From an LA Times article earlier today:
The pilot, Bud Summerfield, lived in Highland and had flown the family for 10 years, according to Feldkamp. “He is accomplished and careful, dotting his `i's' and crossing his 't's' and filing his flight plans,” Feldkamp said. “If you were in the position to hire a pilot, this is the guy you would hire. We called him Air Bud. My wife has flown with him. There are none better.”