ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Drew Chitiea

Drew Chitiea was introduced to flight at age eight when he and his family were airlifted out of a New Zealand meadow. Earning his wings in 1971 and commencing an aviation career in 1983, he is an ATP-rated pilot holding all fixed-wing Flight and Ground Instructor ratings.

In addition, he has extensive time as a Tailwheel, Aerobatics and Mountain Flying instructor in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. He has been a Bush Pilot in Alaska, an instructor with a major airline, a corporate pilot and Chief Pilot for a Part 141 Airline Training Academy. He served with the Civil Air Patrol as Squadron Commander, Wing Standardization- Evaluation Officer and Chief Check Pilot. He has extensive experience in vintage and experimental aircraft and to date has time in over 85 different make and model airplanes.

He is an Aviation Safety Counselor, FAA Gold Seal Instructor and has been designated a Master CFI by the National Association of Flight Instructors. Currently he serves as a Designated Pilot Examiner in the Denver FSDO and at the USAF Academy.