GARRETT MILLER
“I’d rather be down here wishing I was up there, then up there wishing I was down here.”
When I was 11, I used to ride my bike to the airfield and watch the planes take off and land. A gentleman named George Olson was working on his plane and offered me a ride. That was the beginning of a long exciting career and hobby in aviation. I became a licensed pilot at 17 years old and an instructor at 25.
As the GM, I do everything no one else wants to do. It’s a blast though, so many call the airfield home: we have some of the most colorful characters!
I love seeing young people succeed and realize their dreams whether it’s a career in aviation, or just adding aviation to their lives. We strive to keep our tradition alive and ensure it remains an airport for generations to come.
When not flying, I am traveling and fishing with my son Jack.
JENNA LEWIS
Office Manager
``My passion is to see every one of our new students reach the goals they have set for themselves.``
Taking the leap and challenging yourself to learn to fly is a monumental step. Once you take it, you want someone there to help guide you through this challenge and keep you on track. My passion is to see every one of our new students reach the goals they have set for themselves. As office manager I get to connect with each and every customer and help match them with the instructors, services, and schedule that fits their life. It also helps that I am a student myself, experiencing the process first hand to reach the goal of licensed pilot. I have a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of New Hampshire, and worked as a chemist for several years. I joined the Hampton airfield team in 2015 and I have enjoyed every minute since. I was born and raised in Hampton NH, where I currently reside with my amazing son Andrew. Andrew is a wonderful boy who has a passion for anything with an engine or wheels, and loves coming to the Airfield.
TRAVIS BUCHANAN
Director Maintenance
“Adapt and Overcome”
Travis grew up working on old cars with his dad. Building and fixings things always excited him so after high school, he pursued a career in aviation, following his great grandfather Zantford Granville’s footsteps. He, along with his four brothers, built the famous GeeBee Aircraft in the early 30’s.
His job is to troubleshoot and repair aircraft and components to ensure airworthiness, along with general maintenance. He enjoys providing customers with good service while having a friendly relationship with them. The atmosphere is fun and relaxing. There is a community feel at the airfield, all supporting each other and fostering good friendships.
Travis spends most of his time with his wife and two young children, who love the beach and sports. He loves to golf, find new music, and researches anything astronomy.
Leah Gosselin
Certified Flight Instructor
“The sky is home to the dreamers of the earth.”
In 2013, I enlisted in the NH Air National Guard at Pease at 17 years old. During my full time service with them, I cross trained to be a boom operator on the KC-135, and the KC-46. I fell in love with flying at KC-135 school and knew immediately that it was what I wanted to do as a career!
Hampton Airfield is like one big family with such a wide range of characters and experience, which makes it fun and interesting. I’m very grateful and fortunate to be a part of it. I love seeing people fall in love with aviation. It’s a challenging and rewarding aspiration and it’s so gratifying to watch them overcome their fears and obstacles and accomplish their goals.
I love to travel and have seen quite a lot of the world through both military and personal. But nothing quite beats a glass of wine and a good show on a Saturday night to relax!
Bill Rose
Chief Flight Instructor
CFII, Tailwheel
“Flying is in my blood.”
Bill began flying in 1949 with his dad in his tail wheel Stinson out of an 1100 foot grass runway~Rose Field in Orient NY~still there and still on the map! He obtained his private pilots’ license at age 18 and his commercial, instrument, instructors, and instrument instructor at 22 from American Flyers and then went to work for Flight Safety. In February of 1966 he was hired by Pan Am and spent 25 years there as copilot/flight navigator on the DC-8 and Boeing 707/720 and 747 and as captain on the Boeing 727. After Pan Am went under in 1991, Bill spent 11 years as a 727/737 captain at Delta retiring in 2002. Since then he has been flight instructing in what he calls “real“ airplanes.
Richard S. (Rick) O’Kane
Customer Service
“The reason that I hang out at Hampton Airfield is that nobody else will have me.”
I was originally pursuing a career in journalism. After serving in the USAF (enlisted, not as a pilot), I attended Boston University School of Journalism working in print, radio, and TV. My radio background and private pilot license led to a flying traffic reporter job for one of the Boston radio stations. From there it was on to small commuter airlines, night freight carriers, and finally the major airlines.
I retired as a pilot from American Airlines in 2017, after 32½ years, five mergers, five uniforms, and six radio callsigns.
My job at Hampton Airfield keeps my active in the aviation community after a long airline career. My job involves dispatching and checking in school aircraft for students and renters. Making reservations for students and renters, handling transactions for pilot supplies, fuel, Airfield swag, etc. Yelling at flight instructors.
Outside of my Airfield life, I enjoy reading (especially history), watching documentaries, baseball, hockey, basketball, soccer, and Formula One racing (but not football); and flying the occasional charter flight in a King Air out of Pease.
Mark Sawyer
Certified Flight Instructor
``Flying is a lifetime thrill.``
My Dad was a GA pilot and I spent many a weekend hanging out with him at local airports walking the rows of airplanes. Way back then there were a lot more GA airports, we had 3 within 10 miles of our house. I started flying lessons when I was 15 years old and soloed shortly after my 16th birthday. Biggest aviation thrill was a surprise birthday present from my wife of an hour of aerobatics in a P-51. I am a long-term member of EAA and am 10 years into building an RV-9. Once the RV-9 (817MK) is completed (18 to 24 months) the dream is for my wife (Kris) and I to go see the country. I retired 2 years ago (engineering in bio-technology), got my CFI, and am now teaching at 7B3. In addition to the obvious love of flying, I really enjoy teaching and passing along the thrill of flying.
Kyle Adrien
Certified Flight Instructor
“A mile of highway will take you one mile, but a mile of runway will take you anywhere!”
While attending the University of NH for my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, I was enlisted in the Air National Guard. After graduating in 2020, I worked on nuclear powered submarines for almost three years.
However, I decided to make a career switch after getting my private pilot license, a lifelong dream. The allure of navigating the skies, the sense of freedom and the technical ability to operate an airplane quickly became a passion. I was hooked!
As an instructor, I enjoy the best of both worlds. I have the opportunity to impart my passion and experiences to newer pilots while witnessing their development and growth firsthand.
Traveling around the world is a big part of my lifestyle. Being immersed in various cultures provides me with an enlightening and eye-opening experience.
Dennis McKenna
Certified Flight Instructor, CFII
“The first flight can set dreams in motion.”
I started flying when a friend, who was taking lessons at the time, took me to the airport, put me in the right seat with his instructor, and let me fly the plane. At that point I was hooked. The following week I was in ground school. I have enjoyed flying and instructing ever since. After retirement, I decided to become a full-time instructor at the Hampton Airfield. First time I walked in I felt welcome people were friendly and supportive and I have enjoyed working here with the family atmosphere. The greatest reward from teaching is watching the ͞aha͟ moment when students master the aircraft, perform unassisted landings, and helping the students reach their goals and achieve their dreams.
Michael William O’Day
Pilot Flight Instructor
``Find what you love and pursue it. To me, flying is one of those beautiful opportunities.``
It’s always been a dream of mine to be an astronaut, consequently I’ve always had a strong desire to fly.I have been flying since 2017, when I began training in NH. I’m currently a CFI here at Hampton, having a blast teaching! It’s gives me so much satisfaction being able to share day to day experiences with others.It’s such a nice reward to see the genuine excitement, thrill, and surprise on my students faces.The Airfield team are really wonderful and welcoming. I always look forward to coming into work.Every day is new and different!Some of my other interests are astronomy, hunting, mountain and lake skiing, stocks/investing, travel, pinball, bowling, and pool.
Eric Reuter
Certified Flight Instructor
“Flying is all about ‘Attitude’”
After giving it 30 years of careful consideration, my flying career started when I wandered into the flight school after lunch one day in 2020 and signed up for a discovery flight. Things quickly got out of hand and now I’m a CFII.
I’ve been teaching college for 25 years, but I’m enjoying the challenge of teaching a new set of skills up in the air instead of in front of a classroom.
In my free time, I enjoy flying around the country in my ’78 Grumman Tiger and tinkering with my ’68 Volvo wagon. I’m also fond of trains and pizza.
Griffin Nagy
Front Desk
``Carb Heat Diem``
HI, I’m Griffin! I am part-time as I’m still in school and working towards my pilots license at the same time. Manning the front desk gives me all kinds of opportunities to meet the on-site team and the community that frequents here. Our instructors and native pilots create an interesting work environment. Meeting new people and building relationships gives me great satisfaction, and it’s fun!
My late dad always wanted to be a pilot but never realized his dream. Now I can be a part of that dream!
In my free time, I enjoy studying history and spending time with my family.
