Instructors
Hailey Larsen
Hailey is the founder and Chief CFI at On The Ball Aviation. She is an ATP rated CFI, CFII, and tailwheel instructor. Her deepest passion is sharing her love of flight with others and empowering her students to become the best pilots they can be. She loves working through challenges with others and seeing their spark when they break through a difficult barrier. She is experienced in providing instruction in mountain flying as well, with a focus towards safe flight operations and emergency procedures. She has an excellent safety record and reputation for fostering prepared and well-rounded pilots. For all of these reasons and more, she was awarded AOPA’s Distinguished Flight Instructor Award for 2021. Hailey is currently a First Officer with Southwest Airlines and now focuses on specialized training such as tailwheel endorsements and stage checks between airline flights. Come in for a visit and Hailey will surely get you on the ball!
Daniel Riedling
Daniel grew up in Placerville, California and has always had a fascination with airplanes. He achieved his Private Pilot License at his local airport in Placerville and finished his ratings through an accelerated course in Sacramento. He is now a CFI and CFII. His favorite part of being an instructor is finding the different ways each student learns and the joy it brings them when they succeed. He lives for those “aha!” moments when a difficult subject clicks with his student! He is passionate about creating safe, well rounded pilots and is your go-to guy when it comes to truly understanding why the airplane does what it does so you can rock your checkride! Students rave about how well he explains maneuvers and makes the aerodynamics of aviation easy to understand. Whether it’s on the ground or in the air, you’ll be sure to make huge strides in your aviation journey with Daniel by your side!
Adam Offenstine
Born in Hong Kong and having lived in France, Adam brings a global perspective to the world of aviation training. Proficient in French and raised in Massachusetts, he possesses a unique blend of cultural and technical expertise. With six years of service in the U.S. Air Force as a jet engine mechanic for the F-15, Adam has a good understanding of aircraft mechanics and operations. Completing flight training in Mesa, Arizona, Adam earned his CFII and MEI licenses, marking the beginning of his journey as a dedicated flight instructor. His lifelong passion for airplanes fuels his commitment to aviation education. Adam creates a team-learning environment where he continues to grow alongside his clients, turning complex aviation concepts into simple, understandable ideas. He is deeply committed to helping clients achieve their goals, ensuring that each lesson is tailored to the individual’s needs and aspirations.
Sarah Reese
Sarah “grew up at the airport” flying around California with her dad. She started flying as a hobby to share with him, but loved it so much that she decided to pursue it as a career too. Her goal is to share the passion for aviation with as many others as possible, and hopes to be a Designated Pilot Examiner one day.
When she is not flying (which is pretty rare), you can probably still find her at an airport either volunteering or learning about aircraft maintenance.