Foil: 9 Panel: 4 Column: 2 Line: 16

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. William A. Wilde

Husband, Father, Friend, Aviator, Mentor. David Nixon was a pioneering ultralight pilot in Colorado. He was indeed a true leader in aviation and did more for the local flying community than anyone else his friends knew. Dave was a natural pilot. He seemed to be as connected to any airplane he was flying as he was to his own hands. He had a natural feel for flying and weather. He could make a game out of almost anything. When the group got together, it was Dave with the new unique toy to capture the imagination of the whole group. Dave was also a very capable builder and was sought after by all his friends when challenging construction or repair problems surfaced. Dave was a pilot's pilot. More than anyone else we knew, Dave was completely in tune with whatever he flew, as if man and machine understood each other and were one. He was always willing to share his knowledge and experience with those who needed it.
One of his best friends wrote, "As much as I was uncomfortable having him teach me the 'fine points' of flying, he pushed me beyond what I thought my limits were. Dave's challenges were only what he thought I could safely handle. These experiences gave me a feeling of security flying next to him in the air. As a teacher, and by his attitude towards life in general, Dave gave me the confidence to aspire to new 'heights' in flying". Dave was killed on May 6, 2000 in a crash caused by a subtle design flaw in his plane. His life of joy and service continues to bless the many that knew and loved him.