Reply #202: He flew helicopters [View All]

with the 82nd Airborne out of Ft Bragg. He worked for Pratt and GE as a jet engine engineer. He used the GI bill to earn his private pilot license. Flew single engines, twins and was an instructor. I don't know if he ever really wanted to fly the big boys, but he loved planes all his life. He pulled his own license a couple years ago due to cataracts. (He just turned 70)

He got his airframer's certification (I think that's what it's called) 15 years ago when he started consulting with companies who owned or leased jets. There's a story he tells about a plane in Miami guarded by 3 different groups - the airport for runway damage done when the plane blew a tire on takeoff, the leasing company and the leasee. They all sat around and played cards together. When a judge finally ruled who had "custody", dad got a crew and had it flown out to the desert.

Way too much information, right?

;)

If we'd stayed in Dallas where a friend had a Cessna and a Piper Cherokee, I'm sure I'd have my license too.