Avionics News March 2013 - 45

moving runway. The ship that seemed so small from
altitude now seemed very large and growing fast as I
descended toward it at 750 feet per minute. A few quick
corrections from the LSO and a jarring impact caused
me to immediately go full throttle, only to feel a great
sense of relief as the hook caught the arresting wire as I
completed my ﬁrst aircraft carrier landing.
How long have you been flying?

I have been ﬂying since 1985, when I entered the
Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course on a ﬂight contract.
What aircraft do you fly?

I have been lucky enough to have flown a multitude of
civilian and military aircraft. I have accumulated nearly
3,000 hours of tactical flying in the F/A-18 including
multiple aircraft carriers, two deployments to Iraq in
2003 and 2005, and Top Gun. I really enjoy flying our
Phenom 100 or Cessna 340 in support of our business.
What is your favorite aircraft to fly?

The F/A-18 is my favorite aircraft. The raw power,
unlimited maneuverability and spectacular view, along
with the challenging missions, make it hands down the
best aircraft I have ﬂown.
When did you know you wanted to become a pilot?

Some of the older readers may remember a television
show called “Black Sheep Squadron” (1976 to 1978).
Pappy Boyington is the squadron-leader of a group of
Marine ﬁghter pilots stationed on an island in the Paciﬁc
during World War II. This show is what made me want to

not only be a pilot, but a Marine ﬁghter pilot speciﬁcally, and I
have been blessed to have that childhood dream come true.
How does being a pilot impact your job?

I would not be able to have a complete
understanding of what a pilot might need or want in
an enhanced vision system if I was not a pilot. It gives
me the ability to work with engineering on the design
and development of the product from the bottom up,
with both the pilot and the maintainers’ requirements
and challenges in mind to create a product that is well
designed, aesthetically pleasing and easily maintained.
What are your current ratings?

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ATP
Airplane Multiengine Land
Commercial
Single-Engine Land

As a pilot, what are your thoughts on new technology?

My whole mission is to bring high-quality, capable,
reliable EVS solutions to the market. With the large
body of new and upgraded cockpits that are capable of
displaying this sensor information, it is my job to give them
the situational awareness during low visibility and night
operation to allow them to safely operate the aircraft
during all phases of ﬂight. Lexavia is bringing this capability
into the market in a highly capable, competitively priced
solution. I look forward to expanding our line of products to
serve the full complement of requirements. 
Would you like to be featured in AEAviators? Contact Jenna
Kramer at jennak@aea.net or 816-347-8400 to find out how.

AVIONICS NEWS

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MARCH

2013

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Avionics News March 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News March 2013
