I am a semi-retired male (age 40 at the time of writing this bio.). I have always been fascinated with aviation since I can remember. My father was a private pilot, and would take us flying when I was younger. Early in my childhood (preteen years), my father suffered a heart attack. Although he survived, it was the end of his flying. We old enough, I joined the Civil Air Patrol (USAF Aux.), where I learned a great deal about the aviation world. As an adult, I continued my service in the CAP (after being honorably discharged from the USAF), where I became a Squadron Commander, Mission Coordinator (now called Incident Commander), and Senior Instructor. I served on Group and Wing staff, and was extremely active in the youth program and Emergency Services (search and rescued, and disaster relief). I have worked all the major disasters in California over a few decades to include the Coalinga earthquake and the Northridge earthquake. While on a SAR mission for a missing Cessna 206 on a flight from Carson City, NV, the aircraft I was a crew member in crash and killed the pilot and copilot. I was the only survivor, and attempted to saved the other two, which resulted in 3rd degree burns to my face and left arm/hand. After a year in the hospital, I returned to doing what I love the most (Search and Rescue). When I use VATSIM as a pilot, I use the callsign of CAPFLIGHT 458 (CPF 458), as this is the callsign of my squadron airplane when I was actively participating in CAP (after my crash). I was awarded the Silver Medal of Valor for my actions, but feel that it was only instinct (as the training I had received and subsequently taught hundreds of times kicked in). For this reason, I know how important the role of an instructor/mentor is, and I look forward to working with the wonderful training staff of ZLA!!