Field Director: Robert Lober

Email Robert: rlober59@gmail.com

Call Robert: 775-843-7908

Rob has been a pilot since 1980, having logged over 4,500 hours in various types of aircraft. His ratings include ATP - AMEL, Commercial - ASEL, ASES, Private - Glider, CFI, MEI, and A&P mechanic. He currently owns a Searey, is a partner in a Cessna T210, and flies a charter in a Pilatus PC-12. Rob got his seaplane rating in 2004, started actively flying a RANS S6 on amphib floats in 2008, and purchased the Searey in 2011, having flown it across the country from Florida to Nevada.

Rob volunteers his time when able to Los Medicos Voladores, Angel Flight, and Lighthawk. He chaired the first Airport Community Advisory Team at the Truckee-Tahoe Airport where he keeps his planes. Rob is an engineer with an MBA and when not flying he is actively involved  in real estate development. Rob, his wife Elise, and stepson Halen live in Crystal Bay, NV on the north shore of Lake Tahoe.

California Field Director: Jim McCloud

Email Jim: Jim@foothillaviation.com

Call Jim: 408-375-8935

Jim has been flying and working on aircraft for over 34 years, and has over 3000 hours flying time in mostly single engine.  Jim started out at a glider port as a mechanic where he worked on his glider rating and A&P license's. He has been mainly a mechanic for his career, but got active with flying 25 years ago. Jim has been mountain flying for over 15 years and is multi, commercial, instrument rated with glider and single engine sea. He began flying floatplanes 11 years ago at Norcal Aviation. Jim started his own seaplane training school out of Calaveras County Airport (KCPU) over 6 years ago, and has since added a maintenance shop working on single and twin engine piston aircraft. They operate a Piper Pacer on straight floats, a Stinson 108-3 on straight floats, and a Cessna 182 or Aerocet amphibs. Jim is presently working on obtaining a ASES DPE position for Northern California.

California Field Director: Steven Price

Email Steven: steve@seaplane.com

Call Steven: 415-850-5200

Steve received his private pilots license in 1983 and has his SEL SES Commercial, and instrument ratings. He received his French, Italian, and German pilot certificates years back and still flies when possible in Europe out of a local Aero Club in Normandy.Until recently selling, Steve owned SFST (San Francisco Seaplane Tours) for 20 years where he operated out of Sausalito and Pier 39 in San Francisco. Steve also worked with the FAA and ultimately received the Part 135 Charter Certificate for SFST and worked with his friend Mike Brown out of Lake Tahoe (Homewood)Past President of HES (Healdsburg) PILOT ASSOC.Steve was appointed to the Marin County airport commission (2years) and subsequently served as it’s Commissioner (2years)Steve is also the HES AOPA DESIGNATED pilot rep. Steve is extremely familiar with Noise Abatement policies and help establish and maintain them in both San Francisco, Sausalito and later Healdsburg. Aside from local lakes, Steve’s favorite places to fly are BC and Baja, Mexico.Currently Steve is working on the improvement of the Seaplane Facility in Sausalito and continues to work with all the many government agencies.

Field Director: Walter Windus

Email Walter: wwindus@msn.com

Call Walter: 408-255-1917

Walter is a retired rocket and satellite engineer who started flight training in Provo, Utah in 1969. He got his private pilot's license in 1970, Single Engine Seaplane rating and Multi-engine land rating in 1971, his Instrument pilot rating in 1972, and his Multi-engine Seaplane rating in 1973. He also went on to get his Commercial Pilots License, A&P, and Flight Instructor's rating.

Walter joined the Skyview Flying Club at San Jose International Airport in 1971 and became President and General Manager through 1983. The flying club operated six aircraft, two advanced trainers, and two high-performance aircraft. He also joined the Santa Clara County Airman's Association and served one year as the President of the organization and several years as Legislative Action Chairman.

Walter has served on several community and state aviation committees and commissions including the San Jose Airport Advisory Committee, Santa Clara County Airport Siting Committee, Caltrans Aeronautics Advisory Committee, as well as a Commissioner on the Santa Clara County Airport Land Use Commission.

Walter has been a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary for over 25 years, and has been called upon numerous times to fly his Coast Guard certified seaplane for Coast Guard ordered search and rescue.

Along with being a Field Director for California, Nevada, and Utah, Walter is the current Chairman of the Seaplane Pilots Association. He is responsible for gaining seaplane access to all but two of the currently available water landing sites in California.