Jake Flumerfelt- Owner and Chief Pilot- ATP CFI CFII MEI A&P
Jake’s passion for aviation began early on, when his father took him on his first discovery flight. From that moment, he knew he was meant to fly. To realize his dream, Jake earned his Bachelor in Science in Aviation Fight Science from Western Michigan University, as well as a Mechanic Certificate in Aviation Maintenance from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. After earning his Graduate Certificate, Jake accepted a position as a Training Center Evaluator at Embry-Riddle, where he tested students in lieu of a FAA DPE. Currently, Jake is a Captain of the Airbus 320 for Allegiant Air, based in Punta Gorda, FL. With approximately 4500 hours dual given and nearly 10,000 flight time, Jake’s experience and knowledge as a flight instructor, as well as type ratings in the A320, DC-9, and EMB-145, coupled with his desire to help others, provides the wisdom that new pilots need to become successful and seasoned. In Jake’s spare time, he has attained the follow credentials: Certified Financial Technician, Chartered Market Technician and Series 57 Financial License. Jake resides in Punta Gorda with his 3 amazing children: Cole, Micah and Hayden. His other passions include track racing street motorcycles, skydiving, kiteboarding, boating, fishing, and being out on the water any chance he gets.
Linda Smith, Aviation Consultant
Linda is a retired commercial captain and ranks among the first females nationally to break into the ranks of commercial captain. Linda's love for flying is represented in her commitment to Harborside Aviation. Starting with the her first solo as a young teenager, Linda has completed a noteworthy career as a commercial captain. She has her own aircraft and is building her own plane in the colors of the Florida State Seminoles.
Stan Smith, CFII
Stan is a retired commercial captain and is highly regarded in the aviation community. His knowledge and experience of aviation extend to flying and maintenance. Stan ran the highly successful PGD Airshow in 2023
Amy McPhail, MacKenzie Jackson, Aviation Consultants
Ben Goins, CFI
Ben Goins is our highly popular flight instructor. He is an excellent pilot with great interpersonal skills.
Joe Way, CFII
Joe is our technically-skilled faculty member with charter experience.
Shannon Flumerfelt- PhD, CEO, Owner Charactership Lean Consulting Inc.
Shannon Flumerfelt, Ph.D. is Lean Black Belt and serves an international consultant in the use lean for all aspects of organizational improvement and success. As the Founder of Charactership Lean Consulting, Shannon has helped organizations in all sectors get to higher standards of quality and efficiency. She also serves as an Endowed Professor of Lean, Pawley Lean Institute and Associate Professor, Organizational Leadership at Oakland University in Rochester, MI. She is an accomplished coach, presenter and author, with engagements from the Shingo Institute, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Institutes of Research and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronomics. Her recent books include: Lean Essentials for School Leaders, Transforming the Way We Do Business: Lean Essential for School Leaders, Lean Engineering Education, Lean Education: An Overview of Current Issues, Transdisciplinary Perspectives on Complex Systems and Complex Systems Engineering: Theory and Practice. As the CEO, Shannon works to ensure effective systems and processes so that clients and students enjoy an outstanding aviation experience.
Bill Flumerfelt- CFO with Shannon Flumerfelt, CEO
Bill is a skilled systems analyst with a career in IT and banking. Bill enjoys flying, but he really enjoys the water. As a skilled sailor, he has raced and sailed extensively in the Great Lakes of Michigan.
