Ioannis Charalambous

Ioannis "John" Charalambous is an FAA-Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and a cornerstone of the aviation community in Farmingdale, New York. Based at Republic Airport (KFRG) under the FAA’s EA11 office, Charalambous serves as the CEO and Chief Flight Instructor of Global Aviation Center and is an Assistant Professor of Aviation at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology. With a Master’s Degree in Aviation Management and degrees from Dowling College, he has dedicated over 15 years to professional flight training and student mentorship since beginning his instructional career in 2008.

He holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate along with CFI, CFII, and MEI ratings, amassing thousands of flight hours in both instructional and operational environments. Known for a rigorous but fair examination style, Charalambous is frequently praised by students for his "safety-first" mindset. He emphasizes that while perfection is not expected during a checkride, a pilot’s commitment to safety and adherence to Airman Certification Standards (ACS) are non-negotiable. His diverse background, including fluency in both English and Greek, allows him to support a wide range of domestic and international pilot candidates in achieving their professional aviation goals.