He was 39 years old and major-aviator in the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) at the time of his selection as one of the five finalists astronaut candidates for the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) in 1998. Earned a bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Science from Academia da Força Aérea (AFA, 1981) and became a fighter pilot. Graduated as fixed-wing experimental test pilot from Instituto de Pesquisas e Ensaios em Voo (IPEV, 1988). Later, earned a bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering from Universidade do Vale do Paraíba (UNIVAP, 1996) and a MBA in Project Management from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV, 2006). Worked as test pilot at IPEV (1988-1993) and at Instituto de Fomento Industrial (IFI, 1995-1999), as head of the aeronautical certification branch and as test pilot as well. Served as military observer in Jugoslavia for the United Nations (1993-1994) and as test pilot representative in Italy for the Brazilian Air Force (2000-2002), overseeing the AMX fighter jet development. Has been vice-director at Instituto de Aeronáutica e Espaço (IAE, 2004-2005) and director at IFI (2005-2007). Retired from FAB in 2007 and became program manager at DCA-BR, a non-profit organization that provides specialized aeronautical engineering/aviation consultancy and training. Currently works as director and instructor at Sirius Flight Test BR, a civilian test pilot school in Brazil.