Russell Thompson has worked for Temsco Helicopters in Alaska and at Silver State Helicopters here in Arlington, WA. With over 2,200 hours of flight time both in piston driven and turbine driven rotorcraft. Russ also holds a fixed-wing rating. He began his aviation career as a certified flight instructor (CFI) at Silver State Helicopters. Russ was quickly promoted to Assistant Chief CFI in a short 8 month time frame. During his time as Assistant Chief, he also performed commercial agricultural work in turbine aircraft in Central Washington. He was selected and trained as one of only 18 FAR Part 135 Pilots (Commuter & On-Demand operations) out of hundreds of CFI applicants nationwide within Silver State. With his 100% pass rate of the 16 students he sent for certifications, Russ was quickly promoted again, to the Chief CFI position at the Arlington, Washington Silver State Academy. He was an intricate part of leading that location to over 14,000 hours of incident & accident free flying. Thanks to his leadership the Arlington Academy was one of the top two schools within Silver State out of the 31 locations across the nation. This led to Russ being offered and accepting a position as one of only 4 Regional Trainers for the FAR Part 133 (Long Line/Vertical Reference) training program. Russ spent 6 months as the trainer for the Western Region 133 program, after which Silver State promoted him across to the commercial division to perform agricultural piloting work and to fly as a 135 & 133 pilot. Prior to his aviation career, Russell was a geologist specializing in construction geology and remediation. He was also part of the post 9/11 Anthrax Cleanup in Washington DC due to his background in chemistry and remediation. Russ's passion for flying helicopters is what led him away from his reputable 15 year career as a geologist.
Flight Experience:
Total Time Rotorcraft –2217.0 hrs. (Accident/Incident free)
As Flight Instructor – 1100.0 hrs. (16 for 16 check rides sent/passed)
Robinson R-22 – 1040.0 hrs.
Robinson R-44 – 359.0 hrs.
Astar As-350BA, B2– 757+ hrs.
Bell 206 L Series Aircraft – 61.0 hrs.
Total Time Fixed Wing – 98 hrs. Complex Aircraft endorsement
Vertical Reference/Long Line (100’ Line) – 177.0 hrs.
TOTAL TIME – 2315 hrs.
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