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.

Small white aircraft with black and green accents, labeled 'Magnolia Aviation Academy,' parked on a concrete surface.

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.

  • Simplified green icon of a person running with a ball, representing sports activity.

    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.

  • Outline icon of a person with short hair, no facial features, on a dark green background.

    Knowledge

    Correlation is key. Our objective is to combine prior knowledge with current information and experiences to create the most effective learning environment.

  • Icon of a document with a shield symbol in the center, representing data protection or cybersecurity.

    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

A smiling pilot wearing sunglasses, a white uniform, and a headset inside an airplane cockpit, making a shaka hand gesture.

Brian Simmons
Chief Executive Officer | 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.

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Bud DeWayne
Chief Operating Officer | Chief Technical Officer | Co-Owner

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Steven Wood
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.

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Kristopher Whaley
VP of Safety & Compliance | Co-Owner

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Jennifer Hamilton
Human Resources | Co-Owner

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Carina Allen
President

Our Memphis Instructors

Coming Soon…

Lead | 2M8

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Jonathan Clark

Senior Instructor

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Jeff Martin

Senior Instructor

A young man with brown hair and a beard smiling outside in a yard with green trees, wearing a green polo shirt with "Magnolia CFI Academy" embroidered on it.

Spencer Beck

Instructor

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Daniel Massee

Instructor

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Warren Kuntz

Instructor

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Kelly Pederson

Instructor

Our Atlanta Instructors

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Logan Coleman

Assistant Chief Instructor | LZU

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Ethan Palmer

Instructor

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Madison Raesly

Instructor

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Drew Brown

Instructor

Our Administrative Staff

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Taylor Timaeus

Base Manager | 2M8

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Madisen Sims

Base Manager | LZU

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Eren Molyneux

Front Desk | LZU

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Brayden Clark

Front Desk | LZU

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Taylor Dixon

Front Desk| Sales | 2M8

Our School Affiliates

Van’s Aircraft

Visit Affiliate Website

Sporty’s Pilot Shop

Visit Affiliate Website

Become An Affiliate

Get In Touch

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.

Book a Flight