Jay Vandersluis a native of southern Connecticut is a 3rd generation aviator. His grandfather, a surgeon, began flying in the late 1920's. It's a passion he handed down to Jay's father, Pete. Jay's father went through the aviation cadet program in class 55F, where he fell in love with the T-6 Texan, a passion he handed down to Jay. In 1989, Jay moved to Central Florida to pursue his own career in aviation. He received his commercial license from Comair Aviation Academy, his multi-engine license from Spirit Aviation, and his CFI in Tallahassee, Florida. After receiving his flight instructor rating, Jay moved to St Augustine to take a position as a flight instructor at a T-6 air combat school, where he worked for 2 years. Next Jay moved to the west coast of the United States, working for Warbird Rides of America. WRA provided over 30,000 people the opportunity to experience flight in the Texan. At the end of the 2 year tour, Jay began working as a private contractor, flying an average of 800 hours a year, in everything from Piper Cubs to Beach-18's.

Jay has accrued over 7500 hours in the Texan and is currently Stallion 51’s T-6 flight instructor.