Military Foundation
Nearly 10 years keeping F-16s ready to fly. I inspected, serviced, and troubleshot the jets, trained other maintainers, and served as crash-investigation liaison.
Professional aviation since 2009
Built in professional aviation.
Prepared for the right seat.
I've spent 17 years in professional aviation, from F-16 crew chief in the U.S. Air Force to A&P inspector on Part 135 business jets. Now I'm taking that experience to the flight deck.
349.9
Total Time
222.0
PIC
74.8
Instrument
18.2
Night
86.4
G1000
78.2
Cross-Country
My background
A career built around aircraft.
Aircraft have been my work since 2009. I kept F-16s mission-ready in the U.S. Air Force, then inspected and returned business jets to service under Part 135 and 145. In every one of those roles, people trusted my sign-off to mean the aircraft was right.
Now I'm bringing that to the flight deck. At the controls, I know how the systems behind the panel work and what a write-up means for the flight ahead.
I fly with a maintainer's understanding of the airplane.
Experience that translates
Aviation depth that carries into the cockpit.
My record covers 17 years of aircraft maintenance, quality assurance, and operational leadership, plus current glass-cockpit training.
Technical Depth
Hands-on systems knowledge across military and civilian aircraft, from troubleshooting and inspection to signing an aircraft back into service.
Professional Operations
Inspected and returned Falcon 900EX, Hawker 1000, Premier 1, and King Air B250 aircraft to service, and performed quality assurance and RII inspections.
Current Focus
Building commercial pilot experience at Alpha One Flight, including 86.4 hours in the G1000, while helping keep the South County Flyers fleet airworthy as Maintenance Officer.
Why Tropic
A strong fit for a higher standard.
Tropic Ocean Airways is built on the standards that shaped my career: disciplined procedures, two-pilot coordination, conservative decision-making, and a safety culture backed by in-house maintenance.
Flying Grand Caravan EX amphibians across Florida and The Bahamas takes real respect for the airplane and for the water and weather it works in. I've maintained PT6-powered King Air B250s, the same engine family that powers the Caravan, and my QA background means I'll add value to your operation from day one.
Safety FirstA safety mindset built across military, maintenance, QA, and Part 135 environments.
Crew OrientedI've led and worked inside high-accountability teams where clear communication keeps everyone safe.
Operational FocusI know the procedures and readiness work that keep aircraft and missions moving safely.
Aircraft KnowledgeHands-on systems and inspection experience informs every decision I make in the cockpit.
Professional PresenceI come prepared and stay calm, and I keep the people depending on the flight informed.
Credentials
Qualified today.
Continuing higher.
I hold an FAA A&P certificate and a current first-class medical, with solid instrument and G1000 time and steady progress toward the published SIC qualifications.
FAA Airframe & PowerplantCertified
FAA First-Class MedicalCurrent
FCC GROLCurrent
Upset Recovery TrainingCompleted
Commercial ASEL / ASESIn progress
U.S. PassportRenewal in process
G1000 C172S Training86.4 hours
Instrument Experience74.8 hours
Career record
Professional aviation, end to end.
My career runs from the F-16 flight line through Part 135 hangars and defense operations, and now to the flight deck.
Dec 2024 - Present
Alpha One Flight / South County Flyers
Commercial Pilot Development / Maintenance Officer
Commercial pilot training at KPYM, including substantial instrument and G1000 time in the C172S under Part 141. Also Maintenance Officer for South County Flyers at KOQU, coordinating fleet airworthiness and maintenance.
Oct 2023 - Dec 2024
TCOM LP
Engineering Technologist III / Night Shift Lead
Led a four-person night operations team responsible for weather planning, aerostat launch/recovery, mission execution, and coordination of major maintenance with U.S. Army personnel to minimize downtime.
Dec 2022 - Oct 2023
Pro Airways · Part 135 / 145
A&P Technician / Inspector
Troubleshot, maintained, and inspected Falcon 900EX/EASy, Hawker 1000, Beechcraft Premier 1, and King Air B250 aircraft. Performed quality assurance and RII inspections, returned aircraft to service, and handled maintenance transaction reporting.
Aug 2019 - Sep 2020
AECOM / Amentum
Engineering Technologist III
Operated persistent-surveillance systems for U.S. Army and U.S. Department of State missions, working to strict procedures as part of a tightly coordinated team.
Jan 2019 - Jun 2019
DynCorp International
Transient Alert
Supported fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, U.S. and foreign, with follow-me services, fueling, and aircrew assistance.
Jun 2009 - Nov 2018
M1 Support Services / U.S. Air Force
F-16 Aircraft Mechanic I / Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Technician
Inspected, serviced, documented, maintained, and troubleshot F-16s, and trained other maintainers. Earned elevated inspection authorizations, served as crash-investigation liaison, and inspected 1,000+ support-equipment items.
“
Aviation has always been about precision, accountability, and trust. I bring those standards with me into every aircraft, every crew, and every next step.Jason Thomas Tavares
Contact
Ready to contribute.
Ready to keep learning.
I'd welcome a conversation about Second in Command opportunities or anything in aviation operations. Email or call me directly.
Jason Thomas Tavares · Fall River, MA · Aviation professional since 2009Second in Command Candidate · FAA A&P · Former F-16 Crew Chief