David J. Schneider, Jr. 2016 honoree

David J. Schneider, Jr.David J. Schneider, Jr.

Native Air
Globe, Arizona

David Schneider’s career as a pilot spanned 25 years. He was no stranger to serving, not only his community in EMS, but his country. In the U.S. Army, he was a Warrant Officer and a special operations pilot serving multiple combat tours in the Middle East.

David was a passionate outdoorsman, and before a career in EMS, once worked as a park ranger at Yellowstone National Park — and flew chartered tours in Hawaii.

On the evening of December 15, 2015, Native Air 5, while returning to base in Globe, Arizona, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, crashed into the Superstitions Mountains.

Honored 2016