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- As a teenager, I spent many weekends flying right seat in my father's company's
airplane N11W, a Grumman Widgeon, G-44. We inspected their bucket dredges while they were
dredging canals throughout South Louisiana. We would land in and take off from these small canals. The
Widgeon was aawesome amphibious aircraft for its day. These flights began my
love for flight.
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- Returning from 3 years in Europe to Bartlesville, OK provided a wonderful opportunity
to learn to fly. After obtaining my Private License I determined it was cheaper to
let someone else pay for the airplane, so I obtained my commercial and instructor licenses
and taught flying for several year. I met some wonderful people and accumulated
many great "hangar stories".
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- Flew cargo at night for Air Exchange, a Part 135 cargo operator out Love Field, Dallas, Texas.
Flew into and out of many large and small airports in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma, primarily carrying
bank checks for the Federal Reserve clearing process. Amassed over 1,000 hours PIC in
Beech Barons. Encountered many exciting incidents as the aircraft were not always in
the best of condition.
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- Started up VanAir, a Part 135 air charter company using N3858C, a Riley Conversion
Cessna 421. The startup required writing up all of the operations and safety manuals,
performing the FAA check rides and securing FAA approval for operation. The Riley
Conversion was a Cessna 421 substituting 375 hp piston engines with 750 hp turboprop engines. It was
quite a fine aircraft. I accrued several thousand hours in N3858C.
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- Earned my type rating (captain license) for Boeing 737's in the Southwest Airlines
Training Center at Love Field, Dallas, Texas. It was an intense three week course
which included comprehensive aircraft systems training, simulator training and
a check ride with the FAA one night at Fort Worth Alliance Airfield. This happy
photograph was made that evening after I passed my check ride in Southwest Airline's
Boeing 737, N82SW.
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- I upgraded our equipment by trading in the Riley Conversion for a Lerjet. Securing the
FAA approvals for the new equipment was more complex than the initial Part 135 approval.
The Learjet is a two pilot airplane. We also hired a full time mechanic to work on
the aircraft. Thundering down the runway for takeoff in the captain's seat is an
extreme adrenaline rush.
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- Flying my Grob 103 glider is similar to sailing a sailboat. Sail power and wing lift
are both described by Bernouli principal. It is so quiet and such a challenge to use
only the forces of nature to lift you in the air and travel to your destination. Instructing
others in the art of gliding was challenging and satifying.
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- In 1985 Don Hammer and I set a National Record for Glider Flying by breaking the current record for
speed over an out and return course over 300 kilometers. It was a long and at times terrifying
flight from Taos, New Mexico to Salida, Colorado and return. Using all three methods of lift
for a glider, we managed to successfully complete our goal.
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Click Here to See FAI NAA Record Documentation
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- An FAA Part 107 pilot's license is required to commercially operate a drone. The test for this license
is quite comprehensive and complex. I was very glad I had the prior pilot experiences before
taking the Part 107 test. I am legal to fly my Mavic 2 Pro drone for compensation.
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