Josh Shields is a Senior Captain on the Gulfstream G550 and the Aviation Safety Manager at BAE Systems, Inc. corporate flight department, located in Dulles, Virginia.

With over 29 years of flight experience and over 8700 hours in 7 different turbojet aircraft, Josh’s experience crosses over multiple aviation disciplines including FAR part 121 airline operations, Fortune 50 and Global 500 corporate flight operations, and part 61 / 141 flight training. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics from the University of North Dakota and is a NBAA Certified Aviation Manager.

Since 1999, Josh has been dedicated to the promotion of aviation to students and youth. An active career counselor, resume writer, and participant in numerous aviation organizations, including the Civil Air Patrol, University of North Dakota Aerospace Alumni Advisory Board, Aviation Explorers (Scouting America), and the Hillsboro Charter Academy, his passion is in mentoring the next generation of aviation professionals.

He was the driving force behind the development and implementation of the BAE Systems summer aviation internship program. This 3-week program, now in its fourth year, is designed to give student aviators a hands-on opportunity to see and experience the day-to-day operations of a corporate flight department, network with established professionals, and explore career pathways outside of traditional airline roles.

In addition to his corporate roles, Captain Shields serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Northeast Safety Roundtable and has been an active Flight Instructor since 2000. He currently teaches at Aero Elite Flight Training, where he where he acts as a “mentor instructor” to new CFIs and is also the Director of Safety.

Josh lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Kirsten and their two teenage daughters, Hailey and Heidi.