John ‘Mike’ Hardin

This is Hardin’s third NAFI Master accreditation. Hardin grew up spending time at Terrell Municipal Airport (KTRL) in Texas. He said his earliest memory of aviation is flying with his dad at the age of six. In 1999, he started flight training at age 13 and earned his instrument, commercial, and CFI in 2008 while working at his family’s FBO, Terrell Aviation. He earned his MEI in 2010 and started his own flight school, Mike’s Flying Service, a year later specializing in accelerated multi-engine training in a Piper Apache. In 2012, Hardin earned his CFII and in 2014 obtained A&P certification with inspection authorization, and his Gold Seal flight instructor.

In 2018, he celebrated hitting 10,000 hours by getting his seaplane ratings in a Piper Super Cruiser and a Grumman Widgeon. With more than 11,000 hours and 6,000 dual given, Hardin has flown more than 60 aircraft types. He has served as the Region 11 director of the Ercoupe Owners Club since 2013. He has ferried planes, flown pipeline aerial patrol in Cessna Cardinals, and flown for local clients. Most of his time is spent instructing in everything from Ercoupes to King Airs.