Hanging up the (MCC) Headset

[Ironflight]

I am sure that all the retired airline pilots here can appreciate the satisfied yet sad feelings I had as I signed off and released my flight control team (the "Iron Team") for the last time last Friday. I have had the great privilege and honor of leading human spaceflight activities from the pointy end of the stick as Flight Director in NASA’s Mission Control for close to two decades – and I was blessed to be a flight controller for more than a decade before that (starting with the first Shuttle mission). It has been a heck of a ride, and while I can’t say that every day has been a good day, I can honestly repeat what I have always told the folks who really enjoy real time operations – that the worst day in the control center is still better than the best day in the office.



I’ll be retiring from NASA at the end of January – it will take me that long to clean out an office full of memories. I want to thank the many folks who have followed the program and encouraged us to great heights. The men and women I have worked with (and there are more of them here on the forums than many know) are dedicated to being the best, and it has been a pleasure to have served with them all in the grand adventure.

What’s next? We’ll see – aviation is a big world. For now there are a few airplanes with my name on them, and I can hear them calling….

Paul “Iron Flight” Dye

[Don]

Congratulations Paul and good luck on your next adventure.

[rv8guy]

Paul

You are just an inspiration. Congratulations on what must have been such a great career, and with such memories!!

We will keep seeing you around. Enjoy whatever you want to

[Greg Arehart]

Congrats and see you in Reno soon!

Greg

[rockwoodrv9]

Thanks for the thrills and inspiration you and the whole gang as NASA has given me since I was a kid. Best wishes to you and your family as you have more time to travel in your own planes! If you are ever in the Colorado part of this big country, I will trade you lodging for a few stories! Have fun.

[rv4ross]

Paul,
Never had the chance to meet you but thanks for all you did. Growing up in the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo era, I've watched NASA and thought "What if I'd tried harder in school". To late now but still watch with envy everytime you guys launched. A big thanks and hopefully we can meet someday.

Ross Scroggs
RV-4 #3911 Fuselage
Locust Grove, GA

[Mike S]

Hope you find as much enjoyment and fun in retirement as I have

[dealfair]

Well I've certainly learned a lot from you Paul. Thank you for all you have done. Best wishes for the future.

[TX7A]

Paul,
Thank you for your service in helping to make our country great and unique. Best wishes on your retirement & I do hope to meet you some day.
If you're ever up in ABI, give me a holler & I'll buy ya' a beer.
...And on a a side note...I retired last year & I highly recommend it.

[KCBerner]

Haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting you but being an aerospace engineer myself, I've always identified with you and followed your writings here and in Kitplanes. Thank you for your service to our country and enjoy retirement.