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Q: How did you get started flying helicopters?

A: I got involved in 1977 when I joined the U.S. Army. After I got out of the service, I went to Alaska and flew there for 20 years. I did [almost] every kind of flying; I worked in support of oil companies, did fire work, aerial photography, drill work and flew charters. Everything but carrying logs. I flew for three years for the United Nations in the former Yugoslavia. I've been flying in Hawaii for five years.

Q: What's it like to fly in Maui?

A: It's surprisingly challenging. We fly out of the windiest airport in the United States.

Q: What's the most difficult type of rescue?

A: Off-shore rescues. When you're flying a helicopter over 20-25' swells, you have to ride the waves, so to speak. Depth perception can be a problem in the water. Getting victims out of the water, without them crashing into the waves, is very challenging.

Q: What's the best part of your job?

A: I've been flying 31 years and have seen a lot of places and met a lot of people. I love the people I work with.

Q: What special skills does a helicopter pilot need?

A: Judgment and experience. When flying somewhere dangerous, you have to know when enough is enough. It takes experience.