Ultraman
H.N.F. 1924-2003
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2001
- Posts
- 143
My dad died yesterday. He was 78 years old and had lived a good life and I am sad.
Ever since he was a child, all he ever wanted to do was fly. And he did. He was a radio operator and navigator on B-17's during WWII. He flew 5 missions on D-Day.
After the war, he finished his ratings and became a charter pilot and flight instructor, sharing his love of flight with others.
In the 1960's, he became a corporate pilot flying twin Commanders. His company bought one of the first Turbo Commanders and he flew it for many years. He flew many 1000 hour years as a single pilot with not much of a radar. As a second job, he would patrol power lines for 25 hours per month.
He passed his love of flying to his children. He taught me and my two older brothers to fly.
He and I crewed a Turbo Commander together for two and a half years in the late 1980's to early 1990's. Those were some of the best years of my life. I learned so much from him. He had to retire when his heart started giving him problems.
He still had his hand in aviation by doing inspections on friends airplanes. He would let those that wanted to do the "grunt" work (packing wheel bearings, removing inspection covers, etc.,) and then he would do the inspection for not much money. Many people have told me over the years that if he had not done it that way, that they could not have afforded to fly.
Recently, I would offer to take him up in our plane so he could fly again, but he wouldn't feel like it. I knew he wasn't feeling well when he would turn down a chance to fly.
So now he is gone. And although I know that he is better now, I am sad. I miss him.
I Love You, Dad. Happy flying with those new wings.
Ever since he was a child, all he ever wanted to do was fly. And he did. He was a radio operator and navigator on B-17's during WWII. He flew 5 missions on D-Day.
After the war, he finished his ratings and became a charter pilot and flight instructor, sharing his love of flight with others.
In the 1960's, he became a corporate pilot flying twin Commanders. His company bought one of the first Turbo Commanders and he flew it for many years. He flew many 1000 hour years as a single pilot with not much of a radar. As a second job, he would patrol power lines for 25 hours per month.
He passed his love of flying to his children. He taught me and my two older brothers to fly.
He and I crewed a Turbo Commander together for two and a half years in the late 1980's to early 1990's. Those were some of the best years of my life. I learned so much from him. He had to retire when his heart started giving him problems.
He still had his hand in aviation by doing inspections on friends airplanes. He would let those that wanted to do the "grunt" work (packing wheel bearings, removing inspection covers, etc.,) and then he would do the inspection for not much money. Many people have told me over the years that if he had not done it that way, that they could not have afforded to fly.
Recently, I would offer to take him up in our plane so he could fly again, but he wouldn't feel like it. I knew he wasn't feeling well when he would turn down a chance to fly.
So now he is gone. And although I know that he is better now, I am sad. I miss him.
I Love You, Dad. Happy flying with those new wings.
