Rich Bookbinder

Title
Assistant Professor
Email
Department
Aeronautical Science Department
College
College of Aviation

Office Hours

M W 1130-1400, F (by appointment only) 1000-1300

Areas of Expertise

Flight training, Flight Safety, Aviation Safety Management
Rich Bookbinder

Richard Bookbinder is a seasoned aviation professional with more than three decades of experience spanning flight instruction, commercial aviation, law enforcement aviation and safety leadership. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott Campus in 1988.

Following graduation, Bookbinder worked as a flight instructor, Alaska bush pilot and cargo pilot from 1989 to 1995. In 1995, he joined the California Highway Patrol, initially serving as a road patrol officer before transitioning to the Air Operations Unit. Over a 22-year aviation career with CHP, he flew both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters in support of law enforcement, search and rescue and medevac missions. He also held multiple leadership and oversight roles, including Chief Pilot, Aerial Supervisor, Safety Officer and Maintenance Officer.

After retiring from CHP in 2019, Bookbinder joined a seaplane manufacturing company as Director of Flight Operations and served as a Standardization Pilot and Safety Manager. He currently works as a safety consultant and flight instructor, continuing his commitment to aviation safety, training and operational excellence.

  • M.S. - Master of Science in Aeronautics: Aviation Safety, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
AS 321 - Commercial Pilot Operations, AS 408 - Flight Safety, AS 372 - Commercial Helicopter Operations, AS 429 - Advanced Helicopter Systems

Over 35-years of experience as an aviation professional, including flying scheduled air service in Alaska, flying cargo for FedEx, and actively flight instructing since 1989. Served with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for 24 years, flying airplanes and helicopters on law enforcement, medevac, and search and rescue missions. After retiring from the CHP, worked as Director of Operations and Safety Manager for an aircraft manufacturer, implementing an effective Safety Management System (SMS) program.