BENJAMIN WAGNER
Clayton
Summary
Highly motivated, safety oriented and career minded aviation professional. Currently instructing at Blue Line Aviation, Clayton. Recently retired after twenty+ years of varied active duty military experience in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) career field. Well versed in small team operations and leadership. Skills include flight safety and instruction, risk assessment/risk management and decision making as well as personnel, facilities and equipment management.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Certified Flight Instructor/CFI Academy Lead
Blue Line Aviation
07.2023 - Current
- Directly involved with Flight operations management, assist's with the day to day operations of 35 Flight instructors, 20 aircraft and 75 students.
- Manages the Certified Flight instructor academy, Maintains an academy 77% First Time Pass rate since January 1st 2025. Currently 80 total CFI candidate graduates.
- Plans, prepares and presents both ground and flight instruction, also directly involved w/ curriculum, syllabus, lesson plans, and flight standardization manual writing and updates. Part 61 and 141.
- Built and manages a highly successful Certified Flight Instructor preparation program to help increase the first time pass rate
- Prepares and manages assigned students flight/ground training schedules and training records, ensuring objectives/requirements are met within the contracted parameters.
- Provides VA check-ride reimbursement workshop for prior service students and staff.
- Boy Scouts of America, Aviation merit badge counselor. Coordinates with the Scout, the Scouts council and Blue Line Aviation to provide eligible Scouts (age appropriate) aviation training complete w/ discovery flight.
EOD Program Manager
US Air Force
03.2011 - 04.2022
- Oversaw daily and future operations, training and quality assurance for 40 active duty and Reserve Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technicians.
- Oversaw the annual travel/training budget, explosives, weapons, equipment, supply and government purchase card (GPC) accounts.
- Managed the Air Force EOD Training and Certification Center facilities, equipment, Explosives, demolition range, training and personnel
- Provided EOD support to military operations (war/peacetime), local law enforcement agencies & the United States Secret Service (USSS)
Explosive Ordnance Disposal
US Army
08.1998 - 09.2010
- Managed daily and future operations, training And quality assurance for a 12 man active duty Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Platoon.
- Managed the annual travel/trng budget, explosives, weapons, equipment, supply accounts and demolition range complex.
- Conducted Countless hours of instruction on current theater specific IED tactics, techniques and procedures, Un-exploded explosive ordnance (UXO) recognition/awareness and Explosive safety to deploying Soldiers/civilians, and personell working in formerly used defense sites.
- Responded to 700+ Conventional Explosive Ordnance, and or Improvised Explosive Device (IED) related incidents (career total)
Education
Bachelor of Science - Aviation
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA10.2023
Career Pilot Program - undefined
Blue Line Aviation
Clayton, NC06.2023
Skills
- Student progress evaluation
- Simulation coordination
- Aircraft systems
- Safety management
- Instructional material development
Flight Time
Total 1026.4
- TOTAL TIME 1424.9
- PIC 1314.3
- Instrument 120.2
- Multi-Engine 31.7
- Night 111.4
- XC 337.8
- Instructor 1081.8
Certification
- Commercial Pilot
- Airplane Single-Engine Land
- Airplane Multi-Engine Land
- Instrument-Airplane
- Flight Instructor
Timeline
Certified Flight Instructor/CFI Academy Lead
Blue Line Aviation
07.2023 - Current
EOD Program Manager
US Air Force
03.2011 - 04.2022
Explosive Ordnance Disposal
US Army
08.1998 - 09.2010
Career Pilot Program - undefined
Blue Line Aviation
Bachelor of Science - Aviation
Liberty University
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