Experientia Docet...
(Experience Teaches...)
Training pilots safely and successfully for over 18 years.

A good instructor is always necessary to insure that you will have a long and fruitful flying career. Your safety will depend on what you and your instructor have built together. Here at Civic, we are pleased to have with us some of the best instructors you can find. They are all Federal Aviation Administration certified, and can provide an extremely high level of instruction. They will work hard with you to meet your flight training goals, and provide you with both the confidence and enjoyment you need to learn a demanding and rewarding skill.

Chin Tu
23,000+ hrs in helicopters and airplanes, CFII, ATP, AGI, 133 and 135 Pilot

Chin is President and Chief Flight Instructor of Civic Helicopters. He started his flying career in 1966. In 1971, he served a tour with the 173rd Assualt Helicopter Company (The Robin Hoods) in Vietnam. Upon his return, he was employed by Hughes Helicopters in the Manufacturing Operations Administration, Production, NOTAR Program, Apache Program, Flight Operations—Pilot in Fixed Wing, and also as a Production Test Pilot* in Rotary Wing. Hughes Helicopters relocated to Mesa, AZ. Since he wanted to stay in the area, Chin founded Civic Helicopters in 1987. In 2001, Chin was contracted by Northrop Grumman to conduct envelope expansion tests in the unmanned helicopter "Fire Scout," during which he obtained flight level 190 in a modified Schweizer SP333. Chin is the "Dr. Doolittle" of the helicopter world. He knows helicopters as very few pilots do, and has his own unique style of teaching that is both challenging and exciting. He demonstrates the capabilities of helicopters while maintaining a great respect and appreciation for what these wonderful machines can do. Chin performs stage checks with primary students in addition to providing Instrument, Emergency, ATP, External Lift/Load and Turbine Transition training. Ask him about his Flights Around America.

*See the Special Airworthiness Certificate on the Licensed Pilots page.

Ryan Colebourn
1000+ hrs CFI

Born and raised in South Lake Tahoe, Ryan moved to Southern California in 2000 to attend UCSD. After graduating in 2004 with a BA in Economics, he realized his dream of becoming of racecar driver may be out of reach. Wanting not to spend his career behind a desk, he decided to take to the sky and pursue the challenge of flying helicopters. He began his flight training at Civic in March 2005, and received his CFI rating shortly thereafter. His future flying aspirations include EMS, corporate transport, and heli-ski operations.

Dale Crum
1000+ hrs CFI

Dale Crum is a native San Diegan. He received his Rotorcraft Commercial with Instrument Rating from the U.S. Army in 1981. He served with D Troop 2/9th Air Cavalry at Hunter Army Air Field in Savannah, Ga. from 1981 to 1985. While there he flew famous helicopters such as UH-1H Huey’s and OH-58C Kiowa’s, and held numerous positions including Air Battle Captain and Maintenance Test Pilot. After a break from military aviation, in 2004 he resumed flying with an initial fixed wing transition, but after soloing Dale decided to return to his true love -- helicopters, and he has been with Civic Helicopters ever since.

Dave McNary
1500+ hrs in helicopters and airplanes, CFI, CFII, MEI, MEII

Dave is a flight instructor in both helicopters and airplanes. He is a part time instructor, full time Sheriff's Lieutenant (26 years). Dave also flies biplanes, dog fights and warbird rides for Barnstorming Adventures. Born and raised in San Diego, Dave learned to fly here at Palomar airport. He has commercial helicopter, single engine, multi-engine and sea plane ratings. He understands busy people and is available on evenings and weekends.