Patrick T. Carey is a professional pilot who served 20 years in the military as a dual rated Master Army Aviator. His military awards include Bronze Star, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, 2 Army Commendation Medals, 38 Air Medals, and numerous service and campaign ribbons. He earned a direct commission from Chief Warrant Officer to First Lieutenant following his first combat tour in Vietnam. His career included command, staff, and pilot positions in Korea, Germany, and three years as the Commander of Libby Army Airfield, Ft Huachuca, AZ.

Pat grew up in Hawthorne, CA and learned to fly at Rose Aviation which, at the time, was owned by World War II W.A.S.P (Women’s Airforce Service Pilots) pilot Jean Parker Rose. Jean took a personal interest in Pat and all her young students. As a result of Jean’s training and his own tenacity, Pat first soloed in March 1963 at Hawthorne Airport. Pat went on to earn his Commercial Pilot Certificate September 1, 1966, and Jean Rose gave him his first flying job.

In the spring of 1967, with the impending Vietnam War draft, Pat entered the US Army as an Infantry Private E-1. During his first week of infantry training his pilot certification was put to use in service of the U.S. Army. Pat was tested for the Army Warrant Officer flight training program and after only 8 weeks of infantry training, he was transferred to the Army’s helicopter school, Ft Wolters, Texas.

Since his retirement from the military in 1987 at the rank of Major, Pat has lived in Hawthorne, CA, and worked in the aviation industry. He has been a Test Pilot, Corporate Pilot, and Flight Instructor. He served 28 years as an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE), flight testing over 4,000 applicants for pilot certification. He served as an FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER) Test Pilot during his five years as a Gulfstream Production Test Pilot at the Long Beach airport. He was also hired to be the Safety Program Manager for the Toyota International flight department. He has over 32,000 hours of flight experience in airplanes and helicopters, and holds an FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with 9 Airplane Type Ratings for high performance airplanes, and a Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate with airplane and helicopter ratings.

Pat holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management form Cameron University, Lawton, OK, and a Master of Science Degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. He also holds a Certificate of Completion from the USC School of Aviation Safety Management.

Pat with his very talented Army wife at his side, moved 18 times during his 20 years in the military and they have been married for over 56 years. They have three very successful children living and working in the Los Angeles Area, and two grandchildren.