Off Topic - Famous Aviators I Have Met (sort of) ...

[HFS]

Did you know that Greg "Pappy" Boyington had an RV-3 toward the end of this flying career? Scouts Honor - I used to see him around FCH (Fresno Chandler Airport) back in the 80's once in a while. Up close and persona, it always looked like his eyes were "floating" in a pool of liquid, probably from his earlier, well known, exploits with Demon Rum. There were three -3's there then, and two of those three (not his) crashed and killed their pilots - not the airplane's fault, just stupid pilot tricks. Not nice to fool Mother Nature ...

HFS

 

[HFS]

Pretty cool!

Here is the link when the topic was covered previously:

OT: Most Famous aviators you've ever met

I was talking with a couple of friends of mine and we were discussing some of the aviation legends we had personally met in our travels. Some of the names that surfaced were Gen. Robin Olds, Joe Kittinger,Bob Hoover, Harrison Ford, Kermit Weeks, Paul Poberenzy and all the guys from the book...

www.vansairforce.net

Yes - was aware of that one, just didn't want to "dredge" it all up just for this little tidbit.

HFS

 

[N804RV]

Did you know that Greg "Pappy" Boyington had an RV-3 toward the end of this flying career? Scouts Honor - I used to see him around FCH (Fresno Chandler Airport) back in the 80's once in a while. Up close and persona, it always looked like his eyes were "floating" in a pool of liquid, probably from his earlier, well known, exploits with Demon Rum. There were three -3's there then, and two of those three (not his) crashed and killed their pilots - not the airplane's fault, just stupid pilot tricks. Not nice to fool Mother Nature ...

HFS

Didn't he have a Midget Mustang at one time?

I was in close proximity to MajGen Bill Anders once (Apollo 8 astronaut, "Earth Rise" photo). I can't really say I've met him personally, but 'I seen 'em! I volunteer at Historic Flight Museum as a docent occasionally. He and his wife, Valerie, founded it some years ago.

Cdr William "Willie" McCool STS-107 Columbia was the Operations Officer in VAQ-132 when I was assigned there. His office was next door to my broom closet of an office.

I've also fist-bumped and got my picture taken with Bob Hoover. He was already over 90 and had a great deal of difficulty getting around.

I flew an hour with Arnold Ebeneter. At 90 years old he was still occasionally providing dual instruction in Harvey's Aeronca Champ. And, I needed a warm up in something with a tailwheel before attempting my first flight in the Sonerai I purchased from VAF's own Smokey Ray.

I flew a couple of hours with pilot Don Lee, who, in addition to being related by marriage to Don Sheldon (Wager With The Wind subject), is also a very accomplished and some might even say famous bush pilot in his own right.

I've met Patty Wagstaff several times. I didn't get to fly with her, she's always getting ready for or just getting back from airshows when I'm there. But, I have had lunch and several nice chats with her.

Met Sean Tucker at the NAS Lemoore airshow more than a few years ago. Ended up taking aerobatic instruction in one of his Pitts at the King City airport before he got the Tuitima sponsorhsip.

 

[Warbo]

I’ve seen Bob Hoover when he performed in Australia during the 90s - as in I saw his display. Major item ticked off my aviation bucket list that day! I’ve met Matt Hall - but then again everyone in Australia has met Matt Hall. Met Van at Oshkosh and also had a brief chat with Paul Dye - I figure they’re the two most famous RV aviators around.

 

[newt]

I’ve seen Bob Hoover when he performed in Australia during the 90s - as in I saw his display. Major item ticked off my aviation bucket list that day! I’ve met Matt Hall - but then again everyone in Australia has met Matt Hall. Met Van at Oshkosh and also had a brief chat with Paul Dye - I figure they’re the two most famous RV aviators around.

Yep, everyone's met Matt Hall.

And Emma MacDonald, who is just awesome.

At OSH in 2016, I met Mike Patey early in the morning before everyone had finished waking up out in front of Draco. We had a short conversation about evangelizing to get newbies into aviation. A few minutes where he was a lot more mellow than you see on youtube.

Then later in the same day I was lined up for a hot dog and saw who was standing in front of me in the queue and went, "Oh! Mike! You again!" and he turned around and no, it was actually Mark Patey and I was just too stupid to tell the difference

Last year at the Pacific Airshow in Queensland I met Sean D. Tucker. Marvellous ambassador for aviation, dripping with warmth and enthusiasm.

- mark

[ pics: Mike Patey, Emma MacDonald, Sean D Tucker ]

 

[Mel]

Rich Graham, SR-71 Wing Commander, and his Wife Pat, are good friends of ours. They live in Plano, TX.

 

[David Paule]

Buzz Aldrin, when I was in the Air Force. Didn't fly with him, but I had a chance to talk with him.

Dave

 

[Skykingbob]

I flew a charter from Charleston WV to Greenville SC in a King Air……my passengers were General Chuck Yeager and his wife Victoria. I had preconceived notions about him and was pleasantly surprised that they proved to be false……we had time to chat for quite a while while waiting for his limo to arrive……it was a very great conversation and he was gracious the whole time!

 

[edhunter]

Not famous, but one of the greatest..... My first time in an airplane was with him in his 172. I was probably 13... He lived about 5 houses down from me. Probably the most humble man I ever knew.

Bataan Survivor 101 years old....

 

[Dan 57]

Hey guys, I flew with an even greater hero, the year 1987 IIRC, on a demo flight outta what was still modestly called Oshkosh.
Ah yeah, his name? Dick VanGrunsven

 

[Mel]

Hey guys, I flew with an even greater hero, the year 1987 IIRC, on a demo flight outta what was still modestly called Oshkosh.
Ah yeah, his name? Dick VanGrunsven

Hey, I flew with that Guy out of KLAL in "Old Blue"

 

[Jetmart]

Chris Hadfield last week at X39.

 

[Rallylancer122]

My Dad has Matty Laird's signature in his log book. Apparently in late 70's or early 80's Laird was at a fly in and needed a ride somewhere. My Dad was flying his just finished Oshkosh grand champion Howard, and was thus deemed worthy.

 

[jrs14855]

My Dad has Matty Laird's signature in his log book. Apparently in late 70's or early 80's Laird was at a fly in and needed a ride somewhere. My Dad was flying his just finished Oshkosh grand champion Howard, and was thus deemed worthy.

One flight with Van in the RV4, one with Dick Rutan in the prototype Long Eze, Paul P, Bob Taylor, Kermit Weeks, Leo Laudenslager, Henry Haigh and many others from IAC. Many air show and air race pilots. Spent several weeks working on Patty Wagstaff's Extra 260. Steve Wittman and Bill Brennand The one I am most proud of was was flying Wolfgang Langwiesche from Princeton NJ to JFK in a Aztec. Many years later I acquired copies of a couple pages from Wolfgang's early logbook from the 30's. Wolfgang had a Cessna 182 and was based at Princeton when I worked there but the Aztec flight was the only time I met him. Leighton and Richard Collins and Bob Buck were at Princeton a lot but I never met them.

 

[CZ79]

I met 5 of the Doolittle Raiders when they were doing a book signing on base; kind of a humbling moment as a young butter bar.

 

[Moresushi]

I was able to meet Jimmy Doolittle when I was a kid working a summer job. I had my PPL and we got to talk several times over a couple of days. Very gracious gentleman.

 

[Snowflake]

Did you know that Greg "Pappy" Boyington had an RV-3 toward the end of this flying career? Scouts Honor - I used to see him around FCH (Fresno Chandler Airport) back in the 80's once in a while. Up close and persona, it always looked like his eyes were "floating" in a pool of liquid, probably from his earlier, well known, exploits with Demon Rum. There were three -3's there then, and two of those three (not his) crashed and killed their pilots - not the airplane's fault, just stupid pilot tricks. Not nice to fool Mother Nature ...

HFS

Boyington's RV-3 was for sale here on VAF not *that* long ago. I wonder if anyone ever asked him about flying it, and how it compared to a Corsair?

 

[mr.sun]

I shook hands with Chuck Yeager when I was a fresh private pilot. I think I was 17 or 18 at the time. He was in Penn Valley, CA getting ready for a camping trip with a friend. I also flew General Gene Habiger in a C-150 Aerobat around the same timeframe. I also flew on the Concorde once, and those pilots were famous for what they flew, but I didn't catch their names.

 

[Sportquattro]

Met Douglas Bader back in the 1970's as a small boy.

 

[bertschb]

After spending a couple winters at an RV park in Palm Springs after retiring, I learned the guy staying next to us (Bob Chance) was a member of VFP-62. Bob flew (very) low level photo recon missions over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. If you ever get a chance, read the book "Blue Moon Over Cuba" or watch the movie "Thirteen Days".

Bob told me he was a retired 747 pilot but never mentioned his military background. A neighbor told me about Bob's military experience. I was stunned to learn about his role during such a critical time in our nation's history. Sadly, Bob had Parkinsons at this point and had trouble talking and walking but he would come out most days and sit in his chair under the palm trees and chat with me. His wife said he really enjoyed having somebody to visit with.

When I learned the Ford Tri Motor was coming to town, I took Bob up for a ride. His wife later told me that was the highlight of the year for him. He passed away a couple years later. Virtually nobody has heard of Bob Chance but I'll never forget him.

Bob's name is spelled incorrectly in this photo:


Bob in the Ford Tri Motor

 

[MacCool]

When I was in college, I dated a girl whose father had just retired as an Air Force Lieutenant General, (vice commander of the Strategic Air Command). When her sister got married, I went as her +1. The groom was an Air Force pilot, the wedding was an Air Force event. At some point, I found myself in a brief conversation with Curtis LeMay. At that point I had about 70 hours as a private pilot. It was a very intimidating experience.

 

[Chukill]

While taxing into the FBO at SMO, I saw Neil Armstrong sitting in a warbird from the museum they had there filming an episode for his brief TV show about warbirds.
I parked my jet and assumed the position in the crew lounge to wait out the day. After awhile, the production team and Neil joined me in the lounge with their orders from McDonalds.
I remembered that I had a picture of my Christen Eagle in my wallet and asked Neil if he would sign it (The Eagle has landed). I was immediately intercepted by the Director and was told in no uncertain terms that Mr. Armstrong did not sign autographs and to back off. Neil spoke up and asked to see my Eagle picture. We had a great chat after that and he signed the picture. I later learned that Neil did rarely sign autographs and the one I had was very valuable. The signed picture is in my safe now.

 

[Freemasm]

Ever met one of those obnoxious individuals that's seems to be good at everything? Got to give him (and others) flight systems briefings when he was an Astronaut. Liked to talk flying, engineering, whatever. A truly interesting, multi-talented, and humble person.

Story Musgrave (AI "ratings" search results below)

• FAA Ratings: He holds FAA ratings for flight instructor, instrument instructor, glider instructor, and airline transport pilot.
• Flight Hours: He has logged more than 17,700 flight hours, including 7,500 in jet aircraft.
• Aircraft: He has flown 160 different types of civilian and military aircraft.
• Parachute Experience: In addition to his pilot ratings, Musgrave also has extensive parachute experience, with over 800 freefalls and 100 experimental freefalls for aerodynamic research.
• Air Force Wings: He also earned his U.S. Air Force Wings, further adding to his aviation credentials.

Story Musgrave Wiki Page

 

[DanH]

Not famous, but hugely respected in this part of the world...the highest time pilot in history, Ed Long.

John Edward Long Jr. | National Air and Space Museum

airandspace.si.edu

I was a new kid at Montgomery Aviation when Ed was still flying powerline patrol every day. He was a model southern gentleman, always quiet, humble, and nice to young pilots who knew nothing.

He would fly when the weather was so bad even the ducks were walking, usually because Alabama Power had a big transmission line down somewhere, and calling Ed was the fastest way to find the damage. Ed and I went out one really windy day to exercise the owner's Great Lakes. He took a crosswind runway rather than taxi to the far end of the field, and a gust slammed us around sideways on the takeoff roll. Ed just finished the takeoff in the new direction. I once heard the tower ask if he could make the next intersection, and watched him immediately fly around a corner onto a closed runway, on one wheel, with a wingtip about 6 inches off the ground, while acknowledging with a drawled "400MA".

My greatest pilot ambition was to learn how to fly a taildragger like Ed. I'm still trying.

Ed flew powerline with an observer named Percy, who liked to drink. Best we could tell, Percy arrived with a snootfull before every patrol. Maybe you would too if your job entailed riding in the back of a Cub at 100 feet in all weather, taking shorthand as Ed called what he saw. They were like an old married couple...tolerant. Generally things went well.

One day Ed parked the Cub and strode through the lobby throwing clipboards and spouting words we had never heard him say. After a while one of the line crew came in to tell the tale. Percy had fallen asleep in the back seat, and Ed had flown 4 hours of powerline without noticing....

 

[jrs14855]

Not famous, but hugely respected in this part of the world...the highest time pilot in history, Ed Long.

John Edward Long Jr. | National Air and Space Museum

airandspace.si.edu

I was a new kid at Montgomery Aviation when Ed was still flying powerline patrol every day. He was a model southern gentleman, always quiet, humble, and nice to young pilots who knew nothing.

He would fly when the weather was so bad even the ducks were walking, usually because Alabama Power had a big transmission line down somewhere, and calling Ed was the fastest way to find the damage. Ed and I went out one really windy day to exercise the owner's Great Lakes. He took a crosswind runway rather than taxi to the far end of the field, and a gust slammed us around sideways on the takeoff roll. Ed just finished the takeoff in the new direction. I once heard the tower ask if he could make the next intersection, and watched him immediately fly around a corner onto a closed runway, on one wheel, with a wingtip about 6 inches off the ground, while acknowledging with a drawled "400MA".

My greatest pilot ambition was to learn how to fly a taildragger like Ed. I'm still trying.

Ed flew powerline with an observer named Percy, who liked to drink. Best we could tell, Percy arrived with a snootfull before every patrol. Maybe you would too if your job entailed riding in the back of a Cub at 100 feet in all weather, taking shorthand as Ed called what he saw. They were like an old married couple...tolerant. Generally things went well.

One day Ed parked the Cub and strode through the lobby throwing clipboards and spouting words we had never heard him say. After a while one of the line crew came in to tell the tale. Percy had fallen asleep in the back seat, and Ed had flown 4 hours of powerline without noticing....

I consider Ed famous. Met him briefly in the early 90's. There was also a lady somewhere in the East who was still instructing in her late 90's, maybe even 100. Her name escapes me. Max Conrad is another personal hero of mine. Never met him but attended a forum he gave at Rockford EAA and sat in the Twin Commanche with all the tanks in place. Harmon Trophy winner.

 

[TS Flightlines]

I consider Ed famous. Met him briefly in the early 90's. There was also a lady somewhere in the East who was still instructing in her late 90's, maybe even 100. Her name escapes me. Max Conrad is another personal hero of mine. Never met him but attended a forum he gave at Rockford EAA and sat in the Twin Commanche with all the tanks in place. Harmon Trophy winner.

Mine is alittle les dramatic. We were a supplier to the RV1 restoration project. During its 'world tour", I sent to Lakeland, Fl to see it at Sun N Fun. Paul Dye was getting ready to ferry it to Spruce Creek (I think). During his pre-flight, I walked over, said hello. Paul, gracious as ever, said hey, I have someone I want you to meet. WE walked over to a hospitality area, where an older gentleman was eating by himself. Paul walked up to him, and said, Hey Van, I want you to meet Tom Swearengen, who built the hoses for the RV1. Mr. Van, stood, shook my hand, and we spent the next 45 minutes talking airplanes and life. Most definitely a highlite.

 

[JP4]

Seven years ago I was invited to a small group meeting with Lt. Col. Richard Cole, Doolittle's co-pilot and the last surviving of the Raiders at the time. This was about six months before he passed. He was 103 yrs old and he was still very sharp!
First, he entertained about twenty of us with the story that he's undoubtedly told thousands of times, and then graciously answered many questions. One question that stands out was when he was asked if he was scared on the raid. Surprisingly, he said he was really only terrified when he was about to jump out of the aircraft into the dark night!
I got to have a short chat with him and he asked me a several questions about the C-130's that I used to fly. It was a very memorable experience.

Another high point was meeting Bob Hoover. I was in the Air Force doing an aerial demonstration at an airshow and had to go to the morning pilot brief with all the participants. It was the normal airshow crowd, a bunch of Navy guys in tight blue flight suits (I kid! ) and other performers were sitting around the room in a circle, when in comes Bob and he sits down right next to me! He was literally my childhood hero, so I was very excited. During the show we flew right after him, so when he was done with his Shrike demo, he came on the radio and said "it's all yours boys!" Another memorable experience.

The most random meeting of a famous aviator was when I was jump seating offline on Northwest Airlines to Amsterdam out of Seattle. Right before door closure, I was on the flight deck of the DC-10, chatting with the flight deck crew and waiting for the purser to tell me when I could have a seat, when she came up with a business card, handed it to me, and asked me to hand it to the Captain. She said the guy that gave her the card would like to come up and meet the crew. He told her "they'll know who I am". I looked at the card and it said "Scott Cossfield, test pilot" or something to that effect. Whoa! First person to go Mach II, among many other accomplishments. He chatted with us for a couple minutes and went back to his seat. That was very cool!

Dick Cole at 103!

 

[flightlogic]

Hanging around airplanes and FBO waiting rooms is fun for who you meet. Harrison Ford, James Cameron (waiting for a zero g vomit comet flight), Kurt Russell at OSH, even the piano man... getting out of his jet... though he didn't want to talk aviation. I lost interest pretty quickly.

 

[jherzog]

Over the years, I've seen quite a few famous aviators introducing films at Fly in Theater during Airventure. Jim Lovell, introducing Apollo 13, was a wonderful speaker, and hilarious. I will never forget his story about the Gemini 7 mission, in answer to the question he hears most -- how they went to the bathroom in space.

Also saw John Travolta introduce Broken Arrow, and Harrison Ford introduce Air Force One.

And I always considered Bud Anderson's annual talk to be a can't miss event.

 

[bhester]

Feb, 2010 I haven't met him in person yet but I did get to see a video of a visit he made to the EAA chapter in Lebanon, TN. His name is Dan Cherry while flying an F4-D Phantom II 550 on April 16, 1972 he shot down a Vietnamese pilot, Nguyen Hong My, who was flying a MiG-21. Brigadier General Cherry's plane is now on display at the Aviation Heritage Park in Bowling Green, KY. On April 5, 2008 the two pilots met in Vietnam, became friends and Nguyen Hong My came to The dedication of Aviation Heritage Park in Bowling Green, KY April 16, 2009.​ ​ There is all kinds of information about it at this web site: http://www.aviationheritagepark.com/index.html April 20, 2010 Today I was in Colorado Springs, CO with work and the local EAA chapter 72 was having a meeting and the guest speaker was Millicent Young one of the 300 Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) honored with the Congressional Gold Medal a ceremony in Washington D.C. on March 10, 2010 for service as a pilot during World War II. The WASP was a pioneering organization of civilian female pilots employed to fly military aircrafts under the direction of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Young decided at the age of 6 she was going to be a pilot after seeing her first plane land in a nearby field. There was a big open field next to her family's farm where barnstorming pilots would sometimes land to spend the night. She worked hard to pay her own way through training. "I farmed to get the money and when I got enough money I told my mother I wanted to go to town to buy clothes to go to college," said Young. But she never planned on buying clothes. She planned to catch a bus out of town.​ "The bus was going the wrong direction and I waited until the very last moment, and I run and I got on the bus and I said to my mother, "I'm going to learn to fly." So she went home and my dad said, 'I got a chore for Millie.' And mom says, 'She's gone to learn to fly, and my dad said, "Well I'll be damned." And that was the end of the conversation. He was proud of me. They were all proud of me," said Young. Young earned her wings and became part of the Army Air Corps at the age of 20. She served her country until the WASPs were decommissioned in 1944. "We were kicked out when the boys came back from overseas. They closed the WASP program and we had to pay our own way home," said Young. For most WASPs it was never about the recognition, it was about doing what they loved. "They kept talking about our sacrifice. I didn't sacrifice anything. I was making an investment, in my country and in me," said Young. Despite all of the obstacles Young faced becoming a pilot ,she says the hardest thing she ever did was raise five children. WASP Millicent Young of Colorado Springs, CO, recalled a young man who came to refuel her AT-6 in Carlsbad , CA. "When he saw the pilot was a woman, he glanced over and shouted, 'What are you doing in there?' The refueler said he should be flying the plane because 'I'm a man.' To which she replied, "Honey, if you were, I'd have noticed." Young added that the refueler "jumped off the wing and I never saw him again; someone else serviced the plane and I was off."​ ​ Here is a good site to learn more about the WASP: http://www.wingsacrossamerica.us/wings/index.htm May 21, 2011 I was in Virginia Beach with work and found out about the War Birds Over the Beach airshow. After work I went to check it out and I got to meet "Wild Bill" Guarnere from the 101st Airborne Divition - Easy Company, World Word II. His story was depicted in the Band of Brothers movie series. ​

 

[DanH]

Bobby, years go I was in my office when an elderly couple walked in. They wanted to sell one of their two cars because the lady wouldn't be driving any more. We were doing paperwork when I asked about a pin on his lapel. He told me he had served in WWII. At the time "Band of Brothers" was on HBO, and I mentioned how much I was enjoying it. To my huge surprise, he choked up and started crying.

Eventually he told me he had been a member of the 101st, in the forest at Bastogne, and "lost of lot of friends there." It was a very emotional day.