SAFE #: S0000800
Hometown: Wellington FL, United States
Home Airport: FD-38
Occupation: Retired USAF Col/ corporate Executive/Self employed
Education: BS Aero Engr & MBA
Pilot Certificates: ATP (ASEL, ASES, AMEL), CFII, AIGI
Airplanes Flying/Flown: Zlin143L, most GA singles & light twins, LSA
Educational Specialty: All
Q & A
What drew you to aviation?: Seeing an F-80, Shooting Star at Airshow when 12 years old.
How long have you been involved in aviation education?: Fifty years
What’s your favorite part of what you do in aviation education?: Instructing for any certificate or rating, especially CFI/CFII candidates.
What’s your least favorite part of what you do in aviation education?: Nothing, I live to fly, have done so for my whole life, still love doing it.
Do you have a memorable aviation experience you’d like to share?: Too many “war stories” all memorable, both military & civilian.
Why did you join SAFE?: Support the enterprise & hopefully encourage others to enjoy a rewarding career choice.
What would you like to see change in aviation?: Less stupid rules by the Bureaucracy & get back to basics. There is too much “gee whiz bang “/ FAD/ latest & greatest going on in the industry. The emphasis on automation /management at the expense of basic skills in early flying education/experience will lead to increased accident rates.
Any suggestions on how the above might be accomplished?: Simple, go back to basic stick & rudder skills, max acft performance maneuvers, stop de-emphasizing steam guages, & if you are going to teach glass, make sure the client gets a thorough ground school on the system.
Any accomplishments in, or noteworthy contributions to aviation and/or aviation education you’d like to mention?: Love what I do & get many referrals because of it. Have survived several close calls in both military & civilian flying.
Who are your role models in aviation?: At this stage in my life most are dead. As you can tell from the above, I’m not especially enamored by those who emphasize automation/ scenarios/ management concepts of basic flying. Learn to “FLY” then learn to manage systems ( Air France 447 comes to mind).
Anything else you’d like to add?: The dirty side does not necessarily have to stay down.
