Richard Martindell, VP of Course Content and Experience at King Schools, has been named FAA 2016 Safety Team Representative of the Year.
Every year for more than 50 years, the General Aviation Awards program and the FAA have recognized aviation professionals for their contributions to general aviation in the fields of flight instruction, aviation maintenance/avionics, and safety.
The FAA will recognize his accomplishment in July during EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. His name will be added to the large plaque in the lobby of the EAA AirVenture Museum.
In his capacity as VP of Course Content and Experience, Martindell works with his team to create and maintain more than 90 courses from Sport Pilot to Airline Transport Pilot, including ground school, practical test preparation, Flight Instructor refresher courses, professional pilot courses and numerous topical flight training courses.
He formerly served as a USAF fighter pilot and instructor in both the F-4 and F-15. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, having earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, five Meritorious Service Medals, eleven Air Medals, and three Combat Readiness Medals. He flew 323 combat sorties in the F-4 in Thailand, and has been stationed at bases around the world.
As lead representative of the FAA Safety Team in San Diego, Martindell works with and trains many other representatives. He often speaks throughout the region at EAA chapters, flight schools, flying clubs, and airport businesses.
Martin dell holds Airline Transport Pilot, Instrument Flight Instructor, and Advanced Instrument Ground School Instructor certificates. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Transportation and Public Utilities from the University of Arizona, and an MBA from Golden Gate University, He graduated from the Safety Program Management and Aircraft Accident Investigation programs at the University of Southern California.