What’s your favorite part of what you do in aviation education? Having been able to play a part in helping aspiring aviators fulfill their dream, especially when they began as the student and then become the teacher.

What’s your least favorite part of what you do in aviation education? Witnessing the frustration from customers whose former instructor(s) failed to live up to their responsibilities to provide a professional service.

Do you have a memorable aviation experience you’d like to share? I was standing on a taxiway on a chilly winter morning with my video camera recording the first solo of my student, Michael, on his 16th birthday. As I watched his first approach and landing I could not help but think back to my own solo — my 16th birthday, thirty-one years earlier. It was only yesterday, wasn’t it?

Why did you join SAFE? I wanted to be involved with an organization that has the vision to bring together educators from all aspects of the aviation industry for the betterment of those currently involved in and those who are exploring and reaching for a career in the field of aviation

What would you like to see change in aviation? The wide variation in the quality of training provided to our customers. Customers should insist upon, and expect nothing short of excellence in their aviation education. As educators we have a responsibility to our customers to provide this level of excellence through a process of continuous and never ending improvement.

Any suggestions on how the above might be accomplished? Become a life-long learner. Settle for nothing less than excellence in the education you expect to receive and provide nothing less than you are willing to accept. Become a member of the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators.

Any accomplishments in, or noteworthy contributions to aviation and/or aviation education you’d like to mention? A small part in the success of those unique individuals I have had the privilege of teaching and who are living out their aviation dreams.

Who are your role models in aviation? Tim Scott — friend since I was six, instructor, and a fellow Airbus Captain, whose generosity of time enabled me to become a flight instructor thirty-two years ago. Floyd Draper — friend and mentor, the man who taught me how to accurately land an airplane. Tom Brady — friend and mentor, the man with the smoothest hands and feet I have ever seen in an airplane, and whose patience and wit were never ending while I learned to fly the King Air. Bob Moreau — friend, mentor, and one of the smartest individuals on the planet, whose wisdom has been priceless throughout my career as an Airline Pilot. And Janet — my wife, whose patience and perseverance has made me a better person and educator by helping me to see the human side of education.

Anything else you’d like to add? To all the people that have shared their time, talent, and knowledge to teach me, and make me better at who I am and what I do, I would like to say, “THANK YOU”. It is indeed, an honor and a privilege to be associated with such a talented group of aviation educators.