Airline Transport Pilot,
Multi-Engine Land
Commercial Pilot, Single Engine Land
Private Pilot, Glider
Flight Engineer, Turbojet
Type Ratings: B-737, B-757, B-767, B-777
Experimental Aircraft Authorization/ETR, Aero Vodochody L-39
Authorized Instructor (AI), Aero Vodochody L-39
USAF Master Instructor Pilot and Examiner
F.A.S.T. Flight Leader
FAA Class I Medical, No Restrictions
L-39 Instructor
Pilot, Pride Aircraft, Inc.
Provides basic and advanced flight training
in the Aero L-39 Albatros jet, including aerobatics and formation flight,
for L-39 owners and operators. Wrote L-39 formation standards
currently used by EAA Warbirds of America and other
warbird organizations. Created advanced Jet Upset Training
syllabus. Performs Functional Check Flights to evaluate
aircraft after restoration, maintenance, and modifications.
Ferry pilot.
1996-Present
Flight Officer, United Airlines.
First Officer on Boeing 757/767 in FAR Part 121 domestic
and international operations. Previously flew Boeing 777,
Airbus A319/320 and McDonnell-Douglas DC-10.
1992-1996 and 1998-2000
Advanced Jet Instructor
Pilot,U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve.
Over 1,300 instructor hours in Northrop T-38
jet aircraft. Taught Air Force and foreign nationals
to fly the T-38 in all phases of high-performance aircraft
operations including aerobatics, high and low-altitude
navigation, formation flying (including formation aerobatics
and 4-ship formation), combat maneuvers, instrument
flying, and emergency procedures. Ground academics instructor
in aerodynamics, procedures and aircraft systems. Also
taught rated Air Force pilots to be T-38 instructors
in all phases mentioned above. Served as squadron standardization
/ evaluation pilot, giving checkrides to upgrading pilots.
Qualified as military Runway Supervisory Unit (RSU)
controller, responsible for controlling air traffic
in local jet traffic patterns.
1988-1992
Fighter Pilot, U.S. Air Force: Tactical Air
Command (TAC) and U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). Flew the A-10 Thunderbolt II (the "Warthog") in
European theater of operations in support of NATO. Flew 38 combat missions in Iraq and Kuwait during Operation
Desert Storm. Served as Squadron Training Officer, in
charge of ground instruction and pilot training currency
for 37 pilots; Squadron Plans Officer; Squadron Scheduler.
EDUCATION
1987-1989
U.S. Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training
(UPT), Laughlin AFB, TX
AT-38 Lead-In Fighter Training (LIFT), Holloman AFB, NM
A-10 Replacement Training Unit (RTU), Davis-Monthan AFB,
AZ
1983-1987
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU),
Daytona Beach, FL
-
B.S., Aeronautical Studies, 1987
-
Dean's List; Flight Team Captain/Chief Pilot; Air Force
ROTC, 1983-1987
1993
Squadron Officer's School
(SOS), Air University,
Maxwell AFB, AL
FLYING ACHIEVEMENTS:
Top Graduate, T-38 Pilot Instructor
Training (PIT), Randolph AFB, TX, 1992
Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, 1991
Aerial Achievement Medal, 1991
Distinguished Graduate, A-10 Initial Training (RTU),
Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, 1989
Top Bomber Awards, 511th Tac Ftr Squadron, RAF Alconbury,
UK, Various Dates
Top Pilot, Southeast Region, National Intercollegiate
Flying Association (NIFA), 1987
OTHER INFORMATION:
Buck has flown more than 100 different
aircraft types,
including airliners, modern military jets, classic jets,
reciprocating-engine warbirds, homebuilts, vintage and
classic aircraft, antiques and gliders. Buck formerly
wrote a regular column for the Classic Jet Journal, and
created the popular
WarbirdAlley.com web site.
He also writes a blog about flying,
V1VrV2,
and is building a Van's RV-8 kitplane.
