Chris Prusak is a retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel having served in various roles over 20-years of active service.  Since his retirement in 2008 he has served as a Captain for JetBlue Airways currently flying the Airbus A320/321.  He is a CFI, CFII, MEI and CSIP with over 16,000 hours of flight time in various aircraft including instructor roles in the F-15C, F-18A-D, T-38, T-37, Cessna 182, 206, Bonanza F-33, BE36, Cirrus SR22/20.  He is a 1988 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, a distinguished every formal USAF flying training program to include the United States Air Force Weapons School, and an instructor at the Naval Weapons School “Top Gun”.

Chris was commissioned in 1988 from the United States Air Force Academy.  He was a Distinguished Graduate from Undergraduate Pilot Training in 1989 earning a F-15C as the top graduate of his class.  Next, he was a Distinguished Graduate at Lead-In Fighter Training, followed by being the Distinguished Graduate and “Top Gun” for his initial F-15C training course.  Chris was selected to attend the USAF Fighter Weapons Instructor Course after his first assignment and graduated as a Distinguished Graduate and awarded the Top Student Paper in 1995.  Over his flying career, Lt Col Prusak completed four operational F-15C assignments, a Top Gun instructor, and deployed to multiple combat areas of responsibility supporting Operations UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, DESERT STORM, SOUTHERN WATCH, NORTHERN WATCH and NOBLE EAGLE.  In addition to flying, he managed the operational testing and tactics development of the F-15C.

Chris is an active Certified Flight Instructor and Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot.  He is a FAASafety Team Lead Rep and a guest instructor at Cirrus’s training center in Knoxville, TN.  He lives in Ocala, FL and is a founding member of PRP Aviation.  He is married to Cheryl Prusak, and the father of three young ladies serving in the Coast Guard and United States Air Force.

EDUCATION

1988 Bachelor’s Degree, United States Air Force Academy

1995 USAF Weapons Instructor Course

2003 JetBlue A320 Initial Training

2005 JetBlue Captain’s Upgrade Course

2018 Cirrus Instructor Pilot (CSIP) Course

Anthony Sweeney is a retired Air Force Colonel having served in various roles over 22-years of active service.  Since his retirement in 2017 he has served as First Officer for Delta Air Lines currently flying the Boeing Airbus 350. He is a CFI, CFII, and MEI with over 7000 hours of flight time in various aircraft including over 900 hours of combat time and instructor roles in the F-15C, T-38C, and King Air 350ER.  His Type ratings include the BE-300, CRJ-900, B-737, A-320, and A-350 He is a graduate of the Air Force Air War College, and has earned four Master’s degrees including a Masters of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Alabama.  

Anthony earned an Regular Commission in 1995 at Western Kentucky University where he majored in Mathematics and earned Distinguished Graduate from his ROTC unit.  He was also a Distinguished Graduate from the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program also earning the Flying Excellence Award for his class.  He then earned the “Top Gun” award for his initial F-15C training.  Over his flying career, Col Sweeney completed three operational F-15C assignments, a T-38 instructor assignment, and served as Squadron Commander for a 24-hr/day tactical-manned ISR squadron in Afghanistan.  In addition to flying, he has operated as Chief of Strategy at Air Combat Command and US Central Command and has served as a Congressional Appropriations Liaison for the office of Secretary of the Air Force.  His service awards include 9 Air Medals, 5 Meritorious Service Medals, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Defense Superior Service Medal.

Anthony is also an Adjunct Online Professor for the School of Aeronautics at Liberty University.  He lives at Leeward Air Ranch in Ocala with his wife Melodee and their two sons, Joshua and Jameson.

EDUCATION

1995   Bachelor’s Degree, Mathematics, Western Kentucky University

2006   Master’s Degree, Aerospace Engineering, University of Alabama

2009   Master’s Degree, Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, ACSC

2010   Master’s Degree, Airpower Art and Science, Air University, SAASS

2015   Master’s Degree, Strategic Studies, Air University, Air War College

Living in an airpark community with his airplanes housed in a hangar attached to his home, BJ Kirby embodies a lifelong passion for aviation. His experience spans from building and repairing aircraft to piloting a wide variety of home-built experimental and factory-certified airplanes. Few pilots demonstrate the depth of dedication to aviation that BJ brings.

BJ joined PRP Aviation in 2022 following a lifelong career across several sectors of the transportation industry. For many years, he owned SkyWatch Traffic Control and flew his own aircraft in the Southwest Florida market. He skillfully operated as a single-pilot while providing live traffic reports to 23 radio and television stations in the Naples/Fort Myers area.

His aviation background also includes work in the crop-dusting industry across Iowa and surrounding states. BJ is an FAA-certified Aircraft Mechanic and Commercial Drone Pilot. He has volunteered for over 25 years with the Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida, where he serves as the Flyby Showcase Air Boss during the annual airshow.

As Pilot-in-Command for PRP’s charter operations, BJ has logged nearly 1,000 hours in Cirrus SR series aircraft. He’s passionate about delivering the safety, comfort, and exceptional experience that only Cirrus flights can offer.

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EDUCATION

1984   Collegiate Flight Training, Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Michael “Wham” George's passion for flying was first ignited at the age of 17 which led him to pursue his private pilot’s license at Utah State University beginning his career in aviation. During his time at Embry-Riddle Michael earned his IFR, CSEL, CMEL, CFI, CFII ratings and has been flying for 8 years with an accumulated 2,000+ flight hours. Wham has flown in various planes including a Diamond DA40, DA42, Cirrus SR2X, Bonanza, Cessna 172, 150, 182, and a C177.  Michael graduated from Embry-Riddle in 2021 with honors and received a BS in Aeronautical Science and a minor in Meteorology.

Michael was born in Southern California but raised in Orlando Florida where he currently resides. He has been an invaluable addition to the PRP Aviation team and has received consistent positive customer feedback.

EDUCATION

2021   Bachelor’s Degree, Aeronautical Science with a minor in Meteorology, Embry-Riddle

Jack was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida and learned to fly in his hometown.
While attending the University of Florida, he fell in love with aviation as a student in instrument training. He earned IFR, CSEL, CMEL, and CFI/CFII/MEI in Gainesville while also completing a business degree.
 
Jack’s goal as an instructor is to build safe pilots, teach good habits, and continue to grow his own knowledge. He has flown Cessna 150, 172, 182, 210. Piper PA-28 and PA-23, Diamond DA20 and DA42, and Cirrus SR20/22/22T. His career goal is to be an airline pilot and fly the Boeing 757.

Jack enjoys golf, fishing, and watching Jacksonville Jaguars football.

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EDUCATION

​2024   Bachelor's Degree, Business Administration and Information Systems, University of Florida

Michael "Mo" Hare is a highly decorated retired Colonel, USAFR. He started off by being commissioned through Officer Training School at Lackland AFB, TX, in 1981, and graduated pilot training at Vance AFB, OK, in 1983. Since earning his wings, he has completed flying tours in the A-10, OV-10, A-37, C-130 and F-16, and served as an instructor pilot in the A-10, OV-10 and F-16. As the 169th Fighter Squadron commander he led their transition from F-16s to C-130s, before transitioning to the Minnesota ANG in June 1998 as the 148th Fighter Wing Chief of Wing Plans and Programs, and later as Inspector General. In October 2000 Colonel Hare moved to the Headquarters, MNANG, as state Plans and Programming director, which lead to his selection as the Director of Operations for the MNANG. In July 2003 he moved to Colorado Springs and served as the Deputy Director of Operations for HQ NORAD at Peterson AFB, and then undertook four consecutive Aerospace Expeditionary Force tours as a Battle Commander for the Continental US NORAD Region at Tyndall AFB, FL. In October 2005 Colonel Hare transferred to the USAF Reserves becoming an Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer for the State of South Dakota and Air Forces Northern at Tyndall. He assumed his current position as AFNSEP Director in January 2008. Colonel Michael P. Hare ended his service as the Director of the Air Forces Northern National Security Emergency Preparedness Directorate (AFNSEP) at Tyndall Air Force Base, FL. Colonel Hare is a combat veteran and command pilot with more than 2,500 flying hours in fighter and heavy aircraft.

In addition to his extensive USAF career, Michael also served a total of 28 years with Northwest and Delta Airlines where he served as a Flight Engineer on the b-727 and 747. He was an instructor and worked in Flight Test and Ferry for two years. Following that he flew worldwide as First Officer on the B-757 and 767. He retired as Captain on the A-319, 320, and 321.

Since Retiring from Delta he's worked as a CFI, CFII, MEI, AGI, AND IGI having earned Gold Seal Status. Michael is also a FAASTEAM Representative for the KGNV airport, a BOD for the Society of Aviation Flight Educators (SAFE) and has been an active aerobatic pilot and instructor for the last 2 years. He is currently flying an Extreme Decathlon and very recently the Gamebird 1, unlimited aerobatic airplane as well.

EDUCATION
1980   Bachelor of Professional Aeronautics, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
1983   Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, OK
1987   Squadron Officers School, Maxwell AFB, AL
1987   Masters of Aeronautical Science, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
1994   Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL (correspondence)
2000   Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL (correspondence)

Jason began learning about aeronautics to overcome his fear of flying. This process created a passion for aviation that made him pursue a career as a pilot, and then an instructor so he could help others to learn to fly.  Flying provides the freedom to see the world from a different vantage point and explore new places creating the opportunity for valuable business relationships and friendships. Jason has always been a teacher at heart. He loves to help people learn and achieve their dreams. The many years spent teaching the complexities and safe operations of industrial boiler/steam systems created an effective instructor, and these skills are now being used to teach aviation students. 

Jason has earned his IFR, CSEL, CMEL and CFI. Jason has flown Cessna 172, 182 and 210, Diamond DA40, DA42 as well as the Cirrus SR20 and 22.

Jason is a native Floridian, born in Williston. He was raised in a ranch family with a love of the cattle and horse industry. He is an avid teamroper and when he is not flying he enjoys fishing, traveling with his family.

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EDUCATION

Austin Fields is a passionate and dedicated Certified Flight Instructor originally from Louisville, Kentucky. His aviation journey began at historic Bowman Field, where he earned his Private Pilot Certificate before pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management at Arizona State University. Austin graduated from ASU/ATP in 2023, completing their FAA Part 141 program with ratings including Private, Instrument, Commercial (Single and Multi-Engine), and CFI certificate.

Before joining the PRP Aviation team, Austin worked in A300 training and standards at UPS Airlines and contributed to a nonprofit focused on youth development and aviation education. His diverse flight experience includes time in the Cessna 172 and 182, Piper PA28-180, PA44 Seminole, PA23-250 Aztec, and Diamond DA20.

Austin’s mission as a flight instructor is to be the kind of CFI he once wished for—patient, knowledgeable, and always striving to learn. He is committed to mentoring the next generation of aviators while advancing toward his own goal of flying for a major airline.

EDUCATION
2023   Bachelors of Science in Aviation Management, Arizona State University
2023   ATP 141 Program

Randy Heldt has been a pilot for more than thirty years.  After a successful career in Information Technology and Data Analytics, Randy pursued his real passion of aviation as his second career.

Randy has been a CFI for more than seven years and is a CFII, MEI and Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot (CSIP) having trained at Cirrus Knoxville.  He has experience in most Cirrus SR aircraft models including SR20 G2-G6, SR22 G2-G6, SR22 TN, and SR22T G3-G6 and is certified by Cirrus for Avidyne, Perspective, and Perspective+ avionics.  Randy also has extensive experience in Cessna 150, 152, 172, and 182 aircraft.

EDUCATION

1986   Bachelors of Business Administration, Central Michigan University

2016   CFI ATP Jacksonville

2021   Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot