About Us | Sweet Aviation

About Us

Sweet Aviation LLC is an Indiana limited-liability company under a contractual agreement with the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority (FWAA) to serve as a SASO (Specialized Aeronautical Service Operator), providing flight instruction and aircraft rental at Smith Field Airport in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Our fleet of aircraft ranges from a Cessna 152 to a Garmin 1000-equipped Diamond Star. These planes are available both for rental and for your instruction and solo-flight needs. If you're looking for a flight simulator, Sweet Aviation has an enclosed-cockpit FAA-approved simulator. Whether you are beginning your flight training or continuing it, Sweet Aviation is here for you.

Chuck Surack, Owner

You may recognize Chuck Surack as the founder and President of Sweetwater Sound, as owner of luxury-car dealership SweetCars, or as a community leader, serving on the boards of many local non-profit organizations. What you might not know is that Chuck is a helicopter pilot and aircraft enthusiast. Inspired by his aviator father, Chuck has loved flying since childhood, even keeping his Boy Scouts Aviation Merit Badge to this day. His first flying experiences were in his dad's Aeronca Chief based right here at Smith Field. Chuck would go on to own many other airplanes and helicopters such as the Cessna 414, Cessna Citations and the Eurocopter EC130, just to name a few. He loves flying and can often be found at the helm of a helicopter. He and his wife Lisa, have two sons and a daughter.

Joel (left) with student.

Joel Pierce, Director of Operations

Joel Pierce is the flight operations director for Sweet Aviation. A fan of flight ever since childhood, Joel earned his private-pilot certificate in September 2002. In 2003 he attended the International ALERT Academy, where he obtained his instrument rating along with his commercial and flight-instructor certificates. After graduating, he joined the ALERT faculty as a flight instructor and an assistant department manager. During this time Joel met his wife Laura. They married in 2006 and now have two children. In 2008, Joel became the flight operations director for Smith Field Air Service, and will continue with Sweet Aviation. Joel considers himself very lucky to be able to share his passion for flying with so many other aviation enthusiasts in the Fort Wayne area. Joel is excited about the future for Smith Field and in particular Sweet Aviation's staff and customers.