FBO taking Grant Airport to new heights
Grant Municipal Airport continues to benefit from steady leadership and a strong commitment to aviation under the guidance of Ryan Flaming, who also serves as the Airport’s Fixed Base Operator (FBO) for the City of Grant. Ryan, who is also owner and manager of Planesmen Aviation, turned his lifelong passion for flight into an aviation business right here in Grant.
Ryan founded Planesmen Aviation in the fall of 2021 with a simple goal: to serve the aviation community with top-tier maintenance, flight instruction, and aircraft services. From the moment he enrolled in A&P (Airframe & Powerplant) school at SMAT in Michigan, aviation wasn’t just a job — it was a calling. While earning his technical credentials, he also pursued his instrument and commercial pilot ratings, deepening his understanding of aircraft from both the mechanical and pilot perspectives. Later, he earned his Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) rating, allowing him to share his love of flying with new pilots.
I was introduced to Ryan by local farmer and pilot Jarrett Malmkar. Jarrett, who has worked with several flight instructors told me, “Ryan is the best flight instructor I’ve had.” This encourages me not only as a City Council member, but as someone who is interested in learning how to fly. I have currently had four fight lessons, and I am extremely impressed at Ryan’s knowledge, willingness, and patience. Ryan will get the airplane individuals with zero flight experience into the air and back on the ground safely right away.
Today, Ryan brings all of that expertise to the role of Airport FBO — ensuring that operations run smoothly, safely, and with an eye toward community engagement. Airport FBO’s like him play a critical role in making sure airports remain efficient hubs of activity: from coordinating maintenance and flight instruction to working with pilots and visitors and ensuring adherence to aviation best practices and safety standards.
Under his leadership, Planesmen Aviation offers a wide range of services, including aircraft maintenance (annual inspections, 100-hour checks, pre-purchase inspections), avionics installations, flight instruction, and aircraft rental. The operation has become a valuable asset not just for local pilots, but for anyone with an interest in general aviation.
Ryan’s aviation journey — from hands-on maintenance work to logging more than 1,500 flight hours in a variety of general aviation aircraft — reflects a rare blend of technical skill and pilot experience. His personal commitment to flight and aviation education helps make Grant’s airport a welcoming and vibrant place for both seasoned aviators and those just getting their wings.
As airport management evolves with the industry’s demands, it’s leaders like Ryan who ensure small-town airports continue to foster aviation enthusiasm, growth, and accessibility for generations to come.
This will be a two-part series on the Airport, stay tuned for part two. In the meantime, you can reach Ryan for your own aviation needs through his website: https://www.planesmenaviation.com/