Biographies
Timothy Tucker is a 35 year aviation veteran, with over 18,000+ flight
hours and over 6500+ hours in the Robinson R22 helicopter alone. He has
type ratings in the R22, R44, BH206, and the BH205. As a former pilot in
the U.S. Army, Mr. Tucker served as Instructor Pilot, Standardization Instructor
Pilot, and Instrument Flight Examiner. While serving his country, he was
also awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze
Star, and 28 Air Medals.
Since 1982, Timothy Tucker has been the Chief Instructor for
the Robinson R22/R44 Safety Course. Over 800 pilots a year
attend the monthly course, with a record 1,011 pilots in attendance
during 2004. He has authored numerous articles for magazines
and newsletters, and composed the Robinson R22 Flight Training
Guide, which has become the foundation for R22 flight training
around the world. Mr. Tucker works closely with 16 flight schools
and 19 law enforcement agencies, and he has helped ensure a
high regard for helicopter safety in the busy southern California
area.
Timothy Tucker received the Helicopter Association International's
(HAI) Flight Instructor of the Year Award in 2000. In 2005,
he received HAI's Joseph L. Mashman Safety Award, which acknowledges
outstanding individuals with contributions in the promotion
of safety and safety awareness throughout the civil helicopter
industry. Today, Tim still serves as Chief Instructor for the
Robinson R22/R44 Safety Course and travels throughout the world
teaching students. He is also a FAA Designated Pilot Examiner,
Airline Transport Pilot, and Certified Flight Instructor.
Michael Zangara is a former Test Pilot for Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC). He started flying in 1991 in Long Beach, CA and trained with Tim Tucker, who was the original test pilot for the R22 helicopter certification program. Michael is also a fixed-wing pilot, but found is true love in rotorcraft. As an FAA Certified Flight Instructor, he provided instruction in the R22 helicopter in Long Beach from 1994 to 1997. Thereafter, Michael worked at Robinson from 1997 to 2000 as a Test Pilot for the production line, and he also taught the RHC Safety Course as one of the staff members.
Mr. Zangara has experience in many other helicopter types, and was employed at Helinet Aviation in Van Nuys, California in 2000 flying corporate, cargo, and news contracts. In 2001, he took a position with Stat MedEvac at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland flying medevac missions. Michael is currently the Site Manager and Lead Pilot for Stat MedEvac. With over 6000 flying hours, he continues to share his vast experience as a Check Pilot for numerous flight schools that use the R22 and R44 helicopter. He also teaches advanced maneuvers for other flight instructors.
With over 3000 hours in the R22 and over 1000 hours in R44, join Michael Zangara as he provides a detailed look into the flight maneuvers of the Robinson helicopter!
