Mike Stasio

Mike Stasio

Rate: $85
Ratings: CFI/CFII
Phone: 408-761-6147
Email: mjstasio@gmail.com
Homepage: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/mike-stasio/1a/251/782

“In a completely rational society, the best of us would be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less, because passing civilization along from one generation to the next ought to be the highest honor and the highest responsibility anyone could have.” - Lee Iacocca, automobile executive (Ford, Chrysler)

My teaching philosophy is discussion-based and student-centered. I design lessons so maximum learning is possible. However, my schedule is limited due to a full time commercial flight schedule. I love flying and look forward to teaching opportunities with time available for aircraft checkouts, bay tours, and flight reviews. I have a M.A. in Communication & Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University and hold the following Federal Aviation Administration instructor ratings:

Every pilot has a unique story to tell. My background includes crewmember experience as a U.S.A.F. Pararescueman, and as a rescue/special operations helicopter pilot in the California Air National Guard. For me, military service was about self-sacrifice, team, and saving lives in critical situations.

Through San Jose State University’s (SJSU) Undergraduate Aviation Program and occupational internship with United Airlines, I was fortunate to land a flight officer position in 1992. I have flown various jet transport aircraft in domestic and international operations with approximately 14,000 hours. I currently fly the Boeing 757/767 to several Hawaiian Islands. I give back to the community teaching part time for SJSU, a course in Human Factors in Aviation Environments (AVIA 141), and I also guest lecture for De Anza College in organizational communication and facilitation courses.

SJSU students are high energy and eager to begin careers in aviation. One student wrote in an email to me: “AVIA 141 helped me expand my aviation knowledge and influenced my pilot experience. I learned to be confident when flying but not overconfident as that may get me in some kind of trouble. I try to utilize Crew Resource Management-CRM (even though I'm flying by myself) as much as possible to help me make the correct response under any circumstance. Your course also helped me on my Private Pilot oral where the examiner asked about spatial disorientation, emergencies, and pilot errors. I would like to thank you for a great semester.”

Please call me with your flight and ground instruction questions.