Michael Waterfield

ATP-rated A320 Captain with 13,000+ hours across Part 121/135, DoD-contracted, and expeditionary operations. Proven record in ISR missions, austere-environment flying, and instructor duties with an unwavering safety-first approach.

Captain, Airbus A320 - Spirit Airlines

(2015-02 - 2026-05)

Airbus A320 Captain in domestic passenger operations with emphasis on safety, CRM, and professionalism.

• Commanded A320 revenue operations across Spirit's domestic/international network under FAR Part 121
• Maintained exceptional safety record over 10+ years while managing high-frequency, high-volume flight schedules
• Applied advanced CRM and threat/error management principles in line operations and crew coordination

Captain DHC-8 | Lead Pilot | IOE Instructor - Berry Aviation

(2011-04 - 2015-02)

Led Part 135 passenger and cargo missions in Afghanistan in support of U.S. military and JSOC requirements; served as Captain, Lead Pilot, and IOE Instructor in austere, high-terrain, day/night IFR and VFR operations.

• Led DoD-contracted DHC-8 missions in austere and remote environments supporting U.S. government operations
• Served as Lead Pilot and IOE Instructor, standardizing crew training and qualification under Part 135
• Executed day/night IFR/VFR expeditionary sorties with zero reportable safety incidents across tenure

Captain DHC-8 | Instructor Pilot - Presidential Airways

(2007-01 - 2011-12)

Conducted Part 135 passenger, cargo, air mobility, and ISR support missions for U.S. government customers across Northwest Africa, Afghanistan, and the United States; also served as a DHC-8 simulator instructor.

• Conducted ISR and government-support missions aboard DHC-8 in international expeditionary theaters
• Delivered ground and flight instruction, upgrading pilots to Captain under austere operational conditions
• Maintained currency across complex airspace environments supporting high-priority DoD mission sets

Captain PC-12 | C208B | Instructor Pilot - Atlantic Aero / SEA Air

(2005-01 - 2007-12)

Conducted Part 135 passenger operations, PC-12/C208B instruction, and remote coastal flying requiring adaptability and disciplined decision-making.

• Captained PC-12 and C208B in Part 135 charter and government ops; provided dual-platform flight instruction

King Air B100 | C-172 | PA-28R - Dillon's Aviation / Corporate Air

Flew Part 135 and special-mission operations, including low-level tracking support for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, personal pilot duties, and flight instruction.

• Built foundational multi-engine and turbine hours in King Air B100, C-172, and PA-28R across charter and training roles

Associate Degree - Aviation Management & Career Pilot Technology - Lenoir Community College