Jim S. MacKay

Title
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Email
Department
Department of Applied Aerospace Science
College
College of Aviation

A December 1989, graduate of the Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach campus, I earned a Masters of Aeronautical Science with Honors, through the E-RAU Worldwide Campus in Great Falls, Montana in 1997. In 2001, I joined the E-RAU adjunct faculty and have since served on Graduate Capstone Project committees and been certified to teach both undergraduate and graduate courses in Rotorcraft Operations, Crew Resource Management, Accident Investigation, Crash Emergency Management, Aviation Safety, and Human Factors.

In January 2007, I retired from US Air Force active duty following 27 years of enlisted and commissioned service in both the US Army and Air Force. In May 2010, I was hired to fly search and rescue Sikorsky S-76C++ helicopters supporting Republic of Angola offshore oil and gas fields. For the preceding three years I flew as a Single-Pilot IFR (SPIFR) certified, Civilian Pilot II for the Maryland State Police Aviation Command and flew the Eurocopter AS-365N1, N2, and N3 models of the Dauphin helicopter on medevac, search and rescue and law enforcement missions. Currently, I fly SPIFR in a Bell BH-429 as the Director of a privately-help company in Vermont. I fly a VIP / corporate Bell BH-427 on my off time, as well as commute to Albuquerque several times a year to Captain and instruct in hot air balloons and gliders.

The winner of the 2008 Rotor & Wing magazine Helicopter Heroism award, 2009 Higgins and Langley Swiftwater Rescue award and Goodrich North American Hoist Rescue of the Year, I hold an FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate for Rotorcraft as well as single- and multi-engine land and seaplanes. Additionally, I hold a Commercial Pilot certificate for Glider, Lighter-than-Air, Gyroplane, Certificated Flight Instructor with Rotorcraft, Instrument, and Gyroplane ratings as well as Advanced and Instrument Ground Instructor certificates. During the past 30 years I have logged more than 4,800 flying hours in more than 70 aircraft models.
  • M.A.S. - Master of Aeronautical Science in Aviation Aerospace Operations, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Flight Instructor - Federal Aviation Administration
  • Airline Transport Pilot - Federal Aviation Administration
  • Remote Pilot - Federal Aviation Administration
  • Ground Instructor - Federal Aviation Administration
  • Commercial Pilot - Federal Aviation Administration
  • ASCI 317: Rotorcraft
ASCI 690, Grad Research Project
ASCI 560, Advanced Rotorcraft Ops
ASCI 516, CRM
SFTY 330, Accident Investigation
SFTY 345, Safety Management
SFTY 350, Crash Emergency Mgt
SFTY 445, Aviation Safety
SFTY 320, Human Factors
No Flight is Complete Until the Paperwork Is Done, CreateSpace on Amazon
2009 Goodrich North American Hoist Rescue of the Year