William Thomas
Director of Flight Operations at Aero-Flite, Inc.
- Role
- Director of Flight Operations at Aeroflite Aerial Firefighting
- Location
- Spokane, WA, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About William Thomas
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Retired senior military officer (USAF Colonel) and helicopter pilot with 30+ years of experience in leadership and aviation operations. Extensive background in organizational/personal leadership, flight operations, aviation program management, operational risk management, flight safety, strategic planning, process improvement, project management, collaboration, mediation, and inter-agency operations in the aviation environment. Demonstrated track record of performance across wide range of diverse and demanding Department of Defense, Homeland Security and Commercial aviation mission sets with an ability to create, sustain and lead high performance and geographically dispersed teams, build partnerships, overcome obstacles, break down barriers and solve complex problems.KEY QUALIFICATIONS• Leadership • Strategic Planning • Aviation Operations• Team Building • Coaching• Mentoring• Problem Solving • Operational Risk Management• Communications• Aviation Safety • Helicopter Pilot• Aviation Management• Aviation SecurityAERONAUTICAL RATING: USAF Command pilot, FAA certified commercial instrument helicopter pilot and parachutist rating; UH-1N helicopter Evaluator/Instructor Pilot; Formal School Instructor/Evaluator Pilot at USAF’s only Combat Rescue School. Extensive command, leadership, aviation operations/management and staff experience. Strong operations and management background in search/rescue, medical evacuation, humanitarian/disaster relief, security, counterdrug and wildland aerial fire-fighting operations.
Experience
Director of Flight Operations
Feb 2022 — Present · Spokane, WA, US
Provides leadership, professional knowledge and expertise in the development, administration, and management of the flight operations department for Aero-Flite. The position is responsible for ensuring the safety, security, and efficiency of all company flight operations. That includes oversight of the standardization, training, and flight evaluation programs for all aircraft.o Day to day management of all operations activities and personnelo Ensures that Aero-Flite flight operations and training programs are being conducted in accordance with FAA FARs, customer contract requirements; IAW all published company standards for all aircraft typeso Supporting the management pilots of all four aviation programs (CL-415, RJ85, Q400 and PC-12) in the development, training, and hiring of all staffo Responsibility for the development and management of Aero-Flite’s FAA Part 142 training school program
Education
United States Air Force Academy
Bachelor of Science (BS), Basic Sciences
1986 — 1990
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Master of Aeronautical Science, Aviation Operations
1994 — 1997
USAF Air Command and Staff College
Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Military Operational Art and Science/Studies
2003 — 2004
Air War College
Master of Strategic Studies, Military and Strategic Leadership
2010 — 2011
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