Frontier Airlines (Nasdaq: FRNT ) today named Captain Hank Appleby to the position of chief pilot, effective immediately. In his new position, Appleby will serve as director of the airline`s pilot group, overseeing approximately 200 pilots, and will report directly to Vice President of Flight Operations Terry King. Prior to this appointment, Appleby, 45, served as captain and line check airman for the airline. Appleby replaces Horace Herrington, who recently vacated the position in order to join the airline`s Airbus Transition Team.

“Since coming to Frontier in 1995, Hank has demonstrated a consistent standard of excellence,” said Vice President of Flight Operations Terry King. “He is a seasoned pilot and first-rate check airman, and has a solid track record in aviation and flight operations management. I am confident that he will provide outstanding leadership to our flight operations department as we continue to grow and prepare for Frontier`s Airbus transition.”

Appleby first began his aviation career in 1976 as assistant chief flight instructor at Ft. Collins-based Valley Airpark, Inc., an FAR 141 approved flight school. He served as chief pilot, chief flight instructor, check airman and general manager at Ft. Collins Flying Service, also an FAR 141 approved flight school. Other experience includes time served with Long Beach-based World Class Aviation, where Appleby served as general manager, director of operations and chief pilot. In addition, he wrote all of the manuals and the training program for this charter carrier`s FAR 135 Air Carrier Certificate. Appleby`s line experience includes serving as captain for Denver-based Air US, a regional air carrier. In addition, Appleby served in a variety of capacities, including director of flight operations, for Houston-based Continental Express. Appleby has logged more than 16,000 flight hours and is type rated to fly the following aircraft: Boeing 737, DeHavilland-7, ATR 42/72, Beechcraft 1900 and the Cessna Citation. He has attended Montana State University, the University of Maine and Ft. Collins-based Front Range Community College. Appleby, who is originally from Randolph, N.J., currently resides in Ft. Collins, Colo. with his wife, Tracy, and has three children.

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