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@igniteflight.com

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.

Ignite Flight (then Performance Aircraft) started as an aircraft sales company and the flight school was added in 2006. In 2019, it transitioned to 100% flight training. Bill has a passion to help people succeed at following their aviation dreams, whether that is flying for recreation or making it a career.

Eric Hartwell
admissions / project manager

eric@igniteflight.com

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.

In 2020 he moved into managing admissions and projects. Eric helps others understand the advantages of learning to fly at Ignite Flight. In his free time, Eric enjoys spending time with his wife Danielle, disc golfing, and 3D printing.

Ray Carter
Chief Flight Instructor

ray.c@igniteflight.com

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.

In addition to his extensive aviation background, Ray brings over 20 years of leadership experience in Aerospace and IT, with a focus on data processing and engineering. He continues to actively fly the Praetor and enjoys spending time with his wife, six children, and seven (and counting!) grandchildren.

Ray also serves in a unique volunteer role at his church as the “Main Storyteller,” where he reads stories and plays guitar for preschoolers—a title he holds with pride.

Sarah Heckathorn
Controller

sarah@igniteflight.com

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.

Whether Sarah is in her office or greeting people at the front desk, her strong attention to detail and dedication to customer service remain constant. Outside of work, she enjoys immersing herself in books and cherishing time spent with her family.

Alix Beatty
Operations Manager

alix@igniteflight.com

Alix joined Ignite Flight Academy in 2018 and has since grown into the role of Operations Manager, playing a key part in shaping the student experience and day-to-day operations. She oversees scheduling, student progress, and internal processes to ensure training runs efficiently, and students stay on track to achieve their goals.

Alix is passionate about building systems that support both students and instructors, with a strong focus on accountability, communication, and continuous improvement. She takes pride in helping students navigate the challenges of flight training while maintaining a high standard of professionalism across the organization.

Outside of work, Alix enjoys spending time with her kids, husband, family, and friends.

Tony Bobbett
Maintenance Manager

tony@igniteflight.com

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.

Tony faults his Uncles for his aviation interests, reminiscing about childhood visits to south-central Missouri where they had a Taylorcraft or a Tri Pacer to ride in and make flights around the lakes in the area; or the time another uncle landed his Piper Apache on the paved highway that ran by their house in the country when he came to visit. In the past, he has worked as an Aircraft maintenance technician, advancing to team lead and then Chief Inspector, at the time for Elliott Aviation in Omaha. Tony has run a small general aviation shop in two different locations, operated a franchised tool supply route, and worked retail at a major lumber/hardware big box store in an assistant manager role. He also served as a Director of Maintenance for a Lincoln, NE charter company for more than 9 years. Tony is a dependable person who brings an optimistic and positive attitude to the Maintenance segment of Ignite’s vision to work effectively. His hobbies include automotive repair/mods, R/C airplanes, woodworking, and some home remodeling projects.

Dustin Smith
Airframe & Powerplant Technician

dustin.s@igniteflight.com

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.

Elijah Bohlmeyer
Assistant Chief Flight Instructor

elijah.b@igniteflight.com

Elijah joined Ignite Flight Academy in 2024, bringing with him a deep passion for aviation and a strong commitment to safety and excellence. His love for flying began at an early age, inspired by his grandfather’s distinguished flight career. From flying small aircraft together across western Nebraska to attending airshows and watching aviation documentaries, those early experiences helped shape Elijah’s dedication to the field.

As Director of Safety and Standardization, Elijah is a safety-focused, driven mentor who is passionate about sharing his aviation knowledge and expertise with students, instructors, and colleagues. He takes pride in fostering a culture of professionalism, continuous improvement, and support throughout the Ignite community.

Outside of work, Elijah enjoys spending quality time with his wife, children, dog, and extended family and friends.

Connor Brand
Admissions Rep / Marketing Manager

connor.b@igniteflight.com

Connor serves as our Admissions and Marketing Manager, bringing eight years of experience helping students discover and pursue their path to success. He leads recruitment and shapes the first chapter of every student’s experience with Ignite. Strategic by nature and people-driven at heart, Connor finds the most meaning in the individual relationships built along the way.

When he’s not in the office, you can find him with his wife, Claire, exploring unique dining spots, leading their church’s middle school youth group, or relaxing in the garden with their dog, Moxie.

Greg love
Certified Flight Instructor

Austin Hughes
Certified Flight Instructor

Jocie Morris
Certified Flight Instructor

Caleb Williams
Certified Flight Instructor

Austin Campbell
Certified Flight Instructor

Jackson Lautzenhiser
Certified Flight Instructor

Jayna Stone
Certified Flight Instructor

Kamren Johnson
Certified Flight Instructor

Cody Fischer
Certified Flight Instructor

Austin Lempke
Certified Flight Instructor

Austin Ottis
Certified Flight Instructor

Daniel Hirstein
Certified Flight Instructor

Flight Support

Gwen Remele
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?

About Ignite Flight

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

Eric Hartwell admissions / project manager

Ray Carter Chief Flight Instructor

Sarah Heckathorn Controller

Alix Beatty Operations Manager

Tony Bobbett Maintenance Manager

Dustin Smith Airframe & Powerplant Technician

Elijah Bohlmeyer Assistant Chief Flight Instructor

Connor Brand Admissions Rep / Marketing Manager

Flight Instructors

Greg love Certified Flight Instructor

Austin Hughes Certified Flight Instructor

Jocie Morris Certified Flight Instructor

Caleb Williams Certified Flight Instructor

Austin Campbell Certified Flight Instructor

Jackson Lautzenhiser Certified Flight Instructor

Jayna Stone Certified Flight Instructor

Kamren Johnson Certified Flight Instructor

Cody Fischer Certified Flight Instructor

Austin Lempke Certified Flight Instructor

Austin Ottis Certified Flight Instructor

Daniel Hirstein Certified Flight Instructor