board of directors

Rob is a seasoned aviation professional with extensive experience in Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT), specializing in advanced flight maneuvers, human factors education, and pilot proficiency. With a deep commitment to safety and instructional excellence, Rob has trained hundreds of pilots—ranging from private aviators to co

Rob is a seasoned aviation professional with extensive experience in Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT), specializing in advanced flight maneuvers, human factors education, and pilot proficiency. With a deep commitment to safety and instructional excellence, Rob has trained hundreds of pilots—ranging from private aviators to corporate jet captains—on how to effectively recognize, prevent, and recover from aircraft upsets in both piston and turbine platforms.

Rob's UPRT background includes instruction in both simulator-based and in-aircraft environments, leveraging high-performance aerobatic aircraft to reinforce core aerodynamic principles and develop effective trained pilot responses under high-stress conditions. His approach combines technical rigor with a focus on cognitive resilience, helping pilots maintain control and composure in dynamic, real-world scenarios.

Through his work, Rob has contributed to improving safety standards across various sectors of the industry and has collaborated with flight schools, corporate operators, and training organizations to integrate UPRT into their training pipelines. He remains active as a mentor, safety consultant, and speaker on upset recovery and loss-of-control prevention strategies. Our team of experienced and knowledgeable instructors are passionate about teaching and dedicated to helping our students achieve their goals. With years of industry experience and advanced certifications, our instructors are the best in the business.

Mark King (CPAviation.com), Master Certified Flight Instructor with a Gold Seal-Aerobatic, CFI- Instrument, Advanced and Instrument ground instructor, is a southern California native who was born into an aviation family and began flying in 1974. Mark has extensive experience flying in Alaska in a turboprop Quest Kodiak, has over 1000 hour

Mark King (CPAviation.com), Master Certified Flight Instructor with a Gold Seal-Aerobatic, CFI- Instrument, Advanced and Instrument ground instructor, is a southern California native who was born into an aviation family and began flying in 1974. Mark has extensive experience flying in Alaska in a turboprop Quest Kodiak, has over 1000 hours flying the Beechcraft Bonanza and is G1000 qualified.

He is a member of the Society of Aviation Flight Educators (SAFE) and the North American T6 formation group called the Condor Squadron. He teaches Private Pilots, Instrument, Commercial, Tailwheel, Emergency Maneuver Training, and Aerobatics.

King is the owner of UPRT USA (uprtusa.com) As part of my CFI training in 2002, I took an Aerobatics / Spin Course in a Zlin 242. After the

course was complete, I attained additional training in the Zlin to build my confidence in

flying aerobatics and teaching CFI spins. As a CFI, I sought out a flight school that had an

active UPRT and Spin

King is the owner of UPRT USA (uprtusa.com) As part of my CFI training in 2002, I took an Aerobatics / Spin Course in a Zlin 242. After the

course was complete, I attained additional training in the Zlin to build my confidence in

flying aerobatics and teaching CFI spins. As a CFI, I sought out a flight school that had an

active UPRT and Spin recovery program where I became the lead UPRT/Spin instructor

teaching German Pro-path pilots. The course was predominantly aerobatics and spin

training in C150 aerobat. Over the years, I added additional aerobatic aircraft and time,

including the Citabria, Decathlon, and the Extra 300; and would go on to compete in

aerobatic competition with the IAC at the Intermediate level.

In 2007, I was hired by Flight Safety International (FSI) where I went on to get types in the

GIV V and VI. In 2009, FSI developed a UPRT / Jet Upset course and I was selected to assist

in the development and then as an instructor in the program. This course was built prior to

the ICAO 10011on LOC-I was released, so it wasn’t EASA or ICAO compliant, but it was a

true UPRT course including proper ground elements. We used the term “startle effect” and

the simulators had the “expanded envelope” loaded from the flight telemetry from the

aircraft, so the party line was that the training was adequate UPRT training and that on

aircraft was not required. I agreed that the ground portion was sufficient but because I was

an active aerobatic pilot, I was not convinced that the simulator was sufficient. I didn’t

think the simulator results would be repeatable in a real aircraft where physiology would

affect decision making.

In 2009, Doc 10011 was released and stated that simulation could not produce the

physiological response required to suppress the startle effect. And that pilots, early in

training, need to experience UPRT on aircraft. I knew this was true.

In 2019, I was hired by Gulfstream Aerospace as a Production Test Pilot. I went on to

become a Senior Production Test Pilot and Test Pilot Instructor (my current position). My

duties include teaching the syllabus to become a Senior Production Test Pilot. This course

includes flying with new Production Test Pilots and teaching proper stall protection system

testing, and inadvertent stall recovery technique. The course also covers Cockpit

Management and Aeronautical Decision Making. By the nature of our business, we have a

higher-than-normal rate of failures and malfunctions and these skills while pertinent to all

operations are constantly applied and evaluated in test flying.

In 2021, I opened UPRT-USA, a UPRT school operating an Extra 300L. Primary customers

are Gulfstream Operators and the US Army 224th fixed wing division.

Steve is the owner of Aero Jet Training (aerojettraining.com). He is a seasoned flight instructor and retired U.S. Air Force pilot with over 21 years of active duty experience. During his military career, he served as an instructor, examiner, and maintenance test flight pilot in the T-37, T-38, T-6 Texan II, and C-141, accumulating more t

Steve is the owner of Aero Jet Training (aerojettraining.com). He is a seasoned flight instructor and retired U.S. Air Force pilot with over 21 years of active duty experience. During his military career, he served as an instructor, examiner, and maintenance test flight pilot in the T-37, T-38, T-6 Texan II, and C-141, accumulating more than 8,500 flight hours—including over 4,000 hours instructing in high-performance aircraft. In the civilian sector, Steve has flown as Captain in both the Citation X and Citation III. He holds CFII and MEI certifications and continues to bring a wealth of knowledge, precision, and passion to every training mission.

 We at Gambit aim to provide the most honest, safe, and enjoyable flight school experience you can find (FlyGambit.com) To back that up, our team consolidates every corner case skillset that exists and puts it all into one package. From jet warbirds, helicopters, highly modified experimental aircraft, vintage, and one-off aerobatic airfra

 We at Gambit aim to provide the most honest, safe, and enjoyable flight school experience you can find (FlyGambit.com) To back that up, our team consolidates every corner case skillset that exists and puts it all into one package. From jet warbirds, helicopters, highly modified experimental aircraft, vintage, and one-off aerobatic airframes, the experience culminates into a turn-key, low stress, and more importantly – low ego solution for any of your aviation needs. We are here to help you with everything from basic-unlimited aerobatics, small-large radial engine and jet warbirds, all the way to helping you find, acquire, ferry, and train in your own aircraft.