Capt. Christopher J. Clarke, commander of the Idaho Wing’s Teton Valley Composite Squadron, has been recognized with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.
The Wright Brothers award recognizes “50 years of exemplary aviation flight experience, distinguished professionalism, and steadfast commitment to aviation safety.”
Clarke worked as a flight instructor while attending State University of New York at Farmingdale, Pacific Western University, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. After graduation, he flew for several years transporting canceled checks, following by a position in Learjet charter operations.
He eventually secured a position as a corporate pilot for Pfizer Inc. as he advanced through various both leadership and operational roles over the next three decades.
For the next 13 years he served as a director of aviation for Jet Aviation Flight Services with additional responsibilities as chief pilot, overseeing 300 aircraft and 600 pilots worldwide. He retired this year.
Clarke has totaled more than30,000 flight hours with numerous ratings in various types of aircraft. He holds FAA certificates for Airframe and Powerplant Technician, Flight and Ground Instructor, Dispatcher and Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
A Civil Air Patrol member since June 2016, Clarke also serves as a FAA Safety Team representative and Experimental Aircraft Association chapter president._____Capt. Susan ClarkeSafety OfficerTeton Valley Composite SquadronIdaho Wing
