A native of California, David Craig is a U.S. Air Force veteran and retired commercial airline pilot. In love with aviation since childhood, he kept striving toward the goal of piloting a jet airliner. His unusual route to the command seat of a Boeing airliner is a story of personal growth, challenges, misfortune, and trials.
During his 19-year Air Force career, David served as an aircraft mechanic and later became an inflight refueling operator. He was promoted early twice in his Air Force career and attained the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. David accumulated over 4,000 flight hours as an air refueling operator in KC-135, EC-135, RC-135, and KC-10 airplanes and achieved instructor and flight examiner status. While most of his career was during the Cold War with Strategic Air Command, he participated in the Grenada invasion and was deployed for DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, where he flew combat support sorties.
After the Air Force, David went on to a career as a commercial pilot. He has flown as a flight instructor, corporate pilot, charter pilot, and airline pilot. He holds the FAA Airline Transport License with a Multi-Engine rating, the FAA Flight Instructor certificate as a multi-engine and instrument instructor with Gold Seal designation, as well as the ground instructor and ground instrument instructor certificates. David is licensed to command the Boeing 767 and 757, Beechjet 400A, and Beechcraft 1900. He has been an Instructor and Check Airman for two airlines as well as Training Captain at several different companies, conducting simulator and flight training and evaluations. During his career, David accumulated over 7,500 hours as a pilot.
Leaving the airlines, David was the Chief of Pilot Training for the Boeing Company in Seattle, WA on the new U.S. Air Force KC-46 tanker, training the first Air Force pilots to fly the airplane. He then went on to manage a KC-46 training site for FlightSafety International at McConnell AFB, KS until retirement. David continues to stay involved with aviation by working part-time for FlightSafety International Defense, performing simulator certification work.
David is married to the former Carol Ann Cook. They reside in Derby, KS, and between them have three daughters, six grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
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Memoir of an Aviator
Soar with the author as he advances through the many stages of his career until he reaches the dream - to fly as a pilot for the world's largest airline, ending up commanding a Boeing 757 airliner. There is humor, interesting characters, and stories told in a style that will seem like he is across the living room from you telling the story. Settle in for a riveting, unique, and entertaining account of a career aviator.
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Aviator Stories
This book contains stories and experiences of 50 years of military and civil aviation.
The author has documented a variety of aviation experiences and occurrences, along with many interesting people and situations he has encountered.
Fly along with the author as he takes you along with stories about passengers, oversexed aviators, military life, and culminates with a list of aviation wisdom nuggets.
This book is for aviators and non-aviators alike. Enjoy the descriptions of events as if you were sitting across a living room from the author with a drink in your hand and the fireplace blazing. Sit back, relax and enjoy the author's experiences told in a rich and colorful style.
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Finding Love in the Air
Told over the course of 20 years, this novel encompasses a love story that will leave the reader wanting more.
Airline pilot Jon and flight attendant Jessica met by chance on their first flight with a world-class airline.
From their first moments there was an unspoken energy between them - An urgent need to be together, as though their worlds were always meant to collide.
Their relationship grew in the way most love stories between pilots and flight attendants do—quickly and with boundless energy. Their powerful attraction for each other grew into something more.
Fly with Jon and Jessica as they experience love, turbulence, and storms together.
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Escape from the Kingdom
Captain Dan Williams is piloting a chartered 757 airliner from the United States to Le Bourget airport near Paris, France. The passengers are a Saudi Princess and her entourage of 20 returning from a North American holiday junket.
After two days in Paris, Dan is contacted by the trusted assistant to the Princess. The Princess fears for her life if she returns to Saudi Arabia. Her romantic involvement with a wealthy foreign benefactor outside of Saudi Arabia has been discovered and the Royal Family is incensed. Now the Princess wants to go to a sanctuary country – but where?
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Self-Publish the Organized Way!
This is a guide to self-publishing like the industry has never seen before! Let the author guide you through the process of getting your book published with several different online booksellers, saving money on publishing costs and saving time by eliminating rework. Use this guide and save yourself headaches and heartaches!
The author is a retired airline pilot and mentor that went through the process of watching different YouTube videos, reading all the tutorials, and experiencing the frustrations of out-of-date information while trying to get a manuscript published. Why go through all this yourself when you can be guided with a simple, clear, and organized approach?
Buy this book today and get a jump on the publishing process!
Pellet Grill Cooking Journal
This is the ultimate cooking journal that will help to keep your pellet grilling experience organized so you can consistently recreate the cook again and again. Unlike most cooking journals, this one is a full 8 ½ x 11 inches in size with plenty of room to write your notes in a normal sized script. This version is oriented towards right-handed writers. I also have a version for lefties!
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