Who is The Roaming Pilot? (Pics)

Honestly I’m surprised at the fact that I haven’t posted this post before. I kind of just dove into writing this blog and I guess along the way assumed that people just “knew” who I was. For those of you that are regular readers you probably noticed the major style updates to the site. Well, one of the things that came with those updates is this featured post.

Earlier this year I was asked to sit on a mentorship panel by Helicopter Foundation International at HAI’s HELI-EXPO 2016, and to participate in mentor sessions for the Mil2Civ program, which focuses specifically on transitioning from Military life to a civilian pilot life. With that came a bio, that was printed and distributed to participants – so I’m recycling that bio and putting it here. Enjoy. 

I wanted to be a helicopter pilot since my earliest memories of flying (at 3 years old) in Papua New Guinea to my new home at an expat mining operation in the mountains of the remote island. I spent my formative years flying in bright yellow 212’s, 412’s and variations of the same, through the rain forest covered mountains. After serving 4 years active duty with the United States Army’s 4^th Infantry Division, with combat tours in Iraq in 2005 and 2006, I used the Post 9/11 GI Bill to finally realize my life long dream of becoming a professional helicopter pilot.

Graduating from training in 2012 I began my career as a CFII with Inland Helicopters, where I also performed commercial and agricultural operations for the company. After nearly two years of instruction I left Inland Helicopters to work overseas flying in support of tuna fishing operations in the South Pacific.

In 2015, after several short-term contracts in the United States, I was hired to fly HEMS for Life Flight Kuwait and relocated to the Gulf country, where I currently live and work flying the Bell 429 and Bell 430. This affords me the unique opportunity to not only fly in a challenging environment, but to also sate (to a degree) my appetite for travel and adventure.

In addition to my pilot career, in 2010 Nick Henderson took over running the “Helicopter Pilots” group on Facebook, and began working with HeliOps Magazine as a contributor, social media manager, and photographer. For the past 5 years I have mentored countless members of the helicopter community online and in person, in particular on the vital importance of networking in the modern world of aviation; additionally on career objectives, goal setting and progression.

Professionally I’m a member of HAI, AOPA, and an Auxiliary with Whirly Girls International. Currently I have  an A.S. Degree in Aviation from Big Bend Community College, and am completing my B.A in Intelligence Studies with the American Military University. In addition to my CPL I hold an Instrument endorsement and my CFI and double-I ratings and am in the process of completing my ATP.

So now – without hesitation, here’s a short photo tribute to me. By me. The Roaming Pilot.