About Advantage Aviation
About Advantage Aviation
Advantage Aviation started in 2014 because we saw a HUGE need for quality aircraft maintenance in the Twin Cities and surrounding area.
We’re so much more than just a place to get your annual inspection completed. We want you to feel like family from the minute you bring your airplane to us.
We love being at the heart of aviation in the Twin Cities and look forward to providing you with the best aircraft maintenance and service.
Owners Sean and Crystal Schimmelman have many shared interests, but aviation is the heart of it all for them. From having a passion to learn everyday, to helping others with their aviation skills, picking up tools to do any job and especially taking to the sky’s – flying together whenever they can – their love of aviation is fueled. They love aviation and want to make a difference!
Our Mission statement
Honest, quality aircraft maintenance at affordable prices, where customer relations matter.
Sean Schimmelman
President / Owner: 6 yrs at Advantage Aviation
Commercial / Instrument / Multi-Engine Pilot
Aviation has been in Sean’s blood since he was young. When he received his private pilot certification in 1987, the whole world changed for him. Sean has since added Instrument and Commercial ratings to his portfolio and traversed the United States as an aerial application pilot. From flying Cessna 206s in Alaska to hauling skydivers in a Cessna 208 Super Van, Sean became a bit of a flying gypsy living a free lifestyle full of adventures.
By 2011, Sean decided it was time to settle down and obtained a job as a full-fledged pipeline patrol pilot for Eagle Sky Patrol. He worked tirelessly to learn everything there was to know about the pipeline business. That passion for aerial inspection earned him the spot of Director of Operations, where his technical skills as a pilot are second only to his management skills as he ran the day-to-day operation. While at Eagle Sky Patrol, he managed a fleet of 40+ aircraft and pilots while keeping all of their policies and procedures up to date.
While Advantage Aviation keeps him busy, Sean still gets in the air for fun whenever possible and enjoys maintaining his own classic Beechcraft Travel Air. He also likes to take the time to inspire and assist other enthusiasts with their own aviation dreams.
“I love airplanes and tools. Engines and avionics are my favorite.
Crystal Schimmelman
Owner / Administrative: 2 yrs at Advantage Aviation
Private Pilot
Crystal has had a love of aviation since she was a little girl. Growing up near the small, local municipal airport in Blue Earth, MN she knew at a young age that she wanted to learn to fly airplanes and explore the sky! Crystal started working toward obtaining her private pilot license during her senior year of HS, but life had other plans and she had to put that dream on hold. Life has now brought flying back to Crystal. “What started to feel like an unlikely pipe dream – being a Private Pilot – has now become a reality for me! It’s amazing!”
Crystal is thrilled to now have her own airplane – a Cessna 150 Taildragger. Advantage Aviation has been a tremendous help to her in doing a full avionics upgrade in “Little J”. She looks forward to any opportunity to take to the sky with friends and family and loves using her aviations skills on the job as well.
“I love aviation and I love to learn. This work environment is perfect for both.”
Meet the Team
Ken Hislop
Mechanic / Technician: 2 yrs at Advantage Aviation
A&P
“I love the work environment! Sheet metal work is my favorite.”
Mike Hilger
Mechanic / Technician: 3 yrs at Advantage Aviation
Commercial Pilot/CFII
“I’ve been in aviation a long time, but engines are definitely my favorite thing to work on.”
Chad Minkel
Private Pilot. A&P
Retired AirForce
“I love seeing projects through to the end and getting to the finished product.”
Wyatt Schimmelman
Heavy Equipment Operator
Fledgling Aviation Enthusiast
“My favorite part of the job is the variety of projects I get to work on and learning about aviation everyday from my experienced co-workers.“
A Few of Our Distributor Partners
