Seaplane Pilots Association
  • Home
  • Join or Renew
  • Calendar
  • About
  • Get Involved
  • Water Flying Info by State or Country
  • Contact
  • Advocacy
  • SPA Foundation
  • Forum
  • Resources
  • Shopping
  • Seaplane Scholarship
  • Invasive Species

Louisiana Field Directors 

Northern LA Field Director: David Lewis     

Email David: davidv.lewis@gmail.com

Call David: 318-880-7787

David Lewis got his start in aviation at a very young age. His father was an Aeronautical Engineer who designed guidance systems on missiles and transport aircraft. From a young age David was exposed to aviation thru the EAA. He attended almost all yearly gatherings at AirVenture Oshkosh.

In 1983 David started his flying lessons at Capitol Drive Airport in Brookfield, Wisconsin. His training continued when he joined the US Army as a Warrant Officer right out of High School. His Army career took him from Ft Rucker to Ft Campbell to Ft Eustis to Korea and Germany.

David attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and obtained a Business Management and Professional Aeronautics Degrees in 1992, during which time he continued to pursue fixed wing ratings by getting his BGI, Commercial ASEL, AMEL, Instrument and CFI. Many operators benefited from his talents until Mesa Airlines hired him as a pilot for the BE1900D and CRJ. The opportunity to expand his career came when he accepted a pilot position with the US Marshal Service to fly Boeing 737s and MD-80 aircraft for the transportation of prisoners and illegal aliens throughout the Americas. David’s career took another turn when he flew King Airs in Afghanistan supporting the Military. Currently he flies S-76 Helicopters for PHI in the Gulf of Mexico.

David has logged over 19,000 hours of flight time and is type rated in the BE300, BE1900, B737, CL-65, DC-9 with an Airline Transport Pilot Multi Engine Airplane and Rotorcraft including a fixed wing CFI, CFII, MEI and CFI Rotorcraft ratings. To his merit, he is the Lead FAAST Representative for Louisiana. As a volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol, he created the Surrogate Predator Program that supports training of soldiers at Fort Polk. This program is the largest program that CAP has been involved with since WW2 and has been expanded to 2 other locations nationwide.

Among all of his credentials, David’s true love of flying was realized when he purchased his 1952 PA-19 (Army L-18C). Within 1 year David put the “Mistress” on floats and life has never been the same.

Soon after, Cubs Floats and Fun started operations at the Pineville, LA airport (2L0). This school was created to bring the world of seaplane flying to all pilots, not as a seaplane “mill”, but a truly one-on-one life-changing experience. “This is so much FUN!” is the repeated consensus of all his students.

David is highly active at his local airport and was able to secure additional funding for a new seawall and ramp through the support of past students and the State of Louisiana. To this day David continues to encourage new students and enjoys opening the world of seaplane flying to anyone whenever he gets the chance. If you attend the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, head over to the seaplane base where you can find him and the “Mistress”.

David is married to Sandra Lewis, who was at first skeptical of the “Mistress” until she experienced the enjoyment of landing in the water just to take a dip and greet the curious onlookers. David has 2 children: Erika, who is the mother to his only granddaughter, Gabbi, and David C (DC or JR), who shares his dad’s love of aviation and is also a seaplane pilot, CFI. The entire family loves to get away in the “Mistress” and enjoy the many lakes and rivers around the south.

 

 

Field Director: Lyle Panepinto

Email Lyle: lyle@southernseaplane.com

Call Lyle:504-394-5633

Lyle's father Phillip Panepinto was the founder of Southern Seaplane Inc. Growing up in the family business, Lyle's interest in flying began at a very early age. At the age of 17, Lyle got his private license in a C-172 on floats. He acquired his land rating when he got his commercial certificate. Lyle has been flying for Southern Seaplane for over 40 years. logging in over 17,000 seaplane hours. In 2007, he and his wife Rhonda, purchased the family business from his father and brother making them sole owners of Southern Seaplane Inc. Currently Lyle is the President and Director of Operations for Southern Seaplane Inc. Lyle is also currently check airman for the FAA and has recently completed initial part 1 for the Designated Pilot Examiner.

Lyle has earned the following Certificates and Ratings: Airline Transport Certificate, Airplane Multi-Engine Land, Airplane Single Engine Land and Sea, Flight Instructor, Instrument Airplane, Company Instructor Pilot and Check Airman, Seaplane Industry Check Airman for the FAA (on C-180, C0185, C-206, and DHC-2 amphibians), and Designated Pilot Examiner (Initial part1 complete). Lyle is also the Founder/Director of the Seaplane Institute. He has been a member of the Seaplane Pilots Association since 1976, is the SPA Board of Directors Vice President, and is currently the SPA Field Director for Louisiana.

 

  • List of Field Directors
    • Alabama Field Directors
    • Alaska Field Directors
    • Arizona Field Directors
    • Arkansas Field Directors
    • California Field Directors
    • Colorado Field Directors
    • Connecticut Field Directors
    • Delaware Field Directors
    • Florida Field Directors
    • Georgia Field Directors
    • Hawaii Field Directors
    • Idaho Field Directors
    • Illinois Field Directors
    • Indiana Field Directors
    • Iowa Field Directors
    • Kansas Field Directors
    • Kentucky Field Directors
    • Louisiana Field Directors
    • Maine Field Directors
    • Maryland Field Directors
    • Massachusetts Field Directors
    • Michigan Field Directors
    • Minnesota Field Directors
    • Mississippi Field Directors
    • Missouri Field Directors
    • Montana Field Directors
    • Nebraska Field Directors
    • Nevada Field Directors
    • New Hampshire Field Directors
    • New Jersey Field Directors
    • New Mexico Field Directors
    • New York Field Directors
    • North Carolina Field Directors
    • North Dakota Field Directors
    • Ohio Field Directors
    • Oklahoma Field Directors
    • Oregon Field Directors
    • Pennsylvania Field Directors
    • Rhode Island Field Directors
    • South Carolina Field Directors
    • South Dakota Field Directors
    • Tennessee Field Directors
    • Texas Field Directors
    • Utah Field Directors
    • Vermont Field Directors
    • Virginia Field Directors
    • Washington Field Directors
    • West Virginia Field Directors
    • Wisconsin Field Directors
    • Wyoming Field Directors
    • Australia Field Directors
    • Bahamas Field Directors
    • Canada Field Directors
    • France Field Directors
    • Italy Field Directors
    • Mexico Field Directors
  • Lake Liaisons
  • Hot Advocacy Issues

Advocacy Partners


Business Members

Updated Invasive Species Video

Thu 20 Jun 2019
0 Comments

About Us

Since 1972 the Seaplane Pilots Association has been protecting and promoting the water flying community through its advocacy and representation of the seaplane community.

Contact SPA

The Seaplane Pilots Association

2073 US Highway 92

Winter Haven, FL 33881

Tel: (863) 701-7979

Email SPA at SPA@seaplanes.org

 

About | Privacy Policy | Sitemap
Log in Log out | Edit
  • Home
  • Join or Renew
  • Calendar
  • About
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
      • Past SPA Board Members
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Social Media
  • Water Flying Info by State or Country
  • Contact
  • Advocacy
    • List of Field Directors
      • Alabama Field Directors
      • Alaska Field Directors
      • Arizona Field Directors
      • Arkansas Field Directors
      • California Field Directors
      • Colorado Field Directors
      • Connecticut Field Directors
      • Delaware Field Directors
      • Florida Field Directors
      • Georgia Field Directors
      • Hawaii Field Directors
      • Idaho Field Directors
      • Illinois Field Directors
      • Indiana Field Directors
      • Iowa Field Directors
      • Kansas Field Directors
      • Kentucky Field Directors
      • Louisiana Field Directors
      • Maine Field Directors
      • Maryland Field Directors
      • Massachusetts Field Directors
      • Michigan Field Directors
      • Minnesota Field Directors
      • Mississippi Field Directors
      • Missouri Field Directors
      • Montana Field Directors
      • Nebraska Field Directors
      • Nevada Field Directors
      • New Hampshire Field Directors
      • New Jersey Field Directors
      • New Mexico Field Directors
      • New York Field Directors
      • North Carolina Field Directors
      • North Dakota Field Directors
      • Ohio Field Directors
      • Oklahoma Field Directors
      • Oregon Field Directors
      • Pennsylvania Field Directors
      • Rhode Island Field Directors
      • South Carolina Field Directors
      • South Dakota Field Directors
      • Tennessee Field Directors
      • Texas Field Directors
      • Utah Field Directors
      • Vermont Field Directors
      • Virginia Field Directors
      • Washington Field Directors
      • West Virginia Field Directors
      • Wisconsin Field Directors
      • Wyoming Field Directors
      • Australia Field Directors
      • Bahamas Field Directors
      • Canada Field Directors
      • France Field Directors
      • Italy Field Directors
      • Mexico Field Directors
    • Lake Liaisons
      • Alabama Lake Liaisons
      • Alaska Lake Liaisons
      • Arizona Lake Liaisons
      • Arkansas Lake Liaisons
      • California Lake Liaisons
      • Colorado Lake Liaisons
      • Connecticut Lake Liaisons
      • Delaware Lake Liaisons
      • Florida Lake Liaisons
      • Georgia Lake Liaisons
      • Hawaii Lake Liaisons
      • Idaho Lake Liaisons
      • Illinois Lake Liaisons
      • Indiana Lake Liaisons
      • Iowa Lake Liaisons
      • Kansas Lake Liaisons
      • Kentucky Lake Liaisons
      • Louisiana Lake Liaisons
      • Maine Lake Liaisons
      • Maryland Lake Liaisons
      • Massachusetts Lake Liaisons
      • Michigan Lake Liaisons
      • Minnesota Lake Liaisons
      • Mississippi Lake Liaisons
      • Missouri Lake Liaisons
      • Montana Lake Liaisons
      • Nebraska Lake Liaisons
      • Nevada Lake Liaisons
      • New Hampshire Lake Liaisons
      • New Jersey Lake Liaisons
      • New Mexico Lake Liaisons
      • New York Lake Liaisons
      • North Carolina Lake Liaisons
      • North Dakota Lake Liaisons
      • Ohio Lake Liaisons
      • Oklahoma Lake Liaisons
      • Oregon Lake Liasons
      • Pennsylvania Lake Liaisons
      • Rhode Island Lake Liaisons
      • South Carolina Lake Liaisons
      • South Dakota Lake Liaisons
      • Tennessee Lake Liaisons
      • Texas Lake Liasons
      • Utah Lake Liaisons
      • Vermont Lake Liaisons
      • Virginia Lake Liaisons
      • Washington Lake Liaisons
      • West Virginia Lake Liaisons
      • Wisconsin Lake Liaisons
      • Wyoming Lake Liaisons
    • Hot Advocacy Issues
      • Alabama Advocacy
      • Alaska Advocacy
      • Arizona Advocacy
      • Arkansas Advocacy
      • California Advocacy
      • Colorado Advocacy
      • Connecticut Advocacy
      • Delaware Advocacy
      • Florida Advocacy
      • Georgia Advocacy
      • Hawaii Advocacy
      • Idaho Advocacy
      • Illinois Advocacy
      • Indiana Advocacy
      • Iowa Advocacy
      • Kansas Advocacy
      • Kentucky Advocacy
      • Louisiana Advocacy
      • Maine Advocacy
      • Maryland Advocacy
      • Massachusetts Advocacy
      • Michigan Advocacy
      • Minnesota Advocacy
      • Mississippi Advocacy
      • Missouri Advocacy
      • Montana Advocacy
      • Nebraska Advocacy
      • Nevada Advocacy
      • New Hampshire Advocacy
      • New Jersey Advocacy
      • New Mexico Advocacy
      • New York Advocacy
      • North Carolina Advocacy
      • North Dakota Advocacy
      • Ohio Advocacy
      • Oklahoma Advocacy
      • Oregon Advocacy
      • Pennsylvania Advocacy
      • Rhode Island Advocacy
      • South Carolina Advocacy
      • South Dakota Advocacy
      • Tennessee Advocacy
      • Texas Advocacy
      • Utah Advocacy
      • Vermont Advocacy
      • Virginia Advocacy
      • Washington Advocacy
      • West Virginia Advocacy
      • Wisconsin Advocacy
      • Wyoming Advocacy
  • SPA Foundation
  • Forum
  • Resources
    • Getting a Seaplane Rating
    • Water Flying Magazine
    • Seaplane Gallery
      • Seaplane Videos
      • More Seaplane Videos
      • Still Photo Gallery
      • Seaplanes in the Media
      • Seaplanes in the News
      • Searey Number One Restoration
    • Seaplane Terminology
    • Acronyms/Abbreviations
    • Seaplanes Specs
    • Events
      • SPA Member Adventure 2019 New Orleans
      • 2019 SPA Member Appreciation Breakfast at the International Seaplane Fly-In
      • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Past Events
      • SPA at AirVenture 2019
      • SPA Corn Roast 2019
      • 2018 Seaplane Pilots Association Annual Member Trip
      • Member Appreciation Breakfast International Seaplane Fly-In Maine
      • SPA Corn Roast 2018
      • SPA at AirVenture 2018
      • SPA Corn Roast 2017
      • SPA at AirVenture 2017
      • SPA at AirVenture 2016
      • SPA Corn Roast 2016
      • SPA at AirVenture 2015
      • SPA Corn Roast 2015
      • SPA Member Breakfast International Seaplane Fly-In ~ Maine
    • Downloadable Seaplane Resources
    • Links
    • Seaplane Insurance
    • Water Landing Directory
    • Seaplane Schools
    • FAQ
      • FAQ ~ General
      • Facilities & Landing Areas
      • Seaplane Ownership
      • Technical
      • Airman Issues
      • Operations
      • SPA Governance
  • Shopping
    • Classifieds
    • Float Aircraft
    • Hull Aircraft
    • Light-Sport Aircraft
    • Floats
    • Real Estate
    • Seaplane Jobs
    • Miscellaneous
    • Wanted
  • Seaplane Scholarship
    • Richard Toups Memorial Seaplane Rating Scholarship
    • Donate to the Scholarship
    • Apply for the Scholarship
  • Invasive Species
Close