MICHAEL L. ROBERSON
President
Professional Aviation Services, Inc.

For over 30 years and over 20,000 hours of flight time, Mike Roberson has pursued his passion.  In his blood since childhood, professional aviation has consumed his career.  Each milestone achieved has provided operational and technical experience in increasingly demanding positions, including the position of Chief Pilot in Part 135 operations as well as owner/operator of two aviation companies and currently, a pilot for one of the major legacy carriers.

Extensive hands-on experience in managing, use of organizational, technical, functional and systems analysis skills, along with widespread experience in scheduling control systems, computer systems, applications programs, and logistics management, on top of being an accomplished writer of technical material, has prepared Mike for his latest endeavor…… “To provide the professional aviation industry with quality assistance and support”.

QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE:

Mike’s first experience in aviation was as a lineman with the Naples Airport Authority in Naples, Florida from 1976 -1979 performing all aspects of line and customer service for the City of Naples, Florida, fixed-base operation.  Concurrently during this time he also earned his student and private pilot’s license soloing on his 16th birthday in the morning before receiving his driver’s license in the afternoon.

Mike earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1983 along with his commercial pilot’s license, multi-engine rating, and instrument rating.

With the industry in a downswing and no jobs available for a fledgling aviator, Mike packed up and moved to Atlanta in 1985.  As luck would have it, the first day of ground pounding at Fulton County, Charlie Brown Airport bore fruit.  Hired as a line service employee by Hangar One, Inc., Mike quickly progressed and was promoted to line supervisor within two months.  More importantly, on this first day Jet Air / Planes, Inc. was in need of a co-pilot for their night time freight operation.  Convincing them they had found their guy, Mike was hired into the Merlin IV / Metroliner.  As his first part 135 job, and while initially working the “line” during the day, Mike was promoted from co-pilot on the Merlin to Captain on a Cessna 402 and ultimately to Captain on the Merlin.  It was during a busy and overflow period at Planes, Inc., that fate would create a career changing opportunity.

That night, a Learjet, subcontracted to carry extra freight, appeared on the ramp.  Unable to resist, a query as to who, what, where, and how was relentlessly pursued and the rest is history.

  
   
 

1986-1997          Phoenix Air; Cartersville, Georgia

Hired as a Captain on the Piper Navajo and copilot on the Turbo Commander and Lear 23, Mike got in on the ground floor of a roller coaster ride that never stopped.  In 1986, Phoenix Air was a young but innovative company consisting of 4 aircraft, and 15 total employees, 8 of which were pilots.  Mike spent a total of 15 years at Phoenix Air becoming the senior pilot and pioneering each and every program that the company developed during that time.  Upgrading to Captain on the Turbo Commander and later receiving Type Ratings in the LR Jet, G-159, and G1159 while earning his Airline Transport Pilot rating at the minimum age of 23 all provided a foundation from which invaluable experience and lessons both gratifying and humbling were gained.  Phoenix Air is now one of the largest Part 135/ charter/military operators in the world with 20 + Learjet’s, and 15 + Gulfstream I, II, III aircraft and is considered the model Part 135 program in the United States.  Mike’s tenure involved all of the following:
                   

 
 
  • Corporate Charter
  • Cargo
  • Scheduled Passenger Air Service
 
 
         

* Initiated scheduled air service between the city of Lihue on the Island of Kauai, Hawaii and Midway Island, central Pacific Ocean.  The service was for passengers both living on the Island and visiting Midway and to supply the daily commodities required for support of the Island’s needs.  This operation was unique in that the Island was so far out in the ocean and isolated, it offered no “alternate” airport thus requiring FAA approval and much scrutiny.  Additionally, unique to Midway, hundreds of thousands of “Gooney Birds” (Laysan Albatross) made the Island their home and provided the ultimate challenge in “see and avoid”.  Saw plenty and avoided a few! 

 

 
 
  • Carriage of Hazardous Cargo
                   
  • International Operations:

 

 
 
         

* Established initial International procedures for Phoenix Air.  Developed all methods and standard operating procedures from on the job training beginning in 1987.  Traversed the entire globe covering all continents with the exception of Antarctica.  Numerous Air Ambulance, Cargo, and Military tasking requiring flight planning and dispatch autonomously.

 

 
 
  • Air Ambulance/ MEDEVAC Operations:

* Assisted in the establishment of Air Ambulance procedures and the training program.  Construction of all required  compliance and FAA mandates involving the carriage of ambulance patients.
             

  • Military contract work consisting of:

 

 
 
         * U.S. Navy ship test and evaluation requiring carriage of external electronic jamming pods, low level flying (100 feet and below above the ocean), formation flying with both military and civilian aircraft, military tactics requiring maximum performance to the limits of the aircraft, target towing for live fire, launching of live drones for missile shots, dispensing of chaff corridors, range surveillance, long range communication relay for tactical missile telemetry and link technology, numerous additional tasked fleet requirements.  Covered all oceans of the world with emphasis on the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training Facility (AFWTF), Puerto Rico and the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), Hawaii. 
  
 * Start up of the B1 Bomber logistics contract based at Dyess AFB, Texas moving cargo on a daily basis between Dyess AFB, Tinker AFB, McConnell AFB, Ellsworth AFB and back to Dyess.
  
 * Start up of the Stealth Cruise Missile program based at Edwards AFB, California moving telemetry on a daily basis between Edwards AFB and McConnell AFB, Kansas.
  
 * Start up of the U.S. Navy ASTEK submarine detection and training program for shipboard controllers based at Pearl Harbor Hawaii and flying out of Hickam AFB, Hawaii consisting of simulated P-3 submarine detection and kill profile training.
  
 * Start up of NATO Electronic Warfare training contract consisting of tactical profiles involving all airborne and ground based radar platforms within the NATO inventory.  Continual rotation throughout all European NATO military bases in association with United States Air Forces Europe (USAFE) and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).
  
 * USAF contracted flight services involving airborne radar jamming for all USAF fighters.  Involved domestic active duty and National Guard fighter squadrons as well as deployed units in Asia, Alaska, Japan, Europe, and Iceland providing aggressor profiles and threat recognition training.  Extensive formation flying.
  
 * Start up of Japanese Defense Forces, Aegis Cruiser and Destroyer training and evaluation program.  Involved extensive profile and test scenarios throughout the sovereign and International waters of the Sea of Japan, Pacific Ocean and Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), Hawaii.
 
   
 

1997-2000          World Airways; Herndon, Virginia

Mike was hired by World Airways in 1997 as a First Officer/ International Relief Captain on the MD-11.  He received the MD-11 type rating at completion of initial training.  Additionally, Mike qualified as first officer on the DC-10.  Routes covered the entire world providing passenger and cargo service under the World livery for the U.S. Military and including scheduled ACMI passenger and cargo service for the following airlines:

Philippine Airlines
Aer Lingus
Malaysia Airlines
Garuda Indonesia
El Al Airlines
Saudia Airlines
DHL Airways
Air Asia

During his three years at World, Mike was fortunate enough to experience three Haj pilgrimages between various cities in Malaysia/Indonesia and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  This involved 40 days of moving passengers to Jeddah (Mecca), 10 days hiatus, and 40 days returning the pilgrims back to their originating departure airports.  This flying experience proved extremely valuable as it involved numerous non-precision approaches into unimproved, ungrooved, short runways at high gross weights during the monsoon seasons.

 
   
 

2000 - 2002         United Air Lines; Chicago, Illinois

In 2000, Mike was hired as a second officer/Flight Engineer on the B727 for United Air Lines.  Upgraded eight months later to the B757/B767 as first officer earning the type rating in both aircraft, he was able to experience three different aircraft in 15 months.  Routes included ETOPS operations from San Francisco to Hawaii and across the North Atlantic.  Also route qualified for South America.  Unfortunately, due to 9/11 and the downturn in the industry, Mike was furloughed in May of 2002.

 
   
 

2002                   Air Center Helicopters; Fort Worth, Texas  

As a result of prior contacts, Mike was hired by Air Center Helicopters in Ft. Worth, Texas as Chief Pilot for Part 135 operations.  He initiated and maintained continuous operations with E-Biz/Sentient Corporation keeping a Lear 35 flying full time involving fractional business clients.  Chief pilot duties were in accordance with all FAA mandated rules and regulations and required upkeep and records maintenance for 24 pilots.  Aircraft included LJ35, BH206, BH412, and BH407.

 
   
 

2002 - 2006         Phoenix Air; Cartersville, Georgia

In October of 2002, Mike returned to Phoenix Air as captain on the Lear Jet, G-I, GII, and GIII performing all duties associated with the company while specializing in International operations.  He re-qualified with the Department of Defense maintaining a secret security clearance.

 
   
 

2004 - 2006         24/7 Air Management; 24/7 Aircraft Maintenance; Cartersville, Georgia

One of three managing partners, Mike and his partners formed 24/7 Air Management and 24/7 Aircraft Maintenance, LLC. to manage aircraft and perform aircraft maintenance.  Responsible for all aspects of company administration and operation, Mike got his first taste of high stakes business from the owner’s perspective.  The management company was formed to operate aircraft owned or leased by outside entities while 24/7 Aircraft Maintenance was formed to be a stand alone, for profit shop, soliciting outside business and to maintain the fleet of managed aircraft.  While this experience proved to be very demanding and time consuming, it was an invaluable learning experience.  With revenues of $400,000 in the first six months of business, the day to day operations required considerable business acumen and expertise.  All facets of business administration tools and skills were exercised and practiced.

 
   
 

2006 - Present    United Air Lines; Washington, D.C.

As the economy recovered from 9/11 and the flying public returned to the skies, Mike was recalled from furlough by United Air Lines in October 2006.  Earning the Type Rating in the Airbus A-319 and A-320, Mike is now flying as a first officer based at Dulles Airport outside Washington, D.C.  Current routes include US domestic, Caribbean, Mexico, and Canada.

 
   
 

2006 - Present    Professional Aviation Services, Inc.

With all of Mike’s aviation experience and will, he decided to put it to good use as a provider and advisor to the industry.  As sole owner of Professional Aviation Services, Inc., all the services you see offered on this website are subjects and topics Mike has a passion and/or pet peeve for.  After years of experiencing the many varied offerings within the industry, Mike believes he has a feel for what works and what doesn’t.  He also knows that with every service provided, the client needs to be confident that he is receiving the best product available at a fair and equitable price.  Mike’s vision and hope is that he can pass along some of his experience and knowledge and that of his large foundation of experienced staff, acquaintances, and contacts melding a 32 year career in most all facets of professional aviation to provide you with the product you need.

 
   
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