Member Spotlights

Aviation drew me in as a youngster. My dad had been a pilot with the Army Air Corp during WWII ferrying new aircraft from the factories to the war front. I’d ride my bicycle to the local airport and watch planes land & take off. The year I graduated from high school all able-bodied young men got called in for a physical for the Selective Service System which classified us for the military draft. I was classified as 1-A (available for military service). Unfortunately, I was drafted in my second year of college. While in basic training I was offered Officer Candidate School and once commissioned as an Officer, I’d be able to apply for flight school. Passing all the tests and qualifications my application was approved and a flight school...

My first memory of flying was with my Dad, somewhere around 1982....without being able to see over the glare shield of a rented 152. Flew with Dad for many more years in 172's and ultralights, taking the controls at least for a few minutes on each flight. I remember getting sick easily, if I wasn't at least riding up front. But still good memories. Loved the smell of airplanes. (They all seemed to smell the same ha-ha.) Fast forward to post college, I finally pursued a PPL. Within the next couple years obtained an instrument rating, single engine commercial, and finally multi-engine commercial. Was working full time as an electrician. I continued to fly for the next few years in rented 172s and a Piper Arrow. I started my current job...