I have been interested in things that fly since the age of at least five. You pretty much name it and if it flies I enjoy the subject. I completed 12 years in the U.S. Army as a helicopter mechanic/crewchief and 10 years work on airplanes and helicopters for Law Enforcement use. Currently working for an A&P Technical Academy as a Primary Instructor.I really got going in aviation through the Civil Air Patrol. I managed to become a cadet warrent officer and was at one time the squadron leadership trainer, aerospace education trainer, and cadet Commander. My senior year of high school I was honored to recieve the Cadet of the Year from my squadron.Having decided at an early age that I wanted to join the military I selected the Army for the number of helicopters compared to the Air Force.I was assigned to the 9th Aviation Battalion and later volunteered for a peace keeping mission in the Siani with the 3-60th Infantry Battalion as part of the Multinational Forces and Observers. Following my tour in the desert I returned back to 9th Avn..When reenlistment rolled around I got out and went to school to get my A&P tickets. I attended school full time and had a part time job throwing baggage and fuel for the air carriers. So I was now not just a hanger rat but a ramp rat as well. After recieving my A&P liscence a company in Virginia hired me on as a model technician. I was assigned to the precision models group and built precision wind tunnel models and test equipment. This was very interesting work but it was not as dynamic as working on the real deal. This was in the eighties and the goverment found out about companies that were dipping into the money pot in their contracts, the President put a hold on all government contracts which was about 95% of our work. So it was off to the Army and helicopters again.I had duty stations with the 3/3 Attack Avn. Bat. in Germany. Then off to the 101st, Korea, 10th Mountain Div./ 229th Med Det. "Dustoff" before getting out.Obviously I enjoyed my time in the military. No doubt it is a tough life and the sacrifices that not only the members of the military make but that of their families is very difficult as well. I would like to wish all of my brothers and sisters in the Armed Forces God speed and we support you in all you do.So why did I leave the military? Blew out my knee and that finished my career.After the military I worked for an armoured security firm as both a driver and hopper for a short time and then found employment with a company that makes composite components. I was fortunate enough to be selected in the custom interior group and built custom interiors for everything from G3's to Boeing 777 and a lot in between. I was promoted to the engineering department and made work, layout and assembly sheets. It was a great place to work but the economy was slowing to a crawl at the end of Clintons term of office and the rich people were actually cancelling their aircraft orders- layoffs soon followed and I was out job hunting.I found work with a sherrifs department and was the mechanic there with four helicopters, two airplanes and a hull that I was slowly restoring. I worked there for just short of five years.I applied and was selected for a job at another law enforcement agency and worked there for five years. We have five helicopters at this agency. The agency did have two fixed wing aircraft that were sold while I was employed there as part of a fleet modernization.Physically, it was getting a more difficult to get around on the aircraft. I was accepted for employment at National Aviation Academy (NAA) and within three weeks given the position of Primary Instructor. Having had previously taught part-time with Embry-Riddle earlier in my career I enjoy teaching the arts of aircraft maintenance. It is really great to watch a students confidence rise with each new subject and task and yet be mindful of the great responsability that their new career expects of them.I became interested in gyroplanes when my father decided to purchase a homebuilt gyroplane kit and together have built the kit. A gyroplane is an aircraft similar to a helicopter but the rotor is not powered by the engine. It has been one of the most enjoyable and frustrating projects I have ever done and yes I would do it again. If you would like to see more about gyroplanes check out www.gyroplanepassion.com .
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