Barry Lloyd – Chief Pilot, Cal Fire

Barry Lloyd

Barry Lloyd has a passion for flying that has spanned over 51 years. He has over 14,000 rotary and fixed wing flight hours; with over 1,600 hours accumulated during combat missions. Mr. Lloyd served his first tour of duty in Vietnam as a U.S. Army Warrant Officer flying combat missions in UH1-B and C “Huey Gunships” with the 197th Armed Helicopter Company (later known as the 334th ) in 1965-’66. His second tour in Vietnam was in 1968-‘69 as a Lieutenant, flying Huey gunships and OH-23 Scout helicopters with B/123d AHC, Americal Division. Upon his return to the United States, Lloyd was promoted to Captain.

Mr. Lloyd’s diverse military and civilian flight experience includes:

  • UH1-B and B/540 (C) Gunships and OH-23 Scout Pilot in Vietnam (two Purple Hearts flying combat missions)
  • Bell-47 Flight training & commercial operations Water Sampling, News Reports, and Aerial Photography
  • Bell 205A’s in Indonesia external load operations in support of oil exploration and development.
  • Chief Pilot Astro Copters flying Bell 47’s, Hughes 300’s, 500D’s, Jet Rangers and a Sikorsky S-58
  • USFS/CDF Fire Carded Pilot for over 43 years (1973 – present)
  • Certified Accident Investigator
  • FAA Designated Pilot Examiner: Private – ATP, Instrument, CFI, CFII
  • FAA Aviation Safety Counselor
  • FAA Certificated A&P mechanic
  • Certified Flight Instructor, Airplane Single/Multiengine, Helicopter, Instruments Airplane & Helicopter
  • ATP in both Helicopters and Fixed Wing aircraft
  • Chief Pilot Redding Air Service flying BH-206B, L3, L4 and UH-1H
  • 2008 HAI Flight Instructor of the Year awards
  • 2016 FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for 50+ years of incident, accident and violation free flying
  • Helicopter Program Manager and Chief Pilot for Cal Fire

As a young man, Lloyd lived in Connecticut near Bradley field which is where some of the early Sikorsky and Kaman helicopter test facilities were located. He grew up watching those helicopters being tested. Barry took his first flight in a Piper J3 Cub at age 16, “I had a girlfriend forge a note from my mom so I could take the flight!”

Lloyd’s extraordinary military recognitions and awards includes:
Purple Heart (Vietnam 1965), Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal with V-device for Valor and 30 oak leaf clusters for combat missions flown, Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Life-Saving Medal, and a second Purple Heart (Vietnam 1968)

After separating from the U.S. Army in 1969 with the rank of Captain, Lloyd returned to St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California earning a BA, and then graduated from the University of Southern California Aircraft Accident Investigation Course Series. He later earned his Juris Doctor from Lincoln Law School. Eventually Lloyd returned full time to his passion, flying. He began his commercial helicopter career in the forest and mountains of California. His many years of work in this area earned him the U.S. Forest Service certification for fire, rappel, mountain, snow ops, animal herding and capture, bucket ops, long line ops, and heli-torch certification.

Mr. Lloyd’s work as accident investigator, teaching at seminars and attending other pilot education events throughout the U.S., keep him busy. His teaching skills and knowledge of FARs and aviation law are valuable assets. His student pilots do “Fly Safer,” because of Lloyd’s mentorship. Those who have taken HAI’s Flight Instructor Refresher Course are witness to Lloyd’s skills and very special dedication to the helicopter industry.

Barry Lloyd now works as the Helicopter Program Manager for Cal Fire. His duties include operating as Contracting Officer, Helicopter Chief Pilot, carding Call-When-Needed Contract and Cal Fire pilots, and insuring all safety standards are met.

When his busy schedule allows, Barry enjoys flying and maintaining his Cessna 150 airplane, working on cars, his BMW motorcycle, and computers.

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