Instructor Background and Qualifications

Instructor/owner Rich Dawe is a retired Naval Aviator with more than 750 carrier arrested landings. Rich is a combat seasoned pilot and strike leader having flown the T-28, T-2, TA4J, EA-6B prowler in the Navy and instructed in the De Haviland Vampire, BAC Jet Provost, Strike Master and various general aviation aircraft. He has been performing in airshows both in the Navy and in general aviation since 1987. He has performed in shows both in the US and Japan during his Navy career. Rich was recognized as Instructor of the year in 1988 in the EA-6B community and developed and led the Prowler Defensive Tactics Training program (DEFTAC) training instructors in all community squadrons in defensive tactics and maneuvers against aggressor aircraft.

Since retiring as a captain, his flight experience includes racing in the jet class at the prestigious Reno Air Races and performing low level aerobatics in his British Jet Provost for the past five years. Rich enjoys sharing the challenge and excitement of aerobatics with other pilots in hopes of also contributing to aviation safety. 

Rich’s ratings include Commercial, CFI, CFII, MEI, multi, seaplane, Citation, with Letters of Authorization in T-28, De Haviland Vampire and Sea Venom, L-29, and Jet Provost.

He taught ground, advanced aerobatics, and performance to advanced students in Ozarka College’s Aviation program; which he started while serving as president at Ozarka.