54 Years into 10 Minutes

Presented by: Richard Jensen

What happens when a routine flight turns into a fight for survival?

Join us for our next SBAviators meeting to hear Richard Jensen share his firsthand account of an in-flight emergency that tested 54 years of flying experience in just 10 critical minutes.

On May 5, 2020, Richard was on a proficiency flight in his Cessna when an exhaust valve catastrophically failed, punching through the cylinder wall and destroying the piston. With limited power and altitude, he had to quickly assess his options—Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Oceano, the beach, or ditching—while staying calm and flying the airplane.

Richard will walk us through the moment-by-moment decisions, the emergency procedures that saved his life, and the sobering post-flight analysis showing just how close things came to going very wrong. He’ll also share key takeaways every pilot can apply to their own flying.

About the Presenter:
Richard Jensen learned to fly at Long Beach Airport in 1966 at age 17 and earned his professional certifications at UCSB. His career has spanned general aviation and regional airline flying, and he currently serves as a FAAST Team member and flight instructor. Richard is an FAA Master Pilot and Gold Seal CFI.

SCHEDULE

5:00 PM: Doors Open
5:30 PM: Tips & Tricks
5:40 PM: Main Program Starts
6:30 PM: Food and Social Begins