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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. Paul E. Hill

At age 12 Sid Hill began his love of flying by cleaning aircraft after school and on weekends. For his efforts, he earned the large sum of five minutes flying time per week.
Sid and brother Otis opened Hill Brothers Air Service at the Compton California airport. During this time, he soloed over one hundred student pilots.
When the United States entered WWII, Sid who had already spent four years in the Marine Corp, went to work for Consolidated Airways, a private concern that was going to start instructing British and Chinese pilots in Arizona.
At Thunderbird Field, he became an instructor for British students in the Stearman, the BT and the AT -6. He transferred to the new Falcon Field when it opened.
Sid next moved on to Cal-Aero Academy in Chino California where he was a flight commander. He then became a production test pilot at Convair in San Diego California.
Returning to Los Angeles he was hired by Western Air Lines on September 27th 1944. As the years went by Sid advanced from flying DC-3s to Convairs to the DC-6Bs. Then it was onto his personal favorite, the Lockheed Electra 188. The jet age was soon followed with Sid flying the Boeing 720Bs and the 707s.
He became interested in the promotion of airline safety. For many years he volunteered with the Airline Pilots' Association as the Region V Safety Chairman. He became an accredited aircraft accident investigator, and, as such. worked with other investigators researching causes of aircraft crashes in various parts of the world.
He also pioneered several operating procedures that were considered revolutionary for their time, but are now considered standard.
After the age 60 mandatory airline pilot age rule forced him to retire from Western Air Lines in 1976, Sid found some overseas carriers that did not follow the U.S. regulations. He flew for Eagle Air of Iceland and Aero America in ventures taking him into the Mid¬East and into parts of Africa. But after two years, these airlines decided to join most of the other air carriers in respect to the "Age 60 Rule." Once again, Sid had to retire.
He continued flying, though, earning a type rating in the Lear jet. Sid also continued studying aircraft systems and aircraft accidents. His expertise was utilized on numerous occasions.
Captain Sidney A. Hill passed away July 8, 1998.