EAST COAST AVIATION LLC
Chief Flight Instructor:
Alex Wellman
Oops... just realized that this is not Alex.... I get the two of them confused... Alex is quick to correct me AirForce NOT Navy.
...scroll on down for Alex's info...
Chief Flight Instructor:
Alex Wellman
This is the REAL Lt. Col Alex Wellman... Chief Flight Instuctor of East Coast Aviation (and just a super great guy to fly with) and he can teach you Gliders and tons of other things
Alex Wellman Qualifications / Experience
Chief Flight Instructor:
John Alexander Wellman (go by Alex)
CFII-G Recency Experience 9/30/2026
Commercial ASEL/AMEL/Glider
Senior Parachute Rigger Back/Chest/Seat
Command Pilot USAF (Retired)
Total Time Military: 2196.6
Total Civilian Time: 450
Air Frames:
F-16
AT-38
T-38
T-37
T-6
Piper Arrow
C-182 RG
C-172 RG
C-150
C-152
C-172
T-34A
T-3
SGS 2-33
SGS 1-26
Let L-33 Solo
ASK-21
Grob 103
MQ-1
part 107 sUAS
​
Education:
B.S. Electrical Engineering USAFA 1996
M.S. Aeronautical Sciences Embry Riddle 2008
M.S. Strategic Intelligence DIA 2010
Flight Safety Officer training (USAF version of the NTSB)
​
Early Aviation Career
- Began flying in 1992 in a Cessna 150 with a Civil Air Patrol (CAP) instructor.
- Funded flight training by building and packing parachutes at Butler Parachute Systems, CA.
- Earned Senior Parachute Rigger’s License.
- Completed Private Pilot Certificate before attending USAFA, Class of 1996.
United States Air Force Academy (USAFA)
- Became a TG-4 (SGS 2-33) soaring instructor.
- Taught cadets to solo and train as soaring instructors.
- Began spin pilot training after graduation.
- Completed mountain flying course, flying at Leadville, CO (10,000 feet MSL).
Pilot Training & Fighter Jet Qualification
- Attended pilot training at Columbus AFB, MS, flying the T-37.
- Selected for T-38 training due to high performance.
- Passed Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF).
- Selected for F-16 training and completed the B-course at Luke AFB.
Combat Experience & Fighter Pilot Callsign
- Assigned to Moody AFB, GA, completed Mission Qualification Training (MQT).
- Deployed for Operation Southern Watch (OSW).
- Received fighter pilot callsign "Mullet" due to reaction during combat brief.
- Engaged in daily AAA fire and dropped bombs in combat.
Operational Assignments
- Transferred to Cannon AFB, NM, flying with 524th FS, "Hounds of Heaven".
- Became an instructor pilot while heavily engaged in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).
- Moved to Osan AB, South Korea, completing:
- 17 exercises.
- 1 Operational Readiness Inspection.
- 51 weeks of night operations with extensive NVG flight time.
Instructor & Advanced Education
- Assigned to Luke AFB, AZ, teaching F-16 B-course.
- Earned first master's degree, then selected for a second master’s program at Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Bolling AFB, DC.
- Stationed at Langley AFB, VA, serving on Air Combat Command Inspector General team.
- Conducted Operational Readiness Inspections (ORI) and Unit Compliance Inspections (UCI).
MQ-1 Transition & Leadership Role
- Transitioned to MQ-1 operations.
- Served as Deputy Director at Wing Operations Center (WOC).
- Supported multiple Areas of Responsibility (AORs), including:
- Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Arabian Gulf, Horn of Africa.