Tom Baxter

President

Licenses and Ratings: ATP, CPL, MEL, Comm RTR, CFI, CFII, MEI, Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot (CSIP)

Number of Years Flying: 50+ years

Short Bio: Tom is the President of Capital City Aviation. Tom has an extensive background in both Aviation and Business. His first aviation job was as a flight instructor at The Ohio State University in 1976. Throughout his career, he has worked as a charter, corporate and commuter airline pilot and spent five years at NetJets flying the Citation Sovereign. He has also flown EMS and aerial application helicopters and has had a lifelong interest in aerobatics. Among other achievements, Tom implemented and directed the original Grant Medical Center LifeFlight Helicopter program from 1982-1988, which eventually became MedFlight on the north side of KOSU. In addition to being the president of Capital City Aviation, Tom flight instructs and manages the Cirrus Training Center and Cirrus partnership at Capital City. Tom and his wife Cheryl live now in Summerville, South Carolina (he travels to Ohio for a week each month), and they have three daughters and four grandchildren. Tom enjoys time with his family, friends, and his dog Livvie. He is active in fitness, shooting sports, scuba diving, kayaking and camping.

Paul Palmisciano

Chief Flight Instructor

Licenses and Ratings: ATP, DPE, CFI, CFII, Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot (CSIP), CPL

Number of Years Flying: 50+

Short Bio: Paul began flying at age 16, and has enjoyed the view of the earth from three thousand feet ever since. Paul has accrued a wealth of experience from over 50 years of flying. He has been a flight instructor since 1977, and has accumulated nearly 5,500 hours of flight time. In September of 2016, Paul was awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award from the Federal Aviation Administration for 50 years of safe and proficient flying. Paul’s reason for flying can be summed up in the following quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupery: “The aeroplane (sic) has unveiled for us the true face of the earth.” His goal in flying is to help pilots become better and safer – all the time.

Steven Kinsey

Vice President / Assistant Chief Flight Instructor / Director of Operations

Licenses and Ratings: CFI, CFII, Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot (CSIP), CPL, MEL

Number of years flying: 13+

Short Bio: Steven has always been fascinated with aviation. In 2007 he attended an air show at KLCK and started his training that same day. He earned his private pilot certificate in airplanes from Fairfield County Airport in 2008, his instrument rating from Capital City Aviation, and his Commercial, CFI, CFII, and Multi-engine certification from The Ohio State University. In 2012 he transitioned to helicopters and earned his commercial pilot certification. He has been flying helicopters professionally since 2013 and is always working on expanding himself not only as a pilot but also as a person. He has a true passion for aviation and feels that some of the greatest rewards in aviation are sharing the joy, beauty, and endless possibilities of flying. When not flying Steven enjoys family, traveling, and playing with cars.

Kaitlyn Shroyer

Assistant Chief Flight Instructor

Licenses and Ratings: CFI, CFII, TCI

Number of Years Flying: 4+ years

Short Bio: Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Completed all my training up to CFI at KCHD. I’ve been flying for four years and loving every day of it. Decided to leave the Valley of the Sun and make the beautiful city of Columbus my new home. Vice President of Women in Aviation Valley of the Sun Chapter. So I love giving back to the community of aviation. If I’m not flying, I will most likely be hiking, snowboarding, or supporting TDBITL that my Fiancé is the conductor for!

Nick Kremer

Assistant Chief Flight Instructor

Licenses and Ratings: CFI, CFII, TCI

Number of Years Flying: 4+ years

Short Bio: Nick has always had the “flying bug,” thanks to his love of airports and his visits to airshows in his hometown of Dayton when he was young. He was able to take advantage of his passion for aviation, beginning his flying career in 2021 at a small airport in Moraine, OH. Nick has been flying out of KOSU since 2022, obtaining his Instrument Rating and Commercial License at Capital City. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 2023. Although it is just the beginning, he is thankful for the opportunity to convey his passion of aviation through training either current, or the next generation of pilots. Outside of flying Nick regularly participates and enjoys a multitude of sports, along with spending time with his friends and family.

Brett Way

Licenses and Ratings: CFI, CFII

Number of Years Flying: 1+ years

Short Bio: Brett is a Certified Flight Instructor who began her flying journey in January 2023 and has been passionate about aviation ever since. She graduated from Capital University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Biology. Brett completed her flight training at Jet Access, where she earned her Commercial ASEL, CFI, and CFII ratings.

Aviation is Brett’s second career, fueled by a passion as strong as her first. Born and raised in Ohio, she spent 11 years in California working as a killer whale and dolphin trainer. Brett is married with twins and enjoys spending time with her family and friends, caring for animals, and traveling.

Steven Allen

Licenses and Ratings: CFI, CFII, MEL

Number of Years Flying: 1+ years

Short Bio: Steven is a graduate of Columbus College of Art and Design where he earned his degree in Industrial Design. His passion for design and understanding how and why things work led him to aviation.

Steven took his discovery flight February 2023 and found his true passion amongst the clouds. Steve is a detailed oriented, hard working, fast learner and that allowed him to earn his CFI, CFII and MEL ratings in 19 months.

Steven believes the best students come in eager and willing to learn. Have an open mind, can dedicate time just for aviation, and are ready to have fun.

When he’s not flying Steven enjoys spending time with family, watching the Cleveland Browns, hitting the gym and hanging out with friends.

Drew Blankenship

Licenses and Ratings: CFI, CFII

Number of Years Flying: 

Short Bio: Drew Blankenship, Certified Flight Instructor born and raised in Columbus Ohio. Started my aviation journey in January of 2023 with Jet Access where I obtained my Commercial ASEL, CFI and CFII ratings. Had the luxury of being introduced to aviation at a young age by my Stepfather and Grandfather whom both were Airline and Corporate Pilots. Ended up attending THE Ohio State University to pursue a career in Computer Science. I followed that career path until the urge to pursue aviation intrigued me, and I enrolled into flight school. Apart from flying, I love to golf, go on hikes, camping and hanging out with my friends and family.

Wendy Stiver

Licenses and Ratings: CFI, CFII

Short Bio: Wendy retired from the Dayton Police Department in 2020 and decided to reconnect with a childhood fascination with aviation, which is probably connected to growing up in an Air Force family. She loves teaching and also works as an independent consultant, where she designs and delivers training for justice professionals.

Jovian Krey-Patel

Licenses and Ratings: CFI

Number of years flying: 4

Short Bio: Jovian was born in Frankfurt, Germany and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. Aviation was always something he had been interested in, captivated by how the whole aviation system comes together to provide safe and efficient transportation. He began flight training at the end of his junior year of high school, and continued his training through college. Jovian came to Columbus to attend The Ohio State University, where he graduated in May 2025 with a degree in Business Administration. Outside of flying, Jovian enjoys watching sports, cooking, and hiking

Lydia Steyn

Role: Administrative Coordinator

Bio: I am a recent graduate from The Ohio State University with a degree in Air Transportation. I earned my FAA Dispatch License and Private Pilot Certificate during my time at OSU, where I developed a strong passion for aviation operations and safety. I also served as President of the National Gay Pilots Association OSU Chapter, where I helped connect students with professional development opportunities in the aviation industry. Outside of the aviation world I love to dance. I am a dance instructor teaching ballet, jazz, and hip-hop to students ages two to eighteen.

Adrienne Detwiler

Role: Administrative Coordinator

Certifications:  PPL

Number of years flying: 6

Short Bio: Adrienne took her first airplane ride at twelve years old and knew immediately she wanted to become a pilot. By fifteen, she was flying tailwheel aircraft from a small grass strip airport, and in 2022 she began training with Capital City Aviation. After earning a Civil Air Patrol scholarship, she completed her Private Pilot training in the Cirrus SR-20 and earned her Private Pilot License in May 2023. Passionate about aviation, Adrienne plans to pursue her CFI so she can continue sharing her love of flying and helping aspiring pilots achieve their goals. Outside of flying, she enjoys skydiving, cooking, spending time outdoors, and being with family, friends, and her guinea pigs.