Robert “Bob” Gumbinger learned to fly at Buttonville airport (North of Toronto, Ontario) in 1968. From there he went on to instruct pilots out of Kitchener/Waterloo and Maple airports. Between 1973 and 1974 he bounced around Ontario flying a variety of aircraft including the Convair 440 for Great Lakes Airlines.
In 1975 Bob joined De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, located in Downsview, Ontario. For the next two decades as a demonstration and test pilot, Bob would take the controls of the DHC-2 Beaver (piston and turboprop), DHC-3 Otter, DHC-6 Twin Otter, DHC-5 Buffalo, Dash 7, and Dash 8 (100 / 200 / 300 series). During this time he logged extensive hours flying in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Bob went on in his carrier to fly Beech 1900s and Airbus A320s for two Toronto based airlines.
In most recent times Bob has been involved in test flying maritime surveillance aircraft for Field Aviation.