STEVE SALMIRS, PILOT LEAD SOLO

Steve Salmirs was born in Newport News, Virginia, and grew up with an interest in aviation. His father worked for NASA as an aeronautical engineer, and introduced Steve to flight in 1973.

After attending William and Mary College for two years, Steve transferred to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida to earn his degree while accumulating flight time and ratings. Graduating in 1980, he went to work at the Kennedy Space Center as a Calibration Engineer, flying charters and flight instructing on the side.

In 1982, Steve was accepted into the USAF where he earned his wings, flew F-16 fighters for five years, and instructed in T-37s for three more. Steve, who is presently a co-pilot on the B777 with American Airlines and resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, has flown with the GEICO Skytypers for over ten years, and is the NATA formation Lead Pilot and instructor, as well as the unofficial publications, standardization, and operations procedures writer. Steve recently stated that he would some day like to fly the Space Shuttle.