About Us
Dan Tindall
Owner-Partner, Operations Manager, Corporate Pilot, Retired Air Traffic Controller.
Ratings and Certificates: Single Engine Land, Multi-Engine Land, Instrument Airplane, Commercial Pilot. Flight Instructor - Single Engine Land.
Type Ratings: CE-750, CE-680, CE-560XL, CE-500, IA-1125 (all SIC Only)
Remote Pilot (Part 107) Drone Operator
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Education: BA-Aeronautics, MA-Religion from Liberty University.
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Dan served in and worked for the USAF (active duty and civilian) for over 30 years as an active air traffic controller. He helped oversee airfield and ATC operations from 2014 - 2022 and was the air traffic control automation manager from 2001-2014.
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He has served as the assistant air show director for Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina since 2008 - 2021. He retired from the position at Shaw in Feb 2022.
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He is one of Sumter Aviations flight instructors providing flight training and drone operator training. When not conducting flight instruction, he also provides professional pilot services to corporate aircraft owners.
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In addition to the aviation experiences, he is an ordained Baptist Minister and has a focus on mission trips to Central America
Jeff Knauer
Owner-Partner, Business Manager
Ratings and Certificate: Single Engine Land, Single Engine Sea, Multi-Engine Land, Rotocraft, Instrument Airplane, Instrument Helicopter, Commercial Pilot, sUAS
Type Ratings: CE-560, RA-390, UH-1, UH-60
Education: BS-Aerodynamics United States Military Academy at West Point.
Jeff is also the owner of the Fixed Base Operator at the Sumter County Airport and serves as the Airport Manager. He has been a corporate pilot for local companies for over 25 years with over 6000 hours.
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As Business Manager, Jeff keeps the overall operations of Sumter Aviation moving in the right direction.
Chad McLeod
Owner-Partner, Chief Flight Instructor
Ratings and Certificates: ATP Single Engine and Multi-Engine Land, Commercial Pilot Single Engine Sea, Instrument Airplane, Tailwheel.
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Type Ratings include: CE-750, CE-680, CE-500, CE-560
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Chad has extensive experience in aviation. As Sumter Aviation's Chief Flight Instructor, he uses his over 20,000 and 25+ years to ensure our training processes exceed all industry standards.
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In addition to Sumter Aviation, Chad owns and operates his own Charter and Aircraft Management business based at the Sumter County Airport.