DAVID STRINGFELLOW

I first found aviation fascinating while watching firefighting aircraft protect my childhood home during the Pines Fire in the San Diego backcountry. Thinking a future in aviation was unattainable, I attended college for Construction Management while working a family Christmas tree farm in Washington State. The flying bug continued to bug me. During the last summer in college, I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to help at an airplane mechanic shop in San Diego in exchange for flight lessons. Soon, I realized it wasn’t too late to become a career pilot. Choosing to make the switch, the thrill of pursuing a lifelong dream carried me through long days of working in construction and flight training to make this career change possible. The Ramona FTC offered the flexibility and expertise to propel me to where I am now, working as a CFI/CFII and sharing my love for flying with others. Still drawn to Aerial Firefighting, I plan to continue building the experience to serve my country like those pilots and other first responders did 20 years ago to save my childhood home. If not at the Ramona FTC, I’m probably flying with my wife (who’s also a pilot), building something, or somewhere outdoors on my mountain bike.