most journalists are no pros on the subjects they write about
He has flown more than 150 individual aircraft types, ranging from the Piper J-3 Cub through Boeing and Airbus single-aisle jetliners, logging more than 5,700 hours of flight time. He has earned an Airline Transport Pilot certificate and four jet aircraft type ratings, and he remains an active pilot. Fred also specializes in avionics, aircraft systems and pilot technique reports. Prior to joining Aviation Week, he was an FAA designated pilot examiner [CE-500], instrument flight instructor and jet charter pilot. He also is former U.S. Naval Aviator who made three cruises to the western Pacific while flying the McDonnell-Douglas F-4J Phantom II.