According to my mother, my first word was literally “plane”. At the age of 14, I attended an airshow called the Flying Circus in Bealeton Virginia, a weekly barnstorming style show that has operated since 1971. I went back every week until I was hired to onto the ground crew to sweep out hangars & take out the trash. I then began my flying lessons in many of the old airplanes there.
After obtaining my Private, Instrument, Commercial & Multi-Engine ratings, I became a Flight Instructor at the age of 19 & have remained current as a CFI ever since. I worked my way up from ground crew to ride & airshow pilot at the Flying Circus, flying various antique aircraft. While building flight time, I also towed banners, dropped skydivers, performed aerial mapping for the USDA, ferried aircraft around the country for a brokerage service, flew traffic reporters around the Washington D.C. beltway, & even started a wing-walking airshow business. I graduated from the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University satellite campus at Andrew Air Force Base with a Bachelor's in Aeronautical Science.
In 1999, I was hired as a First Officer on the Embraer 120 Brasilia for Continental Express, which later became ExpressJet Airlines. I upgraded to Captain on the EMB-120 in 2000 and flew it until it was parked in summer of 2003. I then transitioned to the Embraer 145 Regional Jet as a First Officer. I upgraded to Captain on the EMB-145 in 2007, and became a Check Airman in 2013.
In 2017, I was hired as a First Officer on the Boeing 737 for American Airlines. I transitioned to First Officer on the Airbus family of aircraft "A32F" (A319, A320, & A321) in 2019. I am currently a Captain on the Airbus A32F based in Charlotte NC.
I remain very active in General Aviation, attending many local events, continuing to flight instruct, and mentor the next generation of aviators. I own a 1943 Boeing Stearman that is based at the Concord Regional Airport (KJQF).
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I became an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner in 2026. I am currently authorized to conduct Private, Instrument, and Commercial pilot practical tests for Airplane - Single Engine Land.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PRACTICAL TESTS:
I understand check rides are stressful, especially for Private Pilot, as this is your first time experiencing one. I've lost count of the number of check rides, proficiency checks, type ratings, etc. that I've endured in my career, so I understand the stress of taking a practical test.
Just know a few important things... Perfection is NOT the standard. You can make mistakes, catch, and correct them. Nobody gets all the answers right. You already have the test; it's called the Airman Certification Standards. Everything you'll be asked is in there, and I won't ask anything of you that isn't. And while I am required by the FAA to test you to those standards, NOBODY is rooting for your success more than me!
My home base of operations is Concord Regional Airport (KJQF) and prefer to conduct practical tests from there. However, I can travel by vehicle to:
Lincolnton / Lincoln County Airport (KIPJ)
Rowan County / Mid-Carolina Regional (KRUQ)
Statesville Regional (KSHV)
The price for all practical tests is $1000. Cash is preferred. Electronic methods are available but unfortunately incur a 3.5% service fee
