Derek Lawless

Aviation has been in Derek’s blood from the beginning. His grandfather, “Mac,” flew P-51 Mustangs in the European Theater during World War II and achieved the rare distinction of Ace in a Day after shooting down five enemy fighters in a single mission. Though Mac seldom spoke about the war, he shared his love of flight with his grandson through model airplanes—sparking Derek’s lifelong passion for aviation.

Derek began flying in 1997, earning his private pilot certificate the following year and his instrument rating in 2001. In 2016, he turned his passion for flying into a passion for teaching, earning his Flight Instructor Certificate. Today, Derek holds multiple credentials—CFI, CFII, AGI, IGI, and Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot (CSIP). His flying has taken him from Miami to the glaciers of Alaska and across countless states in between.

Over the years, Derek has worn many hats in aviation: flight instructor, multi-location flight school manager, chief pilot, ferry pilot, Cirrus instructor, and even certified Airframe & Powerplant mechanic. This broad experience gives him a unique perspective on both flying and teaching.

While Derek embraces the technology of modern glass-cockpit aircraft and digital autopilots (a natural fit for an IT professional by trade), his true passion lies in pure stick-and-rudder flying. Introduced early in his career to Super Cubs and Huskys on grass strips, Derek has always valued the art of hand-flying. Today, he’s dedicated to helping other pilots strengthen their fundamental skills, expand their safety margins, and discover the joy of mastering small airplanes the way they were meant to be flown.