Our Instructors

We are conveniently located to serve you as the gateway to this beautiful area with more than 1,400 lakes. We are proud of our new and expanded facilities and state-of-the-art equipment. With a highly dedicated team and flight staff, Sunair prides itself on being Central Florida’s first choice FBO and premier flight school for more than 35 years.

Nick Larson

Nick arrived at Sunair Aviation in 2009. Prior to Sunair, Nick was a collegiate instructor pilot at the Beaver County Community College (Pittsburgh, PA) for their Professional Pilot & ATC-CTI (Air Traffic Control-Collegiate Training Initiative) aviation programs. Additionally, Nick has an extensive background in corporate flying, flying King Air 90s, King Air 200s, and the Pilatus PC12. When Nick is not instructing at Sunair he is a full time corporate pilot flying the Dassault Falcon 50EX. Nick is also type rated in the Bombardier Challenger 604. With nearly 7,000 hours, Nick is a FAA Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor with single-engine land, single-engine sea and multi-engine land ratings with instrument privileges, as well as an FAA Advanced Ground Instructor, FAA Instrument Ground Instructor, and part 107 sUAS (UAV) certified. Nick is a 3-time NAFI Master Flight Instructor earning in the NAFI MCFI in 2010, 2013, and 2017.

Stewart Carmichael

Stewart Carmichael is a native Floridian and grew up in the local Leesburg area. Stewart started flight training March of 2019, after working for a local construction company building roads and parking lots for 9 years. Stewart is commercially rated for Single-engine Land, Single-engine Sea, Multi-engine Land, is Instrument rated, Tailwheel endorsed, Certified Flight Instructor and Certified Flight Instructor Instrument. Stewart joined our team in November 2020 after completing all his flight training here at Sunair, from Student Pilot to CFII. Stewart has found a passion for Single-engine Sea plane flying with our Husky.

Cole Murvin

Cole has been a Florida resident since 2002, and started flying in 2019. Cole is a third generation pilot following in his father's footsteps, a Delta pilot, who followed in his father's footsteps, a United pilot. Cole received his private pilot license at Sunair then attended another school returning to Sunair to get his CFII. Cole holds a commercial single engine certificate with an instrument rating as well as a CFI and CFII. Cole hopes his love for flying will be infectious and influence others to pursue their dreams in aviation.

Nathan Botts

Nathan Joined our team of flight instructors in February of 2023. In
2009 he went to ATP Mesa, obtaining his Commercial Single/Multi Engine
land, with instrument rating. After 10 years in Law Enforcement, Nathan
was ready for a change in elevation. He pursued his Aviation career at
American Flyers, Pompano where he completed his CFI and now enjoys
sharing his knowledge and experience with his students.

Mercer Lee

Mercer joined our team of flight instructors in July 2021 and is our Assistant Chief Flight Instructor at Sunair Aviation. Prior to working in aviation, he was a part of the Media industry. He obtained his commercial pilot multi-engine license with an instrument rating at ATP Flight School in Daytona Beach, and graduated from the CFI academy at American Flyers in Pompano Beach in 2018. Mercer worked in flight school operations at Sunair Aviation while completing his CFII, MEI and IGI. Mercer is a FAA Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor with Single Engine Land and Sea, Multi Engine Land and Instrument flight privileges, and also holds an FAA Instrument Ground Instructor certificate.

Michael Abernathy

CFII. ATP. Licensed since 1979. Flown a variety of aircraft. C-172,C-182,C-310,C-414,C-421, Bonanzas and Aerostars. Corporate and Regional airline experience in EMB 145.