Our Approach
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.
Our Story
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
Founder &
Operator of Grays Creek's On-Site CATS Testing Center
Dale Smith is the man that started it all in 1984. He now lives on the field with his wife Cindy and enjoys giving feedback on people's landings. Cindy runs the CATS Testing Center located in the main office at Grays Creek Airport.
Scot Smith
Owner, A&P IA
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 and now oversees all operations on the field. He's also a Commercial and Multi-Engine rated pilot.
Cora Aytona
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
Cora has her Doctorate in Physical Therapy but her passion is in aviation. She has been flying since 2004 and has a Commercial Multi-Engine with Instrument rating.
Contact Cora at (910) 316-9870
Dave Herwig
Certified Flight Instructor
Gold Seal CFI, CFI-I, MEI, AGI & ATP
Dave jumped for twelve years with the U.S. Army Parachute Team, Golden Knight. He was recognized by AOPA in 2017 as one of the Southeast Regional Distinguished Flight Instructors.
Contact Dave at (910) 248-9820
Sullivan Jackson
A&P Mechanic
Sullivan was in the Army for 6 years doing Avionics on Apaches. He is currently working on his Private Pilot's Certificate. In his free time, he enjoys flying his drones and fishing.
Stephen Eller
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
Elayne Humphrey
Certified Flight Instructor
CFI, CFI-I, IGI, Multi-engine rating
Elayne has her Master's in Marketing Research, had her own business and homeschooled her kids for many years prior to coming to Cape Fear Aviation to fulfill her life-long dream of being a pilot.
Contact Elayne at (910) 224-8312
Stephen Biddinger
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
Mechanic
Stephen began flying in 2013 and has a BS in Aeronautics. He served 10 years in the Air Force as a Military Working Dog trainer before separating to pursue his passion and career in Aviation.
Contact Stephen at (808) 426-8277
Brendan Foeppel
Certified Flight Instructor
CFI, CFI-I, MEI
Brendan is a former small business owner and fleet mechanic who sold his business three years ago to pursue a career in aviation. He loves flying and classic cars.
Contact Brendan at (561) 418-4700
Hideshi Sasaki
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
Hideshi joined Cape Fear Aviation in January 2019 and moved to Fayetteville from San Diego. He retired from the U.S. Army in 2010 as a Command Sergeant Major.
Contact Hideshi at (909) 560-6990
Interested In Flying With Us - Give Us A Call Today!
Speak with any of our Certificated Flight Instructors today and ask about an Introductory Flight!
Gray's Creek Airport: 7154 Butler Nursery Road, Fayetteville, NC 28306
Contact the Flight School Office at (910) 223-0567 or call an Instructor directly
Cora (910) 316-9870 Stephen Biddinger (808) 426-8277 Stephen Eller (910) 574-0081 Brendan (561) 418-4700
Dave (910) 248-9820 Elayne (910) 224-8312 Hideshi (909) 560-6990