Playing Hawaiian Steel Guitar; restoring antique radios and vintage guitar amplifiers
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John F. Limbach
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Sep 2000 – Present: Big Sky Aviation International, LLC
President and executive responsible for all aspects of the manufacture and worldwide marketing, sales, consulting, project management, aircrew and rigger training, training on and support of helicopter external lift equipment and cargo aircraft airdrop systems.
Providing aircrews and actively flying cargo airdrop missions in support of U.S. Army and commercial customer airdrop testing, movie and TV productions as Loadmaster on C-130A aircraft.
Recently completed JPADS airdrop training programs for United Arab Emirates Air Force C-130 and C-17 aircrews and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Air Force C-130 aircrew.
1994- 2000 Capewell Components Company, South Windsor, Connecticut.
Successively President, Frost Engineering Division, and Director of Special Projects. Planned and directed the physical move of the Frost Engineering plant from Colorado to Connecticut. Facilitated Capewell’s integration of Frost product lines and manufacturing processes with minimal disruption to ongoing operations and customers. Assumed sole responsibility for accomplishment of technical, schedule and cost goals on assigned contracts and projects.
Planned and conducted consistently successful and profitable
airdrop qualification and training programs. Tasked regularly to take over and successfully complete troubled projects.
Conducted international marketing efforts focused primarily in the Middle East, Australia, Asia, and Pacific Rim countries.
1985-1994 Frost Engineering Development Corporation, Englewood, Colorado.
Successively Project Manager, Operations Manager, Vice President, and President.
Responsible for all aspects of business management, planning, business development and operations. Planned and managed the development, testing, and production of complex airdrop and life support systems and equipment items for the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, friendly foreign governments, and commercial aircraft manufacturers.
1980-1985 USAF, Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott AFB, Illinois.
Program Manager in the Directorate of Operational Requirements and Tests. Command program manager for development and acquisition of cargo handling and airdrop
systems, and establishment of C-17 aircraft mission system design requirements. Served as Military Airlift Command representative to the Joint Technical Airdrop Group.
Retired with rank of Chief Master Sergeant.
1976-1980 USAF, Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
Successively a project manager in the Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) Systems Program Office (SPO); Project Officer, C-17 SPO Cargo Compartment Requirements and Design; and Acquisition Program Manager in the Aeronautical Equipment SPO. Managed the Air Force and contractors' cargo compartment design effort for the YC-14/YC-15 and C-17 aircraft development program. Coordinated the establishment of cargo handling, aero medical, and life support system requirements for design implementation.
Subsequently assigned as the single Air Force program manager responsible for the achievement of cost, schedule, and performance goals for development and acquisition of cargo airdrop systems and equipment.
1971-1976 USAF, Tactical Air Warfare Center, Eglin AFB, Florida.
Test Director in the Airlift Division. Planned, managed, conducted, and documented operational test and evaluations of C-130 airdrop techniques, tactical airlift systems, tactics,
and procedures. Also responsible for test loading and development of loading procedures for
oversized/outsized equipment to determine its suitability for air transportation in C-130 and other tactical transports.
1968-1971 USAF, Tactical Airlift Center, Pope AFB, North Carolina.
Flight test loadmaster, C-7, C-123, and C-130 aircraft. Conducted tests of new airdrop hardware and systems, developed procedures and trained aircrews. Participated extensively in the development and flight test of the Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System (LAPES).
1964-1968 United States Air Force (USAF).
Aircraft loadmaster serving on C-119, C-123, and C-124 transport aircraft. Responsible for cargo and passenger loading and unloading, cargo restraint, weight and balance calculations, and airdrop of personnel and equipment. Vietnam veteran with 1,400 combat sorties in C-123 aircraft.
1960-1964 Massachusetts Air National Guard
Aircraft Weapons Mechanic on F-86H aircraft. Deployed to Phalsbourg AB, France from Oct 61 to Aug 62 during the Berlin Wall Crisis.
EDUCATION
Park University, Parkville, Missouri
BA Management, 1980
Regis University, Denver, Colorado
MBA, 1988
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Air Commando Association, Life Member
Air Force Association, Life Member
Airlift/Tanker Association, Life Member
Association of the United States Army, Member
Military Order of the Purple Heart, Life Member
Parachute Industries Association, Member
AERONAUTICAL QUALIFICATIONS
USAF – Master Aircrew Rating (Loadmaster and Instructor Loadmaster) C-119, C-123, C-124, and C-130A/B/E/H aircraft
USAF Civil Air Patrol – Flight Instructor & Mountain Search Pilot
PATENTS
Ejection Seat Buckle with Limb Restraint for F-22 Lap Belt, U.S. Patent No. 5,732,907, March 31, 1998
FILM & TV CREDITS FOR ENGINEERING, RIGGING & AIRDROP
Advance Auto Parts, "Skydive Training"
Top Gear Korea
Top Gear USA
GM Chevy Sonic Super Bowl Ad Series
Mountain Dew Canada, "Dewmocracy"
H&R Block, "Get Your Billions Back America"
Fast & Furious 7