I'm a 1973's class guy; I am from Italy, born and raised here, mostly in the area where i do live now with my family: Lucca

After high school I joined Italian Air Force as a cadet pilot and earned my Pilot Wings ("towered eagle") in 1997 flying MB.339 jet; i was then assigned to the Wing i still belong to, in Pisa: 46Th Air Brigade, military transport, at the glorious 98th Sqn;
Since then i collected several flying hours on G.222 and C-27J, reaching the privilege to be aircraft commander on both and Tactical and Techniques Instructor Pilot aboard C-27j. I am also qualified as a Tac-IP for European Airlift Transport Command (EATC) courses.

Aside the flight activity i am a Flight Safety Officer and qualified as CRM/TRM Instructor. After nearly 20 years in the same Squadron, I work in the Training Centre of the Wing; our main goal is to train National and International crews flying on the C-27J and C-130J, both in real flight activity and on the full motion simulators. The knowledge and know-how transfer process is something that makes me feel very happy and proud of our results.

I've visited many Countries during my career, some of them unforgettable for different reasons, meeting interesting people, great friends and unbelievable situations.

I love my family (my wife and our daughter, and our cats), and my long term hobby: RADIO; i was a small kid when i was given as a present a CB radio, and after several years, i attended the Ministerial Test to pass my Amateur Radio License. I'm nowadays IK5ZVE, as you probably know me, since 1995.

I also play Golf and I like sailing, flying sailplanes, skiing, taking pictures and road tripping with my beloved family.