WITH AN ENGINEER
Joel Perez, P.E. — FAA Certified Flight Instructor, Commercial Pilot, Commercial Drone Operator, L2 Rocketry, Propulsion Engineer, Data Analytics, and Aircraft Owner / Entrepreneur.
YOUR FLIGHT TRAINING
REIMAGINED
Training with an aerospace engineer means understanding flight at a fundamental level — from aerodynamics to avionics, from weather systems to engine performance.
Owner-operated aircraft
Why Train with a
Professional Engineer?
Most flight instructors teach you what to do. Joel teaches you why it works. With a Master's in Astronautical Engineering from USC and 19+ years in aerospace, every lesson is grounded in first principles.
Joel's current focus is instructing student pilots and helping them adopt the latest AI tools and training sets to make their aviation journey as easy and cost-effective as possible. The same data-driven mindset he applies to engineering — rapid iteration, pattern recognition, and intelligent tooling — translates directly into faster, smarter flight training.
Joel owns and operates a 1977 Cessna 172N, so your training happens in a well-maintained, personally-cared-for aircraft — not a rental fleet. He knows every system intimately.
Joel is also a club instructor at Plus One Flyers — San Diego's premier flying club with 45+ aircraft across Montgomery Field, Gillespie Field, Palomar, and Ramona. Club membership gives students access to a wide fleet at competitive rates alongside Joel's instruction.
LEARN FASTER WITH
INTELLIGENT TOOLS
Joel integrates the same AI-driven, data-first mindset he uses at Solar Turbines directly into flight training — so you learn smarter, not just harder.
Interactive Q&A for FAA written prep, regulations, weather theory, and aerodynamics explanations tailored to your level.
AI-assisted study plans, checklist generation, and real-time research during ground lessons.
Fast, cited answers to aviation questions — NOTAMs, airspace rules, weather phenomena — without the noise.
Leveraging AI-enhanced flight planning, weather briefing, and logbook analysis to build situational awareness faster.
Data visualization tools built by Joel to track student progress, analyze flight patterns, and identify areas for improvement.
Flight simulator sessions paired with AI-generated debrief reports to accelerate maneuver proficiency between flights.
Private Pilot License
PPL – Part 61 / Part 141Start your aviation journey with a structured, safety-first curriculum. Joel's engineering background means you'll understand the 'why' behind every maneuver — not just the 'how.'
Instrument Rating
IFR TrainingMaster flight by reference to instruments. Joel holds an Instrument rating and brings systems-level thinking to IFR training, helping you build genuine proficiency in IMC conditions.
Commercial Pilot
CPL PreparationAdvance your skills toward a commercial certificate. Joel is an FAA Commercial Pilot with complex and high-performance ratings — he knows exactly what it takes to reach professional standards.
AI-Enhanced Learning
Technology-Integrated TrainingJoel uses ChatGPT, Perplexity, Copilot, and custom AI workflows to accelerate ground school — turning complex aerodynamics, regulations, and weather theory into interactive, personalized study sessions.
Ground School
Engineering-Grade AcademicsFrom aerodynamics to engine systems, Joel's aerospace engineering background transforms ground school into a deep, intuitive understanding of how aircraft actually work.
Flight Review & IPC
Recurrent TrainingBiennial Flight Reviews and Instrument Proficiency Checks conducted with precision and professionalism. Stay current, stay safe, stay sharp.
JOEL L. PEREZ, P.E.
PILOT · ENGINEER · EDUCATOR
Joel Perez is a rare combination: a FAA Certified Flight Instructor, Commercial Pilot, and Licensed Professional Engineer with over 19 years of aerospace and propulsion engineering experience. Based in San Diego, California, Joel brings a depth of technical knowledge to the cockpit that is virtually unmatched in general aviation instruction.
Joel currently focuses on instructing student pilots and helping them adopt the latest AI tools and training sets to make their aviation journey as easy and cost-effective as possible. He believes that the same data-driven mindset that powers aerospace engineering — rapid iteration, pattern recognition, and intelligent tooling — applies directly to learning to fly.
In his day job at Solar Turbines (Caterpillar), Joel's sole focus is creating and refining digital twins and full engine thermodynamic models for the entire gas turbine product line. He uses AI tools extensively to refine simulation models, process live test data in real time, and build dashboards that make very complex thermodynamic and transient dynamic problems visible in a simple, actionable way.
Through his company Interspace Systems, Joel provides engineering consulting, commercial drone services, and aerial photography. He is an AIAA Associate Fellow and serves as Deputy Director of Membership for AIAA Northwest Region 6.
Licenses & Certifications
JOEL L. PEREZ, P.E.
M.S. Astronautical Engineering
2012University of Southern California
Spacecraft Propulsion · GPA 3.94
B.S. Aerospace Engineering
2006University of California, San Diego
Orion Crew Exploration Concept Vehicle · GPA 3.18
Engineering Career
Consultant – Performance Engineering
Solar Turbines Inc. (Caterpillar)
Sole focus: creating and refining digital twins and full engine thermodynamic models for the entire gas turbine product line. Uses AI tools extensively to refine simulation models, process live test data in real time, and build dashboards that make complex thermodynamic and transient dynamic problems visible in a simple, actionable way.
Staff Propulsion Engineer
Ursa Major Technologies
Led system modeling for the Ripley 50,000 lbf LOX/RP-1 rocket engine. Developed transient simulation capabilities and hardware-in-the-loop testing infrastructure.
Sr. Principal Performance / Mechanical Engineer
Solar Turbines Inc.
Lead engineer for Mars 90 & Mars 100 gas turbine digital twins. Pioneered machine learning and large transient data visualization tools for rapid test assessment.
Senior Aerospace Engineer
Pratt & Whitney AeroPower
Led turbine vane & combustor design for the Airbus A320Neo APU. Integrated design best practices and acquired NX6 custom tools for airfoil creation.
Senior Development Engineer
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne
Supported Space Shuttle Main Engines (RS-25E) and J2-X combustion components. Led Thermography and Laser brazing technology development, saving $25M+ in flight assets.
YOUR FIRST LESSON IS
CLOSER THAN YOU THINK
Train in a 1977 Cessna 172N with a Professional Engineer and Commercial Pilot.
FULL-SPECTRUM
AVIATION & ENGINEERING
From the cockpit to the control room — Joel's multidisciplinary expertise spans flight instruction, commercial drone operations, propulsion engineering, and AI-driven data analysis.
COMMERCIAL
DRONE OPERATIONS
Interspace Systems provides FAA-certified UAS operations for aerial photography, inspection, high-altitude systems, and more.
Flight Instruction
- Private Pilot License (PPL)
- Instrument Rating (IFR)
- Commercial Pilot prep
- Biennial Flight Reviews (BFR)
- Instrument Proficiency Checks (IPC)
- Owner-operated Cessna 172N
Commercial Drone Services
- FAA Part 107 certified operations
- Aerial photography & videography
- Inspection & surveillance
- High-altitude balloon systems
- UAS deployment, tracking & recovery
- Airspace authorization (LAANC)
Interspace Systems Consulting
- Propulsion system modeling & analysis
- Transient dynamics & digital twins
- Gas turbine performance engineering
- Rocket engine simulation (ROCETS)
- Additive manufacturing design
- CAD / GD&T per ASME Y14.5
Data Analysis & Visualization
- Transient dynamic data analysis
- Machine learning for test assessment
- MATLAB & Python data pipelines
- Large-scale performance visualization
- Rapid test assessment tools
- Computer vision applications
Aerial Photography
- Real estate & architecture
- Events & film production
- Infrastructure inspection
- Environmental monitoring
- High-altitude balloon imagery
- Manned & unmanned platforms
AI-Enhanced Learning
- AI-integrated flight ground school
- Technology-driven study tools
- Data visualization for aviation
- Modern simulation techniques
- Personalized learning pathways
- Engineering-grade academics
PROPULSION &
DATA ENGINEERING
19+ Years of Aerospace
Engineering Excellence
From Space Shuttle Main Engines to cutting-edge rocket propulsion and industrial gas turbines, Joel has spent two decades solving the hardest problems in aerospace engineering. Today, his primary focus at Solar Turbines is creating and refining digital twins and full engine thermodynamic models, using AI tools extensively to process live test data, refine simulation models, and build dashboards that make very complex problems simple and actionable — the same philosophy he brings to flight training.
Technical Proficiencies
Awards & Recognition
Notable Projects
Ripley Engine — First Fire
50,000 lbf LOX/RP-1 Ox-Rich Staged Combustion engine. Joel supported thermodynamic modeling and transient data analysis leading up to this historic first-fire milestone.
Space Shuttle Main Engine Nozzles
Led STS-127 nozzle corrosion anomaly investigation that saved 30% of the nozzle fleet. Designed replica engines for Space Shuttle Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour museum displays.
Mars 100 Digital Twin & AI Analytics
Sole focus: creating and refining full engine thermodynamic digital twins for 2,000+ fielded gas turbines. Uses AI extensively to process live test data, refine models, and build dashboards that make complex transient dynamics simple and actionable.
READY TO
TAKE OFF?
Whether you're ready to start your flight training journey, need commercial drone services, or want to discuss engineering consulting — Joel is ready to connect. Based in San Diego, CA.
Flight instruction available in the San Diego area. Training conducted in Joel's personally-owned 1977 Cessna 172N.