W.G., Las Vegas, NV
“David is truly in the top fraction of 1% of pilots and people. To achieve and earn the ability to fly USAF fighter jets puts a pilot in the top fraction of 1% of all pilots but to even top that by earning the privilege to fly as the Lead Solo for the USAF Thunderbirds puts David in the top fraction of USAF fighter pilots–the best in the world. As my primary instructor and mentor and now as a contract First Officer in my Phenom 100, David understands and practices excellent customer service and always looks out for my needs ahead of his own and provides excellent instruction and service. I trust him explicitly with my aircraft and my family. He often flies my aircraft single-pilot, either to position it to pick up my family and I or to the Embraer facility for maintenance. Dave is a career aviator with a distinguished record of achievement that is truly exceptional. Dave has taken the best practices from his 2,300 hours of Air Force single-pilot F-16 experience as both an instructor and evaluator (check airman) and transferred those techniques to his instruction in the Phenom and Mustang. I strongly recommend David to anyone seeking an instructor, contract pilot and or mentor pilot to assist them as they seek their single-pilot rating in the Phenom or any jet.”
Dave began his flying career at 16 and earned his Private Pilot’s license shortly after his 17th birthday. He graduated with Honors from Florida Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Air Commerce Flight Technology and later completed his Masters Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle University. After graduation he joined the Air Force through Officers Training School and later completed pilot training at Reese AFB, TX. He was selected to the fly the F-16 at Torrejon Air Base, Spain with the 614 Tactical Fighter Squadron “Lucky Devils”. Dave served 23 years in the active Air Force and Air Force Reserve retiring as a Lt Colonel. His assignments included operational F-16 units in Europe and the United States as well as an assignment as a T-37 Instructor Pilot at Columbus AFB, MS where he served as the Assistant Chief of the 14 Flying Training Wing’s Standardization and Evaluation Division. He commanded the 39th Flying Training Squadron, Moody AFB, GA, the Air Force Reserve’s first associate Joint Primary Aircraft Training System unit employing both the T-6 and the AT-38 jet trainer as well as a tour flying the lead solo #5 F-16 aircraft with the Air Force Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” where he flew over 150 air shows in all 50 states as well as in Europe and South America before millions of spectators including the President of the United States, Secretary of State and numerous heads of state. His awards and achievements include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Top Graduate of his Pilot Instructor Training class. Additionally, he was the awarded the Air Force “Pilot of Distinction Award” for his recovery of an F-16 during an air show after a catastrophic afterburner explosion. He is an ATP rated pilot as well as a CFII/MEI. He has over 5,000 hours of flight time and over 1,200 hours instructing in jets, with type ratings in the Embraer Phenom 100 and 300 as well as the Citation Mustang (CE-510S). Please feel free to contact Dave at 904-631-0153, or via email dave@highercallingaviation.com