Rashid Yahya

In 20 years of my experience in aviation training,education, and aviation business development, along with 9000 plus flight hoursas a Professional Pilot and Flight Instructor, I have seen and experienced howmany succeed and sometimes fail at what they love to do. My mindset of never givingup and finding ways to get things done has not only helped me in my personallife but, also in my professional career.

Certified by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) as aGold Seal Flight Instructor and approved by the FAA multiple times as a ChiefFlight Instructor of a FAA Part 141 Professional Flight Academy, I have had thepleasure of flying and teaching students in a variety of airplanes from singleengine to multi engine in addition to turbine and jet engines in generalaviation categories. With my knowledge and experience I have created manyTraining Programs, Standard Operating Procedures for Flight Training, andPolices & Procedures to operate a flight school and aviation-relatedbusinesses. All of which have received FAA and overseas approval. My background in engineering and engineeringmanagement has really helped me in establishing these various programs andprocedures.

My journey in aviation started in 1994 as a student pilot atSierra Academy of Aeronautics in Oakland, California. After receiving my CPL,AGI & CFI licenses I soon became a Ground School instructor at the academyand quickly moved up to a Flight Instructor position. With my passion to teach, my drive to improvethe quality of training, and the ability to work with people, I was offered theCheck Airmen position and shortly thereafter, I became the Assistant ChiefFlight Instructor. I was eventually offered the Chief Flight Instructor for theschool I was once a student at.

While I was Chief Flight Instructor at Sierra Academy thecompany underwent new ownership and wanted to expand the flight school. Ibecame the Director of Business Operations taking the lead in businessdevelopment in order to set up an International Training Center that wouldtrain airline pilot cadets from overseas. In order to build strong relations andreceive training approvals, I made a multitude of trips overseas. Through this,I was able to understand the learning dynamics of other cultures which gave mean insight on how to teach, coach, and instruct these individuals. Creating anInternational Training Center from the ground up came with its obstacles andchallenges, but the result was a successful training center with 250 pilotcadets and 100 plus instructors.

After my time at Sierra Academy, I joined Pacific StatesAviation as the VP and Chief Flight Instructor. This came with its ownchallenges as there was no training structure in place, a lack of trainingfacilities, and no customer service department to handle our clients. In 3years we went from having 5 students to 50 plus full time students. Now we’reexpected to be at 80 plus full time students. We have also increased our fleetfrom 3 aircrafts to 15 aircrafts along with acquiring 2 new motion flightsimulators. We are considered by the FAA as one of the best operated Part 141flight schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. Pacific States Aviation is now internationallyrecognized and has been receiving approval for additional aviation programs aswell.

During my 20 years in the aviation field, I have personallystarted 3 companies that are involved in Aviation Education and Management,Aviation Maintenance & Aircraft Leasing, and I recently received FAAapproval for a Part 135 Air Charter Services. I have also been involved incommunity service work outside the office. I helped my daughter start aNon-Profit Organization that provides scholarships to graduating high schoolseniors and helps aid in education for girls in various other countries. Icontinue to dedicate myself to improving Aviation Education and Training andimproving the lives of individuals.