Capt. David Carbaugh is President of UPRTA, International.  He is one of the industry’s most respected leaders in upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT) and operational safety. With over 40 years of flight experience, David began his career as a U.S. Air Force pilot, serving as an instructor, check airman, and wing spin pilot before flying the F-15 and C-141 on global missions, including support for the first Gulf War.

Following his military service, he spent nearly three decades at Boeing, flying every major commercial model and serving as Chief Pilot for Flight Operations Safety. He co-chaired the industry team that created the Boeing Upset Recovery Training Aid, authored foundational pilot training materials, and led the development of instructor programs and safety standards adopted worldwide. David also contributed to major safety initiatives on CFIT, ALAR, and wake turbulence, earning multiple industry honors, including the Flight Safety Foundation’s President’s and Lifetime Achievement Awards.

A type-rated pilot on six Boeing models with more than 12,000 flight hours, David continues to lead efforts to align UPRT with operational realities and improve pilot resilience industry-wide.