra Aviation Academy

Antonio started his flying career at very young age by obtaining his first private pilot license in Italy at the age of 18 from the Catania Aeronautical Technical Institute from which he graduated in 1981 with a degree in Professional Aeronautics (Pilot program). Shortly after, he joined the Italian Navy with the rank of Ensign and he served as a navigation officer on board of a Frigate V. Fasan  F-194. In 1984 he was selected to attend the USN flight training program in Pensacola, FL (Primary) and Corpus Christi, TX (Advanced). He obtained his wings of gold as a Naval Aviator in 1987 in Corpus Christi. Antonio was then assigned to the 41^st Wing, 88^th Squadron ASW in Sigonella, Italy, in which he flew the Breguet BR-1150 ‘Atlantic’ until his separation in 1992. In 1996 he graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics. In 2007 Antonio became a Flight Instructor at Sterling Flight Training, and instructed there until 2023. In 2013 he joined ExpressJet Airlines as a First Officer flying CRJ-700/900.

Antonio throughout his 44 years flying career has accumulated over 6,300 hours of flight experience, over 3,200 hours of dual given, and has flown over 50 different types of aircraft. He flew as a Part 141 Flight Instructor for Sterling Flight Training until 2019, and from 2019 to 2023 as a Chief Flight Instructor.

Antonio currently holds an FAA ATP Multi Engine Land, Gold Seal CFI (Certified Flight Instructor), CFII (Flight Instructor Instrument), MEI (Multi-Engine Instructor), AGI (Advanced Ground Instructor) and an EASA (Italy) Commercial Pilot License with and Multi Engine and Instrument.

Andrea Germanetti’s passion for flying began at age seven, during a flight with Italy’s famed Alpi Eagles demonstration team. By 19, he had earned his private pilot license and, together with a friend, built and still flies a Starduster II biplane. Over the years, he has also took part to restorations projects including an SNJ-6 Texan and a Piper Cherokee, reflecting his lifelong enthusiasm for aircraft building.

Early in his career, Andrea discovered his love for mentoring and instruction, building time towing gliders and later training in biplanes and aerobatics under the guidance of inspiring mentors. Since 1997 his professional path has taken him from flying Citations in air taxi operations, to 11 years with Alitalia on the DC-9/MD-80, to international long-haul flying as a Boeing 777 captain with Emirates and Korean Air.

Andrea holds an FAA ATP certificate with single- and multi-engine ratings, CFI/CFII, and a 737 type rating. In addition he is an EASA-certified Instructor with additional qualifications including FI, IRI, CRI, and CRE (the equivalent of CFII, MEI, and examiner ratings). He is a certified Aerobatic Flight Instructor and an Advance UPRT instructor. He held a type rating instructor for the B777/787, with UPRT qualification.

His passion for teaching will bring a deep-rooted commitment to safety and mentorship. He strongly believes that the quality of training and the lasting impact it has on each pilot is the priority, not the number of students passing through a program.

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