Dave Quale is the program Chief Aircraft Mechanic. Dave grew up in Summit, SD and is a 2000 graduate of Lake Area Technical Institute, Aviation Maintenance Technology program in Watertown , SD. Dave has been with SDSU since February 2005 where he was employed by the Electrical Engineering Department as an Aircraft Mechanic/Research Technician for the Aviation Grade Ethanol Research Program. There he would convert, install instrumentation and test program aircraft fuelled by AGE 85 (89%) ethanol. He has been with the Aviation program since October 2006 and supervises a crew of three fully licensed student A&P mechanics to keep the SDSU aircraft operating at peak safety and efficiency. Dave has been a pilot since 2002 and received his IA endorsement for aircraft inspection in 2003. He lives in Volga with his wife Carissa, daughter Maria and son Patrick.