Enhanced Aero is a veteran-owned, Part 61 flight school and FAA Part 145 certificated aircraft repair station operating at Southern Illinois Airport (KMDH) in Murphysboro, Illinois. The company was founded in 2019 by Robert Nelson, who serves as Chief Engineer and holds an Inspection Authorization. In September 2021, Enhanced Aero opened its state-of-the-art facilities at KMDH, marking the transition from a mobile or off-airport operation into a full-service fixed base with its own hangar and shop infrastructure. The company became a member of the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) in 2022, reflecting its commitment to avionics as a core competency alongside maintenance and flight training.   Enhanced Aero positions itself as a vertically integrated aviation services provider rather than a standalone flight school. Its service lines encompass flight instruction and aircraft rental, FAA-certified avionics installations and upgrades, general aircraft maintenance and inspections, structured monthly maintenance plans (branded Enhanced MX Plans), hangar storage, parts purchasing and sales, pilot supplies retail, and aircraft brokerage. The company also advertises a "Warbird Experience" offering, reflecting access to higher-performance and classic aircraft in the fleet for qualified pilots seeking hands-on time in aircraft beyond typical primary trainers. Aircraft scheduling is managed through the FlyChronos platform, and maintenance tracking is provided to customers via a Quantum-MX online portal.   Flight training is conducted under Part 61, covering the full certificate ladder: Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, and CFI initial and add-on courses. A structured Multi-Engine Add-On Course is offered using the school's Cessna 310R. Additional services include Biennial Flight Reviews, Instrument Proficiency Checks, Complex endorsements, and aircraft checkouts.   Enhanced Aero's organizational affiliations include the Aircraft Electronics Association, the Experimental Aircraft Association, AOPA, the American Bonanza Society, Pilots N Paws, Warbirds of America Squadron 4, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale — the latter reflecting the school's co-location and cooperative relationship with one of the most prominent collegiate aviation programs in the Midwest. The staff is explicitly described as "family and veteran-oriented," and the company holds Veteran-Owned Small Business certification through the SBA.   The instructional team comprises six CFIs: Tristan Joost, Troy Reynolds (CFI, Commercial ASEL), Chris Przybylak, Mateo Torres (CFII, Commercial Pilot SEL), Jeremy Murray, and Matthew McCauley. The maintenance team is led by Mark Grueninger as Chief of Maintenance (IA), and includes Mike Salzer (A&P), Aaron Beachy, Andrew Doedtman, Youyang Zhao (avionics), and Noah Johnson (part-time). Line crew includes Alex Kiedrowski and Carter Teutrine.

Home Airport(s)

Southern Illinois Airport (IATA: MDH, ICAO: KMDH, FAA LID: MDH) is a public airport in Jackson County, Illinois, owned and operated by the Southern Illinois Airport Authority — a local governmental entity whose five-member board is appointed by the mayors of Carbondale and Murphysboro and the Jackson County Board Chairman. The airport is located three nautical miles northwest of Carbondale's central business district and east of Murphysboro, at a surveyed elevation of 411 feet MSL. It covers 1,200 acres. The airport opened in September 1950 under the name Murdale Airport and is included in the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2025–2029, categorized as a regional general aviation facility. A $63.3 million Transportation Education Center opened on the south side of the airport in fall 2012, housing Southern Illinois University Carbondale's aviation flight, aviation management, and automotive technologies programs, along with flight and ATC simulator labs.   The airport is served by a staffed FAA control tower operating daily from 0700 to 2100 local time. Tower frequency is 125.35 and ground control is 121.8. ATIS is available on 119.725 and 119.85. ASOS weather operates continuously and is accessible by phone at 618-529-1821. Approach and departure services are provided by Kansas City ARTCC on 127.475​/​346.275 via the Marion Remote Communications Air​/​Ground facility. The airspace at KMDH is Class D during tower hours. Published FAA remarks note high student training activity, the presence of birds in the airport vicinity, and the intersection of Runway 6 with Runway 18R​/​36L — with an advisory to verify the correct compass heading before departing Runway 6.   KMDH has three runways. Runway 18L​/​36R is the primary runway, measuring 6,506 feet by 100 feet on asphalt, equipped with high-intensity runway edge lighting (HIRL), precision markings, an ILS​/​LOC approach on Runway 18L, MALSR approach lighting on Runway 18L, and PAPI on Runway 36R. Instrument approaches published for Runway 18L include the ILS or LOC, NDB, and RNAV (GPS); RNAV (GPS) is also published for Runway 36R. When the tower is closed, the HIRL on Runway 18L​/​36R is preset to medium intensity and can be increased via the CTAF. Runway 6​/​24 measures 4,163 feet by 100 feet on asphalt with medium-intensity edge lighting, VASI on Runway 6, and PAPI on Runway 24; it is activated via the CTAF. Runway 18R​/​36L, a shorter parallel runway measuring 3,498 feet by 60 feet on asphalt, is used for training operations and intersects Runway 6. The FAA has specifically highlighted the wrong-surface landing risk inherent in the parallel runway configuration with staggered thresholds at this airport, noting that full-length parallel taxiways run alongside all runways, compounding the risk for pilots unfamiliar with the layout.   The training environment at KMDH is among the most instruction-dense in southern Illinois. The airport averages approximately 322 operations per day, with SIU Carbondale's flight training program generating the bulk of traffic at any given time. This creates a realistic, high-activity ATC environment that prepares students for operations at busier towered airports. The 6,506-foot primary runway accommodates the full range of aircraft Enhanced Aero operates, including the complex twin-engine Cessna 310R used for multi-engine training. A robust medevac helicopter operation is also based on the field, adding rotary-wing traffic to the training environment. Flightline serves as the FBO for fuel and ground handling, and an on-field brewery restaurant — St. Nicks Brewery — is open to transient and based pilots.

Fleet and Facilities

Enhanced Aero operates a five-aircraft fleet spanning primary trainers, a complex single, and a twin-engine aircraft. The school's flight office and maintenance shop are located at 643 N. Airport Rd., Murphysboro, IL 62966 (also referenced as 634 N. Airport Road in AEA records, reflecting the same location). The maintenance facility functions as a full-service repair station with CNC panel cutting and engraving capability, wire harness fabrication equipment, and tooling to support a broad range of piston and avionics work. Shop rates are published: general piston maintenance at $120 per hour, avionics at $130 per hour, troubleshooting and warranty work at $150 per hour, turbine maintenance at $135 per hour, custom engineering at $135 per hour, and urgent​/​AOG rush work at $160 per hour with a $100 callout fee for after-hours service.   Cessna 152 (N68714) The Cessna 152 is the school's primary entry-level trainer, billed at $145 per hour. A two-seat, high-wing aircraft powered by a Lycoming O-235 producing 110 horsepower, the 152 is one of the most widely used primary trainers in general aviation history. Gross weight is 1,670 pounds, cruise speed is approximately 107 knots, and stall speed is around 43 knots clean. Its light weight, docile handling, and low fuel burn make it the most cost-effective aircraft in the fleet for building early flight time and practicing fundamental maneuvers. The 152 is used for Sport, Private, and early Commercial training where low operating cost and simplicity are priorities.   Cessna 172P (N98395 and N99104) Enhanced Aero operates two Cessna 172P models, each billed at $190 per hour. The 172P is powered by a Lycoming O-320-D2J producing 160 horsepower and has a gross weight of 2,400 pounds. It cruises at approximately 110 knots and carries four seats with a useful load that accommodates most practical training scenarios. The 172P variant introduced several improvements over earlier models, including a cleaner cowling design and updated fuel system. These aircraft are used for Private, Instrument, and Commercial training across the full curriculum. Specific avionics configurations for Enhanced Aero's 172Ps are not published on the website; prospective students should confirm glass-panel versus steam-gauge configurations directly with the school.   Beechcraft B33 Debonair (N8609Q) The Beechcraft B33 Debonair is a complex, retractable-gear, high-performance single-engine aircraft billed at $270 per hour and is used for Complex endorsements, high-performance endorsements, and advanced single-engine training. The B33 is powered by a Continental IO-470-K producing 225 horsepower and cruises at approximately 165 knots. It features a conventional straight tail — distinguishing it from the V-tail Bonanza lineage — retractable tricycle gear, and a constant-speed propeller. Gross weight is 3,050 pounds. The Debonair was produced between 1960 and 1964, with 426 B33 models built. Its presence in the Enhanced Aero fleet gives Commercial and instrument-rated students access to a capable retractable-gear aircraft for cross-country and proficiency training, and is relevant to the school's Warbird Experience marketing, offering pilots time in a classic Beechcraft platform well beyond typical trainer performance.   Cessna 310R (N310FH) The Cessna 310R is the fleet's twin-engine aircraft, billed at $470 per hour and used exclusively for the Multi-Engine Add-On Course. The 310R is powered by two Continental IO-520-M engines producing 285 horsepower each, giving it a maximum cruise speed of approximately 196 knots and a gross takeoff weight of 5,500 pounds. It is a low-wing, retractable-gear twin with six seats and tip tanks that provide substantial fuel capacity. The 310R is a complex, high-performance aircraft that requires both complex and high-performance endorsements — which the Multi-Engine Add-On Course package includes for pilots who do not already hold them. The structured multi-engine course is priced at $4,985 all-in for 10 hours of flight time and 4 hours of ground instruction, with checkride costs additional. The 310R's performance envelope and systems complexity make it an appropriate platform for pilots preparing for multi-engine airline or charter operations.

Hours of Operation

Enhanced Aero does not publish fixed daily business hours on its website. Aircraft scheduling is handled through the FlyChronos online scheduling platform, and maintenance appointments are arranged directly with the shop. The tower at KMDH operates daily from 0700 to 2100 local time, defining the practical window for most training operations. For after-hours maintenance calls, a $100 callout fee applies. The school lists its mailing address as 643 N. Airport Rd., Murphysboro, IL 62966.

Additional Notes

Enhanced Aero's co-location at KMDH alongside Southern Illinois University Carbondale's aviation program creates a training environment of considerable density for a regional GA airport. SIU Carbondale has operated its aviation programs since 1960 and is among the more established collegiate aviation programs in the Midwest, drawing students from across the country. For Enhanced Aero, this proximity means its students train in an ATC environment shaped by continuous student traffic, which accelerates radio proficiency and pattern awareness. It also means Enhanced Aero occupies a distinct market position — serving non-collegiate, self-funded, and career-change pilots who want the ATC infrastructure and multi-runway environment of a university aviation airport without enrolling in a degree program.   The inclusion of the Cessna 310R in an otherwise primary-trainer fleet is a deliberate capability signal. At most small Part 61 schools in southern Illinois, multi-engine access requires traveling to a larger metropolitan airport. By operating the 310R in-house and building a structured multi-engine add-on course around it, Enhanced Aero offers a complete single-to-multi-engine transition pathway within one organization and one airport — eliminating the logistical friction of sourcing multi-engine time from a third party. The bundled pricing of $4,985 for the full course, including high-performance and complex endorsements, is competitive relative to metropolitan-area multi-engine providers.   The company's dual identity as an AEA-member avionics shop and a flight school is practically significant for its student population. Students who rent Enhanced Aero aircraft are flying machines maintained and avionically upgraded by the same staff they interact with daily. The shop's published product partnerships — spanning Garmin, AeroLEDs, Stratus by Appareo, uAvionix, Aspen Avionics, Genesys Aerosystems, Mid-Continent Instruments, and others — suggest a broad installation capability rather than specialization in a single vendor's products. This breadth directly benefits student pilots who may also be aircraft owners seeking a shop that can handle a panel modernization alongside a routine annual inspection, all under one roof at a regional airport that the FAA has itself identified as one with notably high student pilot training activity.