The Platinum Aviation Story

Platinum Aviation's Family of Companies

Platinum Aviation is a South Florida based family of companies dedicated to serving the needs of the newest Technologically Advanced Aircraft market. Platinum was originally founded as a unique flight training facility to train those that only wanted to learn to fly the latest, best-equipped aircraft available and learn from flight instructors that were the best in the industry. That original concept has grown into a full service company that now includes flight training, aircraft rentals, aircraft maintainance and an aviation related film and video production company.

Platinum Aviation's History

It all started with two freelance flight instructors, like others, teaching in old, tired 172’s, both embarking on second careers. Tina Oborny was the founder, and Kerry Hackney joined her soon thereafter.

Platinum Aviation was founded in 2004 in one small, old office of an aircraft maintenance hanger at Miami's Opa Locka Airport, with one brand new Cessna 172SP. Everyone thought we were crazy, “no one would pay to rent a new plane with all of these much less expensive planes here.” Well …. we proved them wrong then and we continue to today. We knew there was an untapped market for those people that may have thought of learning to fly, only to be disappointed when they got to the airport and saw their options. These people that once turned around and left, now stayed. We were dedicated to being the best flight instructors in the area and the word quickly spread. The aircraft manufacturers began to recommend us above all others.

When we teamed up with Cirrus in 2005 we had to move on to more appropriate facilities. We moved to the main FBO on the field with a premier location at Miami Executive Aviation. Now we offered new Cirrus aircraft. People could learn to fly and gain their Private Pilot Certificate in new, top of the line, fully equipped, technologically advanced aircraft. “This is really crazy”, the old timers at the field said, “these planes are way to expensive, no one will rent these.” Again they were wrong. We added air-conditioned Cirrus SR22’s and found them to be the most in demand. Our client’s wanted the newest and the best.

In late 2008, one of our client’s that had come to do some flight training with us, Alfredo Cortellini, from Bologna Italy, liked the company so much he bought it! Platinum Aviation now had the backing to grow and become what we had dreamed. We bought Correct Aviation at Ft. Lauderdale’s Executive Airport, the Cirrus Standardized Flight Training Center for KFXE. We remodeled both locations into the beautiful facilities we had envisioned that match the aircraft we fly. We added a full service aircraft maintenance facility and even added an aviation training video production facility. Platinum Aviation added the Cirrus SR22 Turbo Perspective aircraft at both locations, KFXE and KOPF and bought one of the first Cirrus SR20 Perspective aircraft to help people get started with the latest avionics.

Platinum Aviation has been the leader since the beginning and we will continue to be well into the future. We will always offer the latest, most advanced aircraft renatals. We will always have flight instructors that know this new equipment better than anyone and willing to pass their knowledge along to future generations of pilots. Platinum is on the fast track ... Fast aircraft and fast growth. Under the direction and leadership of Alfredo Cortellini and Kerry Hackney, Platinum Aviation will continue to lead in the field of Technologically Advanced Aircraft. Look for more locations offering these same high standards soon!

Are You Interested in Joining Our Team?

Platinum Aviation is always on the lookout for the best talent. If you are one of the best flight instructors, customer service representatives, line service personel, aircraft mechanics, avionics technicians or video production staff, let us know. Email Kerry Hackney at kerry@flyplatinum.com with your resume.