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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Leader

Honored by:
Penny Jasper Songmei Han Jim Steinmetz Joan Steinmetz

Captain JAMES D. STEINMETZ
March 27, 1930 – December 7, 2016

From childhood to last Westward flight, Captain James D. Steinmetz lived enmeshed in aviation from youthful dreams, images, and barnstormers; to student, private, commercial, instrument, multi-engine, and instructor pilot ratings; to aircraft technician, mechanic, certified A & P, Flight Engineer; to test pilot, Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) and Airline Captain; to ground school and simulator instructor - he was an aviator's aviator throughout his life. Now he soars among the stars and flies with angels.

As a five-year-old farm lad living near New Paris, Indiana, young Jim succumbed to the magic sprinkled by an occasional aircraft flying high overhead. He watched patiently the tiny specks above and wistfully followed them as the aircraft engine sound faded and the planes disappeared from view. He filled the resultant voids with his own guttural motor-humming and added outstretched arms as he ran about the family farm completing many a passing airplane's flight over Indiana. At ten, Jim was wooed, captivated, and captured by aviation's potential possibilities when one day an out-of-fuel Piper J-3 Cub fell from the sky and landed in his family's backyard. The pilot requested some gasoline from town in exchange for a five dollar bill for Jim and his brother. As a further reward, Jim was allowed to touch that airplane, watched as the pilot "propped" the engine, observed the takeoff and its departure. That moment raced his heart, seared his mind, and sealed Jim's fate; his destiny was a life-long commitment to aviation. Captain James D. Steinmetz would not be kept "down on the farm in New Paris, IN" from that moment on.

The Korean War interrupted Steinmetz's civilian life; but provided an unexpected educational detour into aircraft avionics underwritten by the USMC, which committed him to lifelong loyalty and "forever faithfulness" to both the Corps and aviation. After an honorable discharge, he attended Embry Riddle University earning various mechanical, electrical, and pilotage licenses. With degree in hand, he moved to Miami, joined Aircraft Modification Center, became an aviation technician, instructor, and test pilot eventually flying a variety of aircraft including: C-45, C-46, C-47, DC-4, DC-6, Aero Commander 500 and 680, Lodestar, B-25, B-26, and SA-16. His simultaneous instructor flying in addition to his "day job" as mechanic and test pilot involved Piper aircraft from J-3 to Apache; Cessna 140 to Bamboo Bomber, Aeronica 7AC; and Rearwin Speedster. Subsequently, he joined Continental Airlines as a Co-pilot (First Office) and flew DC-3, Viscount, and B(oeing)707. He also flew as a Flight Engineer (Second Officer) on DC-7 and B707. Ultimately, Steinmetz became Captain on B707, B720, B320, B727, and DC-10 and became an Instructor Check Pilot on B707, B720, B320, and B727. When Steinmetz reached FAA mandatory retirement age he continued in aviation working as a Boeing Corporation employee Instructor Pilot teaching ground school and simulator flying on MD-11 equipment.

Steinmetz logged more than 20,000 hours as a private PIC, Contract Pilot, Instructor, Test Pilot, Airline Captain, and Check Pilot. He was equally adept at flying or maintenance. He flew astronauts, celebrity passengers, ordinary people, and friends with equal agility, care, concern, and safety. He experienced engine failures, unusual attitudes, wind-shears, and other life-threatening situations including one on his first flight as captain when a passenger experienced a heart attack. Many adventures fill his aviation log books, yet he was most proud of his MD-11 Instructorship when he taught peer aviators – professional pilots from around the world who flew the flag carriers of Belgium, Brazil, China, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and Captains from United States airlines such as: American, Delta, Fed Ex, and World. These pilots were savvy professional colleagues who accepted Steinmetz’s high standards and appreciated his aviation insights, judgement, acumen, and personal charm. Many of these pilots became close friends who maintain a special flying bond and quiet camaraderie with “Captain Jim” and his family. Steinmetz has a son, who works for United Airlines, and a daughter; his wife, Joanie Valent, is a retired Continental Airlines Flight Attendant.