Recently, we shared Envoy First Officer Nick Fulton’s successful completion of his Line Oriented Evaluation (LOE) on our social media channels — a major milestone in any airline pilot’s career. What made the moment even more special was how it was celebrated: through a hand-painted portrait of Nick’s aircraft, created by his supportive sister, artist Haley Fulton. Her painting captured more than just an airplane on canvas, it reflected years of dedication, family support, and a lifelong passion for aviation.
The Road to the Flight Deck
Nick and Haley were raised in Northwest Arkansas, where Nick’s passion for aviation took root at a young age. Long before flight training or logbooks, Nick knew flying was his calling. As a child, he vividly remembers sitting by the window on commercial flights, imagining himself one day at the controls. With no family background in aviation, Nick became a first-generation pilot, learning early that persistence and self-discipline would define his path.
That path formally began at age 11, when Nick received a private pilot ground school course for Christmas from his parents instead of toys. He steadily worked through the material, built a multi-screen home flight simulator, and immersed himself in aviation long before he was old enough to fly. At 14, a discovery flight in a Cessna 172 confirmed what he already knew—aviation wasn’t a hobby, it was his future.
Nick began flight training at 17, earning his Private Pilot Certificate in 2020, and went on to attend the University of Central Missouri, completing his Instrument, Commercial, and Multi-Engine ratings while earning a Pro Pilot degree. After graduation, he accelerated his training through American Flyers, earned his flight instructor certificates, and spent a year instructing and gaining real-world experience. His dedication paid off as he rapidly built flight time, ultimately earning his ATP and securing a position at Envoy Air in 2025.
A Creative Bond
Throughout Nick’s aviation journey, his sister Haley has been a constant source of support. While their career paths differ, their bond remains strong, grounded in humor, encouragement and shared pride in each other’s passions. Haley is a talented artist, and her creativity has become a meaningful part of Nick’s story.
“Haley is so much more creative than me it blows me away,” said Nick. “We got the opposite genes for sure! I’m lucky to have such a supportive sibling cheering me on.”
She has created detailed paintings of Nick’s favorite aircraft, blending technical accuracy with artistic expression. Most recently, Haley submitted a timelapse video of herself painting Nick’s aircraft, offering a unique perspective on how aviation can inspire art.
Why Envoy Air Feels Like Home
For Nick, flying at Envoy is about far more than operating an aircraft. What he values most is the people, both his passengers and fellow crew members. He believes aviation is a customer-service profession at its core, and that how passengers are treated matters just as much as how the airplane is flown.
Nick takes pride in helping passengers through stressful travel days, assisting families, and making people feel heard and respected. He believes that professionalism, kindness, and humility, all attributes he learned from his family, define great pilots.
Advice for the Next Generation of Aviators
Nick’s advice to aspiring pilots is simple but powerful: be patient, stay humble and show up every day.
“Flight training is demanding, and progress doesn’t happen overnight,” said Nick. “Each rating builds on the last, and success comes from consistency, preparation and a willingness to learn from mistakes.”
Most of all though, for Nick it’s the support that he receives from Haley, and the rest of their family on the ground, that inspires him every day to fly with humility and kindness.
Interested in joining the Envoy team? Learn more and apply at envoyair.com/careers