MARYLAND STATE POLICE AVIATION COMMAND ANNOUNCES 2013 PILOT OF THE YEAR Mr. William S. “Stan” Finch, Jr.

March 3, 2014
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command (MSPAC) has selected Mr. William S. “Stan” Finch, Jr. as the 2013 Pilot of the Year.

(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 Maryland State Police 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, AW139 multi-mission helicopter. In this role he was responsible for drafting a Training Syllabus and Training Manual in compliance with FAA guidelines. Mr. Finch then coordinated and supervised the training of pilots on the new AW139 helicopter. As a result of his tireless work and dedication to duty, MSPAC has transitioned the first three Sections into the new helicopter with the fourth transition session beginning next week.  Thanks to Mr. Finch’s efforts across the state, MSPAC continues to serve the State of Maryland with the most advanced and capable multi-mission helicopter available. It is the highlight of his 40 years of dedication to Maryland.

Personal Background

Name:              William S. “Stan” Finch, Jr.

Assignment:    Instructor Pilot – Salisbury Aviation Section

History:           Over 40 years of service to the MSP; 25 years as a Trooper/Pilot and 15 years as Civilian Pilot. Over 30 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 (precursor to Flight Paramedic) before, at his own expense, becoming a certified helicopter pilot in the Bell JetRanger. He retired as a Sergeant/Pilot in 1998 and returned to work the next day as a Civilian Pilot continuing to fly the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin. Since then Mr. Finch has worked as an Instructor Pilot at the Salisbury Section – Trooper 4. In 2013 he was named the MSPAC’s Lead Instructor Pilot on 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 helicopter. After developing the syllabus and training manual, Mr. Finch traveled across Maryland instructing pilots at helicopter sections in Frederick, Easton and Salisbury. Next week he will begin instructing the pilots at the Southern Maryland section on the new helicopter. MSPAC continues to benefit from his extensive experience. Mr. Finch’s dedication to duty and commitment to MSPAC is an example all others 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. 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. Col. Marcus Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police, and other dignitaries 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.

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