It’s all about Thrill, High Speeds
and Top Level Risk

You are only as good as your employees

Kilo Charlie Aviation represents the finest assembly of flight professionals you will find anywhere. From certified flight instructors to experienced mechanics to a seasoned support crew, our staff represents the best knowledge, the most intense focus, and the finest professionalism.

Our curriculum incorporates volumes of flight knowledge with a rigorous program of classroom, simulator, and in-flight training. When you leave us, you are steeped in skill, experience, and safety—all the elements of a confident pilot. You will never truly leave, though. At Kilo Charlie Aviation our students always come back for more instruction.

We are a diverse group of individuals with a passion for flight training and instilling that passion in others.

Leadership Team

Robert Renfro
Robert RenfroChief Operations Officer
Drew Konicek
Drew KonicekChief Business Officer
Chris Distin
Chris DistinDirector of Operations
Greg Laudick
Greg LaudickAdministrative Director
Greg Warton
Greg WartonDirector of Maintenance
Ashleigh Koenig
Ashleigh KoenigProject Management
Trent Kinney
Trent KinneyBusiness Development

Flight Instructors

John Stefansen
John StefansenChief Pilot
Zach Peck
Zach PeckAssistant Chief Pilot
Lane Hamm
Lane HammAssistant Chief Pilot
Derek Matthews
Derek MatthewsCFI Academy Instructor
Treyton Coats
Treyton CoatsCFII
Baron Chen
Baron ChenCFII/MEI
Andrew Finkelstein
Andrew FinkelsteinCFII
Seth Hays
Seth HaysCFII
BJ Smith
BJ SmithCFII
Rick Deaton
Rick DeatonCFI
Alex Staley
Alex StaleyCFI
Sarah Deaton
Sarah DeatonCFI
Mat Edwards
Mat EdwardsCFI
Tommy Biddlecombe
Tommy BiddlecombeCFI
Tyson Lambden
Tyson LambdenCFI
JJ Waller
JJ WallerCFI
Makayla O'Brien
Makayla O'BrienCFI

Flight School Administration

Hayley Grove
Hayley GroveDigital Marketing Specialist
Mason Beam
Mason BeamDispatch
Bailey Andrade
Bailey AndradeDispatch
Brendon Lanker
Brendon LankerDispatch
Mic Kriebel
Mic KriebelDispatch
Zoe NewcombDispatch
Gabe RamirezDispatch

Aircraft Maintenance Department

Jill Mason
Jill MasonParts Manager
Joshua Kennedy
Joshua KennedyMechanic
Logan Baker
Logan BakerMechanic
Landon Reeder
Landon ReederMechanic
Dom Blewett
Dom BlewettMechanic
Owen Fortney
Owen FortneyMechanic
Connor Smith
Connor SmithLine Service

From the Crew at Kilo Charlie:

“Becoming a member of the staff at Kilo Charlie Flight School is a statement on your career and abilities, whether you are a Certified Flight Instructor, a seasoned mechanic, or part of the support crew. We only bring on professionals who show a passion for creating the best pilots. Everything we do is directed towards that goal.”— Drew Konicek, Chief Business Officer, Kilo Charlie Aviation

Chris Distin
Chris Distin
As Kilo Charlie’s Student Advisor, Chris and his team of training advisors are your guide to beginning your journey into the world of aviation. Regardless of your background, they will assist you in charting a course to achieving your aviation dreams.

Talk to a Training Advisor

Our goal at Kilo Charlie is not only to be the best flight school in the Midwest, but the preferred flight school of pilots all over the U.S., and all over the world. Visit us today. We’ll show you why we are the fastest-growing flight school in the area

experience the passion

A Dynamic Group of Enthusiasts and Professionals