Southern Arizona Teen Aviation Cadre of Volunteer mentors

In 2017, Alan co-founded SATA and and continues to be a Volunteer Mentor. His interest in aviation started in his teens building and flying string controlled and radio controlled model airplanes. In 1976 at the age of 25, he was able to afford a weekly flying lesson in a  Cessna 150 to earn a Private Pilot License later that year. For many years he was able to fly light aircraft around the State of Arizona in support of the HVAC controls contractor that he worked for. Alan then earned an Instrument Rating, a Commercial License, a Multi-Engine Rating, a Flight Instructor Certificate, and an Eclipse EA500 Jet Type Rating.

Alan also volunteers to fly middle school students as part of the Wright Flight Program here in Tucson where he has taken many young people flying and giving them their first chance to hold the controls and fly an airplane.

While he has owned several factory built aircraft it was always a dream to build his own plane. With help from the  Experimental Aircraft Builders community he completed his Vans Aircraft  RV10 in 2014 and has flown it all over the United States, Mexico, and to the Islands of the Bahamas. Alan has also flight tested a number of RV12iS Experimental airplanes.

Now retired, Alan brings over 45 years and 4500 hours of flying experience to SATA to work with the youth that will be our next generation of Aviators.

Tito became a SATA Volunteer Mentors in 2017. He soloed at age 16 and earned his Private Pilot Certificate at age 17 before graduating from high school. After college he joined  the Air Force/Air National Guard where he flew the F-100, F-104, and A-7 fighter aircraft over the course of 15 years. Tito was also a Captain for major airline for nearly 34 years, filling positions as a simulator instructor, flight instructor, and flight examiner, then retired in 2011. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with a Multi-Engine rating and type ratings for the Douglass DC-9, Boeing 727, Airbus A-320 and A-330. He completed construction of a Van´s RV-12 in 2015 which has been flying ever since. Tito brings over 56 years and 27,000 hours of flight experience to SATA. 

 Glenn has been a SATA Volunteer Mentor since its inception in 2017. He holds a Commercial Pilot certificate with Multi-Engine and Instrument ratings for airplanes and helicopters, and has flight instructed in both. Glenn retired from a public safety career, having spent over half of that career as a helicopter pilot and Unit Safety Officer, and retired again as a medevac helicopter pilot from a large company. He received an Aviation Safety Certificate from the Institute of Safety and Systems Management at the University of Southern California. Since his first solo in 1970, he has had the  pleasure in taking over 100 kids flying and takes great joy in flying SATA students in his Vans RV-9A he built. Glenn brings over  50 years and 6,500 hours of flight experience to SATA. 

Dr. Miller started in aviation by building and flying control-line model airplanes as a pre-teen then earning his Private Pilot's Certificate at age 22. He joined the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) in 1982 and has been the Secretary of the local Chapter 81 for 15 years. As a Medical Doctor Bob performs FAA Basic Med exams for pilots. He has volunteered parking vintage aircraft at Airventure in Oshkosh for over 15 years, and participates in many other general aviation events. Bob enjoys flying primarily tailwheel light aircraft, and is currently building a Kitfox airplane. Dr. Miller brings hands-on knowledge and  experience in flying, building, and medical knowledge and service to SATA.

Ulay's flying journey began while watching F-100 Super Sabres taking off from a local airbase while fixing air conditioners on a rooftop. When he heard the roar of the afterburners he knew doing that would be a lot more fun!

After flying A-7 and F-16 fighter aircraft during a 37 year military career he stepped away from flying in 2005... for only a while. I amassed over 4000 hours of flying time in the A-7 and F-16 fighter aircraft.  My last military flight was in 2005. 

In 2015, his wife surprised Ulay with a check-out in a Cessna 172 which reignited his passion for flying. In 2018 they began building an RV10 and completed it in 3 1/2 years. They learned their initial building skills in a 6 week supervised course in Eugene, Oregon, and had help from mentors and tech counselors that had already completed their own aircraft builds. Their satisfaction in knowing exactly how the aircraft was built; every rivet, screw, nut, bolt, washer, wire run, switch etc. is amazing!

Today he hold a Commercial pilots certificate with an Instrument rating and have just over 300 hours of GA flying experience.

As a mentor for SATA he passes on what he has learned in over 46 years and 4000 hours of flight experience. 

Alan joined SATA in 2022. He is a retired Electrical Engineer from Boeing Satellite Systems. He holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate with an Instrument Rating. He is activity building a Van's RV-10 and his goal is to have it ready to fly to Oshkosh Air Venture in July of 2026.  Alan also volunteers with Wright Flight in Tucson  giving introduction flights to middle school students.  He also enjoys cross country trips flying his Van's RV-9 airplane and making custom knifes.