South Florida Field Director: Rob Ceravolo

Email Rob: Rceravolo@flytropic.com

Call Rob: 757-642-5576

Rob Ceravolo, Chief Executive Officer of Tropic Ocean Airways

Rob Ceravolo is a Fort Lauderdale native and University of Florida graduate with a degree in business.  A Navy fighter pilot with fourteen years of experience in Navy fighters, ten of which were on active duty, Rob was awarded two Air Medals for missions flying the F-14 Tomcat in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.  After two aircraft carrier deployments and a transition to the F-18E Super Hornet, Rob transferred to shore duty to become an Adversary Instructor in the F-5N in Key West, FL.  Graduating from the Navy’s prestigious TOPGUN Fighter Weapons School, Rob returned to his squadron as an air combat instructor.   During his long tenure in the U.S. Navy, Rob has held a variety of leadership positions, including Operations, Safety, Training, Maintenance, Legal, and Administration.

Rob founded Tropic Ocean Airways in 2009, South Florida’s premiere private airline.  Starting the company during the tail end of a recession, Rob sold everything he had to buy his first aircraft, paying his first employee (now his partner and Vice President) out of his own Navy salary.  In the last five years, Tropic has grown to a fleet of seven aircraft, operating in three regions as well as internationally, and is responsible for creating nearly 40 jobs in Fort Lauderdale, FL.  Tropic now operates a fleet of seaplanes and land-based aircraft to many destinations, including the Bahamas, the Florida Keys, the Hamptons in New York, and Havana, Cuba.  

Happy to be in his hometown of Fort Lauderdale, Rob shares his time between the demands of running the airline and spending time with his lovely wife, Tahmina.

Southwest Florida Field Director: Mike Bailey

Email Mike: mike8415s@yahoo.com

Call Mike: 314-249-6680

Mike is a SPA Field Director for both Florida and Missouri. He lives in Sarasota, Florida and Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. Mike owns a Lake Buccaneer for doing some water flying fun and also uses it to commute to Tavares Florida to fly for Jones Brothers Seaplane Adventures. To fund his seaplane addiction he flies internationally and instructs in the Boeing 757/767 for a major U.S. Airline. Mike grew up around boats and airplanes but wasn't introduced to seaplanes until his early 20's. He was lucky enough to be befriended by a WWII veteran with a Lake Amphibian. Since then Mike has been hooked.  He feels honored to serve his fellow pilots and the Seaplane Pilots Association

Central Florida Field Director: Jon Brown

Email Jon: seaplane@gate.net

Call Jon: 863-956-2243

Jon Brown grew up in Florida, At the age of 6, he took his very first airplane ride with his father Jack and at just 14 years old, began flying. On his 16th birthday he obtained his pilot's license and had earned his seaplane rating by age 17. Jon graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1970 and began flight instruction after college.

In 1963 Jon's father, Jack, established the Seaplane Base, which Jon eventually took over in 1975 at age 28. He has been managing Jack Brown's Seaplane Base for the last 40 years and has been a Field Director in Florida for about 25 years. Jon has administered over 16,000 check rides and has a total flight time in excess of 25,000 hours.

Jon and his wife, Frances, have been married for 36 years. They have three daughters, Meri Beth, Emily, and Alison and two grandchildren, Jon and Leah, The Seaplane Base has been in operation in Winter Haven, Florida for 52 years.

Central Florida Field Director: David Hensch

Email David: floridaseaplanes@hotmail.com

Call David: 386-248-2010

Dave Hensch, seaplane flight instructor at Florida Seaplanes in Orlando, Florida, with most of his time spent training new seaplane pilots in their three M-7 Maule high performance aircraft. Dave brings extensive insight into seaplane operations. Dave grew up in a floatplane family but is definitely not just another floatplane instructor. He is also an Airframe and Powerplant mechanic with Inspection Authorization, former Miami Center air traffic controller, former flight service specialist and CFII, giving him a wide range of experience.