Gary Dean Warner has always been interested in airplanes and flying. This interest came from his dad who wanted to go to aviation school but was discouraged by his parents to attend.
However, Gary took his dad's dream and made it a reality when he started flying during his senior year of high school in 1960. His first lesson was on April 25, 1960 and he eventually rented a Piper J-3 to fly solo in it. Four years later, on July 20, 1964, Gary got his commercial license. Eventually, Gary's dad was able to join Gary in the sky when they bought a Cessna 140 together and his dad got his license as well. This was quite an accomplishment for a couple of potato farmers!
During the years 1964-65, Gary left Ohio and went to Miami, Florida to Embry Riddle Aeronautical Institute. The Institute moved to Dayton Beach, Florida and he finished his degree there.
After finishing his studies, he worked for Richland Flying Service as a mechanic and was able to use his commercial license flying there. While working at Richland, TWA sent a team to recruit mechanics and Gary was chosen by the team to join TWA. He moved to Kansas City in February of 1967 and became a mechanic for TWA. During the 34 years he worked for TWA he worked in various airports such as Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio, finally ending up at Lambert Field in St. Louis, Missouri.
In 1975 Gary bought his Cessna 172. He still flies that Cessna today! It just goes to show they don’t make them like they used to—neither planes nor mechanics. It is evident that in all these years his love for planes and flying has never abated.
In 2001 American Airlines bought TWA and Gary worked for them until his retirement in 2009. It is amazing to realize that Gary has worked on and flown airplanes for more than 62 years! Even now in his retirement, he lives in Cotter, Arkansas on an airpark and works on planes and flies whenever he is able. His most recent project has been to completely restore and finish a Sonex. While the plane has been approved flightworthy by the FAA, he has not yet flown it. Gary loves planes and flying and he has been blessed to be able to fulfill his dream of soaring up in the clouds.