Our History
Gray's Creek Airport was founded in 1984 by Dale Smith when he began dusting crops in and around the local area. The airport originally consisted of a dirt strip that was less than 2,000 feet long, but in 1987 power lines on the north side of the runway were moved further north and the runway length was extended to 3,500 feet.
Alongside his crop dusting operation, Dale bought a Cessna 150 and began a small flight instructing operation based at the airport.
Gray's Creek Today
Today, the airport has several hangars on the field serving more than thirty tenants that live in the Fayetteville area. The runway remains 3,500 feet long and is 30 feet wide.
Dale's son, Scot, joined the family business after attending North Carolina State University. He now oversees all aircraft maintenance at Gray's Creek Airport and teaches classes to A&P mechanics and students.
Meet the Team
Our team truly is our family and we invite you to be a part of it.
Below are a few tid-bits about the folks that make our flight school what it is today.
Dale & Cindy Smith
Dale Smith is the man that started it all in 1984. He lives on the field with his wife Cindy and enjoys giving feedback on people's landings.
Cindy runs the FAA Testing Center located in the main office at Grays Creek Airport.
Scot Smith
Owner
Authorized Inspector, Mechanic
Flight Instructor, CFI, MEI, ATP
Scot is the owner of both the Flight School and the Maintenance Shop. He learned how to fly at Grays Creek Airport as a kid. His primary responsibility is keeping all the planes in the fleet running safely.
Sullivan Jackson
A&P Mechanic
Commercial Pilot
Sullivan worked on Apache helicopter avionics while in the US Army for six years. He is a Commercial pilot. In his free time, he enjoys flying his drones, fishing and spending time with his young son.
Justice Brooks
Mechanic Intern
Justice's passion for aviation began very young when she would fly commercially several times a year. When not at work, she likes to watch movies and cuddle with her 2 cats. She is also a fiction writer earning her BA in Creative Writing & English
Kelly Parsons
Credential Program Manager
Kelly has been around aviation her whole life. Her father, grandfather & son are all pilots. When not at the airport, she's homeschooling her kids who are still at home.
Leonie Brown
Owner's Assistant
CFI, CFII, MEI
Leonie earned her bachelor's degree in Aviation from Liberty University. She loves flying and looks forward to having a career as a professional pilot. When she's not at work, she enjoys being outside, doing craft project and perfecting her drawing skills.
Elayne Humphrey
Chief Pilot
CFI, CFII, MEI, DPE
Commercial Seaplane & Glider
Elayne has her Master's in Marketing Research, had her own website design business and homeschooled her kids. Teaching people to fly is her passion, she also enjoys traveling and being outdoors.
Matthew Engelmohr
Flight Instructor
CFI, CFII, Multi Rated
Matthew has been flying with us for the past 5 years. He started here before he could even drive. He has his Drone operator's license also and works for the State teaching Emergency personnel how to use drones.
Matt Gee
Flight Instructor
CFI, CFII, Multi Rated
Matt's aviation journey began in 2005 before serving in the Army for 20 years. He completed the remainder of his flight training here and holds a Master’s Degree from the National Defense University. When he isn’t flying, he enjoys spending time with his wife & two kids.
Treye Hinson
Flight Instructor
CFI, CFII, MEI
Grayson Seethaler
Flight Instructor
CFI
Grayson earned his Bachelor's from UNC Pembroke and has been flying since he was 18 years old. His passion is aviation and he plans to pursue a career in aviation. When he's not flying you can find him spending time with his grandparents and brother.
Trey Underwood
Flight Instructor
CFI, Multi Rated
Trey started flying at Gray's Creek with his brother as his CFI. He finished all his ratings here and enjoys working both as a CFI and maintenance intern. When he is not flying, he enjoys hunting, golfing and being in the outdoors.
Interested In Flying With Us - Give Us A Call Today!
Gray's Creek Airport: 7154 Butler Nursery Road, Fayetteville, NC 28306
Call the Flight School Office at (910) 223-0567