About

After only dreaming about flying as a kid, and after having two kids of my own, I finally took the plunge and started ground school and then flight lessons in late 1997. In 1998, almost exactly a year after starting (with a bit of a hiatus in the middle) I earned my Private Pilot's license. Since then, my passion for aviation has only continued to grow, along with my experience and qualifications. Being an instructor allows me to share my love of aviation with others and help others achieve their goals of flight and personal and professional development.

I'm an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) and FAA Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor (CFI and CFII) with a number of ratings and certificates, including: Airplane Multi-Engine Land (AMEL), Airplane Single-Engine Land (ASEL, with Tailwheel endorsement), Type Rating for the Cessna Citation CJ series jets (CE-525S single-pilot), Gyroplane (Sport Pilot privileges), Remote Pilot small UAS (Commercial Drone Pilot), Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI), and Instrument Ground Instructor (IGI). I am affiliated with West Valley Flying Club (WVFC), and was awarded 2016 WVFC CFI of the Year. I instruct at both the SQL and PAO locations, although PAO is my primary location. My WVFC CFI page has more information on my CFI services available at the club. But I am also available for instruction or pilot services on an independent basis.

When I am not instructing I fly as a professional pilot in a variety of piston, turboprop, and jet aircraft. I'm a member of EAA and AOPA, and building my own experimental homebuilt aircraft is on my list of things that I would like to do some day. In addition to airplanes I also fly gyroplanes and helicopters, and I'm interested in flying gliders. I usually attend EAA's AirVenture in Oshkosh every year, often flying there and back with a client on a great cross-country adventure.

My background is in science, engineering, and research. I've held various scientific, technical and leadership positions and have been involved in the computer and networking field since the late 70's. I spent 18 years with Xerox Corporation, much of it as a Senior Network Scientist at Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC). I then held Director and Executive positions at various Bay Area universities and start-up companies. I currently run my own consulting business providing expertise in networking and systems issues, data analysis, and other scientific and R&D issues. You can see my Coyote Hill Consulting page and personal home page for more details.

When I'm not flying or consulting, I enjoy a number of other activities. My wife and I enjoy visiting the National Parks, State Parks, Wilderness, BLM land, and other such places in our specially outfitted 4x4 Toyota Tacoma camper. We also enjoy solving puzzles of various forms, including crosswords, Sudoku, and other similar brain teasers. I have had a long interest and association with chess, having taught it and championed it in various forums over the years. I also have a background as a certified EMT, Emergency Response Team member, First Aid and AED instructor, and other aspects of medical and emergency training and response. I hold my Amateur Radio Extra Class License and have been a licensed radio operator since 1975.

-Wes