Bob Kopecky began his aviation career in 1960 acquiring his private pilot certificate through the Army ROTC program at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and spent two years with the 82d Airborne Division before going to flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Upon graduation, he remained at Fort Rucker for two years as an instrument flight instructor and flight examiner. In 1965, Bob was assigned to the Army Security Agency, completing a tour in Vietnam flying radio reconnaissance missions in single and multiengine aircraft, including the de Havilland Caribou. While in Vietnam, Bob was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 22 Air Medals for flying over 850 hours and 215 combat missions gathering intelligence information for US ground operations. During his Army flying career, he accumulated nearly 5,000 hours of flight time in fixed wing aircraft and helicopters and was awarded Master Army Aviator wings in 1979.

After Vietnam, Bob spent 20 years as an owner and operator of several large general aviation fixed base operations in both Oklahoma and Missouri. The businesses included flight schools, charter operations, aircraft sales and maintenance, as well as Cessna and Mooney dealerships.

In 1989, Bob joined the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an aviation safety inspector within Airmen Testing Standards. He was responsible for developing airmen written tests, practical test standards, numerous flight training handbooks, and regulations pertaining to airmen certification. Bob retired from the FAA in 2002 as the branch manager of Airmen Testing Standards.

Bob flew over 125 different aircraft during his career, held an Airline Transport Pilot certificate, and was certified in single and multiengine airplanes, seaplanes, gliders, helicopters, and gyroplanes. His total flight time exceeded 10,000 hours in both military and civilian aircraft, including airships and hot air balloons.

Throughout a career that exceeded 50 years and included both military and civilian aviation, Bob Kopecky demonstrated an undeniable passion for aviation and a dedication to its advancement that will always be remembered by family, friends, and colleagues.