301+ Flight Hours • Available Now

Sampson Smith Commercial & UAS Pilot

Instrument-rated Commercial Pilot and Textron Aerosonde Operator with hands-on ISR platform experience. Currently completing a dual B.S. in Aeronautics at Liberty University. U.S. Citizen eligible for Secret Clearance.

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About

Pilot. Operator. Mission-Ready.

I'm an instrument-rated Commercial Pilot and FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot with 301.2 total flight hours. I hold Textron Aerosonde Aircraft Operator, Crew Chief, and MT01 certifications, with hands-on experience operating a fixed-wing ISR platform used in defense and intelligence operations.

Currently completing a dual B.S. in Aeronautics at Liberty University with concentrations in Commercial/Corporate Aviation and Unmanned Aerial Systems. I'm a U.S. Citizen eligible for Secret Clearance, and my final semester can be completed online — making me available for immediate full-time operational roles.

I'm seeking opportunities in commercial aviation, defense/ISR operations, UAS programs, charter, and aerial survey. I bring checklist discipline, crew coordination skills, and a mission-focused mindset to every operation.

U.S. Citizen
Eligible for Secret Clearance
Open to Relocation
Sampson Smith in pilot uniform on the ramp
301+
Total Flight Hours
CPL
Commercial ASEL
IFR
Instrument Rated
UAS
Part 107 + Aerosonde

Certifications & Ratings

Qualifications

FAA certifications and specialized platform qualifications.

Commercial Pilot — ASEL
FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate, Airplane Single-Engine Land
Issued July 2025
Instrument Rating — Airplane
Proficient in IFR procedures, approaches, and navigation
Issued November 2023
Textron Aerosonde Operator
Aircraft Operator, Crew Chief & MT01 — fixed-wing ISR UAS platform
Completed June 2026
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot
Certified for commercial small UAS operations
Issued October 2025
FAA First Class Medical
Current First Class Medical Certificate
Issued September 2024
Security Clearance Eligible
U.S. Citizen — eligible for Secret Clearance
Active

Experience

Professional History

Operational, technical, and leadership experience.

Textron Aerosonde Operator
Crew Chief & MT01
June 2026
  • Completed Textron Aerosonde operator, Crew Chief, and MT01 certification
  • Hands-on experience operating a fixed-wing ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) platform
  • Trained in mission planning, launch/recovery, and platform maintenance
Commercial Flight Training
Liberty University School of Aeronautics
2021 – 2025
  • 301.2 total flight hours across PPL, Instrument, and Commercial training
  • Single-engine land operations with instrument proficiency
  • Cross-country, night, and IFR flight experience
Break/Fix Technician & Project Lead
BDS — Lynchburg, VA
Jul 2024 – Oct 2025
  • Maintained, restocked, and installed retail displays across Target and Best Buy stores
  • Coordinated directly with store representatives on timing, resources, and placement
  • Served as project lead, owning end-to-end installation with high attention to detail
Aviation Mentor
High Flight Mentoring Program — Liberty University
Jan – May 2025
  • Guided incoming aviation students through coursework and flight-training expectations
  • Built one-on-one relationships and provided support throughout the semester
  • Encouraged students to develop strong habits, discipline, and confidence in aviation

Education

Academic Background

B.S. in Aeronautics — Dual Concentration
Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
Concentrations: Commercial/Corporate Aviation and Unmanned Aerial Systems
GPA: 3.1
Final semester can be completed online — available for immediate full-time roles.
Dean's List: Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Spring 2026
2027
Anticipated

Skills & Proficiencies

Capabilities

Flight Operations

Single-Engine (ASEL)
IFR Navigation
VFR Navigation
Cross-Country
Night Operations
Checklist Discipline

UAS / ISR

Part 107 Operations
Textron Aerosonde
Fixed-Wing ISR
Mission Planning
Launch & Recovery
Airspace Compliance

Aviation Knowledge

Weather Analysis
Flight Planning
ATC Communication
Crew Coordination
Risk Management
FAR/AIM

Core Strengths

Mission-Focused Mindset
Spatial Awareness
Attention to Detail
Project Leadership
Mentorship
Adaptability

Contact

Let's Connect

I'm actively seeking opportunities in commercial aviation, defense/ISR operations, and UAS programs.

Reach Out

Email
sampson@sunnysmith.com
Phone
(434) 363-0638
Location
Lynchburg, VA — Open to Relocation
Availability
Immediate — flexible schedule