Flightline History

The company known today as Flightline Group, Inc. was founded in Tallahassee, Florida, by Paul “Mac” and Carmen Langston in May of 1982. The Company’s purpose was to provide and promote professional aviation services. The Company’s first operations provided Tallahassee Memorial Hospital with the area's first hospital-based aeromedical helicopter program, Life-Flight.  The program became the 48th air-ambulance operation established in the United States and by 1984, became the seventh busiest program in the country providing helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft service across North America and the Caribbean.

In 1983, the Company also began offering air taxi charter service to over 14,000 cities throughout North America and the Caribbean.  The clientele was varied and interesting; including such notables as President George H.W. Bush, Chuck Yeager, Bob Hope, The Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffett, Gov. Bob Martinez, Sen. Bob Graham, Robert Urich, Governor Dukakis, Senator Kemp, Governor Chiles, Ed Bradley, and Hulk Hogan.

In the mid 1980’s and early 1990’s Flightline, the City of Tallahassee and management at Tallahassee Regional Airport worked together to establish a full-service, quality aviation service and support center.  At the time, the Company divested of the helicopter aeromedical contracts to devote complete attention to the issue of privatization and development of a full service fixed base operation.  In 1994, Flightline Group opened the general aviation terminal, creating a first class aviation gateway to Florida’s Capital City providing 24-hour, 7-day-a-week world class aviation services.  In 1997, Flightline expanded to North Central Florida by opening Flightline Gainesville and began providing aircraft fueling and line services at Gainesville Regional Airport through 2003.

In 1999, Flightline was named as the exclusive dealer for Piper Aircraft representing Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Northwest Florida.  Due to the Company’s quickly established reputation for their strong customer-service focus, Piper expanded the Company’s territory to include the entire State of Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, at which time SouthEast Piper was formed.

In the fall of 2002, Flightline Development Corporation finalized plans for development and management of the Compass Pointe complex, a site that includes 32,000 sq ft of existing buildings, 12 acres of land available for new development and 10 acres of aircraft ramp and automobile parking.  The complex will be used for aviation related businesses including HondaJet Southeast dealership, storage hangar, corporate hangars and specialized aviation services. Additionally in 2002, Flightline Development Corporation began operational development and management of the 6.25 acre T hangar area. Forty seven new T hangars were built to compliment the existing eighteen. The project included a new pilots' lounge and aircraft wash rack.

In 2004, Flightline opened Piper Parts Plus (P3), in an on-going effort to support Piper Aircraft and the GA community.  P3, located in Memphis, TN, is the largest dealership operated Piper Parts distributorship in the world.

In 2006, Flightline began providing fueling services to commercial airlines at the Okaloosa Regional Airport as Flightline Okaloosa, which included construction and operation of a full service aviation fuel farm.  Flightline’s service in Okaloosa transferred to Million Air in 2009 with the sale of the Tallahassee FBO.

In 2006, Honda officially entered the business aviation market as Honda Aircraft Company, Inc. and appointed Flightline, as HondaJet Southeast, as the dealership responsible for sales and service of the HondaJet for Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas and South Carolina.

In 2007, Flightline celebrated its 25th Anniversary and broke ground on a new 26,000 sq ft Regional Service Center at Tallahassee Regional Airport.  The Technical Service Center was opened in 2009 and is an Authorized Service Center for Piper Aircraft, Cessna, Cirrus, Mahindra Aerospace and Textron Lycoming.

In 2009, Flightline made the strategic decision to divest of the Tallahassee FBO, gradually in partnership with Million Air, to focus efforts and resources on the aircraft sales and service operations, as well as the Flightline Development Corporation arm of the business.

Late in 2011, the Company broke ground on the 15,000 square foot Compass Pointe Aircraft Hangar. Completion of the hangar occurred early in 2012. The decades of proud service to the Tallahassee and aviation communities reflects a dedication to sustainable and continued growth and to providing an extraordinary experience with character, honesty and quality.  

Flightline started the year 2012 with the appointment as the southeastern United States authorized distributor for the Mahindra Aerospace Airvan. Based out of its corporate offices in Tallahassee, Flightline’s sales territory covers Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas.

In 2013, Flightline Technical Services became a Certified Part 145 Repair Station. This certification enhances our services to include avionics testing, repair and installation capability.

At the beginning of 2019, Flightline was appointed Authorized Dealer and Service Center for Kodiak Aircraft. Flightline's territory includes Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi.

Flightline’s history is rich with successes and experiences that have earned our company’s well-respected position within the General Aviation Community.  Today, Flightline Group family companies are Flightline Development Corporation, Flightline Aircraft Sales, Flightline Technical Services, and Flightline Avionics.  These companies are comprised of a diverse group of aviation professionals dedicated to providing extraordinary aviation sales and support services through facilities in Tallahassee, FL (TLH) and Vero Beach, FL (VRB).