Carlos Rivera

Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Rivera’s dream of flying began at the age of five. When he wrote an essay in the 6th grade claiming he’d be a military instructor pilot, most of his classmates laughed at him. Rivera took first flight in a Cessna 172 at age 15 flying to the Poconos in Pennsylvania. He began flight lessons at age 19, riding his bike 10 miles to Flanders Valley Airport in New Jersey. He soloed in a Cessna 150 at age 20 on an amazing July afternoon.

Rivera joined the United States Army at age 21 as a helicopter crew chief and eventually became an Aeroscout Observer and entered U.S. Army flight school at age 28. He graduated as a Distinguished Honor Graduate and realized his dream of 21 years by becoming a military helicopter instructor pilot at 28 years old.

After an incredible career flying as a news helicopter pilot in New York City, covering events from September 11 to the Miracle on the Hudson, Rivera earned two Emmy awards. After 10 years of intense flying, he became an EMS helicopter pilot in southwest Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee for 11 years.
Riviera rekindled his instructor dream after meeting a retired designated pilot examiner who mentored and encouraged him to earn his civilian CFI in helicopters, followed by airplane instrument, commercial, and CFI at age 57. Ray earned his CFII and IGI at age 59, and CFI-NVG, ME, MEI at age 60. He became a tailwheel instructor at age 61. Ray is now working on his ATP-ME and AGI.

Currently Riviera has 13 students in all phases of flight from private pilot through CFI.

In 42 years, he has accumulated over 2,000 hours of flight instruction and more than 15,000 total hours. He gives back to the local aviation community as an EAA Young Eagles pilot and FAASTeam representative.