CANE ASSOCIATES,
AVIATION CONSULTANTS, LLC
JOHN CANE
CURRICULUM VITAE
588 GALERA LANE, MOUNT PLEASANT, SC 29464
JCANE@CANEASSOCIATES.US
WWW.CANEASSOCIATES.US
(843) 743-9113
Summary: FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Certified Flight Instructor, Instrument (CFII); Former AV-8B
Harrier Squadron Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, Detachment Commander, Director of Aircraft Maintenance, Director of Flight
Operations, and Pilot Training Officer; Marine Aircraft Group Executive Officer and Director of Safety & Standardization; TAV-8B/AV-8B
Instructor Pilot, Instrument Check Pilot, NATOPS Check Pilot, Post Maintenance Check Pilot, Air-to-Air Combat Instructor Pilot, Low Altitude
Instructor Pilot, Crew Resource Management Instructor (CRMI), Night Vision Device (NVD) Qualified Pilot, Carrier Qualified Pilot, Landing
Signal Officer (LSO) Instructor; Graduate of U.S. Naval Aviator Training, Naval Aviation Maintenance Officer's Course, Naval Aviation Quality
Assurance Officer's Course, Naval Safety Center Senior Officer's Safety Course, Naval Justice School Senior Officer’s Legal Course, EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University Aviation Safety Program Management
Professional Experience
Principal Aviation Investigator, Large Law Firm, Charleston, SC
(May 2010 to Oct 2011). Conducted crash site investigations,
regulatory research, drafted legal documents and assisted in the
development of litigation strategies. Served as a committee
member on the FAA’s First Officer Qualifications Aviation Rulemaking Committee, chartered to make recommendations to the
FAA Administrator regarding flight experience and training
requirements for 1st Officers participating in Part 121 air carrier
operations.
Commanding Officer, Marine Attack Squadron 311 (VMA-311),
Yuma, AZ (Nov 2007 to May 2009). Served as the Commanding
Officer of a Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier Squadron during a
rigorous deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Under my leadership the squadron achieved unparalleled success,
resulting in its selection as the “Most Outstanding Attack Squadron
in Marine Aviation” for 2009, which earned the squadron the
Marine Corps Aviation Association’s Attack Squadron of the Year
Award. The Squadron also earned consecutive Chief of Naval
Operations Aviation (CNO) Safety Awards in recognition of
exemplary safety, operational excellence and contributions to the
improvement of Naval Aviation safety. The squadron was
comprised of 35 officers, 250 aviation maintenance and support
personnel, and 16 AV-8B aircraft that had a combined value of
over $400M.
Executive Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 13 (MAG-13), Yuma,
AZ (Dec 2005 to Oct 2007). Supervised the flight operations and
maintenance activities of 4 subordinate AV-8B Harrier squadrons,
and a maintenance & logistics squadron that provided aviation
maintenance services to the MAG's Harrier squadrons. The MAG
consisted of 2000 aviation maintenance and support personnel, and
64 AV-8B aircraft that had a combined value of $2B. Supervised
several multimillion-dollar contracts involving new hangar
construction, hangar renovations, and engine test-cell upgrades.
Director of Safety and Standardization, MAG-13, Yuma, AZ
(Dec 2005 to Dec 2006). Responsible for the development and
implementation of policy designed to advance the safety of
land/sea-based aviation maintenance and flight operations.
Implemented the commander’s safety and standardization policies,
and supervised the aviation and ground mishap prevention
programs. Exercised staff cognizance over the Naval Aviation
Training and Operating Procedures (NATOPS), aviation safety,
and ground safety programs. Conducted safety surveys, aviation
safety councils, human factors councils, standardization board
meetings and safety stand-downs. Rewrote the MAG’s 150+ page
standard operating procedures guide for flight operations, chaired
committees involved in the rewrite of the AV-8B tactical guides,
and aircrew training syllabus and core competencies.
AV-8B Harrier Detachment Officer-in-Charge, VMA-311,
Japan (Apr 2005 to Dec 2005). Served as the AV-8B Harrier
Detachment Officer-in-Charge during a demanding 8-month
deployment to Japan. The Detachment consisted of 90 Marines
and 6 AV-8B Harrier aircraft, and involved extended embarkation
aboard two U.S. Navy LHDs carriers. While embarked, served as
the Marine Aviation Combat Element (ACE) Aviation
Maintenance Officer, responsible for the maintenance and
readiness of 12 CH-46E, 4 CH-53E, 4 AH-1W, 2 UH-1N
helicopters, and 6 AV-8B aircraft. As the Detachment Officer-inCharge, established all policies governing the detachment’s flight
operations, aircraft maintenance, aircrew training, aviation safety,
logistics, administration, HAZMAT and armament handling.
Performed operational risk management and served as the approval
authority for all flight operations. Developed aircrew training
plans and ensured standardization of instructor cadre. Ensured
aircrew conducted flight operations in accordance with governing
manuals, regulations, orders, directives and SOPs.
Executive Officer, VMA-311 & VMA-513, Yuma, AZ (May
2004 to Apr 2005). Supervised all facets of the squadron’s flight
and ground operations. Acted as the commander’s representative
for all safety matters, and ensured that the commander’s safety
policy was understood and incorporated at all levels of the
command. Performed scheduled and unscheduled safety
inspections, and operational risk management. Chaired monthly
Aviation Safety Councils and Standardization Board meetings.
Director of Operations, VMA-311, Yuma, AZ (Dec 2002 to May
2004). Planned and supervised all aspects of the squadron’s
operations, to include flight operations while embarked aboard
ship during a 7-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi
Freedom. Established aircrew training objectives and priorities,
and ensured pilots met and exceeded core training requirements as
defined in the AV-8B Harrier Training & Readiness Manual.
Program Manager, USMC Warfighting Laboratory, Quantico,
VA (Dec 2000 to Dec 2002). Served as the Program Manager for
the RQ-14 “Dragon Eye” – the Marine Corps' first operational
back-packable unmanned air vehicle (UAV). Led a team of Naval
Research Laboratory engineers in the UAV’s development.
Established the program’s priorities and timelines, and conducted
developmental flight test. A Rapid Acquisition Program, Dragon
Eye UAV transitioned from concept to fielding in an
unprecedented 2-year period, and achieved significant success in
Iraq and Afghanistan. The Secretary of the Navy nominated the
program in 2001 for the Department of Defense’s David Packard
Excellence in Acquisition Award for “exemplary innovation and
best acquisition practices.” A Dragon Eye UAV is currently on
display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
Director of Aircraft Maintenance, VMA-542, Cherry Point, NC
(Sept 1999 to Dec 2000). Supervised 15 maintenance work centers
 2008, a guidance unit on a laser-guided weapon was damaged
and 150 maintenance Marines involved in the maintenance of 16
AV-8B Harrier aircraft. Established all production goals, work
plans and priorities. Supervised all aircraft repairs, modifications,
maintenance and inspections, and ensured that all occurred in
accordance with regulations and directives. Developed the
maintenance department’s technical training plan, ensured
department retained requisite qualifications, instructors, and
quality assurance personnel to accomplish the mission safely.
Conducted scheduled and unscheduled inspections, and
administered the commander’s safety programs. Performed postmaintenance functional check flights.
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Pilot Training Officer, VMAT-203, Cherry Point, (Sept 1998 to
Sept 1999). Ensured student pilot training adhered to core training
requirements. Developed remedial training plans for substandard
students, evaluated other instructors for standardization, conducted
flight training for new instructors. Rewrote and updated the
squadron’s Flight Syllabus Guide, served as the squadron’s Air
Combat Tactics Standardization Instructor. Gained extensive
familiarity with aircrew simulators and training systems, and
served as the AV-8B subject matter expert for Naval Air Warfare
Center Training Systems Division’s Critical Design Review during
an AV-8B simulator upgrade.
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Aviation Maintenance Quality Assurance Officer, VMAT-203,
Cherry Point, NC (May 1997 to Sept 1998). Monitored aircraft
maintenance, repair and inspection procedures and
standards. Ensured directives and procedures were current and
closely followed. Performed scheduled and unscheduled
inspections. Identified discrepancies, root causes, led continuous
process improvement efforts, and took appropriate corrective
action when necessary. Provided maintenance technical training to
maintenance personnel.
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T/AV-8B Instructor Pilot, VMAT-203, Cherry Point, NC (May
1997 to Sept 1999). Taught aircraft systems ground school and
conducted flight instruction. Qualified as a “safe-for-solo” check
pilot, instrument check pilot, NATOPS check pilot, tactical flight
instructor and standardization check pilot.
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Aviation Maintenance Power-Plants Officer, VMA-211, Yuma,
AZ (Jun 1995 to May 1997). Responsible for the maintenance,
repair and removal of the squadron's AV-8B Harrier Rolls-Royce
408/406 gas turbine engines.
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Aviation Related Licenses & Qualifications
 Airline Transportation Pilot (MEL)
 Commercial Pilot (SEL)
 Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (Powered-Lift)
 Naval Aviator
 Post Maintenance Check Pilot
 T/AV-8B Harrier Instructor Pilot
 Air Combat Tactics Instructor
 Low Altitude Tactics Instructor
 Weapons Tactics Officer
 Crew Resource Management (CRM) Instructor
Investigative Experience
 2012, midair collision over the Hudson River, New York
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after it was inadvertently dropped while being loaded onto an
aircraft.
2008, AV-8B Harrier engine nozzle drive coupling retaining
pin disconnected on landing roll-out due to improper
“peening” of the pin and inadequate published quality
assurance procedures.
2008, while operating from an airport in the Middle East,
engines on six AV-8B Harriers ingested FOD and required
engine replacement.
2008, while an AV-8B Harrier was conducting a “gun run” on
a target, rounds fired from the gun fragmented in front of the
aircraft and struck the cockpit windscreen causing it to shatter.
2007, while an AV-8B Harrier was conducting a “gun run” on
a target, rounds fired from the gun fragmented in front of the
aircraft and struck the leading edge of the aircraft’s left wing.
2007, crash of an AV-8B Harrier in Yuma, Arizona after a fan
blade liberated from the engine and exited the engine case.
2006, crash of an AV-8B Harrier in Yuma, Arizona after a fan
blade liberated from the engine and exited the engine case.
2006, crash of an AV-8B Harrier at sea after the engine
experienced un-commanded RPM rollback.
2006, crash of an AV-8B Harrier on final approach into Yuma,
Arizona after the pilot reported a flight control malfunction.
2005, crash of an AV-8B Harrier on landing roll-out after the
Night Vision Device (NVD) equipped pilot attempted a high
crosswind landing.
2005, AV-8B Harrier’s wing tip and wing mounted missile
launcher were damaged after the NVD equipped pilot
experienced a hard landing aboard a carrier (LHD) at night.
2005, AV-8B Harrier was seriously damaged while conducting
a bombing run on a target at night after the NVD equipped
pilot initiated a late dive recovery, flew too low, and struck
vegetation.
2000, AV-8B Harrier was damaged after the engine’s #3 main
bearing failed during an engine high-power test run.
1999, AV-8B Harrier experienced in-flight vibrations due to a
pending engine #3 main bearing failure.
1994, AV-8B Harrier departed the runway surface after the
aircraft’s nose tire wheel bearing failed during landing rollout.
involving a Piper PA-23 Aztec and a Eurocopter AS350
(operating under Part 91 & 136).
2012, crash of a Boeing 747-200 after it lost two engines
shortly after takeoff from Bogota, Colombia (operating under
Part 121).
2011, controlled flight into terrain of a Rockwell International
690B Turbo Commander during a descent into San Juan,
Puerto Rico (operating under Part 135).
2011, crash of Beech 58 during final approach into
Greensboro, North Carolina (operating under Part 135).
2011, crash of a Cessna 550 Citation II after the aircrew
reported flight control problems after takeoff from Milwaukee,
Wisconsin (operating under Part 135).
2010, crash of a Piper PA-23-250 shortly after takeoff from
Summerville, South Carolina (operating under Part 91).
2009, Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier jet was damaged during a
high-power run-up after a portion of the high-power ramp
liberated and struck the underside of the aircraft’s fuselage.
Aviation Related Education
 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Aviation Safety
Program Management
 Naval Aviator Training (2 years of training)
 Naval Aviation Maintenance Officer’s Course (6 weeks of
training)
 Naval Safety Center's Senior Officer’s Aviation Safety Course
(1 week of training)
 Naval Aviation Quality Assurance Course (1 week of training)
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 Naval Justice School Senior Officer’s Legal Course (1 week of
training)
Academic Education
 Juris Doctorate, Charleston School of Law, Charleston, SC
(Aug 2009 - May 2012). Selected finalist “Top 4” of 241
competitors in the 2010 Charleston School of Law 1L Moot
Court competition. Vice-President of the Aviation Law
Society, elected member of the Honor Council, selected
member of the James L. Petigru American Inn of Court.
 Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, The Citadel, Charleston,
SC (Sept 1987 - Dec 1989)
 University of Maryland, School of Engineering, College Park,
MD (Sept 1980 - Dec 1982)
Selected Awards
 Bronze Star Medal - for service as the Commanding Officer of
a Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier squadron.
 Meritorious Service Medal - for service as the Executive
Officer of MAG-13, the Director of Safety and Standardization
of MAG-13, and the Officer-in-Charge of an AV-8B Harrier
Detachment.
 Air Medal - for heroic achievement in aerial flight while
serving as an AV-8B Harrier pilot in OIF.
Aircraft Flown
 AV-8B
 T/AV-8B
 F/A-18B
 T-38
 T/A-4J
 T-2C
 T-34C
 AH-1W
 Piper PA-28 Warrior
 Piper PA-34 Seneca
 Cessna 172/150
Miscellaneous
 Top Secret (Sensitive Compartmentalized Information)
Security Clearance, eligibility valid until February 2014
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