Flying Stuff

My earliest memories are of hanging on the fence at old Des Moines Municipal Airport (DSM) watching DC-3s, DC-6s, Convairs and Connies.  To this day the staccato firing and smoke of a radial engine starting is a thrill, and a close second is the low rumble of a large turboprop going into deep reverse after touch-down.

Old DSM as it was in the '50s

At my cousin Terry's (left) house in Ottumwa, Iowa.

Terry liked cars, and I liked airplanes.

At DSM with my Aunt Jo and Grandmother

At LAX in an SF-340

I started flying in 1968 when I was in college at Kent State University.  I dropped out of aviation for a few years until I, once again, came to the realization that flying was the only thing I had any interest in doing.  So, I went out and got a Commercial Pilot Certificate and a Flight Instructor Certificate and started teaching.  After acquiring over 8,000 hours of "Dual Given", and several nervous twitches, I decided it was time for an airline. 

My first airline was a company called Bar Harbor Airlines (an Eastern Express carrier).  Even though "Bah Habah" was a large company, by the standards of the day, it still had the feel of a "Mom and Pop" operation.  It was a good place to work with good people in the offices and out on the line.  While it was based in Bangor, ME, I flew Beech 99s and 1900s for the Southern Division in Florida.

Next was the turmoil of Eastern Airlines.  The last couple of years at Eastern was like being at the Alamo.  Unfortunately, there were no winners.  The late, great Eastern Airlines was used as a weapon to destroy one man, and everyone else was expendable.  Yet, even while surrounded by those who wanted to see Eastern fail, the camaraderie and efforts to save the company by those inside was a once in a life time experience.

At Eastern I worked with some of the best pilots I have ever known.  I was a Second Officer, Simulator Instructor, and Check Airman on the Lockheed L-1011 "TriStar" and a First Officer on the Douglas DC-9 (-31, -32, -51).

After the demise of EAL I sat around crying in my beer for a while and then went to work for American Eagle Airlines.  Eagle is the largest regional carrier in the world and in every respect a major airline operation. My original intent was to spend a year at Eagle to become re-current in large airplanes and then find a job with a major carrier.  But, I truly enjoyed the flying and people at Eagle and I decided to stay.  I was based at LAX flying the Saab SF-340B for many years.  And, man could those GE's rumble!

At Eagle it was my pleasure to have worked with some of the best people in the industry.  I retired on Nov. 1, 2006, but will always carry fond memories of all my friends at Eagle.  Click here for the "LAX Saab" slideshow.

I learned to fly in this 1946 Cessna 120.

Flight instructing in Jacksonville, Florida.

A Bar Harbor Beech 99 also in Jacksonville.

Eastern Airlines DC-9 and L-1011

American Eagle Saab 340B

A childhood crush.

My current crush. 

Evelyn says that Amelia and Fred aren't missing;

 it was a well planned escape.