About New Horizons Aviation

A Flight School Built on Vision, Not Just Business

New Horizons Aviation was founded on the belief that flight training shouldn’t be reserved for the wealthy or elite. It should be possible for anyone with the passion to fly.

Back in 2006, Dan Steiner developed a business plan and invited his friend Roger Yoder to partner with him. Together, they launched New Horizons Aviation with a mission to make flying more attainable for people from all walks of life.

Their vision was simple: create a flight school that puts people first, focuses on safety and service, and opens the door to the skies for anyone with a dream.

Today, Roger and current partner Dave Hawkins continue that mission, offering flight training, rentals, and testing in a friendly, supportive environment that feels more like a family than a facility.

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New Horizons Aviation, Inc. is Committed to the Following:

To provide professional Flight and Ground Instruction that prepares students to achieve the highest level of safety

To make ethical and financially sound business decisions

To provide a variety of airplanes that are safe and professionally maintained

To effectively prepare interested students for a career in aviation

To have integrity in all we do and to treat our customers and the local aviation community with respect and courtesy

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Our Community Involvement

We host Boy Scout and high school group visits

Internships with several area high schools

Youth programs through Lifeline and Transformation Ministries

Monthly Friday Lunch Fly-Ins to bring the community to the airport

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Flight Instructors

Roger Yoder

Roger is the Co-owner of New Horizons Aviation, Director of Flight Training and our Chief Flight Instructor. He has his Certified Flight Instructor rating with Instrument and Multi-engine Instructor endorsements. He retired from American Airlines in 2021 after a 35-year career, most recently as a Boeing 737 captain. He graduated from Hesston College, Hesston, KS with an Associate’s Degree in Aviation and has been flying ever since. Roger’s other love in addition to flying and family is the Pittsburgh Steelers!

Joe Sample

Joe is a Certified Flight Instructor with Instrument and Multi-Engine endorsements. He received his training with New Horizons Aviation! Joe is a Purdue graduate with a Bachelor degree in Electrical Technology. When he’s not flying, you can usually find him on the golf course!

Ben Wickey

Ben became a private pilot here at New Horizons in 2020. He completed the rest of his ratings (Instrument, Commercial & CFI/CFII) at New Horizons in the following few years . In his spare time Ben enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and friends. He also enjoys hunting, playing sports and traveling.

Tim Blough

Tim has earned all his ratings with us here at New Horizons and started flight instructing for us in October of 2025. He inherited his love for aviation from his father, who currently works at American Airlines and was a former instructor here at New Horizons. Outside of flying, Tim is a Notre Dame and Green Bay Packers fan. He is also working on his degree with Purdue through their online program.

Jack Anderson

In 2022 Jack earned his Private Pilot License in Louisville, KY. The summer after his freshman year of college, he went on to earn his Instrument rating, followed by his commercial through CFII here at New Horizons in the spring of 2024. He is studying Global Affairs and Real Estate at Notre Dame, planning on graduating in January of 2026. In his free time he enjoys hanging out with friends, exercising, traveling, and watching college football.

Tyler Owens

Tyler started his training in November of 2022 at New Horizons Aviation where he earned all his certificates and instrument rating. He also holds a multi engine rating. When Tyler’s not in the air, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, being active in his church, watching college and pro sports, especially college basketball, as he is an avid Indiana Hoosiers fan!

Antonio (Tony) Varacalli

Antonio started his training in March 2022 at New Horizons Aviation. What started out more as a hobby quickly turned into a career goal, continuing to earn all of his ratings from Private Pilot to CFII with NHA. He made the transition from engineering to aviation in December 2024 by becoming a flight instructor here! In his free time, he enjoys reading and spending time with friends and family.

Hayden Carnine

Hayden earned his Private Pilot Certificate through Commercial Multi-Engine training at Western Michigan University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Flight Science. He continued his aviation journey at New Horizons, where he obtained his Certified Flight Instructor rating. Outside of flying, Hayden enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, and being with friends and family.