Kyle Loudon is a software engineer at Jeppesen Dataplan in Los Gatos, California, where he leads the graphical interface development group in developing flight planning software used by commercial airlines, corporate flight departments, and other facets of general aviation. Before Jeppesen, Kyle worked as a system programmer for IBM. Kyle's technical interests at this time include operating systems, networking, and human-computer interaction. Kyle attended Purdue University, where in 1992 he received a B.S. in computer science and a minor in French, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. While at Purdue, he coordinated and taught a course for three years in the Department of Computer Science. During this time he also wrote his first book, Understanding Computers, a practical and conceptual introduction to computers. Currently he is patiently pursuing an advanced degree while continuing to work in Silicon Valley's software industry. Aside from computers, Kyle has enjoyed playing and teaching tennis for a number of years. He also enjoys mountain biking, skiing, and on occasion, golf with friends on courses that favor a sometimes overactive slice. In addition, Kyle enjoys various forms of theater, great food, and several styles of music and art as a wishful but hopeless pianist and artist himself. Kyle found his present position at Jeppesen after he started flying airplanes in 1992. Currently he is an active pilot holding a commercial pilot certificate with the FAA.