Staff Bios

Dan Marnell, Managing Partner and Chief Flight Instructor
Dan Marnell started flying in 1968, at the Stewart AFB Aero Club. While in the U.S. Air Force he continued to fly in Aero Clubs around the world. In 1976 he became a Flight Engineer for the USAF and was on flying status for 9 years accumulating over 2,400 hours. During that time, he also earned his instructors certificate and started teaching in 1977. He has been an active instructor since, accumulating over 14,000 hours with approximately 8,000 hours of instruction given and over 250 students receiving a rating or certificate. In 1991 he retired from the Air Force and started teaching part time in the Atlanta area. In 1996 he came to West Georgia Regional Airport and started teaching full time. Dan has flown a wide variety of aircraft in his career; from towing banners to flying fire watch in up state New York.

Tom Nichols, Managing Partner and Business Administrator
Tom Nichols has been fascinated with aviation from an early age. From the first time he went flying with his dad in the late 70's, Tom has been an aviation buff. Collecting models and books on aviation and even applying to Ga Tech's Aerospace Engineering program in the early 90's. Although Tom opted for a degree in computers instead of aviation, his passion for aviation never waned. Tom has a Commercial Instrument rating and is working on his CFI rating.

Josh Shirey, Flight Instructor
Josh Shirey fell in love with aviation at an early age when he went on his first flight as a Young Eagle at the Carrollton Chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association. Josh became a lineman here at the West GA Regional Airport as soon as he was old enough. For three years, he worked until he was able to begin working toward his Private license with chief flight instructor Dan Marnell. On August 10, 2006, Josh received his Private license but he did not stop there. While still flying with Plane Sense he received his Instrument rating on March 12, 2008. Soon after he received his Instrument rating, he went on receive his Commercial on April 18, 2008 and a month later received his Flight Instructors Rating on July 2, 2008. As one of our new Certified Flight Instructors, Josh is looking forward to continuing his flying career and has high hopes for his future in aviation.

Randy Lee, Flight Instructor
Randy is our newest flight instructor and his Bio will be posted soon.