Gene's Bio

I did my initial fixed wing flight training (Private ASEL) at Burbank airport in SoCal back in 1990. In 1994, I was accepted to the Army's WOFT program and flew Hueys on active duty for 7 years. After active duty, I moved to New York City, where I flew Bell 430s for HeliFlite Shares. I also flew part time for Liberty Helicopters (EC130B4, AS350BA/B2, AS355) and Associated Aircraft Group (SA365N2). Two years ago, I moved to Scottsdale, AZ and began flying EMS AStars (B2s and B3s) for LifeNet/Air Methods. Not sure where I'll go from here, except to Iraq later this year.

I started flying King Airs for the Army Reserve back in 2002 when I got off active duty.

I did my Helicopter ATP at Flight Safety Dallas, courtesy of HeliFlite, and I did my AMEL ATP at All ATPs at Williams Gateway airport in Mesa, AZ.

I asked Gene some questions to form a Bio

Q: How did you get started in the whole flying thing in the beginning? Did you have dreams of flying when you were young?

  As far back as I can remember, I've known that I wanted to fly. Aside from my family, I've only had one real passion and that was flying. All I wanted to do was watch the airplane (Or Helicopters, I wasn't picky) in the air when I was young. Now, even as a professional pilot, I still catch myself with my eyes turned skyward all the time.

  Q: How long have you been flying?

  The first time I took the controls of an aircraft, I was 14, and I was flying with a friend of the family who had just passed his CFI checkride. I flew on and off when I could afford it, but didn't start flying regularly until I was 17, almost 18. I passed my Private Pilot checkride on September 9th 1989, and was on top of the world.

  Q: How did it come about that you licensed in both fix wing and helo?

  I started flying Airplanes first. On my 15th Birthday, my parents gave me a 30 minute ride in an R22 helicopter.

Fast forward to 1993. A friend at work told me about a program the Army used to have, called "High School to Flight School", where a degree was not required in order to fly. I asked about the "High School to Flight School" program, and was pleasantly surprised when they said the program still existed, and they'd be happy to help me apply. Too easy. I was one of 6 out of 600 applicants accepted for the Warrant Officer Flight Training program. After spending my entire active duty Army career (7.5 years) flying the UH-1H at Fort Irwin, California, it was time for me to get out, or at least off active duty.

  In June 2003 I attended the US Army Fixed Wing Multi Engine Course, Class 03-12. Upon completion of the 3 month course, I received a military equivalency Commercial Instrument AMEL and ASEL rating and was a qualified C-12/Beech King Air 200 pilot.

  In May 2004 I attended Flight Safety International's Bell Learning Center in Hurst TX to complete my Airline Transport Pilot (Helicopter) rating in the Bell 430 simulator. I am currently pursuing my Airline Transport Pilot AMEL rating.

  Q: Do you have a preference between helos and fixed wing?

  I hope to find a job that allows me to remain current in both airplanes and helicopters, which is why I am pushing so hard for my FW ATP right now. There are only a handful of Dual Rated, Dual ATPs in the US, and there is a demand for more. We'll see what comes about.

  Q: Most important of all, could you state your philosophy of "Passing it on"? Giving ones knowledge to new pilots.

  "Paying it Forward" is something I believe in wholeheartedly. This industry can be a hard nut to crack if you're on the outside looking in. It is up to those of us on the inside to help the newbies find their wings. If we don't help ourselves by ensuring a strong future, nobody else will. I'd be happy to help anyone reach their goal, no matter what it is. All I'll ever ask of them in return is that they "Pay it Forward" and help someone when they're in the position to do so.

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