Description
Summary
This expert has over 37 years of experience ranging from military operational and test roles, airline operations as a line pilot, and a civilian test pilot / program manager. He is qualified to provide expert consultation services and expert testimony for aviation - related mediation, hearings, and litigation. His expertise is current with the latest industry standards as an active pilot and program manager for a major defense contractor. He is also a graduate of the University of Southern California Aviation Safety School that is recognized worldwide as the foremost qualifier of aviation safety experts. As a result of his flight test experience, he was inducted into the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) in January 1992.
In June 2017, he graduated from the University of West Los Angeles with a Juris Doctorate degree (Summa Cum Laude). Passed California State Bar, July 2017. Sworn as California Attorney, Dec 2017.
Summary of Qualifications
• Experimental Test Pilot and Graduate of U.S. Naval Test Pilot School
Educated and trained in high performance airplane handling characteristics and performance testing for aircraft having undergone modifications or new design changes. Broad experience in flight test techniques as well as aerodynamics, aircraft performance, human factors, flight test planning, and flight test safety considerations.
• Member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP)
SETP is recognized as a world leader in defining the standards for flight test and aviation safety.
• Graduate of University of Southern California, Aviation Safety Program
The USC Aviation Safety Program trains experienced aviation professionals from around the world in advanced safety practices and procedures. Holders of the USC Aviation Safety Program Certificate are recognized worldwide as experts in aviation safety systems. Courses taken include: Aviation Safety Management Systems, Aircraft Accident Investigation, Human Factors in Aviation, Aviation Legal Matters, Technical Witness Preparation, and Aviation Accident Preparedness and Response.
• Graduate of U.S. Naval Aviation Safety Course for Executives
The U.S. Navy Safety Center in Monterrey Ca. is the U.S. Navy’s premier safety school that trains senior aviation officers in leading safety investigations, accident investigations and reporting, and leadership of an Aviation Safety Program.
• Over 35 years of experience in Military, Airline, and Civilian Flight Operations
A broad range of operational and test experience in over 25 different aircraft to include high performance jet fighters, jet transports, light civilian airplanes, helicopters, and gliders.
Flight Ratings and Experience
Airline Transport Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Multi-engine Rating, Instrument Rating, B-727 Type Rating (all current)
Flight Hours: Total Time 7050 Multi-engine 5450
Pilot-in-Command 5150 Instructor 550
Turbojet 6750 Flight Engineer 400
Aircraft Flown
More than 25 different aircraft flown ranging from high performance military to light civilian:
B-727 (Experimental Test Bed), Airbus 319/320 (United Airlines), F/A-18, F-15, TA-4J, A-4M, T-2C, T-38, T-34C, PA-44A, P-51 Mustang, helicopters (H-57, CH-53), King Air, Lear Jet, Pitts Special, Twin Otter, Cessna 152 as well other jets/props/helicopters/gliders.
Academic Background
• University of West Los Angeles School of Law – Juris Doctor, 2017.
• University of Southern California -- Aviation Safety Management Certification, 2013.
• Florida Institute of Technology – M.S. Engineering Management including courses in operations analysis, business strategy, marketing, and cost accounting as applied to an engineering environment, 1992.
• U. S. Naval Test Pilot School – Engineering Test Pilot Course, 1990.
• U. S. Naval Flight School – 1 ½ years post baccalaureate training to qualify as a carrier-based jet pilot, 1982.
• U. S. Naval Academy -- B.S. Engineering Resources Management including studies in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, thermodynamics, and Naval engineering, 1980.
Professional Experience
• RTI Group, LLC, Annapolis, MD, Aviation Safety and Flight Test Consultant, 2019 – present.
• Test Pilot, Program Manager, and Chief Pilot for Testing of New Products Designed for Modern Aircraft
Chief Pilot and Program Manager of Multi-program Testbed, flying a modified Boeing 727 airplane for new product testing. Responsible for all aspects of this program to include principle test pilot for test projects, training of pilots, and development / approval of flight test plans. As the Chief Pilot, he is the liaison with the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office for all regulatory matters. Additionally, he is responsible to senior leadership for administration and control of the RMT Flight Operations and Maintenance Program.
• Pilot, commercial airlines
Airline pilot qualified as a Flight Engineer on the B-727 and First Officer on the Airbus 319/320 and served as a line pilot.
• Marine Corps F/A-18 Fighter Attack Pilot
Twenty years of military aviation experience. Deployments aboard four different aircraft carriers to areas of conflict throughout the world including the Persian Gulf Combat Zone and Gulf of Sidra Combat Zone. Flew hundreds of tactical flights while deployed worldwide including 20 combat missions over Southern Iraq.
• Marine Corps F/A-18 Engineering Test Pilot
Engineering Test Pilot participating in aircraft carrier qualification test flights, ordnance delivery and separation test flights, aircraft performance and flying quality test flights. Gained advanced flight test experience including flight of aircraft test points that had never been flown before to expand the known safety envelop.
• Advanced Jet Instructor Pilot
Instructor in basic flight, instrument, navigation, and tactical formation flight for training of Naval Aviators.