About Ignite Flight
Ignite Flight is a premier flight school in Lincoln, 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.
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 Performance, which grew into a part time position.In 2012 Eric became the flight training manager
RICH BATES
Chief Flight Instructor
rich@igniteflight.com
Rich, his wife, and two kids used to enjoy the mountains and forests of the PNW, but now in Nebraska are open to suggestions for new activities.
Jacob Wilson
Assistant Chief Flight Instructor
jacob@igniteflight.com
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 Fellowship and Haiti’s Children’s Hope Org.
Molly heckathorn
Admissions Coordinator
molly@igniteflight.com
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@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.
alix beatty
Flight Training Manager
alix@igniteflight.com
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,
jason schindler
Director of Operations
jason@igniteflight.com
A second-generation aviator, Jason started his flying career in Norfolk Nebraska in 1992. He has been a CFI since 2002 and has 25 years of flying fixed wing and helicopter in the aerial application industry. He has instructed tailwheel, aerobatic, unusual attitude. Jason has a passion for aviation education and finds joy in giving back to the future of flying.
Flight Instructors
Greg love
Certified Flight Instructor
Hunter Hoscheit
Certified Flight Instructor
Talon Ramsey
Certified Flight Instructor
sam simoneau
Certified Flight Instructor
Kyle Goodwin
Certified Flight Instructor
Torrey Wilson
Certified Flight Instructor
Madison Parde
Certified Flight Instructor
Kate Farneth
Certified Flight Instructor
Corbin oppegard Certified Flight Instructor
HUDSON BUELL
Certified Flight Instructor
Dustin hoffman
Certified Flight Instructor
Flight Support
Grant Bowden
Flight Training Support
Tyler Suing
Flight Training Support
Brian Althouse
Flight Training Support
Josie Marchetti
Flight Training Administrative Assistant
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?
