Aviation

Positions

C-5 and C-141 Aircraft Commander
T-6 and T-37 Instructor Pilot
T-37 Simulator Instructor

Certification, Military and Civilian

Military Instrument Instructor Pilot
Airline Transport Pilot
Commercial Instrument Pilot, Multi-engine

Flight Hours

Experience

As an Aircraft Commander, I was responsible for the safe and expeditious movement of the aircraft and crew around the world supporting almost every military operation and most natural disasters. My job included being the resident expert on flying the aircraft, directing the crew actions in flight and at enroute stops, coordinating with agencies to get needed services, ensuring the crew and aircraft were taken care of at each location, and training inexperienced pilots on the aircraft operations and on aircraft commander duties. Most crew sizes were close to the minimum or augmented crew size, from 4 to 8, but occasionally you would get the super crew of 18 to 22. The missions ranged from flying into and out of combat zones, supporting Presidential travel around the world, delivering much needed aid to areas struck by natural disasters, supporting UN peacekeeping missions, working with our international partners, delivering equipment and personnel to our bases around the world, to simple training missions to maintain and enhance skills. Our destinations varied from International airports throughout the world to US military airfields both in the US and overseas to military fields belonging to our allies. I’ve flown throughout the US and Canada, to over 30 countries in Africa, 10 in Europe, and 14 in Southeast, Southwest and Far East Asia. Our cargo was usually the standard military fare; vehicles, munitions, personnel, aviation equipment, boats, and other supplies. But occasionally, there were the oddball things; dolphins, airplanes, semi-trucks and trailers, US Mail, cars, submarine parts, fire trucks, cats and dogs, and strawberry ice cream.

As an Instructor Pilot, I was responsible for the safe and excellent training of student pilots at Undergraduate Pilot Training or instructor pilot candidates at Pilot Instructor Training. Our students were normally US military pilots but occasionally we’d get a crop of students from one of our allies. The areas of training consisted of academics, ground operations, basic aircraft operations, basic aerobatics, instruments, navigation, low-level navigation, formation, and emergency operations. At each location the aircraft was a two seater allowing for the student to have full control over the aircraft to learn and practice different maneuvers with the instructor also having complete control to demonstrate maneuvers and prevent disasters. Yes, I’ve saved my life, and my student’s following his or her mistakes, more times than I can remember. While flight training was our primary focus, we also mentored the students on military procedures and policies. One of our most important duties was to review training to ensure that each student was getting the best training possible and to ensure that students were meeting established training objectives to determine if they were going to be able to complete the program.

As a Simulator Instructor, I trained students in ground operations, basic flight operations, instruments and emergency operations. We would impart guidance and techniques to help manage training and flight, while building the students confidence in their skills and knowledge.