My Aviation Expert

about us

Our team at My Aviation Expert, LLC consists of experienced airline pilots who have senior roles in management that includes fleet managers and system chief pilots for a major worldwide airline carrier. Several members of the team have extensive backgrounds in military operations, commercial and corporate flight procedures, general aviation, flight training, and flight-testing. Other team members have experience in rebuilding, preserving, and flying historical and experimental aircraft. We have contractual experience in buying, sales & leasing, and can establish documentation required for FAR part 135, 121, 125 operations. Most importantly, the team is a group of dedicated professionals who can provide you with expert advice that is not only up to the minute but accurate.

The core team of MyAviationExpert.com includes the following people:

my aviationexpert.com team

Ross "Rusty" Aimer
Richard "Rick" Dake
Jack Hareland
Gordon "Kent" Holiday
Albert "Al" Langelaar Jr
Alfonzo "Rick" McCullough
Bruce "Buck" Rodger
Jeff Weiherer

Captain Ross "Rusty" Aimer is a retired United Airlines Captain and is an aviation expert with appearances on ABC News, Fox News, NPR, The BBC, The New York Times, USA Today, and multiple international newspapers. Rusty is the spokesman for My Aviation Expert, LLC offering accurate, unbiased and informative commentary.

Currently, part of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner initial pilot training team
Type rated on the B-777, 767, 757, 747, 737, 727, 720, 707, and DC-10/-9/-8 airliners
45 years of professional airline experience
Recognized for 30,000 hours of accident free flight with no FAA violation
His vast industry expertise encompassing flight operations, flight safety, aircrew training, aircraft maintenance, and management
BS Degree in Aerospace Engineering Technology
FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) License
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) License

Captain Richard "Rick" Dake is a leading airline industry authority who has current aviation expert witness experience specializing in airline operations, aviation weather and meteorology, flight attendant and cockpit crew performance, flight safety standards, simulator training, and flight path reconstruction.

Current United Airlines (UAL) B-757/767 Captain, typed-rated on 737,757, 767, and 747-400 airliners
Currently UAL Southwest Regional Assistant Chief Pilot for the Los Angeles and Denver domiciles
37 years of professional airline experience
Recognized for 18,000 hours of accident free flight with no FAA violation
Additional range of experience including In-flight Steward, Inflight Management, Marketing, Customer Service, and Human Resources
Line Check Airmen and Standards Captain B-747-400, 737-300
Assisted with Presidential Press Charters and has flown President Elect Obama and his family
Held several volunteer positions with Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) and is highly respected with the professional pilots he represents
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) License
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) License

Captain Jack Hareland is an experienced aviation expert witness specializing in airline and air cargo operations, aircraft maintenance and overhaul, contract negotiations, FAA certificate actions, FAR Part 91, 121, 125, and 135 operations, sales & leases, and aircraft valuations.

Current United Airlines B-777 Captain, typed-rated on B-727, 737, 757, 767, 777 and 747-400 airliners
Current owner of a Part 135 certificate for corporate jet management and charter
Active partner in aircraft sales including corporate jets, large commercial jets, and engines
30 years of diverse military, commercial, commuter, and corporate aviation experience
Recognized for 18,000 hours of accident free flight with no FAA violation
Preformed as a Flight Duty Manager, Standards Captain and Check Airmen
Experienced Fleet Captain responsible for training, checking and currency of more than 1,200 pilots and liaison to the FAA
Extensive Part 135 operational management experience specializing in large aircraft and jet engines sales
Performed aircraft contract negotiations
Honorably discharged from the USMC as a Lt Col
BS Construction Engineering
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) License

Captain Gordon "Kent" Holiday is an experienced aviation expert witness specializing in World War II aircraft, aerobatics, airshow flying, vintage, and experimental aircraft. He has experience as a corporate, training, and standards Captain while management a Fortune 100 flight department with worldwide operations. Kent recently was hand selected to fly a B-17 bomber and is an experienced warbird pilot.

Current United Airlines B-757/767 Captain, typed-rated on CE500, N265, HS125, B-727, 737, 757, 767, A-319/320, NB25, MIA6M, and CU-P40
Part owner of an aviation insurance group
40 years of professional airline experience
Recognized for 26,000 hours of accident free flight with no FAA violation
Member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, International Aerobatic Club, Vintage Aircraft Association, Commemorative Air Force, National Aeronautic Association, Air Museum Planes of Fame, Lone Star Flight Museum, Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, and International Council of Airshows
Chairs the local Aeromedical Committee for the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA)
AS degree in Business Administration
Course work in Aviation Safety, USC
Course work in Professional Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle University
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) License
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) License

Captain Albert "Al" Langelaar Jr. is an experienced aviation expert witness specializing in pilot training, pilot hiring practices, aircrew competency and international flagship operations.

Current United Airlines (UAL) B-747-400 Captain, type-rated on B-737, 757, 767, 747-400 and DC8-71 airliners
30 years of professional flight experience to include Line Check Airman
Recognized for 16,500 hours of accident free flight with no FAA violation
At UAL, major contributor to the airline’s Continuous Improvement Policy (CIP) for recruitment and retention of the airline’s 9,000 pilots
Flight Officer Employment Interview Captain
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) License
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) License

Captain Alfonzo "Rick" McCullough is a principal airline industry authority who is an expert for My Aviation Expert, LLC specializing in accident investigation and analysis, airline and air cargo operations, command leadership resource management (CLR), flight safety standards, aircrew competency and international flagship operations.

Current United Airlines (UAL) B-747-400 Captain, typed-rated on B-737, 757, 767, 777, and 747-400 airliners
Current UAL Fleet Captain responsible for training, checking and currency of more than 1000 Worldwide Flagship B-747-400 pilots
30 years of professional airline experience
Recognized for 15,000 hours of accident free flight with no FAA violation
UAL Chief Pilot for the Los Angeles Domicile. Responsibilities include management, support and oversight of 700 LAX-based pilots as well as management and supervision of the office staff and their professional development
Check Airman B-747-400, 777, 767, 757, 737
Fleet Manager B-737-300/500, 747-100/200, 767,757
Standards Captain B-747-400, 777, 737-200/300/500
Chairman of the Event Review Committee (ERC) which resolves operational incidents at UAL with the FAA and ALPA
MS Management, Regis University
BS Aerospace Science, Metropolitan State College of Denver
Aviation Incident Investigation course, USC
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) License

Bruce "Buck" Rodger, President, My Aviation Expert, LLC and is an aviation expert witness specializing in military, corporate and commercial flight operations.

Current United Airlines B-757,767 pilot, type-rated on B-757, 767, 747-400, LR-35, and F-5 / T-38
Current safety pilot; operating, supervising, and instructing advance fighter aircraft operations in a Northrop F-5B Tiger
27 years of professional flight experience
Recognized for 12,000 hours of accident free flight with no FAA violation
Extensive USAF piloting background with emphasis in aerospace engineering, Gulf War Veteran, United States Presidential support, and Instructor at USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB
Constructed and managed a corporate flight department; delivered Falcon 50EX, MD NOTAR Helicopter
Honorably discharged from the USAF as Major
BS Aerospace Engineering
MS Aerospace Engineering (thesis pending)
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) License
Airframe and Power-plant (A&P) License
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) License

Jeffrey Weiherer is an expert witness for My Aviation Expert, LLC specializing in Part 91 aircraft management, and airline operations.

Currently, President of Corporate Aviation Solutions, LLC; managing and operating a PC-12 Pilatus
United Airlines First Officer (on leave), typed-rated on B-757, 767, and CL-60
18 years of professional flight experience
Recognized for 11,000 hours of accident free flight with no FAA violation
Volunteer for numerous civic functions for the city of Los Angeles including Los Angeles Police Department, Angel Flight and Pilots For Kids
MS Aeronautical Science and Management
BS Business Administration
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) License
Certified Flight Instructor, Instrument (CFII) License