MARYLAND STATE POLICE AVIATION COMMAND ANNOUNCES 2013 PILOT OF THE YEAR

It is always so wonderful to read  such wonder words about the people from Pocomoke City that you know and love.  Congratulations Stan !!  My very best to you and yours in the future. Your life long accomplishments brings tears to my eyes.  SO proud of you!!  bw

MARYLAND STATE POLICE AVIATION COMMAND ANNOUNCES

 

2013 PILOT OF THE YEAR

William S. "Stan" Finch, Jr.
2013 Pilot of the Year
Maryland State Police

 

 

MR. WILLIAM S. “STAN” FINCH, JR.

 

MIDDLE RIVER, MD) -- The Maryland State Police Aviation Command (MSPAC) has selected Mr. William S. “Stan” Finch, Jr. as the 2013 Pilot of the Year.  Mr. Finch is assigned to the Salisbury Aviation Section based at the Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport.  He was selected by his peers for this annual award based on proven performance, dedication, and commitment to the MSPAC mission.

 

   Mr. Finch has been a member of the Aviation Command for over 30 years.  During his tenure he has served as an Aviation Trauma Technician (precursor to Flight Paramedic), Pilot, Sergeant, Instructor Pilot and Civilian Pilot.  In 2013 he was named the Lead Instructor Pilot for the statewide transition into the new, state of the art, AgustaWestland AW139 multi-mission helicopter.  In this role he was responsible for drafting a training syllabus and training manual in compliance with FAA guidelines and coordinating the training of line pilots on the new AW139 helicopter.  As a result of his tireless work and dedication to duty, MSPAC has transitioned three helicopter sections into the new helicopter with the fourth transition beginning earlier this week in St. Mary’s County.  With Mr. Finch’s efforts across the state, MSPAC continues to serve the citizens of Maryland with the most advanced and capable multi-mission helicopter available.  This training is the highlight of Mr. Finch’s 40 years of dedication to state of Maryland.

 

Personal Background

Name:  William S. “Stan” Finch, Jr.

Assignment: Instructor Pilot – Salisbury Aviation Section

History: 40 years of service to the Maryland State Police
                        34 years of service to Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Company.

Hobbies: NASCAR, hunting, and driving to Marshall University.

Family: Resides in Pocomoke, Worcester County with his wife, Cathy.


Activities/Accomplishments

     Mr. William S. “Stan” Finch, Jr. joined the Maryland State Police in 1973 and the Aviation Command in 1982. He began as an Aviation Trauma Technician and then became a certified helicopter pilot in the Bell 206 JetRanger. He retired as a Sergeant/Pilot in 1998 and returned to the State Police as a Civilian Pilot continuing to fly the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin. For the last decade, Mr. Finch has worked as the Instructor Pilot at the Salisbury Section - Trooper 4.  In May, 2013 he was named the MSPAC’s Lead Instructor Pilot for the new AW139 multi-mission helicopter.

     As the Lead Instructor Pilot on the AW139, Mr. Finch researched and produced numerous guides and training plans to ensure a successful, efficient transition into the new aircraft. Mr. Finch has traveled across Maryland instructing pilots at various helicopter sections with a lead/primary focus with the Easton and Salisbury Sections. This week he began instructing the pilots at the Southern Maryland Section with the new AW139. The MSPAC continues to benefit from his extensive experience, dedication to duty and commitment to flight safety as an example for others to follow.

     In addition to his service with the Maryland State Police, Mr. Finch has been a member of the Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Company for 34 years and has served in multiple capacities. From 2000-2012 he served as a sworn Deputy Sheriff with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office assigned to the Civil Division. He stepped down from the Sheriff’s Office to focus solely on the MSPAC AW139 helicopter transition program. 

     Mr. Finch will be formally recognized as the 2013 Pilot of the Year at the MSPAC Salisbury Section AW139 helicopter ribbon cutting ceremony. The ribbon cutting will be held on February 5, 2014, at 1:00pm at the Salisbury Section hangar, 5286 Lear Jet Way, Salisbury, MD 21804. Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police, and other state and local officials will be in attendance.

     The Maryland State Police Aviation Command has served Maryland citizens since 1970, and operates a fleet of advanced multi-mission helicopters from seven bases throughout the state on a 24/7/365 basis.  Missions include medevac, law enforcement, search & rescue, homeland security, and disaster assessment.  The success of missions performed by the Aviation Command depends a great deal on the cooperative effort of local fire, rescue, EMS, and law enforcement agencies.

Mike Mann
Maryland State Police