Administrative Director
Ike Brunetti, a second-generation Ag Pilot born, raised and educated here in the Mississippi Delta. Owning, operating and piloting multiple aerial application operations during his 49 years of agriculture flying. Presently serving as chief Pilot for his agricultural service, accumulating over 30,000 hours Ag time. Growing up in this industry, mesmerized by his father’s operation in the early 60’s, sealed his destiny and fueled his passion. Having trained multiple pilots over the years for his own operations, filled him with accomplishment and pride. This led him to become part of this program, excited to share his experiences and enthusiasm as an instructor, educator and mentor, preparing our next generation of agricultural pilots.
Chief of Ag Ops & Training
Rob Van Namen, a second-generation Ag Pilot, flying for his father’s operation in Benoit, MS. For the past 11 years, he has and is still operating one of their Air tractor 502’s. Prior to that, he attended Flying Tiger for ag flight training and turbine transition, and earned a Bachelor’s degree of Business Management in Aviation from Delta State University. Rob has been instructing Ag Aviation for the program since its inception in 2021. He serves DRAFT as its Chief of Ag Ops and Training leading the ground instruction and managing the flight operations.
Chief Flight Instructor
Davis Darnell, a third generation Ag Pilot born and raised in Glen Allan, MS. He has experience as a pilot and as an owner/operator. He has always enjoyed instructing and is very passionate about ag aviation, so he is excited to pair these together to be the Chief Flight Instructor at DRAFT. He has flown all of the Air Tractor models and looks forward to training the next generation of ag pilots.
.jpg)