Craig Steel is the General Manager and Assistant Chief Pilot at SkyEagle Aviation Academy and ATP.Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A professional pilot and instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI), Craig oversees flight training operations, instructor standardization, and checkride readiness for one of South Florida’s leading FAA-approved flight schools.
Before aviation, Craig built a successful career in hospitality and restaurant development, leading multi-million-dollar projects and earning recognition including Hilton Manager of the Year (2021) and Restaurant of the Year (2021 & 2022). He then pivoted to his long-held passion—flying—completed the ATP program in eight months with a first-time pass on all FAA checkrides, and joined SkyEagle first as an instructor, later advancing to Assistant Chief Pilot and General Manager.
– Leads daily flight operations and ensures adherence to FAA regulations.
– Drives instructor standardization, quality control, and ACS-aligned checkride preparation.
– Coordinates flight, maintenance, and administrative teams to keep training efficient and safe.
– Remains an active instructor, mentoring students and modeling professional cockpit discipline.
CFI / CFII / MEI – active instructor ratings covering primary, instrument, and multi-engine training.
My personal mission is to make our Academy more than a flight school – a community. We set high expectations, communicate clearly, and support each student so they can pass with confidence and grow into safe, professional aviators.
Craig Steel
