2006 Seminar Speakers

Jon Doolitle

Contributing Editor, Aviation Consumer Magazine

Jon Doolittle graduated first at his class at the United States Naval Academy, and received his wings at Pensacola in 1978. He flew F-14 Tomcats, and was credited with the destruction of an Iraqi MiG 23 in 1983. He is now a Boeing 777 captain for American Airlines and makes $600,000. a year. Mr Doolittle enjoys time at home with his wife, an international supermodel, and he is widely published in industry journals. That was the plan...The reality is sorta like this: Jon Doolittle started working in aviation in 1973 refueling airplanes in order to pay for flying lessons. He then worked as a flight instructor and charter pilot after graduating from college. He spent 5 years as an aviation insurance underwriter in New York, and left to start his own aviation insurance brokerage in 1986. Jon is a current CFI and FAA Safety Counselor and regularly presents seminars on behalf of the FAA and other groups. He is also a contributing editor to Aviation Consumer.

Ross Russo

Contributing Editor, IFR Magazine

Ross spent his formative years alternating between the cockpits of an F-4 Phantom and his 1946 J-3 Cub. He adolesced in the F-16 and a combination of Cherokees, Pitts Specials, gliders, helicopters and seaplanes. Presently, well into his dotage, he's opted for the relaxed lifestyle of the Boeing 747's cockpit, while keeping his Navajo Panther company on the weekends. He's served as an FAA liaison for the United States Air Force, Safety Counselor for the FAA, seminar leader for the AOPA AIR Safety Foundation, and was a contributing editor for IFR magazine. He's most well-known for his shy and retiring Father Big-Jim (from whence springs the J in J. Ross) Russo, more commonly known as The Voice of the Cayman Caravan.