My aviation qualifications include the FAA Commercial Pilot License with ratings for Airplane Single-Engine Land (ASEL), Airplane Multi-Engine Land (AMEL), Airplane Multi-Engine Sea (AMES), and Airplane Single-Engine Sea (ASES), as well as an Instrument Rating, plus high-performance and complex endorsements. I have accumulated approximately 630 total flight hours, including more than 500 hours as Pilot in Command, approximately 210 hours cross-country, approximately 130 hours night, and approximately 76 hours night cross-country. My aircraft experience includes Cessna 150, 152, 172, 182, 206; Aero Commander AC-50; Vans RV-12; Piper PA-12 operating on floats; Piper PA-28-180 and PA-28-201 Arrow; Cirrus SR20; Diamond DA-20 and DA-42; Antonov An-2 performing parachute operations; A-22 Aeroprakt; and Yak-52.

My operational experience includes extensive work in high-workload environments, including parachute drop operations requiring stable and repeatable flight profiles, precise airspeed control, repetitive climb-and-descent cycles, accurate positioning, and continuous coordination with jumpers and ground teams.

I also have experience operating in remote and demanding environments, including low visibility conditions, cold weather, rugged terrain, and limited infrastructure. Over the years, I flew extensively in Siberia, gaining valuable experience flying in challenging weather conditions and remote, rugged terrain, including operations in extreme cold and low visibility, which demanded careful planning, sound judgment, and disciplined aircraft handling.

I also have experience operating float-equipped aircraft, where water handling, wind assessment, takeoff and landing performance evaluation, and precise aircraft control were required.

Let me briefly share my background, as it explains both my path to aviation and the mindset I bring into the cockpit.

I began my aviation training in 2008 at an aviation club, where I gained my foundational piloting skills. At that time, I was working as a pediatric surgeon, but due to financial limitations I was unable to complete my training.

In 2014, after retraining as a lawyer, I resumed flight training in Estonia. My training took place during a period of geopolitical and economic instability, which extended my aviation progression. I completed my Private Pilot License in 2016 and later entered Airline Transport Pilot theoretical training in the United Kingdom.

Just as I was about to begin my exams, Brexit occurred, causing uncertainty about whether the UK Civil Aviation Authority would maintain EASA certification. Consequently, the school advised me to either remain there or transfer to another European flight school. I chose to transfer and restart my training from scratch at Pan Aero Flight School in Zadar, Croatia. Shortly after I enrolled, the COVID-19 pandemic led to strict restrictions across Europe, including a full ban on crossing many international borders. To attend classes, I had to travel to Germany via the Turkish Republic and then take a bus from Munich to Zadar. However, this arduous journey proved futile as Croatian authorities, taking precautionary measures, closed the flight school soon after my arrival due to COVID-19. This forced me to complete the second session of my exams while living in Serbia. Additionally, I flew the Antonov An-2, performing parachute drops for skydivers, which enhanced my ability to operate in diverse mission profiles and develop strong situational awareness and precision. I graduated from Pan Aero school in Zadar. I then began to take my ATPL exams in Estonia.

I successfully passed 8 out of 14 ATPL exams before the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Following the conflict, the European Union imposed sanctions on Russia, and because I hold Russian citizenship, I was prohibited from continuing my remaining exams as well as from renewing my license annually. After such an act, I was left unable to continue my planned progression.

Due to the mobilization in Russia, I was forced to flee the country and leave my family behind, expecting that they would join me later. I had to cross the ocean to reach the only country where I could continue my pilot training and flying lessons. After my arrival in the United States, my wife refused to join me, and I have been left here, essentially trapped, awaiting asylum.

I entered Air Fleet Training Inc. in New Jersey and transferred my EASA (European) private pilot license to the FAA (US) private pilot license. After moving to Minnesota in 2024, I completed the necessary training and earned my FAA Commercial Pilot License.

I am currently working as a commercial skydiving pilot, operating in a structured high-frequency flight environment requiring strict adherence to safety procedures, consistent aircraft handling, and disciplined operational execution. In 2025, I was recognized as Pilot of the Year.

In addition to my aviation background, I bring experience as a medical doctor and as a lawyer specializing in transport law and accident investigations, which strengthened my analytical thinking, risk assessment, procedural discipline, and decision-making under pressure.

My long-term objective is to continue developing within commercial aviation operations in the United States, particularly in remote, utility, bush, and seaplane environments where precision, adaptability, situational awareness, and disciplined aircraft handling are essential.

Wishing you the equal number of take offs and safe landings.