- December 4, 2025
Cutting the ribbon at the new facility. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Sally Hunt, Jack Howell, Theresa Carli Pontieri, Courtney VandeBunte. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Ric Lehman, executive director of Teens-In-Flight, addresses the gathering ahead of the ribbon cutting ceremony. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Heiser Foundation representative Linda Keith talks about the foundation that supports Teens-In-Flight. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Jack Howell accepts a donation from The Heiser Foundation. Teens-In-Flight Executive Director Ric Lehman and The Heiser Foundation representative Linda Keith look on. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Ric Lehman, executive director of Teens-In-Flight, alongside one of the organization's aircrafts, a Cessna. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Ric Lehman, executive director of Teens-In-Flight, shows a potential candidate one of the organization's three planes. Photo by Danny Broadhurst.
The Heiser Foundation supports Teens-In-Flight. Dedicated to the memory of USAF Master Sgt. Michael G. Heiser, who was killed in the terrorist attacks on the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia in June 1996. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Sally Hunt, Jack Howell, Theresa Carli Pontieri and Courtney VandeBunte. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Palm Coast Observer photographer (and aviation fan) Danny Broadhurst and son Finn enjoying covering the event. Photo by Archer Broadhurst (8)
U.S. Air Force Col. Ed Whalen, chief flight instructor for Teens -In-Flight. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Flagler County Court Judge Melissa Distler and her husband, John, celebrate the opening of the organization's new facility. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
John Distler, Theresa Carli Pontieri and Greg Feldma enjoying the celebration. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Heather Thompson, of HT Production Company; and Bill Gordon, an attendant of Flagler County Executive Airport. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Gillian Smith, Linda and Vernon Keith, and Diane Smith at the opening. Linda presented the organization with a check for $50,000. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Haley, Amanda, Logan and Todd Sarmiento were onsite to celebrate the event. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Gary Hollis reads a proclamation from Florida Sen. Rick Scott in support of the organization. Photo by Danny Broadhurst.
Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Heiser Foundation representative Linda Keith and Teens-In-Flight founder Jack Howell. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Heiser Foundation representative Linda Keith presents Teens-In-Flight President and founder Jack Howell II with a check for $50,000 dollars. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
U.S. Air Force Col. Ed Whalen, chief flight instructor for Teens -In-Flight, shows Archer Broadhurst the controls of a Piper Cub. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
The organization's flight instructors: Jack Kanjian, Austin Yenser and Will Patin. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Teens-In-Flight President and founder Jack Howell with foundation contributor and supporter Linda Keith, of The Heiser Foundation. Keith presented the organization with a $50,000 check. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Teens-In-Flight President and founder Jack Howell with foundation contributor and supporter Mary Tremblay, of the William O'Malley foundation. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Theresa Carli Pontieri and her husband, Rick. Photo by Danny Broadhurst.
Cindi Dalecki, of Marketing 2 Go. Photo by Danny Broadhurst.
Teens-In-Flight Executive Director Ric Lehman and founder Jack Howell cut the ribbon at the new facility. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Teens-In-Flight Executive Director Ric Lehman and founder Jack Howell cut the ribbon at the new facility. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Teens-In-Flight Executive Director Ric Lehman and founder Jack Howell cut the ribbon at the new facility. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Teens-In-Flight Executive Director Ric Lehman and founder Jack Howell cut the ribbon at the new facility. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
U.S. Air Force Col. Ed Whalen, chief flight instructor for Teens-In-Flight, shows Finn Broadhurst the controls of a Piper Cub. Photo by Danny Broadhurst
Teens-In-Flight, a local nonprofit that helps teenagers earn a private pilot's license, opened a new headquarters Oct. 22 at the Flagler Executive Airport in Palm Coast.
The new location includes four offices and allows the organization to house its airplanes in its own hangar.
Jack Howell, the nonprofit's founder and a retired Marine colonel and former Palm Coast city councilman, welcomed the public to the opening.
"The Teens-In-Flight flight program teaches everyone how to fly, but especially benefits military children, first responders and at-risk teens," Howell said."They have had 100% of program graduates go to college."
Teens-In-Flight students have been placed at Stetson University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, the U.S. Air Force Academy, United States Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy and more.
Teens-In-Flight began by offering flight training to teens whose of military service members who were killed or injured in the Global War on Terror. It later expanded to also offer training to teens of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty, and to teens who are considered at-risk.
To sponsor, donate or volunteer, go to teensinflight.org or facebook.com/teensinflight.
