The Exciting Journey of Flying: Milestones of a Future Corporate Pilot
Early Inspiration: A Young Pilot's First Flight
The journey towards becoming a corporate pilot is filled with memorable experiences, and mine began at just five years old. My dad, a corporate pilot and the best pilot in the world, offered me the opportunity to ride in a Learjet 35 during a pop up trip. It wasn’t my first airplane ride, but it was the one that truly inspired me to start flying and working towards my ratings.
My father has always been my hero, and he was the coolest dad I knew. This early flight experience with him was the foundation for my passion in aviation. Even though it wasn’t the one that made me want to be a corporate pilot, it was the one that sparked my initial interest in becoming a pilot.
A Memorable Encounter with a Renowned Aviator
At 14 years old, I had the privilege of accompanying my father to Bethany, OK, for training. Preparing for the flight, I preflighted the Commander 685 when a newcomer approached me. He introduced himself as Bob Hoover, a name I didn’t yet recognize, but his impact on me was profound. The plane was being used to certify an increase in speed. After the flight, Bob invited me to experience their Jet Commander. During the flight, I marveled at his incredible aeronautical skills and the aircraft's performance.
Later, I discovered that Bob and Chuck Yeager were test pilots together, and their camaraderie played a significant role in aviation history. Chuck broke Mach 1, while Bob pushed his plane to the limits, jokingly saying that he had 'the hanger wall' instead of Mach. This encounter with Bob Hoover left an indelible mark on my career path in aviation.
From Airline Lineman to Business Jet Specialist
In 1972, while working as a lineman at a fixed base operation in Stuart, Florida, I had the chance to experience a Lockheed Jetstar, a four-engine early business jet. One day, the crew needed to service the Jetstar in Palm Beach, not far from Stuart. They invited a few of us employees to accompany them, and we were thoroughly impressed by the aircraft's performance and speed.
Life is often full of serendipity, and this encounter with the Jetstar led me to sell business jets as my main profession. Throughout my career, I had the opportunity to fly in most models and types of business jets and travel to every state in the union except the Dakotas. I also made numerous international trips to Asia and Europe in a Gulfstream, realizing the dream of experiencing such aircraft as a passenger, albeit for a limited time.
The journey from a young pilot to working in the field of business jets has been a fascinating one. These experiences with private jets and the memorable encounters with skilled pilots have undoubtedly shaped my career and my passion for aviation.