Meet the Pilot - Wild Blue Adventure Company

Meet the Pilot: Bill Chouinard – Born to Fly

If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind the controls of our Stearman Biplane, meet Bill Chouinard—a guy who’s been flying pretty much since he could walk.

Bill grew up in a flying family. His dad was a pilot, and Bill’s earliest “co-pilot” experiences were logged before he could even reach the pedals in their family plane. (Yes, actual logbook entries Bill’s father made with “Billy” as second in command, soaking it all in.) You could say the aviation bug bit him early, and he never looked back.

These days, Bill’s flying resume has grown to dozens of air frames. He’s been piloting antique aircraft and diving into all sorts of aviation adventures for almost 20 years. Everything from BASE jumping to paragliding to RC helicopters to his ongoing obsession with legacy aircraft especially the Stearman.

Bill is fond of saying there is no place he would rather be than upside down in an aircraft. But this passion for unusual attitudes has created in him an awareness of the importance of basic and advanced stick and rudder skills that he loves to pass on in aerobatic and UPRT/Spin training. He holds a commercial pilot certificate , and he’s also a certified flight instructor (CFI and CFII).

Bill also works full-time as a flight nurse. So even when he’s not buzzing around the skies over West Virginia, he’s still flying—helping people in critical moments, often from the back of a helicopter.

Whether you’re an aspiring pilot, a thrill-seeker, or just someone who loves the sight and sound of old-school planes, Bill’s the kind of guy you’ll want to meet. He’s always up for talking shop, sharing stories, or helping you take the next step in your own flying journey.

So next time you’re around the hangar or gearing up for a scenic flight, say hey to Bill. Just don’t be surprised if he has a great story to go with that smile. Ready to take off with Bill? Come visit us at Wild Blue Adventure Company—we’ve got the sky waiting.