Born in 1961 in the hills of Virginia, my first ride in a plane was at age 5 in a Cessna 140, at the Big Beaver airport in Troy. My first visit to Oshkosh for the EAA fly was age 14 by air in a Comanche. I became a Private Pilot the year I graduated High School.   C150 Aerobat. Yes, the curriculum did include spins, and very unusual attitudes.
In an attempt to obtain and maintain a high level of proficiency and professionalism, I have continued recurrent training thru the years earning ratings thru Multi Engine Instrument Commercial.  I have also obtained aerobatic training in Pitts S2B and frequently exercise those skills utilizing Citabria, and Cessna Aerobat aircraft for recreational aerobatics.  It is addictive!
The reason for obtaining the flight instructor credential was not so much for proficiency as to enable the means for me to share my passion with people that are willing to chase their dreams and make them reality.  The light in the eyes of a student when they realize they have achieved a level of knowledge and proficiency that has opened the door to a lifetime of adventure and growth is priceless.  It is a good feeling to contribute to creating safe, confident, professional, piloting and decision making skills in someone that will benefit from those abilities for a lifetime.
Other interests include:
Hills of Virginia, especially in the fall. Lakes of Michigan, in summer. Water Skiing, Boating, Playing on the water in general. Jeeps and the woods and hills.  Motorcycles, Fast Cars
Design and Engineering projects. Photography and playing the guitar.

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Phil Roach

Phil started flying at the age of 15, in Almont, Michigan. He obtained his Private Pilots License at the age of 17. He began his piloting career flying light aircrafts and ultralights. Nine years later, in 1994, he started aerobatics in light airplanes. Phil obtained his CFII and MEI in 2001. Phil has had stick time in most light Cessnas and Pipers. He also enjoys flying various Taildraggers from 1940's to present, as well as ex-military aircrafts and warbirds.
Phil is a music fanatic. He is a woodwind major, and a percussion minor. For 21 years, he was an Entertainment Production Technician. He was honored to work with musical greats such as Joe Cocker, Ann & Nancy Wilson and even Guns & Roses.

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