David Alan Thompson

I don't remember a time when I didn't love airplanes.  Fortunately, with the support of my wonderful family, I was able to pursue aviation as a career.  I took my first flight as a student at Kansas State in January of 1993 and by October of the next year I was an instructor for K-State.  Not wanting to fly for the airlines after graduation I decided more education was the right path.  I started in the Master of Aeronautical Science program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the fall of 1997 and graduated with a dual specialization in May of 1999.

After eking out a living as an instructor during and after under graduate and graduate school, I started instructing at FlightSafety International in June of 2000.  Four days of conducting ground and simulator training followed by a day flying around Kansas in a new Beechcraft Bonanza or Baron.  Not to mention a salary with benefits.  For a person like me, that was just about the ideal job.  However, you never know when opportunity will knock and compel you to answer.

A little more than three years after starting at FSI my family and I headed to Parker Colorado when I accepted the position of Director of Pilot Training & Safety with Adam Aircraft Industries.  Adam was only about five years old at the time and there were a little over 100 employees working to certify the first light twin engine airplane in over 30 years in the United States.  We achieved that goal in May of 2005 with the A500.  For my part I authored the Pilot Operating Handbook, the FAA/Industry Training Standards accepted syllabus for the A500 and our turbojet version, the A700.  I also worked closely with FAA, industry and academic folks in the development of training standards for owner/operators of what were termed Technically Advanced Aircraft.  Lastly, building on my academic work in aviation safety, I attended several industry and academic training programs covering topics from safety management systems to emergency response and accident investigation.  Along the way I earned a Certificate of Aviation Safety Management from ERAU and taught human factors and simulation systems courses in the masters program for them as well.  Unfortunately Adam folded in early 2008 when the economy tanked and a little over 900 of us scattered to the wind.

We landed back in Wichita where I returned to FSI, this time as an instructor in the Cessna Citation Mustang.  After completing initial training I received my ATP with a type rating in the Mustang and started conducting simulator and ground training for pilots of the airplane.  It wasn't long before the FAA designated me a Training Center Evaluator and I started giving pilot check rides on behalf of the FAA.  I was also fortunate enough to earn a second single pilot type rating in the Citation Jet line of aircraft.

Two thousand one was a watershed year for me.  The year started with a cancer diagnosis followed by nine weeks of chemo therapy, marriage to my wonderful wife, September 11th and the birth of our second daughter.  It was the year where my sense of the world changed drastically and I started paying attention and seeking knowledge.  Even though I didn't make it to law school for more than a decade, the seeds were planted in that year.  My wife and I found ourselves wanting more and more to raise our kids in a small town like the one we grew up in.  The only difference was we wanted that town to be in Colorado instead of Kansas.  Even though I enjoyed my job I realized I would possibly never fly an actual airplane again if I stayed the course.  When we put those two things together we realized it was time to pursue our American Dream.  It was truly a team effort, she joined the Kanas Army National Guard and I started studying for the entrance exam.  Its been a long haul but we finally landed in Salida and are excited about starting our next chapter.  I've even been able to start instructing in an actual airplane again while I'm standing up Thompson Law, LLC.

During law school I tried to diversify my studies in anticipation of working in a small town firm.  I did, however, develop an interest in several areas that I'm actively pursuing through Thompson Law, LLC.  I earned my first A with a research paper in Public Land Law.  From that point on I took all classes related to real property, oil & gas, environmental and water law.  Along the way I earned Certificates of Concentration in Oil & Gas Law and Natural Resources Law.  I also took Administrative Law in preparation for working in aviation law and other areas.  My most rewarding law school experience came through a directed study in veteran's affairs.  I have since been accredited by the VA to represent veterans and I'm very proud to do so.

I learned a strong work ethic working on our family farm growing up.  I won't claim to be an expert when I'm not but I'm committed to providing the very best representation of my clients and will put in the work necessary.  I hope you give me a call so we can discuss your issue.  I give you my word, you may not like to hear what I have to say but you can rest assured that I'm giving you my honest opinion.