For the past nine years, Colleen Plonsky has helped oversee the financial operations and human resources functions of Sebring Regional Airport, supporting everything from budgets and payroll to grant reimbursements, compliance, and day-to-day administrative operations.
Plonsky describes accounting as a form of investigative work.
“If the numbers don’t add up, I want to figure out why,” she said. “I’m a numbers lady. If you like numbers, this is the job for you.”
As Director of Finance and Human Resources, her responsibilities touch nearly every corner of airport operations. She oversees payroll, employee benefits, vendor payments, recruiting, compliance requirements, financial reporting, and grant reimbursement activity connected to airport projects and development efforts.
Each month, Plonsky and her team prepare detailed financial reports for the Airport Authority Board, ensuring expenses, funding, and operational activity are carefully documented and reviewed.
She also helps oversee financial activity tied to the airport’s industrial park, which includes commercial tenants, aviation businesses, and aircraft hangars serving a wide range of airport users.
Although the workload is significant, Plonsky says her accounting department remains small and close-knit.
“We are small, but we are mighty,” she shared while recognizing fellow team member Heather Leon for her support within the department.
Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Plonsky began her career in banking before transitioning into accounting and financial administration. Prior to joining Sebring Regional Airport, she worked for 13 years as an accountant for the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina.
Eventually, she and her husband returned to Florida and settled in Sebring, drawn by its small-town atmosphere and strong sense of community.
“It’s how Florida used to be over 20 years ago,” Plonsky said.
Today, that same sense of community remains one of the things she values most about working at the airport.
“The whole airport essentially flies as a team,” she said. “It has been wonderful. We’re like a family.”
Outside the office, Plonsky enjoys yoga, fitness activities, walks through Highlands Hammock State Park, and spending time with her husband and their two dogs, Jasmine and T’Spoon.
Sebring Airport Launches Monthly Stormwater Flow Monitoring ReportsJuly 20, 2026 - 2:26 pm
Sebring Airport Launches Monthly Stormwater Flow Monitoring Reports
NewsEnvironmental stewardship begins with good data.
Sebring Regional Airport has published its June 2026 Monthly Stormwater Flow Monitoring Report for the Southern Basin. The report summarizes rainfall, stormwater outfall monitoring, and environmental observations within the Southern Basin during the month. June recorded 7.31 inches of rainfall, and no significant maintenance issues were identified during the reporting period.
Read the full report here.
What Sebring Will Be Watching at AirVenture 2026
NewsIn just a few days, the global aviation community will turn its attention to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where EAA AirVenture 2026 will bring together pilots, aircraft owners, manufacturers, airport leaders, educators, students, and aviation enthusiasts for the world’s largest aviation gathering.
More than an airshow, AirVenture is where ideas are shared, innovations are introduced, and the future of aviation takes shape. Throughout the week, manufacturers unveil new aircraft and technologies, aviation organizations announce major initiatives, and industry leaders discuss the challenges and opportunities facing airports, pilots, businesses, and communities across the country.
For Sebring Regional Airport, AirVenture offers an opportunity to stay informed about developments that align with our mission of supporting aviation growth, economic development, and workforce opportunities in our region.
Among the topics we will be following are advancements in general aviation aircraft, emerging technologies, airport infrastructure, flight training, workforce development, and youth aviation programs. We are also interested in discussions surrounding Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), evolving FAA initiatives, sustainability, and innovations that help strengthen the future of aviation while supporting communities of all sizes.
AirVenture has long been recognized as a gathering place where aviation professionals exchange ideas, build partnerships, and inspire the next generation of pilots, mechanics, engineers, and aerospace leaders. Many of the conversations and announcements made during the event influence the direction of the aviation industry well beyond the week itself.
As Sebring Regional Airport continues to invest in infrastructure, support aviation businesses, and expand opportunities for education and community engagement, staying connected to these industry conversations helps ensure we remain informed about emerging trends and best practices.
Throughout AirVenture 2026, we’ll be following key announcements and noteworthy developments from Oshkosh and sharing highlights that are especially relevant to our airport, our tenants, our partners, and our community.
Whether you’re attending AirVenture or following along from home, we invite you to join us as we celebrate another exciting chapter in aviation and explore the innovations shaping the future of flight.
Follow Along with Sebring
Throughout AirVenture week, Sebring Regional Airport will be sharing noteworthy announcements, emerging technologies, and industry developments from Oshkosh—highlighting what they mean for our airport and the future of aviation.
Celebrating 250 Years of American Independence
NewsThis Fourth of July, Sebring Regional Airport joins communities across the nation in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
For 250 years, the United States has been defined by innovation, perseverance, and a shared commitment to building a stronger future. Those same qualities continue to inspire the aviation industry and the work being done every day at Sebring Regional Airport.
As we celebrate this historic milestone, we extend our appreciation to the service members, first responders, airport employees, tenants, pilots, and community partners who contribute to the strength and vitality of our region.
From our airport family to yours, we wish you a safe, joyful, and memorable Independence Day.
Sebring Airport Launches Monthly Stormwater Flow Monitoring Reports
NewsEnvironmental stewardship begins with good data.
Sebring Regional Airport has launched a new monthly stormwater monitoring program using automated telemetry equipment installed at four drainage outfalls across airport property.
The May 2026 report is the first to include telemetry data from all four monitoring locations following completion of the monitoring system earlier this spring. During the reporting period, 3.39 inches of rainfall were recorded, with no measurable stormwater discharge from airports southern basin. Routine field observations also confirmed the automated monitoring results.
The expanded monitoring program combines hourly automated telemetry with regular visual inspections to create a transparent, science-based record of stormwater conditions. Monthly reports will continue to be published as part of the Airport Authority’s ongoing commitment to responsible environmental stewardship and transparency.
Download the complete report.
Honoring Doris Gentry Hawthorne
NewsThe Sebring Airport Authority is proud to recognize Doris Gentry Hawthorne for her lifelong dedication to preserving and sharing the rich history of Highlands County. Through her passion for community storytelling and historical preservation, Doris has helped ensure that the people, places, and events that shaped our region will continue to inspire future generations.
Her commitment to preserving local heritage serves as a lasting gift to our community and a reminder of the importance of honoring our past while building for the future.
Celebrating a Community Historian
Few individuals have done more to preserve the stories of Highlands County than Doris Gentry Hawthorne. Through decades of research, writing, and community involvement, she has helped document the history that connects generations and strengthens our sense of place.
The Sebring Airport Authority is honored to recognize Doris for her enduring contributions and her dedication to keeping our community’s stories alive.
A Legacy of Preserving History
The Sebring Airport Authority is honored to celebrate Doris Gentry Hawthorne, whose dedication to documenting and preserving local history has enriched Highlands County for generations. Her work has helped safeguard the stories, achievements, and memories that define our community and ensure they remain accessible for years to come.
Her passion for history continues to inspire others to appreciate and preserve the heritage that makes our region unique.
Advanced Air Mobility: Sebring’s Long View of the Future of Flight
NewsBefore Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) became one of aviation’s most talked-about innovations, Sebring Regional Airport was already exploring what the future of regional transportation might look like.
In the early 2000s, Sebring participated in NASA’s Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) initiative, a program that examined how emerging technologies could transform the way people travel. The vision centered on creating more efficient, point-to-point transportation networks using smaller aircraft, reducing congestion and improving access to communities beyond major commercial hubs.
Many of the concepts explored through SATS—including distributed transportation networks, increased aircraft automation, and more direct regional travel—have evolved into what we now know as Advanced Air Mobility.
Today, Sebring Regional Airport continues to help pave the way forward. The airport became one of the first in the nation to receive FAA approval for an Airport Layout Plan incorporating a vertiport, positioning Sebring to pursue future infrastructure opportunities as the industry evolves.
While widespread adoption of powered-lift aircraft and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles will take time, airport leadership believes these technologies have the potential to expand access to medical services, business opportunities, arts and entertainment, and other regional destinations.
“As technology advances, there will be longer flight times,” said Deputy Director Andrew Bennett.
Executive Director Mike Willingham added, “It’s been the future for a long time. It’s just finally being realized.”
At Sebring Regional Airport, innovation isn’t about chasing the latest trend. It’s about preparing thoughtfully for what’s next—ensuring our region is ready to connect people to opportunity as the future of flight continues to take shape. Download the complete story here.
Pilot Safety Video – A Quick Refresher for Operations at SEF
NewsAs part of Sebring Regional Airport’s ongoing commitment to safe operations, we’re reissuing our 2025 Safety Advisory Video for pilots flying into or out of SEF.
The video provides important updates on:
Watch the video here
Download the Safety Advisory PDF
Originally released in April, this advisory remains essential viewing as we enter peak summer flying months. Please take a few minutes to review it and help us keep Sebring safe for everyone.
Another Evening at Sebring Regional Airport
NewsAs the sun sets over the airfield, activity continues at Sebring Regional Airport.
From visiting aircraft and ground operations to arrivals and departures throughout the day, Sebring remains an active hub for aviation in Central Florida.
Moments like these reflect the energy, connectivity, and everyday activity that define airport operations and support the region’s growing aviation community.
Rare Skycrane Helicopter Stops at Sebring
NewsA rare Sikorsky S-64F Skycrane recently visited Sebring Regional Airport, drawing attention from aviation enthusiasts and the local community alike.
The heavy-lift helicopter — one of the largest ever built — is known for its unique design and specialized aerial capabilities.
Photos from the visit generated strong engagement across the airport’s social media channels, highlighting the excitement surrounding unique aircraft activity at Sebring.
Sikorsky S-64F Skycrane
Staff Spotlight: Colleen Plonsky, Director of Finance & Human Resources
NewsFor the past nine years, Colleen Plonsky has helped oversee the financial operations and human resources functions of Sebring Regional Airport, supporting everything from budgets and payroll to grant reimbursements, compliance, and day-to-day administrative operations.
Plonsky describes accounting as a form of investigative work.
As Director of Finance and Human Resources, her responsibilities touch nearly every corner of airport operations. She oversees payroll, employee benefits, vendor payments, recruiting, compliance requirements, financial reporting, and grant reimbursement activity connected to airport projects and development efforts.
Each month, Plonsky and her team prepare detailed financial reports for the Airport Authority Board, ensuring expenses, funding, and operational activity are carefully documented and reviewed.
She also helps oversee financial activity tied to the airport’s industrial park, which includes commercial tenants, aviation businesses, and aircraft hangars serving a wide range of airport users.
Although the workload is significant, Plonsky says her accounting department remains small and close-knit.
“We are small, but we are mighty,” she shared while recognizing fellow team member Heather Leon for her support within the department.
Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Plonsky began her career in banking before transitioning into accounting and financial administration. Prior to joining Sebring Regional Airport, she worked for 13 years as an accountant for the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina.
Eventually, she and her husband returned to Florida and settled in Sebring, drawn by its small-town atmosphere and strong sense of community.
“It’s how Florida used to be over 20 years ago,” Plonsky said.
Today, that same sense of community remains one of the things she values most about working at the airport.
“The whole airport essentially flies as a team,” she said. “It has been wonderful. We’re like a family.”
Outside the office, Plonsky enjoys yoga, fitness activities, walks through Highlands Hammock State Park, and spending time with her husband and their two dogs, Jasmine and T’Spoon.
Sebring’s Role in Early Aviation Innovation
NewsLong before Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) became a focus of the aviation industry, Sebring Regional Airport was participating in early efforts to rethink how people and goods move between communities.
Through NASA’s Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS), Sebring served as a Florida test site supporting demonstrations designed to improve access, efficiency, and safety at community airports.
A key milestone occurred in October 2004, when aircraft from across Florida converged at Sebring for a High Volume Operations (HVO) demonstration during the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo — testing new operational concepts for increasing capacity at non-towered airports.
These early efforts explored many of the same principles now central to AAM, including increased access to underutilized airports and more efficient regional connectivity.
Today, Sebring continues to build on that legacy, supporting innovation and positioning itself as part of the evolving future of aviation.
Sebring Featured in Fox 13 Tampa on Advanced Air Mobility
NewsSebring Regional Airport continues to lead the conversation on the future of aviation. Deputy Director Andrew Bennettwas recently interviewed by Fox 13 Tampa to discuss Florida’s advancing role in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and the emergence of air taxi operations.
The segment highlights new statewide momentum supporting AAM infrastructure and innovation, positioning Florida—and Sebring in particular—as a key player in next-generation aviation.
🎥 Watch the interview: https://www.fox13news.com/news/gov-desantis-new-florida-law-air-taxis-air-mobility