Joel Pierce, CFII
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.

Certificates
• Commercial Single Engine
• Certified Flight Instructor
• Instrument Rating

Dylan Gingerich, CFII
Born and raised in Idaho, Dylan lived in Canada for two years, then moved to Hesston, Kansas, where he did his flight training at Hesston College. Upon moving to Fort Wayne, he started school for his A&P certificate at Ivy Tech, which he finished in May of 2010. Dylan is currently finishing his bachelors degree in Professional Aeronautics at Embry Riddle University. An employee at Smith Field Air Service and Sweet Aviation since August of 2008, he manages and conducts the maintenance of Sweet Aviation's airplanes. He enjoys riding motorcycles and playing racquetball in his spare time.

Certificates
• Commercial Single/Multi Engine
• Certified Flight Instructor
• Instrument Rating
• Certified Aircraft Mechanic

Bob Schmelz, CFII
Bob learned to fly at Smith Field in 1983, having just moved with his family to Indiana. By 1987 he had completed his instrument, commercial, and instrument instructor ratings for single engine land and has served as a part time instructor since then. To enhance his flight reviews, he has added multi-engine land and glider ratings to his pilot's certificate. In 1988 he purchased the Wandering Wings Flying Club and has remained an active partner, currently flying a Piper Dakota.

Bob enjoys flying with individuals of all ages but especially encourages young men and women to learn about aviation and expand their education. He is an advisor for Aviation Explorer's post 2305 (youth ages 14 and up), and he is also a captain in the Civil Air Patrol (ages 12 and up), serving as the squadron's (GLR-IN-201 "Hawkeye's) safety officer, instructor pilot, and national check pilot. He continues to support the EAA's Young Eagles program and has flown with over 300 young men and women to date.

Certificates
• Commercial Single/Multi Engine
• Certified Flight Instructor
• Instrument Rating
• Glider

Craig Brown, CFII
Craig is a retired aerospace engineer and enjoys part-time instructing at Sweet Aviation. He has been a pilot for over 40 years and a flight and ground instructor for more than 30. Rated in airplanes, seaplanes, and gliders, Craig also holds flight instructor ratings for airplanes, gliders, and instruments. He owns his own Cessna 172 and is restoring a Piper J3 Cub. He is also active in the EAA and has given "Young Eagle" rides to more than 300 children. His aviation volunteer activities include FAA Safety Team Representative, EAA Flight Advisor, AOPA Airport Support Network, and EAA AirVenture. He is married and has two sons, both of which are glider and airplane pilots.

Certificates
• Commercial Single Engine Land/Sea
• Certified Flight Instructor
• Instrument Rating
• Glider
• Tail Wheel

Myron Yoder, CFI, MEI
Myron has lived in Fort Wayne since April of 2011. He attended LeTourneau University in Longview, TX, where he studied Aeronautical Science, earning a B.S. with a concentration on Mission Aviation. While at LETU, he served as Aviation Lab assistant, Aviation Class tutor and TI, and a Mechanic's Assistant. Myron has also been an FBO lineman at KRS in Longview, TX. He and his wife Carla hope to someday travel to Peru to fly for SAMAIR, escorting missionaries around in the jungle by air.

Certificates
• Commercial Single/Multi Engine
• Certified Flight Instructor
• Multi Engine Instructor
• Instrument Rating
• Certified Aircraft Mechanic

David DeWald, CFII, MEI
As a boy, David dreamed of flying while listening to his dad tell stories of flying B-17s. Those dreams came true when John Dilly, owner of Fort Wayne Air Service, offered to teach David how to fly. David's wife, Paula (whose father was a float pilot in Canada), joined him in purchasing their first plane, a Cessna 150 Ñ complete with a hangar at Smith Field.

David's love for flying naturally grew into a love of pilots, airports, and all things aviation. When Smith Field was threatened to be closed, he became president of Smith Air Field Forever (SAFE), aiding the grassroots movement that helped save the airport. He later served two terms as president of the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). David holds commercial and instrument instructor ratings in both single-engine land and sea as well multi-engine land. While running a very successful window-cleaning business, he has still found time to introduce hundreds of young people to their first flight, by way of the Young Eagles program. He loves to teach people of all ages and is quick to share his passion for flying.

Certificates
• Commercial Single/Multi Engine
• Certified Flight Instructor
• Instrument Rating
• Tail Wheel

Russ McCurdy
Russ started flying in 1998 and has worked for Smith Field Flying Service and Sweet Aviation since March of 2005. He is a 20+ year veteran of the Fort Wayne Fire Department and works part time as an instructor and corporate pilot. He feels instructing is one of the most rewarding parts of his flying, and he enjoys helping people achieve their dreams of becoming pilots. His travels have netted him 3200+ hours in 25 different types of aircraft, ranging from single-engine trainers to jump planes to multi-engine business jets. He has successfully landed in over 170 different locations from Wawa, Ontario to Phoenix, AZ to Marathon Key, FL and returned safely every time. He plans to become an OLD pilot.

Certificates
• Commercial Single/Multi Engine
• Certified Flight Instructor
• Instrument Rating

Mike English, CFII, MEI
Mike started flying when he was 17, and he knew from a young age he wanted to do something in aviation. After receiving his private pilot's license in High School, he attended Indiana State University for his four year degree and the remainder of his certificates. After school he was worked as an Airport Manager at a local airport that allowed him to continue to fly. In September 2008 he was hired by the FAA to be an air traffic controller at FWA international airport. He's been with Sweet Aviation since October of 2010.

Certificates
• Commercial Single/Multi Engine
• Certified Flight Instructor
• Multi Engine Instructor
• Instrument Rating
• FAA Air Traffic Controller