Freelance Writer / Commercial Helicopter Pilot
Phoenix, Arizona Area
- Current
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- Commercial Helicopter Pilot at Flying M Air, LLC
- Author at McGraw-Hill
- Author at Peachpit Press
- Author at Various Publishers and Publications (Self-employed)
- Past
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- Author/Trainer at lynda.com
- Tour Pilot at Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters
- Trainer at Data-Tech Institute
- Trainer at Computer Applications Learning Center (CALC)
- Senior Auditor/Financial Analyst at Automatic Data Processing (ADP)
- Field Audit Supervisor at City of New York, Office of the Comptroller
- Education
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- Hofstra University
- Recommended
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5 people have recommended Maria - Connections
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141
connections
- Industry
- Aviation & Aerospace
- Websites
Maria Langer’s Summary
I have been working with and writing about Macintosh and Windows computers and software since 1990. I am the author of 70+ computer how-to books and hundreds of articles that have appeared in print and on Web sites. I specialize in Macintosh operating system, productivity applications, blogging, and entry-level Web applications and development. In the past, I've written books about Mac OS, Microsoft Word and Excel (for Mac and Windows), Quicken (for Windows), and WordPress. I'm always looking for new and interesting projects, especially those dealing with "digital hub" and Web 2.0 topics.
I am also the owner, operator, and chief pilot of Flying M Air, LLC, a helicopter tour and charter company based in the Phoenix area. Flying M Air specializes in custom, personalized tours for groups of up to three people. We have extensive experience flying as an aerial photography platform throughout Arizona for both still and video work. Flying M Air is also the only charter operator in the country offering multi-day excursions to popular destinations, including Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, and Monument Valley. During the summer months, we perform agricultural work on cherry drying contracts in Washington State. As a writer, I've also written a number of aviation-related articles for several magazines.
Maria Langer’s Specialties:
Macintosh, Mac OS, blogging, Twitter, Word, Excel, FileMaker Pro, Web development, WordPress, helicopters, aviation, flying
Maria Langer’s Experience
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Commercial Helicopter Pilot
Flying M Air, LLC
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Airlines/Aviation industry)
October 2001 — Present (7 years 10 months)
As owner of Flying M Air, I work as a commercial helicopter pilot conducting tours and charters throughout Arizona and the southwest. Equipment flown: currently, 2005 Robinson R44 Raven II; past, 1999 Robinson R22 Beta II.
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Author
McGraw-Hill
(Public Company; Writing and Editing industry)
1998 — Present (11 years)
Author of the annually revised bestseller, "Quicken: The Official Guide" for Quicken Press, which is now in its tenth edition.
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Author
Peachpit Press
(Public Company; Writing and Editing industry)
1995 — Present (14 years)
Author of dozens of Visual QuickStart Guide books, as well as other titles.
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Author
Various Publishers and Publications (Self-employed)
(Self-Employed; Writing and Editing industry)
May 1990 — Present (19 years 3 months)
Freelance writer, author of 60+ computer books and hundreds of computer how-to articles.
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Author/Trainer
lynda.com
(Writing and Editing industry)
April 2008 — 2009 (1 year)
Author/presenter of several online training videos covering topics such as WordPress and Twitter.
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Tour Pilot
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Airlines/Aviation industry)
April 2004 — October 2004 (7 months)
Worked at this seasonal job conducting 25-minute and 50-minute helicopter tours over the Grand Canyon. Flew a Bell 206L LongRanger with a C30-P conversion.
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Trainer
Data-Tech Institute
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Computer Hardware industry)
January 1995 — December 1995 (1 year)
Assistant Trainer and then Trainer for Macintosh hardware troubleshooting course. Exact dates unknown, but worked with the company for about a year, until the course was discontinued.
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Trainer
Computer Applications Learning Center (CALC)
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Computer Software industry)
May 1990 — February 1993 (2 years 10 months)
I worked as a hands-on computer applications trainer for CALC on a per diem basis for several years. Responsibilities included leading classroom training exercises for groups of 4 to 16 people. All courses were full day. Also created several courses for this organization to teach.
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Senior Auditor/Financial Analyst
Automatic Data Processing (ADP)
(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; ADP; Accounting industry)
May 1987 — May 1990 (3 years 1 month)
I started as a senior auditor and worked for two years conducting internal financial audits of branch locations all over the United States. Was transferred to Employer Services division where I worked as a Senior Financial Analyst (i.e., "Lotus Jockey") until I'd had enough of the corporate 9 to 5 grind and quit to become a freelance writer. (I never looked back.)
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Field Audit Supervisor
City of New York, Office of the Comptroller
(Government Agency; 10,001 or more employees; Accounting industry)
June 1982 — May 1987 (5 years)
My first "real" job, right out of college. I started as an auditor and worked my way up to the supervisor position within 2 years. At 22 years old, I was the youngest audit supervisor in Comptroller's Office history and all 13 of my staff members were older than me. Responsibilities included overseeing work by field audit staff, reviewing/writing reports, dealing with New York City government agencies and contractors.
Maria Langer’s Education
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Hofstra University
1978 — 1982
Additional Information
Maria Langer’s Websites:
Maria Langer’s Interests:
reading, writing/blogging, flying, camping, gardening, photography, technology
Maria Langer’s Honors:
BBA with Highest Honors in Accounting, 1982, Hofstra University
Maria Langer’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- new ventures
- expertise requests
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
