Eugene Bielecki was born in Pawtucket in 1927. Gene is a founding member and past president of the Rhode Island Pilots Association. In his piloting career he has logged well over 30,000 flight hours, including more than 15,000 hours as a Flight Instructor. He holds a number of single and multi-engine private and commercial ratings (both pilot and instructor), including seaplane and glider ratings. Gene was an early and active proponent of the FAA Wings program, encouraging general aviation pilots to continue flight training and attend safety seminars throughout their flying lives. Gene was twice selected as FAA Flight Instructor of the Year , and at 81 he is still flying as an FAA designated pilot examiner. Aero Club of New England awarded him its Presidential Medal for lifelong aviation achievement in 2003.