About Magnolia Aviation Academy
Located in the heart of the Mid-South and surrounded by a rich aviation history, Magnolia Aviation Academy aims to be the premier flight training center for our future aviators.
Our school was founded from our popular Flight Instructor Academy. Boasting a large success rate training Flight Instructors from all over the United States, Now Magnolia aims to bring the same level of Safety, Knowledge, and Professionalism we use to teach our Instructors to the Private through Commercial level.
With the use of a new and growing modern fleet, state of the art pre and post flight technology, and a custom curriculum, our goal of training the future professional Pilot has become a reality. Call today and come experience the difference.
Our Core Values Set Us Apart
Magnolia Aviation Academy is an organization that believes it’s highest priorities drive our culture, safe decisions, and team behavior.
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Safety
The safety of our pilots, students, and all team members is critical for success. We will model safe practices and expect the same from each participant.
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Knowledge
Correlation is key. Our objective is to combine prior knowledge with current information and experiences to create the most effective learning environment.
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Integrity
We believe that honesty and strong moral principles are the foundation of professionalism. We build trust through responsible actions and honest relationships.
Our Leadership Team
Brian Simmons
President / Co-Owner
I am an experienced pilot with nearly 20 years of flying experience and ~6,500 hours of accumulated flight time. I currently serve as a Captain for one of the largest fractional jet operators in the country.
As Magnolia’s Aviation President, I am committed to delivering outstanding service and ensuring safety on every flight while our students enjoy the best flight training experience possible. Outside the cockpit, I enjoy mountain biking, riding motorcycles, working on computers, and working on cars.
Sean Hamilton
VP of Business Development / Co-Owner
With over a decade of flight instructor experience, Sean has primarily focused on training CFI’s. He holds multiple type ratings and has years of experience in airline and corporate aviation. Sean believes in investing in each pilot fully and states, “Let’s stop making the flight training so hard, let’s take the time to train our pilots to not just pass a check ride, but to be safe, knowledgeable, and professional aviators for the industry.”
Steven Wood
Director of Safety & Compliance / Co-Owner
I have been involved in the aviation industry for nearly 20 years, with over 5,000 hours of experience flying and instructing in various aircraft types. I am currently serving as a Captain for one of the largest fractional jet operators in the country. As Director of Safety & Compliance at Magnolia, I must ensure that all of our instructors are providing you with the utmost quality of instructor that we can, so that your experience with Magnolia Aviation is fun, productive, and most importantly, safe. When I am not flying, I spend my time riding motorcycles, working on computers, 3D printing or restoring vintage cars.
Jeff Martin
Director of Maintenance
Jeff has an extensive career in aviation. He began his passion as a flight instructor in 1979, joined a corporate company soon after, and landed his lifelong career at Federal Express in 1987. He recently retired from FedEx after thirty-four years of service, including twenty-six years as a Captain and seven years as a Line Check Airman. He enjoys leisure trips in his Cessna airplanes and has a great love for teaching.
Jacob Pennell
Chief Instructor
Jake currently holds a CFI, CFIl, and MEl. After graduating from Southern Illinois Carbondale with a degree in Business Management, he started his aviation career in Smyrna, TN and finished in Olive Branch, MS.. After receiving his MEl, he started working as an instructor and is currently the Chief Flight Instructor for Magnolia Aviation Academy. Jake's love and passion for teaching have driven him to have a very successful career as a flight instructor.
Our Memphis Instructors
Taylor Earhart
Senior Instructor
Base Manager
Jonathan Clark
Senior Instructor
Jeff Martin
Senior Instructor
Spencer Beck
Instructor
Mavrick Chandler
Instructor
Cameron Graeber
Instructor
Warren Kuntz
Instructor
Ashlyn Murphy
Instructor
Daniel Oppenheim
Instructor
Nick Scruggs
Instructor
Our Atlanta Instructors
Brian Simmons
Senior Instructor
Base Manager
Steven Wood
Senior Instructor
Adam Dockstader
Instructor
Titus Matthews
Instructor
Clay Willis
Instructor
Our Maintenance Department
Mavrick Chandler
Mechanic
Jon Quarry
Mechanic
Carlos Olivia
Mechanic
Our Administrative Staff
Kylee Niccum
Dispatch | Scheduling
Avery Orzech
Front Desk
Our School Affiliates
Van’s Aircraft
Luke Weathers Jr.
Flight Academy
BWI Aviation Insurance Agency, Inc.
Become An Affiliate
Sporty’s Pilot Shop
Book a Discovery Flight
Thinking about a flight career or just want to have some fun? Come and join us for a 30-minute flight in the sky! Take the controls with one of our authorized instructors, and enjoy an experience you will never forget.