Hobie Tomlinson

SAFE #: 0077

Hometown: Huntington, Vermont

Home Airport: KBTV

Occupation: Director of Safety, Charter Pilot, DPE, Flight Instructor

Website: https://montairflight.com/bio

Education: Wentworth Institute ~ Aircraft Maintenance

Hobie Tomlinson is a retired airline Captain who was with TWA (35 years) and American Airlines (2 years). He spent 14 years in the airline training department, including a stint as the TWA B747 Fleet Manager. After retirement he spent 8 years as a Training Captain and Director of Safety for a Part 135 Charter Company.

He holds Type Ratings in Boeing 707, 720, 727, 747, 757 & 767, as well as Lockheed L1011, Cessna 560XL, and Bombardier CL604. He also holds Class Ratings at the ATP Lever for AMEL. AMES, ASEL, and ASES aircraft.

He has been a CFI for over 50 years, a DPE for over 4o years (retired) and a MCFI for 18 Years, having logged over 40K hrs (and counting), including 1028 North Atlantic Crossings and over 15K hrs of flight instruction. He was awarded National CFI of the Year in 2012.


Educational Specialty: Multiengine, Instrument, Seaplane & Tail Wheel

Q & A

What drew you to aviation? My Father, who instructed in CPT during WWII.

How long have you been involved in aviation education? 44+ Years.

What’s your favorite part of what you do in aviation education? Mentoring (& Seaplane Flying).

What’s your least favorite part of what you do in aviation education? Having to “Disapprove” an applicant as a DPE/Check Airman.

Do you have a memorable aviation experience you’d like to share? 1) Flying the Twin Beech (D18S) during the early days in Charter; 2) Flying a “Photo Shoot” with Clay Lacy in a TWA B747 with the new paint scheme.

Why did you join SAFE? Peer respect for its founding members.

What would you like to see change in aviation? 1) Return to teaching basic airmanship to new students before “Hi Tech” training; 2) Enhanced Recurrent Training for small GA aircraft.

Any suggestions on how the above might be accomplished? Convincing more Flight Instructors to train beyond the minimums.

Any accomplishments in, or noteworthy contributions to aviation and/or aviation education you’d like to mention? Surviving 49 years and 34,500 hours of which approximately 1/3 (10,600 hours) were instruction.

Who are your role models in aviation? The WWII pilots who trained and mentored me (Especially my Father).

Anything else you’d like to add? When I was young I loved airplanes and tolerated people; now I am old and I love people and tolerate Airplanes! Aviation is not an occupation, it’s a disease ~ with no known cure!

Hobie Tomlinson