 Following a three-year assignment to pursue full-time studies as a doctoral candidate at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, he was assigned to the Air Force Test Pilot School where he served as the Director of Plans and Programs, taught academics, and instructed students on flight test techniques in the F-15, F-16, and gliders.Ford has 3500 flying hours and holds FAA commercial certificates for airplanes, helicopters, and gliders.He is a certificated flight instructor in airplanes and gliders.