RIP Bruce Bohannon, 06/21/1958 - 07/24/2024

[DonahB]

Dear RV Family,

I waited until today to read these posts about Bruce because I knew it would be hard, and it was. But, on behalf of the family, I want to express our deep appreciation for all of the kind words and great stories that are shared here. Bruce was so impressed by Van’s aircraft that the Flyin’ Tiger was born of its design and well, the rest is history. He passed his love of the aircraft along to me and I was privileged to follow him around the country in his RV-4. We had so many great adventures! In addition to being the record-setting pilot and top notch instructor that the world knew, Bruce was also a kind-hearted, generous and beloved father, husband and friend to so many. His passing leaves an enormous hole in our hearts. He touched so many lives, and seeing the posts here attesting to that fact is comforting.

So thank you all for sharing your stories, and please know that Bruce truly enjoyed sharing his passion for life and flight with all of you.

Many thanks and Blue Skies,

Donah Bohannon

 

[Quig]

He will be missed greatly. Two quick stories:

I was caught in a wide area of wind sheer at KAVL, tower offered no airport within hundreds of miles for a diversion. As I was on downwind leg a commuter airplane tried to land by aborted citing a 20 knot wind sheer drop.

I had asked to divert again but they had no where to go. I used every bit of stick and rudder training to survive being blown around on approach and over the runway. Scariest flight of my life but I had no doubt I would have crashed but for Bruce’s instruction.

On another occasion my 80 something year old mother came to visit, I wanted to introduce Bruce to her and she told about how her uncle used to take up in a piper cub long ago looked just like Bruce’s American Legend and he talked her into going up with him after some coaxing. After the flight as he aptly described it, she came to his hanger an old lady and left like she was a kid again, she was almost levitating with excitement. Of course Bruce wouldn’t take any money as it gave him great joy to see.

Thanks, Mark
RV7
N254CK

 

[Split-S]

He was a lot of fun to fly with, and he shared a wealth of knowledge! He’ll be missed.