Cornerstone Aviation Instructors

Martin O’Loughlin was born in Boston, and spent most of his youth in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.  He graduated from George Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and was later commissioned as an Officer in the United States Navy.  He became an FA-18 pilot, Topgun graduate, and flew dozens of other military aircraft continuously for 20 years.  Martin was the most junior pilot ever to win the Michael Hoff Attack Aviator of the Year Memorial Award.  As a USAF F-16 exchange pilot, he was his squadron’s and wing’s overall Top Gun multiple times.  Later, the FA-18 squadron he commanded earned distinction in combat, and was the first Hornet squadron ever to win every competitive award in the same year for personnel retention, operational efficiency, aircraft maintenance excellence, ordnance handling expertise, and safety.

In his distinguished career, Martin was awarded the Air Force Airman’s Medal for Heroism, several Meritorious Service Medals, numerous Air Medals and Aerial Achievement Medals, and many combat, deployment, and personal awards.  His career milestones include over 5,000 flight hours, 100 combat missions, and 800 carrier landings.

Martin left active duty to become the CEO of a multi-location FBO involved in the full spectrum of aviation activities – fuel sales; aircraft sales, maintenance, and rental; flight instruction; firefighting; and charter, operating more than 75 aircraft.  He has had similar leadership roles with other FBO chains, aerospace companies, FAA-certified repair stations, and flight operations throughout North America and the Caribbean.  Martin has founded or co-founded twelve companies, been a hands-on leader for several others as a C-Level executive, and served on university business school and charter high school Boards of Directors.

As an active pilot with over 7,000 flight hours in 100 models of aircraft, Martin has vast experience in aircraft modification, flight test, and certification.  However, his greatest enjoyment comes from working with the flight instructors and aircraft technicians who are making the next generation of pilots.  His recreational passions include flying, skiing, cycling, golf, and hiking in the mountains with his Golden Retrievers.

Qualifications:  CFI, CFII, MEI, Complex, High Performance, Tail Wheel, High Altitude, Spin Training