Fire/Rescue Pilot for Santa Barbara County Fire. ATP/CFI/CFII.

Michael recently retired from the United States Army after completing twenty one years of military service to the nation.

In 1996, he received his B.S. degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry Riddle University with a minor in Aviation Safety. During his time as an Army Aviator he accumulated over 7,000 flight hours, with over 2,200 night vision goggle hours, and has flown in twenty seven countries throughout the world.

Michael is qualified in twenty two different rotary wing and fixed wing aircraft and has served as an Instructor Pilot for eighteen years in Special Operations Aviation. As an Instructor Pilot, he has logged over 1,700 hours, training numerous aviators in all aspects of special operations including; environmental flight (urban, over water, mountain, jungle, desert), all methods of tactical infiltration/extraction, terrain flight navigation, aerial gunnery, advanced sensor systems, and night vision goggles.

In 2005, he attended the Army Aviation Safety Officer’s course completing his military career as an Aviation Safety Director. He is also a distinguished combat veteran serving in four major operations with over 1,700 combat hours. He also holds a rotorcraft ATP, CFI-CFII, and a multi-engine airplane ATP. Mike is residing in Southern California with his wife and three kids and is currently working as a Fire/Rescue Pilot for Santa Barbara County Fire.