Polk State Flight Team

Flight Team to the Flight Deck: Clay Whatley (2016-17) – First Officer, CommutAir

Clay was a member of our early teams & is now flying the Embraer ERJ-145 for CommutAir, which operates as United Express. He currently lives in Knoxville, Tennessee & is based at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas. During National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Region IX competition in 2017, he finished 3rd in preflight inspection, 7th in computer accuracy (E6B) & 9th in Simulated Comprehensive Aircraft Navigation (SCAN).

Clay’s favorite Flight Team memories were competing with friends against much larger teams & becoming a better pilot through practice and competition. He graduated from Polk State College in 2018 with a degree in Professional Pilot Science. He also previously earned a bachelor’s degree in Professional Meteorology from Mississippi State University. Clay shared the benefits of flight training with Polk State Aerospace & the Flight Team.

“The Polk State program is streamlined to get you where you want to be,” he emphasized. “The pace is easily adjusted to fit your needs & is very cost-effective compared to similar programs. It is built with the idea of creating professional pilots day one so you are more than prepared to enter the industry when you graduate.”

Aside from flying, Clay enjoys hiking with his family and playing golf. His future plans include upgrading to Captain.

Flight Team to the Flight Deck: Justin Wayman (2015-16) – First Officer, Allegiant

Justin is one of our original team members & became our first Flight Team alumni to fly for a major passenger airline. He now flies the Airbus A320 for Allegiant. Originally from Kissimmee, Florida, he resides in Orlando & is based at Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). He previous flew professionally for Silver Airways.

Justin’s favorite Flight Team memories are building relationships with fellow aviators & having the chance to test his skills & knowledge against other colleges, noting it was a great challenge that every future professional pilot should experience. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Sciences from Polk State College (’19) & shared how training with Polk State Aerospace & the Flight Team enabled him to find career success as an airline pilot.

“Polk State Aerospace & Polk State Flight Team provided structured training & a strong curriculum, allowing me to excel in my aviation career,” he noted.

Aside from flying, Justin enjoys mountain biking & driving his classic car on his days off. His future plans include upgrading to Captain & enrolling in Allegiant’s training department as a simulator instructor.

Flight Team to the Flight Deck: Marshall Richmond (2017-19) – First Officer, Legends Airways

Marshall was a team member for two years & served as our First Officer – Ground in 2019. He is now flying the Saab 340B for Legends & is based alongside us at Lakeland Linder International Airport. He resides nearby in his hometown of Winter Haven, Florida. In the future, he aims to fly for a major airline.

Marshall’s best memories of Flight Team were seeing everyone advance in levels of training, and the growth for all to go from the ones learning to the ones teaching. He placed top 10 in computer accuracy (E6B), ground trainer (simulator) & message drop in National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Region IX competition.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Sciences from Polk State College & emphasized how his training with Polk State Aerospace & the Flight Team allowed his professional career to take off.

“The teamwork and leadership roles helped me prepare to work with other pilots and crew members,” he shared.

Congratulations to our Spring 2022 Polk State Flight Team officers who were elected by their teammates. We’re thrilled to have this talented group lead our squad to National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) nationals for the first time in our college and program’s history. We’ll be competing with the nation’s best at Ohio State University in May.

Michael Pavlik (Captain) – Michael leads our group and served as our team’s secretary last year. He originally joined the team in 2020. A Commercial Pilot and mechanic who is currently pursuing his Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate this semester, Michael is also completing a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Sciences. He is originally from Fallbrook, California, and is a veteran of the United States Navy.

Nik Schiaffo (First Officer – Flight) – Nik is our longest-tenured team member and organizes all of our flight practices. A team member since he arrived at Polk State from Georgetown, Texas in 2018, he previously served as our First Officer – Ground. Nik is a Commercial Pilot, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and was the pilot flying for the duo which placed 2^nd in team traditional navigation at the 2021 NIFA Regionals, the best flight event finish in team history. He also finished 10^th individually in computer accuracy at the 2020 NIFA regional competition.

Tyler Koonce (First Officer – Ground) – Tyler is in his second year with the Flight Team and organizes all ground practices. An instrument rated private pilot, he is completing his commercial training this semester and will graduate with a degree in Professional Pilot Science in May. Tyler was the navigation pilot of the tandem which placed 2^nd in team traditional navigation at the 2021 NIFA Regionals, the top flight event finish in program history. He also serves as our team’s social media and website director. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University and previously worked in public relations and communications for professional and collegiate sports teams and a Fortune 500 company.

Adrian Quichocho (Secretary) – Adrian joined the Flight Team in 2021 and serves as team secretary, coordinating various administrative tasks. Adrian is a Commercial Pilot, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and member of the U.S. Air Force Reserves who is originally from Chalan Pago, Guam. He placed 4^th in Preflight Inspection & 8^th in Power-Off Landing at the NIFA Region IX competition. Adrian works as a flight instructor at International Aero Academy at Lakeland Linder International Airport (KLAL).

Flight Team to the Flight Deck: Matt Pickett (2015-16) – Second in Command, Flexjet

Matt was our Captain (2016) & now flies the Embraer Praetor 500 for Flexjet, a leading luxury jet company offering private aviation services. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, he is now based at San Antonio International Airport (SAT) & resides in New Braunfels, Texas. In the future, he plans to upgrade to Pilot in Command on the Praetor while enjoying a long career with Flexjet.

Matt’s favorite parts of his career are being home-based & flying up to 45,000 feet & the variety of not knowing where his travels will take him at the start of each workday. He studied Professional Pilot Science at Polk State College & noted how training with Polk State Aerospace & the Flight Team provided him a foundation for corporate flying success.

“Polk State gave me the experience to become a leader inside & outside of the flight deck,” he stated proudly. “The training I’ve received from Polk State made me the airman I am today. The style of training prepared me for the real world as a professional pilot. The most important thing I’ve gained from the Flight Team are the long-term relationships I’ve built with other pilots & professionals from the team & the aerospace industry.”

Flight Team to the Flight Deck: Andrew Costello (2016-17) – First Officer, PSA Airlines

Andrew was our Captain (2017) & now flies the Bombardier CRJ-900 & CRJ-700 for PSA – which operates as American Eagle & is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines. He is based at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) & resides nearby in his hometown of Tampa, Florida.

In the future, he plans to upgrade to Captain & continue advancing his career. Andrew’s favorite parts of the job involve connecting passengers across the country & enjoying the views from 35,000 feet. He earned a degree in Professional Pilot Science from Polk State College & emphasized how his training with Polk State Aerospace & the Flight Team prepared him to succeed as a professional aviator.

“Polk State Aerospace is a phenomenally efficient program to accomplish your goals,” he noted. “Polk State Flight Team gave us the opportunity to hone our skills & knowledge both on the ground & in the air. I had a blast the two years I was with the team. A huge shout-out to Coach Carl Valeri on dedicating his time to the team.”

Flight Team to the Flight Deck: Trae LeFan (2015-17) – Captain, Republic Airways

Trae was a founding member of our program & Captain for the team’s first 2 seasons. He now serves as a Captain for Republic Airways – who he joined in 2017 – and is based at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. He enjoys setting an example for First Officers & creating a fun work environment. Trae is also an officer (field artillery) in the Florida National Guard.

Along with his teammates, Trae helped bring home multiple National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Region IX honors, including the Safety Award. His favorite Flight Team memories are training in a plane owned by Jason Schappert of MzeroA.com fame.

Trae earned a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Sciences & an associate’s in Professional Pilot Science from Polk State College. He said training with Polk State Aerospace & the Flight Team taught him to be a leader in a different capacity than he had led before. Aside from flying, he lives nearby in his hometown of Auburndale, Florida & enjoys woodworking & hanging out with his wife & kids.

Flight Team to the Flight Deck: Hayleigh (Blaszyk) Jeffcoat (2018-19) – First Officer/CFII, Legends Airways

Hayleigh began her flying career with Legends here at Lakeland Linder International Airport in 2021. She’s a First Officer on the Saab 340B & instructs students in the Tecnam P2008 & P2010. She graduated from Polk State College with a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Sciences in 2021. She currently lives in Tampa, Florida with her husband, Ryan, who was also a member of the Polk State Flight Team.

Hayleigh noted training in the Polk State Aerospace program & with the Flight Team prepared her for a professionally flying career on multiple levels.

“I learned lots about flight planning, procedures, preflight, but the two most important things I learned were teamwork & aircraft safety. I was well prepared for working in a crew environment/working together as well as knowing proper aircraft safety procedures in the air & on the ground. It was also great getting to know everyone. I made some lifelong friends because of Flight Team!”

Flight Team to the Flight Deck: Brett King – First Officer, Endeavor Air

Brett King joined Endeavor Air – which operates as Delta Connection – as a First Officer in June 2021. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia & is based at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Brett flies the Bombardier CRJ-900 & CRJ-700 series aircraft. He is originally from Clermont, Florida & graduated from Polk State College with a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Sciences in 2021. His best Flight Team memories are competing at Auburn University along with team practices leading up to SAFECON Region IX competition.

Brett’s future goals are to upgrade to Captain at Endeavor & eventually fly for a legacy airline. His favorite parts of the job are exploring new places & utilizing flight benefits which come with the position. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, playing ultimate frisbee & extra flying.

Brett emphasized that Polk State Aerospace prepared him for airline career success.

“Polk State Aerospace taught me about professionalism & how to work well with others to achieve a common goal,” he said. “Polk State not only prepared me to achieve my goals & become an airline pilot, it also allowed me to meet great friends in the process.”