Jake Hawkins

Flight Instructor

Ratings: Commercial SEL, CFI, CFII

Jake’s passion for aviation began during his freshman year of college after a discovery flight introduced to him by a close friend joining the Air Force. From that moment, he was hooked. As a first-generation pilot, Jake brings a fresh perspective and deep enthusiasm to every flight lesson.

He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education while playing football at Southwest Minnesota State University. Afterwards completing most of his flight training at AV8, Jake became a Certified Flight Instructor, combining his love for teaching with his passion for flying.

Jake’s instruction style emphasizes patience, precision, and a strong commitment to safety. He takes time to understand each student’s individual learning style, tailoring his instruction to meet their specific strengths and challenges. His goal is to instill the discipline, focus, and confidence necessary for each student to thrive.

When Jake isn’t in the sky, you can find him working out, boating, hiking and spending time with friends and family.