Foil: 14 Panel: Retired United Pilots Association Column: 3 Line: 55

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

Captain, United Airlines/Retired 1957-1990; United States
Air Force Pilot 1952-1956. Captain Smilan was employed for 36 years as a pilot with United Airlines and its predecessor, Capital Airlines. In 1956 he worked for Southern Airways as a civilian helicopter pilot-instructor, training Army helicopter pilots at Mineral Wells, Texas.

In addition to serving four years as an Air Force pilot, he served brief periods of time in the New York Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Capt. Smilan retired from United Airlines as a captain in command of Boeing-747 aircraft operating in Transpacific
International Service.

Aircraft flown during his career included B-747-100 747 SP (special performance used in ultra long range flights), DC-10, DC-8, B-727, B-737, DC-6/7, DC-3, Lockheed Constellation-049, Vickers Viscount, B-26, C-119, H-19, H-13, B-25, and T-6.