OUR PILOTS
832-630-4342
Our Pilots
Chad Thumann
At the age of 23, Mr. Thumann created his first company. After 18 years as a road, plant, and pipeline construction contractor, Mr. Thumann sold his company and launched a new career as a real estate investor and developer.
Mr. Thumann was born and raised in Pearland, Texas where he still resides. He is a graduate of Pearland High School. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Houston.
He has a greater love for his country, state, county, and city. He volunteers and serves his community in a multitude of ways. In addition to Lone Star Flight Museum Board of Directors, he also serves on the Pearland Lions Club, Pearland Prosperity Committee, Brazoria County Sheriff’s awareness program, Brazoria County ARB, Houston Live Stock Show, and Rodeo Committeemen, and is the current Chair of the Pearland Economic Development Corporation. Past contributions include serving as the Former Brazoria County ESD commissioner and Former Forgotten Angels Foundation Board.
Mr. Thumann is an Avid fixed-wing and rotorcraft pilot. His love for aviation started young with radio controlled modeling competitions. He soloed his first aircraft at age 16. He has been blessed with the opportunities to ride and fly in a variety of vintage and high-performance aircraft. Some of his favorite aircraft include the T-6 Texan, S-43 Sikorsky, and the Hughes 500 helicopter.
Mr. Thumann is married to Tomorrow Orsak. Together, they have four children Mason, Braden, Katelyn and a Weimaraner puppy named Piper. Mr. Thumann’s hobbies include wine making, flying, collecting of vintage gas and aviation memorabilia, and vintage cars and aircraft.
Kyle Engelhardt
Certificates / Ratings / Equipment / Training
- Commercial Rotorcraft – October 2008
- MD 500 Factory Transition School – March 2009
- N.V.G. (ANVIS-9) Certification – March 2010
- HUET Training – May 2009, March 2012
- MD 500 Factory Re-Currency training – April 2010,
- MD 500 Factory Re-currency training – January 2012
- Airbus AS350B3 (A-Star) Factory Transition training – March 2013
- Airbus AS350B3 (A-Star) Factory Re-Currency training – May 2014
- FAA Part 135 Captain Qualified – June 2013 (Paradigm Helicopters)
- MD 500 Factory Maintenance fly out/test pilot training – January 2018
- Rotorcraft CFI – May 2018
- NVG (ANVIS-9) Certified Night Vision Goggle Instructor (Night Flight Concepts) – May 2018
- Rotorcraft Instrument Rating – March 2019
- Bell 412 Transition School (Flight Safety) – March 2019
- Rotorcraft Certified Instrument Instructor (CFII) – November 2019
- HUET Training – August 2019
- MD 500 Factory Re-Currency training – February 2020
Flight Time as of February 2023 – Current 2nd class medical – 300CBI & MD 500
- (PIC) Total Flight Hours: 2270.9
- (SIC-TFO) Total Flight Hours: 989
- Instrument- Actual: 6
- Instrument-Hood: 71.9
- Instrument-Simulator: 100.9
- Helicopter Cross Country: 504
- Helicopter Unaided Night: 588
- NVG: (ANVIS-9): 425
Equipment Flown
- Schweizer-300C
- Schweizer-300CBI
- MD-500E
- Hughes-500C
- Airbus-EC135
- Airbus-EC120
- Airbus-AS350B3 (A-Star)
- Bell-412EP
Professional Experience
Houston Police Department – 1991- 2020
- Honorably Retired as Training
- Sergeant/Supervisor HPD Air Support Division.
- Meritorious Service Award (Airborne Search and Rescue) 2009
- Officer Of the Year (Airborne Search and Rescue) 2010
- State Of Texas Valor Award (Airborne Search and Rescue) 2010
- Instructor of the Year 2012
- Life-Saving Award (Airborne Search and Rescue) 2012
Paradigm Helicopters FAA Part 135 Operation, Houston Texas– July 2011 – July 2014
Pilot in Command for various types of flights within Part 91/135 operations
- Cineflex HD Video Cinematography Flights
- Executive Transport and Charter
- Power Line Surveys
- Tour Flights
- Photo Flights
- Oil Field Asset Management Flights
- (SIC) Offshore to Supertankers in the Lightering Area (flew personnel and equipment)
U.S. Navy U.S.S. Enterprise (CVN – 65) – February 1987 – February 1991
Assigned to the Navigation Department – Petty Officer / Shift Supervisor
- Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one Bronze Star
- Joint Meritorious Award
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Battle “E” Award
- Meritorious Unit Commendation
- Citation for Outstanding Performance from 1989 to 1990 from L.F. Bull, Rear Admiral
- Good Conduct Medal, Period of 1987-1991
Kristofor Giber
Kris Giber learned to fly during High School and completed his 1st Solo flight at age 16 and he entered the U.S. Army in 1986, completing military flight training at Ft. Rucker, Alabama
He served 6 years of active duty.
Graduated from the U.S. Army Test Pilot Course in 1990. Combat Flight Experience while serving in Operation Desert Storm as an AH-1 Cobra Pilot.
————————————————
- 16,500 hrs Total Flight Time
- 12,000 hrs Helicopter
- 4,500 hrs Fixed Wing
———————————————— - Airline Transport Pilot -Airplane
- Airline Transport Pilot- Helicopter
- Certified Flight Instructor- Single & Multi-Engine Airplane
- Certified Flight Instructor- Helicopter
- Certified Flight Instructor Instrument- Airplane & Helicopter
- Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic
- Graduate of the U.S. Army Test Pilot School (1990)
————————————————
• U.S. Government Contract Test Pilot – 1993-2002
Performed both experimental and maintenance flight test duties on a variety of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft at both the White Sands missile range and other secure locations.
• Chief Pilot and Company Check Airman for a Houston-based Offshore Helicopter Company – 2002-2009
• Corporate Fixed Wing Pilot – 2009-2012 as for a Houston-based Fortune 500 Corporation flying both Caravan & Centurion fixed-wing airplanes and Bell Helicopters.
• Corporate Helicopter Pilot – 2012-to Current
Employed by the Nation’s second-largest oil & gas corporation, flying as a Captain of transport category large multi-engine helicopters to our company-owned drill ships and offshore production platforms during both day & night and instrument flight conditions.
Chad Thumann
At the age of 23, Mr. Thumann created his first company. After 18 years as a road, plant, and pipeline construction contractor, Mr. Thumann sold his company and launched a new career as a real estate investor and developer.
Mr. Thumann was born and raised in Pearland, Texas where he still resides. He is a graduate of Pearland High School. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Houston.
He has a greater love for his country, state, county, and city. He volunteers and serves his community in a multitude of ways. In addition to Lone Star Flight Museum Board of Directors, he also serves on the Pearland Lions Club, Pearland Prosperity Committee, Brazoria County Sheriff’s awareness program, Brazoria County ARB, Houston Live Stock Show, and Rodeo Committeemen, and is the current Chair of the Pearland Economic Development Corporation. Past contributions include serving as the Former Brazoria County ESD commissioner and Former Forgotten Angels Foundation Board.
Mr. Thumann is an Avid fixed-wing and rotorcraft pilot. His love for aviation started young with radio controlled modeling competitions. He soloed his first aircraft at age 16. He has been blessed with the opportunities to ride and fly in a variety of vintage and high-performance aircraft. Some of his favorite aircraft include the T-6 Texan, S-43 Sikorsky, and the Hughes 500 helicopter.
Mr. Thumann is married to Tomorrow Orsak. Together, they have four children Mason, Braden, Katelyn and a Weimaraner puppy named Piper. Mr. Thumann’s hobbies include wine making, flying, collecting of vintage gas and aviation memorabilia, and vintage cars and aircraft.
Kyle Engelhardt
Certificates / Ratings / Equipment / Training
- Commercial Rotorcraft – October 2008
- MD 500 Factory Transition School – March 2009
- N.V.G. (ANVIS-9) Certification – March 2010
- HUET Training – May 2009, March 2012
- MD 500 Factory Re-Currency training – April 2010,
- MD 500 Factory Re-currency training – January 2012
- Airbus AS350B3 (A-Star) Factory Transition training – March 2013
- Airbus AS350B3 (A-Star) Factory Re-Currency training – May 2014
- FAA Part 135 Captain Qualified – June 2013 (Paradigm Helicopters)
- MD 500 Factory Maintenance fly out/test pilot training – January 2018
- Rotorcraft CFI – May 2018
- NVG (ANVIS-9) Certified Night Vision Goggle Instructor (Night Flight Concepts) – May 2018
- Rotorcraft Instrument Rating – March 2019
- Bell 412 Transition School (Flight Safety) – March 2019
- Rotorcraft Certified Instrument Instructor (CFII) – November 2019
- HUET Training – August 2019
- MD 500 Factory Re-Currency training – February 2020
Flight Time as of February 2023 – Current 2nd class medical – 300CBI & MD 500
- (PIC) Total Flight Hours: 2270.9
- (SIC-TFO) Total Flight Hours: 989
- Instrument- Actual: 6
- Instrument-Hood: 71.9
- Instrument-Simulator: 100.9
- Helicopter Cross Country: 504
- Helicopter Unaided Night: 588
- NVG: (ANVIS-9): 425
Equipment Flown
- Schweizer-300C
- Schweizer-300CBI
- MD-500E
- Hughes-500C
- Airbus-EC135
- Airbus-EC120
- Airbus-AS350B3 (A-Star)
- Bell-412EP
Professional Experience
Houston Police Department – 1991- 2020
- Honorably Retired as Training
- Sergeant/Supervisor HPD Air Support Division.
- Meritorious Service Award (Airborne Search and Rescue) 2009
- Officer Of the Year (Airborne Search and Rescue) 2010
- State Of Texas Valor Award (Airborne Search and Rescue) 2010
- Instructor of the Year 2012
- Life-Saving Award (Airborne Search and Rescue) 2012
Paradigm Helicopters FAA Part 135 Operation, Houston Texas– July 2011 – July 2014
Pilot in Command for various types of flights within Part 91/135 operations
- Cineflex HD Video Cinematography Flights
- Executive Transport and Charter
- Power Line Surveys
- Tour Flights
- Photo Flights
- Oil Field Asset Management Flights
- (SIC) Offshore to Supertankers in the Lightering Area (flew personnel and equipment)
U.S. Navy U.S.S. Enterprise (CVN – 65) – February 1987 – February 1991
Assigned to the Navigation Department – Petty Officer / Shift Supervisor
- Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one Bronze Star
- Joint Meritorious Award
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Battle “E” Award
- Meritorious Unit Commendation
- Citation for Outstanding Performance from 1989 to 1990 from L.F. Bull, Rear Admiral
- Good Conduct Medal, Period of 1987-1991
Kristofor Giber
Kris Giber learned to fly during High School and completed his 1st Solo flight at age 16 and he entered the U.S. Army in 1986, completing military flight training at Ft. Rucker, Alabama
He served 6 years of active duty.
Graduated from the U.S. Army Test Pilot Course in 1990. Combat Flight Experience while serving in Operation Desert Storm as an AH-1 Cobra Pilot.
————————————————
- 16,500 hrs Total Flight Time
- 12,000 hrs Helicopter
- 4,500 hrs Fixed Wing
———————————————— - Airline Transport Pilot -Airplane
- Airline Transport Pilot- Helicopter
- Certified Flight Instructor- Single & Multi-Engine Airplane
- Certified Flight Instructor- Helicopter
- Certified Flight Instructor Instrument- Airplane & Helicopter
- Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic
- Graduate of the U.S. Army Test Pilot School (1990)
————————————————
• U.S. Government Contract Test Pilot – 1993-2002
Performed both experimental and maintenance flight test duties on a variety of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft at both the White Sands missile range and other secure locations.
• Chief Pilot and Company Check Airman for a Houston-based Offshore Helicopter Company – 2002-2009
• Corporate Fixed Wing Pilot – 2009-2012 as for a Houston-based Fortune 500 Corporation flying both Caravan & Centurion fixed-wing airplanes and Bell Helicopters.
• Corporate Helicopter Pilot – 2012-to Current
Employed by the Nation’s second-largest oil & gas corporation, flying as a Captain of transport category large multi-engine helicopters to our company-owned drill ships and offshore production platforms during both day & night and instrument flight conditions.