Captain Richard Clayton, Flight Officer Development,

Rapid Advancement Program

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Captain Clayton celebrates over 40 years of professional flying having accumulated 20,000 hours in a variety of aircraft. During his 25 years at DHL Worldwide Express, Captain Clayton logged over 8000 hours as pilot in command on the McDonald Douglas DC-8-73 flying in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and oceanic operations which included over 600 Atlantic crossings. Also at DHL, prior to the DC-8, Captain Clayton logged 3,500 hours as pilot in command on the Boeing 727 flying primarily in the United States. During the DHL years, he also served as a check airman, DC-8 representative on the ALPA Professional Standards Committee, and Line Observation Safety Auditor. 

 

Since 2008, Captain Clayton has held the position of Director, University Flight Operations for New Mexico State University. Primary responsibilities include the flying of state and federal government VIP's, recruiting and training of pilots, and management of state aircraft. He also serves as special aviation adviser to the Office of Government Relations and Chancellor's adviser to the Flight Simulator STEM Program, a joint project with White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico. Captain Clayton has authored articles published in Smithsonian Air and Space and Flying Magazine.