I still haven't seen this property in-person even 1 month later after the 4plex has closed because I'm cautious about getting on a 9-10 hr plane flight during these pandemic times. 

Because of it's location in the MidWest and the airports, there are direct flights to almost every market.

So when I say living here, if I hear the words "Sunday Brunch" my heart breaks a little and I want to immediately book a flight, you feel me, lol.   

These help the market stick through tough times since these facilities are not going anywhere anytime soon.Boots on the ground- Someone you know who can go to the property in a relatively short time - if you are in California but buy a property in TX, you would want a boots on the ground that lives in TX so if something comes up and you need someone to gain access to the property you can ask them rather than book a flight and fly out there.  

Could we get there with a direct flight? 

If you are at 1.5% or above you were either very fortunate to land a house in a good neighborhood or you are in  bad neighborhood where the added return probably isn't worth the headache in the long run.Top flight neighborhoods you will be closer to 1%-1.25% typically. 

Flying there would be a good idea, but right now I don't feel very safe to take the flight.

Just as a personal opinion, I bought a single family to house hack while I was there, glad I did it, does great, but it seems like that pool of renting to flight students is getting pretty saturated.

I've seen a lot of posts about using the VA loan for a first home in Pensacola to live in and rent out per room to other flight students.

You'll love the Panhandle (flight school?).