Growing Up
My father was a career army officer, and I had the fortune to be born in Germany and raised in many different places (7 moves through
high school. That exposed me to languages, cultures, military aviation (although he was a surgeon, not a career pilot), and viewing the
world through different lenses. And, of course, making friends quickly. I went to Jr. High school in Germany (on Ramstein airbase) and have fond memories
of boy scouts, castles and family camping trips. Pretty much a classic American boy's childhood. High school was in Florida, and college in
upstate New York (Rensselar Polytechnic Institute).
I have three older brothers who have taught me so much about being a man and growing up with respect for responsibility. And they have given
me a cadre of nieces and nephews who are scattered around the country. I am devoted to my family and friends, and like nothing more than to
spend time with them.
Flying
My first commercial flight (that I can recall) was to Milan in 1970. We were moving to Italy, and I remember getting "junior captain's"
wings from the flight attendant. I think it was on TWA - I really wish I still had those wings. My first small airplane flight was with my father
in San Antonio in 1974. He was a pilot, and it was a passion he rarely got to indulge because we moved around so much. One of the most important
things on my 'do before you die' list was to take him flying in my own small airplane - a mission that I was able to accomplish before we lost him. I
carry his logbook with me on all my checkrides.
I was inspired to become a pilot during a trip to the flight deck in a British Airways flight. I asked the first officer about the mode setting on his flight
director, and he asked me "who do you fly for?" I had to sheepishly admit that I was a "one of these days" pilots. They invited me to sit on the flight
deck for the landing in Paris. They knew precisely what they were doing - 2 days after getting back to California I was learning to fly at Tradewinds
Aviation at KSJC.
I now seek out aviation adventures, usually with friends. We've done the ATOPS B737 training in Houston, and taken a flight on the Concorde. And I have
done some aerobatic training at Sean Tucker's school in King City. Always something more to learn about. When I'm not teaching at the club or in a client's
airplane you'll find me flying (or working on...) my Cessna 170. I am a fan of antiques and 'honest' airplanes - and this is my favorite. Next
adventure: floatplane training in Alaska.
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