Qualifications

FAA Flight Test Pilot DER – Part 23, 25, 27, 29 and NVIS/NVG

ODA Flight Test Pilot UM – Part 23, 25, 27, 29 and NVIS/NVG

Former Transport Canada Flight Test Pilot DAD – Part 25

DAWIA Level II Program Manager – Test and Evaluation

Graduate – USNTPS Class 100

B-757 Captain and Check Airman (Major Airline)

HUD and EFVS Qualified

FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate – Multi-Engine Land Airplane

FAA Commercial Privileges – Powered Lift (Tiltrotor), Rotorcraft-Helicopter, Single Engine Land and Sea and Instrument Rating.

CFII Powered Lift and Rotorcraft-Helicopter.

B-777, B-757, B-767, CE-750, BBD-700 (Global 5000/6000), CL-65 (CRJ), LR-45, LR-60, RA-4000, HS-125, BE-200, CE-500 (Citation) and Sikorsky S-70 type ratings.

Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS) Instructor Pilot

USMC Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI)

USN / USMC Model Manager (UH-1N / HH-1N / AH-1W)

University of Tennessee – Master of Science in Aviation Systems, 1995
Purdue University – Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering, 1983
United States Marine Corps Commander’s Course – Graduate, 2000
Commander’s Aviation Safety Course – Graduate, 2000
United States Naval Test Pilot School, Class 100 – Graduate, 1991

our people

Marc Mannella
Principal / Flight Test Pilot DER

LtCol Marc Mannella, USMC (Ret) of Pinnacle Aerospace Solutions, LLC, has nearly three decades of military and civil new product development and certification experience. Marc is currently a B-757 Captain at a major airline, a Part 23/25/27/29 Consultant Flight Test Pilot DER and a Part 23/25/27/29 Flight Test Pilot ODA UM. Marc has previously served as a Company DER, ODA UM, DAS AR and as TCCA DAD. Marc’s leadership experience includes: Commanding Officer of HMT-303 (the UH-1N/HH-1N/AH-W Navy/Marine Corps combined Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS)), Director of Flight Operations for Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, Cessna Flight Test Manager / Chief Pilot, Government Flight Test Director (GFTD) for the V-22 Integrated Test Team (ITT), and Head, Aviation Development, Tactics and Evaluation (ADT&E) department at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1). During his tenure, HMT-303 was awarded the 2002 Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) Commandant’s Trophy – in recognition of the best overall USMC squadron.

Marc’s flight experience includes the following: FAA Airline Transport Pilot – Multi-Engine Land Airplane. FAA Commercial Pilot – Powered Lift (Tiltrotor), Rotorcraft-Helicopter and Airplane – Single Engine Land and Sea, Instrument Rating. CFII – Powered Lift and Rotorcraft-Helicopter. B-777, B-757, B-767, CE-750, BBD-700 (Global 5000/6000), CL-65 (CRJ), LR-45, LR-60, RA-4000, HS-125, BE-200, CE-500 (Citation) and Sikorsky S-70 (Blackhawk) type ratings. FAA Class I Medical. Over 9900 mishap-free, violation-free flight hours with 620 using Night Vision Devices. Substantial FLIR and HUD experience. Pilot experience in 99 type/model/series aircraft to include tactical jets, corporate jets, commercial airliners, twin engine propeller airplanes, (24 different) helicopters, gliders and a tiltrotor. USMC Weapons and Tactics Instructor Pilot (designation included Check Airman responsibilities for every facet of USMC tactical flight operations). HUD and EVS/EFVS qualified. DAWIA Level II (T&E).

Marc’s development and certification highlights include: USMC H-1 Upgrades Project Pilot, V-22 Government Flight Test Director (GFTD), Hawker 4000 initial certification, CRJ-1000 initial certification, Flight Test Pilot DER Focal for all Learjet certification activities, CRJ-700 CF-34 Engine Upgrade, Global 6000 initial certification, CRJ-700 NGES Special Missions initial certification, Citation Sovereign Plus initial certification, Citation X Plus initial certification, Citation Latitude envelope expansion and MD-11 Honeywell EGPWS Landing Performance Enhancements (LPE) STC.