Michael Richards, Chief Pilot
- Cargo in the Cessna Caravan
- Medevac in Pilatus PC12
- Cessna Conquest
- Cessna Citation
- Eclipse Jet
Dan Sauer, Pilot/Captain
Dan has been with IAC since November, 2017. He completed his Professional Pilot Curriculum in 1978 and has also trained with the FAA, and was an air traffic controller for 30 years. He has a wealth of experience and a ‘serious’ (12,300) amount of flight hours which has brought him to his present position as Captain with IAC. His flight experience, knowledge of aircraft, and ongoing certifications include the Cessna, Citation, and Lear Jet.
He holds FAA Certificates for: Airline Transport Pilot – ASEL and AMEL; LJ45 (Lear Jet rating), CE-500, 650, and 680, Commercial privileges – ASES; Flight instructor – ASEL, AMEL, ASES and Instrument, and as a Control Tower Operator.
He resides with his wife, Karen, in Land ‘O Lakes, WI and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. They have four children, seven grandchildren, and Murphy, the family dog.
Kevin Van Alstine, Pilot
Kevin has over 20 years of professional aviation experience. He completed his Professional Pilot Degree in 1998 and has been a Captain on charter flights with Passengers and Express Cargo as well as a Flight Instructor. Kevin has experience in a variety of aircraft including multi-engine, single engine, turbine and piston powered. He has accumulated over 10,000 hours of flight experience. He also holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Single and Multi-engine land Instrument.
Kevin has been married for over 30 years; long enough for both progeny to achieve adulthood and move out on their own.
Daniel Palacios Mora, Pilot/Captain
Daniel Jose Palacios Mora was, Born in November, in Caracas, Venezuela,
Daniel Palacios is passionate about airplane’s. From a young age, Daniel dreamed of flying, inspired by his uncle, who was also a pilot and a role model in his family.
Daniel has achieved great milestones in his career, he holds an Airline Transport Pilot license with over 4,000 flight hours, he specializes in executive flights and is an expert pilot of aircraft such as the Learjet 45, Beech 1900 and King Air 200.
In addition to his dedication to aviation, Daniel is a sports enthusiast, he loves playing soccer and softball and maintains an active lifestyle by regularly going to the gym.
The values of solidarity, loyalty, perseverance, and gratitude, were instilled by his parents, and guide his decisions in both his professional and personal life.
Edmundo R Aillon, Pilot
[Flying] started for me when I went to my hometown airport to bid my dad goodbye the day he emigrated to the United States. That day when I saw the Pilots performing the external inspection and climbing into the captain and copilots seats, I made up my mind that I would be a pilot. Three years later I was privileged to fly from Quito Ecuador connecting in Miami to my new home in Chicago. Growing up in Chicago I ventured out as a teenager. My favorite destinations were Midway Airport and Meigs Field just to watch airplanes take off and land.
At seventeen I joined the United States Army and joined the Kitzingen Flying club and began flying. I logged my first five flying hours in West Germany and then pursued a flying carrier once I completed my commitment to the US Army enrolling in a flight school in Midway Airport.
I obtained my Private Pilots Certificate in 1978. My wife and I moved to Houston Texas enrolled in San Jasinto College, obtained my Instrument, Commercia, CFI, CFII, ME, and MEI. Eventually, I was hired by Northwest Airlink flew the Jetstream as a copilot for six months and one year as a captain.
Exactly one year later, I was offered a pilot position with United Airlines. I flew as a B727 Flight Engineer, as a First officer on the B727 my first Jet, and as First Officer on the B757/B767 fleet. Two years later I received a Type Rating on the B747-400. I flew as a First Officer and then Captain on the Airbus A320 and also was a Line Check Airman on the B757/767 Fleet.
I have 31 years experience with United Airlines where I retired on the Dreamliner B787 as a Captain. I was an instructor at our local Flight School. I received a Citation CE-650 Type Rating on May-24-2022. I have been Flying as a Contract Pilot Since.
Tony Benedetti, First Officer
In early 2018, Tony wondered what it was like to be a pilot. He and his wife had flown all over America for the previous two years — ever since they graduated from Western Illinois University together back in May 2016 with their Bachelor’s Degrees in Business — so his mind wandered into what it would be like to have a career in aviation and fly for a living.
Fast forward to December 2018; Tony reached out to a close friend of his (who happens to be a flight instructor) and decided to participate in a discovery flight. Ever since that initial flight in that Cessna 152, Tony has been hooked on pursuing a professional career in aviation. His drive and determination to earn as much flight time as possible, all while keeping up with his daytime/weekday responsibilities for his demanding full-time job in Project Management, is a true testament for his passion and love for flying.
In October 2019, Tony earned his private pilot’s license and over the course of 5 years, Tony now holds a CE-500 and CE-650 SIC type ratings, as well as accumulated over 800 flight hours flying Citation jets and single engine planes within his flying club the in Romeoville, IL. Tony was a founding member of Prestige Worldwide Aviation flying club out of KLOT where today they welcome over 40+ members and 4 aircraft.
As First Officer on the Citation 650, Tony brings a unique blend of enthusiasm and precision to the team. His background in project management within the insurance restoration industry has instilled strong organizational and leadership skills, making him a reliable and resourceful crew member. His dedication to customer service has made him a valuable member of the teams he has been a part of.
Born and raised in Lisle, IL, Tony now resides in downtown Chicago with his wife. They live in the heart of the city with lovely views of the Chicago River from their balcony. When Tony is not flying, he is a daily gym-goer, avid bowler, and golfer. He grew up racing professional go-karts and remains passionate about motorsports, with plans to return to racing in the future. A dedicated lifelong NASCAR fan, he also has a lot of love for the Chicago Bears and Cubs. Chicago is where home is for Tony and his wife, Marketa, but they are always willing to explore and travel to adventures at a moment’s notice. There’s a lot of world to see out there, and we’ve only scratched the surface.
Ryan Everling, Director of Maintenance
Born and raised in Illinois, Ryan started his aviation career almost 30 years ago in late 1995 by joining the United States Marine Corps performing maintenance on UH-1N Huey and AH-1W Cobra helicopters. After the military he transitioned to fixed wing aircraft maintenance and has continued in this throughout his career as a maintenance and sheet metal technician, crew lead, shift supervisor, and today as a Director of Maintenance joining IAC in October 2024.
He obtained his Airframe and Powerplant license in February of 2005 and has worked in a variety of environments including government contracts in Afghanistan, corporate aviation, and aircraft charter. He is a father of two grown sons and is an avid guitar player and enthusiast, and loves to ride his motorcycle.
Ryan is recently engaged and he and his fiancé Chrissy reside in Machesney Park, Illinois along with their two dogs Harley and Loki, with plans to eventually relocate to Wisconsin.
Julie Nickelsen, Flight Coordinator
Julie is a native of northern Illinois and has been a full time Northwoods resident for the past 7 years after spending 46 years as summer resident. She has spent many years in customer and membership services, both professionally and in the volunteer sector. She has grown up with many family friends in the aviation industry as well as family members that are both commercial and corporate pilots, including her own daughter!
Julie has two grown daughters, and one grandson. She enjoys being out on the lake, volunteering when she has time and spending time with family and friends.
Julie understands the need for high quality customer service, attention to detail and confidentiality for our customers. She looks forward to working with you and the IAC team to make your experience with us exceptional!
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