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.

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.

Luke Nunez

Luke Nunez joined our team of flight instructors in August of 2026. After being selected as an EAA Ray Scholarship recipient in 2023, Luke began his flight training at Sunair Aviation. Since then, he has progressed from his private pilot certificate to earning his commercial pilot certificate, certified flight instructor (CFI) certificate, and certified flight instructor–instrument (CFII) certificate. As an avid warbird and vintage aircraft enthusiast, a passion sparked at the age of 3 by his grandfather while watching WWII aviation documentaries, Luke also obtained his tailwheel endorsement where he has had the opportunity to fly a variety of unique aircraft, most notably a 1942 Fairchild PT-26. When he’s not flying, Luke enjoys spending time at his local EAA chapter, visiting museums, building scale models, and hanging out with friends. His goal is to help students not only become pilots, but true aviators—developing a strong, safety-oriented mindset and the confidence to apply their knowledge and skills in the cockpit, whether pursuing aviation as a career or simply flying their family and loved ones.

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.

Clay Lunsford

Clay is a Florida native and grew up in close proximity to the airport, which inspired him to start flying from a young age. Clay completed his Private, Commercial, CFI, and CFII training right here at Sunair Aviation. Clay also worked line service while achieving his ratings which gave him plenty of hands on experience in the general aviation environment.

When he’s not flying, Clay enjoys spending time in nature and is an avid outdoorsman and surfer. He brings that same relaxed coastal energy into his instruction and maintains an approachable, easygoing demeanor with his students. Clay takes pride in seeing his students succeed and is eager to share the love flying with others.