Texas Field Directors

Texas Field Director: Michael Eiras

Call Michael: 512-739-0794

Michael started his involvement with aviation in his early teens. Although none of his family or frien did any flying he joined a flying club that restored and flew a vintage Ercoupe. After high school, Michael went to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and where he earned his Pilot’s License, A&P License and a degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology.

His aviation career started as a mechanic for ComAir Airlines (Delta Airlines commuter) on Embraer EMB-110 and EMB-120 aircraft. Soon after that he was hired by United Airlines as a mechanic then went on through several engineering positions including a Liaison Engineer, Fleet Engineer, Corporate Programs Engineer and Line Engineer. He supported maintenance and modification activities on McDonnel Douglas (now Boeing) DC-8, DC-10, Boeing 727, 737, 747, 757, 767, 777, Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. He worked in locations in the US including Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Miami as well as supporting the entire South American continent.

After a brief interlude into missile defense contracting for the US government, he returned to aviation and worked as an Engineer then Engineering Manager, Director of Technical Services and Integration and Certification Specialist for L2 Consulting, Inc. He supported avionics modifications of aircraft including Boeing 737, 747, 757, 767, 777, Airbus A319, A320, A330, Beechcraft 1900, Bombardier ERJ-170/175, ERJ-190/195, Cessna 5xx Citation Series and even Honda Jet at this company.

In 2014, Michael was granted a Systems and Equipment Electrical Designated Engineering Representative (DER) delegation from the FAA and has continued supporting avionics installation certifications on Part 23 (small aircraft) and Part 25 (transport category) aircraft as a consultant for his company, M1 Aviation. He also provides maintenance support as an A&P on Part 23 aircraft including most Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft, Mooney, Maule, Bellanca, Rockwell Progressive Aerodyne and other common smaller aircraft.

Michael currently holds an Airplane Single Engine Land/Airplane Single Engine Sea (ASEL/ASES) Commercial Instrument Ratings and has over 1,000 hours in airplanes including over 300 hours in seaplanes. He owns and operates a Progressive Aerodyne Searey LSX amphibian based out of Rusty Allen/Lago Vista Airport (KRYW) and can be seen on most of the Highland chain of lakes and other lakes in the Central Texas area. He also owns a Cessna 182 that does not float (yet).

Michael lives in Austin, Texas with his wife of 26 years, Kelly. She often joins him in their travels to airports and waterways around the US.

Field Director: Herbert K. Hagler

Email Herbert: hkhagler@me.com

Call Herbert: 214-566-4476

Herbert got his Private Pilot Certificate in 1971, his Instrumental Certificate in 1974, Commercial in 2002, his AGI, CFI, and CFII in 2006. Along with being Professor of Pathology at UT Southwestern Medical Center from 1976-2011. Herbert also owned Texas Seaplanes from 2005-2012 where trained private, commercial, and ATP SES students with 100% pass rate.

Herbert has been a Field Director for both Texas and Oklahoma since 2009.

Texas 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: Gordon Richardson

Email Gordon: Gordon@gbrlifeinsurance.com

Call Gordon: 713-821-1700

Gordon Richardson II is originally from Caldwell, and now lives in Houston, Texas. He has been flying most of his life, learning to fly in Bellanca Citabria, soloing on his 16th birthday and appearing in his first airshow at 18. He has flown warbird formation and aerobatics at airshows for many years in his T-6 Texan and T-28 Trojan, and stays current in a Bonanza, J-3 Cub, and Super Cub on floats. Gordon received his SES rating at Jack Brown's in 2001 and enjoys float flying in Maine and Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University, and has been in the life insurance business since 1992. He is married to Leslie, and has two sons, Gordon III and Harry.