You’ve thought about it. Maybe for years. At Bay Flying Services — Mid Michigan’s top rated flight school — we make it real.
We know starting flight training can feel overwhelming, so we’ve built everything around making your path as smooth as possible. Our experienced instructors will guide you from your very first discovery flight all the way to earning your certificate. No matter where you’re starting from, we’ve helped students just like you get there.
Life is busy — we get it. That’s why we offer flexible scheduling that works around your job, your family, and your life. And with multiple aircraft in our fleet, a maintenance issue on one plane won’t put your training on hold. You keep flying. You keep progressing.
When you train at Bay Flying Services, you’re not just taking lessons. You’re building the skills, knowledge, and confidence to compete in today’s aviation industry — whether your goal is a private certificate, a career in the cockpit, or anything in between.
Come see what flying feels like. Your first flight might surprise you.
Martin Szeliga is a Chief Flight Instructor with a passion for aviation that took flight in 1998 — and hasn’t landed since. With nearly three decades in the cockpit and the classroom, Martin brings a rare blend of real-world experience and genuine enthusiasm for helping students reach their wings.
Martin has earned the coveted FAA Gold Seal Flight Instructor designation, a distinction awarded only to instructors who consistently demonstrate exceptional teaching results. In 2026, the FAA recognized his outstanding contributions by naming him Michigan’s Flight Instructor of the Year — a testament to the dedication and care he brings to every student he works with.
Beyond flight instruction, Martin holds credentials as an Advanced Ground Instructor, Instrument Instructor, and Airframe & Powerplant Technician, giving him a well-rounded, head-to-toe understanding of aviation that few instructors can match. Whether you’re learning to fly for the first time or refining your instrument skills, you’re in incredibly capable hands.
As Chief Flight Instructor at Bay Flying Services, Martin’s role extends well beyond the cockpit. He provides ongoing guidance and mentorship to the school’s flight instructors and serves as a stage check examiner, ensuring that every instructor upholds the highest standards of flight instruction. His commitment to excellence runs throughout the entire team — not just his own students.
When he’s not in the air or the hangar, Martin can usually be found out on the water with a fishing rod in hand. His love of the outdoors also drives his community work as The Airborne Angler, where he uses his unique vantage point to provide safety information to ice fishermen on Saginaw Bay — keeping his neighbors safe one flight at a time.
Martin’s approach to instruction is simple: he genuinely loves what he does, and it shows.
Vance LaCourt is a dedicated aviation professional whose passion for flight has taken him from student pilot to flight instructor in just a few short years. With a commitment to excellence and a genuine love for the craft, Vance has built a reputation as an instructor who truly invests in the success of those he teaches.
Vance began his flight training in 2022 through Bay Flying Services, where he would go on to earn his Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, and Flight Instructor ratings — an impressive progression that speaks to both his natural aptitude and relentless work ethic. Bay Flying Services served as the foundation for everything he has achieved in aviation, and it remains the place where he now gives back by training the next generation of pilots.
For Vance, instruction is more than a profession — it is a purpose. He takes genuine pride in working with students who share a passion for aviation, understanding firsthand the excitement, challenge, and reward that comes with learning to fly. Whether guiding a student through their first solo or helping an instrument-rated pilot sharpen their skills, Vance approaches every lesson with patience, enthusiasm, and a deep desire to see others succeed. There is no greater satisfaction for him than watching a student he has mentored earn their wings.
When he is not in the cockpit, Vance leads an active and well-rounded life. An avid hockey player, he brings the same focus and competitiveness to the ice that he does to the flight deck. He also enjoys fishing, tennis, and spending time in the outdoors — pursuits that reflect a spirit that is most at home when engaged with the world around him. Above all, Vance values the time he spends with family and friends, the relationships that ground him and remind him of what matters most.
Vance laCourt is a rising force in aviation — one whose journey from first flight lesson to flight instructor is a testament to what dedication and a genuine love of flying can accomplish.
Nathan Tacey is a dedicated and passionate aviation professional who has turned a love of the skies into a fulfilling career. Serving as a Flight Instructor, Instrument Instructor, and Multi-Engine Instructor, Nathan brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to every student he trains, helping the next generation of pilots find their wings.
Nathan’s journey began in the halls of Garber High School, where he laid the academic foundation that would support his future ambitions. After graduation, he pursued his passion for aviation by enrolling at ATP Flight School in Fort Myers, Florida. It was there that Nathan honed the skills, discipline, and technical expertise that would define his professional career.
For Nathan, flying is more than a job — it’s a calling. He often describes the cockpit as a place where the weight of the world simply falls away, replaced by an unmatched sense of freedom and the breathtaking beauty of the world seen from above. Whether it’s a golden sunrise breaking over the horizon at cruise altitude or the glittering lights of a city at night, Nathan finds profound joy in the views that only aviators get to experience on a daily basis.
His ultimate professional goal is to one day sit in the left seat as a Captain for Delta Air Lines. It’s a dream that fuels his dedication and drives him to continuously sharpen his craft, both as a pilot and as an instructor who shapes the careers of others.
When he’s not in the air, Nathan enjoys a life full of outdoor adventure and good company. An avid hunter and fisherman, he finds the same peace in the quiet of nature that he does at altitude — patient, focused, and deeply connected to his surroundings. He also has a flair for entertainment, and can frequently be found bringing down the house at karaoke nights, proving that his confidence in the cockpit extends well beyond the flight deck.
Nathan Tacey is a testament to what passion, hard work, and a clear sense of purpose can achieve. With the sky as both his office and his inspiration, he continues to soar — and to help others do the same.
The sky over Mid-Michigan is waiting for you. Whether you’re ready to schedule your discovery flight or just have a few questions, the team at Bay Flying Services is here to help. Contact us today! Your first flight might be closer than you think.
4807 Janes Rd, Saginaw MI 48601
fly@bayflyingservices.com
(989) 439-4332
