Sean Phelps

Assistant Chief Pilot for King Air 350 operations across the U.S. and Mexico, supporting safe and efficient flight operations. Promoted SOP compliance, standardized cockpit procedures, and best practices across King Air 350 operations. Helped coordinate aircraft performance modifications to improve capability, dispatch flexibility, and mission readiness. Provided professional executive and team transport, ensuring safe, discreet, and customer-focused flight operations.

Operate as a single pilot under VFR/IFR performing wildland fire reconnaissance missions on behalf of state/federal agencies. Collaborate with the on-board Sensor Operators and the Mission Commander to gather and relay real-time intelligence data, providing real-time recommendations for county and state resource allocation during wildfire and disaster relief operations. Maintain a 15-minute launch window, efficiently readying the aircraft/onboard equipment while assessing risk/ensuring safety. Volunteer at hangar events, engaging with the community & displaying the firefighting assets in place to protect lives/property.

Performed Part 91 Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) flights in support of the Department of Defense (DoD). Flew on behalf of Joint Special Operations Command/AFRICOM, enabling regional stability/security against terrorist threats. Participated in comprehensive briefings with military leaders to plan precise missions and identify/mitigate operational risk. Coordinated with the onboard Sensor Operators to optimize airborne sensor positioning, target acquisition, and data collection. Experience operating in non-radar environments, in complex terrain, & at airports with unimproved runways/limited resources.

Delivered qualification, aircraft commander, and instructor training to multi-national personnel in an advanced ISR platform. Provided comprehensive ground, simulator, & flight instruction with an emphasis on aircraft systems operations/procedures. Tailored decision-making and airmanship lessons to align with the operational requirements of the pilots' designated theater. Simultaneously maintained currency as a CFI providing IPCs, BFRs, and aircraft checkouts to company pilots under Part 61.

Delivered specialized RQ-4 training for the Air Force, emphasizing the introduction of new technologies and modified systems. Refined training curriculum to incorporate system updates & modified SOP to reflect new capabilities/operational requirements.

Collaborated to design and execute test plans for advanced platform software, payload integration, and onboard sensory systems. Worked with engineers to develop testing protocol, ensuring optimal performance in alignment with mission requirements. Developed and trained the pilot cadre, managed the schedule, and allocated key resources to meet key mission milestones. Oversaw launch and recovery operations and airborne mission execution, reviewing/validating test data at mission completion.

Completed overseas deployments in support of CENTCOM, providing critical ISR data utilized by U.S. and allied agencies. Led pre/post-flight inspections, loaded software infrastructure, managed in-flight maneuverability, & responded to emergencies.

Collaborated with engineers to plan the ergonomic design, layout, and test of the manned/unmanned LEMV cockpit interface. Following Lighter-Than-Air Airship Qualification, the U.S. Army suspended the project due to feasibility/budgetary constraints. Qualified as the 5th active pilot and 20th pilot in the world all time to operate the NT-07 Zeppelin Airship.