About Ignite Flight
Ignite Flight is a premier flight school in Eastern Nebraska, driven by a passion for aviation and a love for helping people achieve their aviation dreams. Our professional Pilot Academy offers pilot career training for airline, charter, corporate aviation, and more. We also provide recreational flight training. We are truly honored to inspire and enable your aviation dreams.
Our Conviction
We were created with a love for people and a passion to serve.
Our Mission
WE INSPIRE, EMPOWER, AND TRANSFORM LIVES - ONE RELATIONSHIP, ONE FLIGHT, ONE STORY AT A TIME.
We follow four simple core values:
Do everything with integrity
Innovate & improve
Invest in others
Apply truth & grace
Meet Our Team
Administration
Bill Heckathorn
President/Founder
Bill got his start in the aviation industry working at a flight school while working on his certificates and ratings. In 2000, he earned his CFI and worked for a university flight training program. After that, he managed an FBO and sold new/used aircraft. Bill has always had an entrepreneurial spirit to him, which led him to start Ignite Flight Academy in 2004.
Eric Hartwell
admissions / project manager
Eric’s journey with Ignite Flight began as a customer back in 2008. He started flight training in a Cessna 172SP Skyhawk during his senior year of high school at Lincoln East and completed his private pilot certificate that July. In February 2011, Eric started an internship at Ignite Flight Academy, which grew into a part time position. In 2012 Eric became the flight training manager.
Jacob Wilson
Chief Flight Instructor
In 1974, attending Oklahoma State University, Jacob’s interest in aviation took off. Now after 45 years in industry and counting, Jacob has been a Flight Instructor, Charter Pilot, Corporate Pilot, worked for over 5 different airlines, and so much more. Finally Jacob spent 23 years as an aviation safety inspector. Flew everything from small pistons to a Boeing 737.
Outside of aviation Jacob’s life is just as busy. Married, Jacob has 3 adult children all still close to home. He even helps his wife with show horses. Jacob is also the President of Haiti’s Children’s Hope Organization.
Ray Carter
Chief Flight Instructor
Ray began flying over 40 years ago while earning his degree in Aerospace Engineering from Iowa State University. Throughout his career, he has held positions as a Part 141 Chief Flight Instructor, Part 135 Charter Pilot, and Part 91 Corporate Pilot. His flight experience includes aircraft such as the TBM 850, Pilatus PC-12, King Air 200, Beechjet 400, Learjet 45, and Embraer 550 Praetor.
Molly heckathorn
Admissions Coordinator
Raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, Molly has grown up to love the charm and culture of the Midwest. From a young age she has been immersed in the world of aviation, experiencing the thrill of flight through countless adventures with her dad. After a year of studying in Kansas City, she returned to Lincoln, where she joined the Ignite Flight family.
sarah heckathorn
controller
Sarah has been part of the Ignite Flight family since its founding in 2004. She is an integral part of the team as she is equipped with an extensive understanding of how the company operates behind the scenes. She handles all of Ignite’s accounting and manages various other administrative tasks.
alix beatty
operations Manager
Alix joined Ignite Flight as an administrative assistant in 2018 to help us better serve our customers. She loves human interaction and customer service, and she exhibits impressive skills when it comes to scheduling flights and ensuring our customers stay on track to achieve their goals. Alix enjoys spending time with family and friends,
Tony Bobbett
Maintenance Manager
Tony was born in Lincoln, NE and raised in the southeast corner of the state, Humboldt, Nebraska. He received his Airframe & Powerplant certificate from Western Nebraska Community College in 1982, graduating with an associate degree in aviation maintenance. A year later, he earned his Private Pilot certificate. In 1993 he added an Inspection Authorization endorsement to his A&P.
Dustin Smith
Airframe & Powerplant Technician
Dustin was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, and began his aviation career by joining the United States Air Force right out of high school. He served for 16 years, primarily as an aircraft mechanic, and also spent time as a maintenance instructor. During his service, he earned associate degrees in Aviation Maintenance and in Instructor of Technology and Military Science.
After retiring from the military, Dustin returned to Lincoln and began working at Duncan Aviation, where he earned his Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate. He later completed his bachelor’s degree in Aviation Maintenance through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Dustin joined Ignite Flight in 2025, bringing a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in both aircraft maintenance and instruction.
Flight Instructors
Greg love
Certified Flight Instructor
Hunter Hoscheit
Director of Safety & Standardization
Talon Ramsey
Certified Flight Instructor
Kyle Goodwin
Certified Flight Instructor
Elijah Bohlmeyer
Certified Flight Instructor
Corbin oppegard Certified Flight Instructor
HUDSON BUELL
Certified Flight Instructor
Dustin hoffman
Certified Flight Instructor
Austin Hughes
Certified Flight Instructor
Grant McKelvey
Certified Flight Instructor
Flight Support
Gwen Remele
Flight Training Support
Grant Bowden
Flight Training Support
About Lincoln, Nebraska
Home to the Nebraska State Capitol and the University of Nebraska, the city of Lincoln is a Midwestern community that appeals to young professionals because of its trendy shopping, nightlife, affordable housing options, trails and recreational opportunities, and highly rated restaurants.
What more could you want, right?
