Hello, my name is Jan. I am John's co-pilot both in the airplane and in life. I have been blessed to be with him and see him fulfill many dreams throughout our 31 years together. The one dream most dear to his heart had always been to become a pilot, and on August 14, 2000 he accomplished his dream.
I am having John's name put on the "Wall of Honor" to celebrate his tenth anniversary of becoming a pilot. I believe that John has contributed to aviation with his passion and love of flying, his support and membership to many aviation groups, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Vintage Aircraft Association (VAA) and Potomac Antique Aero Squadron (PAAS), aviation museums and small airports. John has volunteered at many flying events including College Park Airport's 100th Anniversary (August 2009).
John's passion for flying has also brought us to a wonderful group of people, many of whom have become close friends. This group is the "Potomac Antique Aero Squadron", an antique airplane club of which John is Vice-President. In May of each year, the club hosts and antique fly-in at Horn Point in Cambridge, Maryland. The club tries to encourage interest and educate people about antique airplanes. The members support and also fly to other aviation events and airports. He always encourages both family and friends to join us and tries to instill the importance of aviation to our country's past, present and future.
Some information on the Honoree: John was born June 22,1957 in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up in Glen Burnie, Maryland in a home not far from "Friendship Airport" now known as "Thurgood Marshall Baltimore Washington International Airport". Most of his youth was spent on a bike riding to this airport and watching the planes take off and land and dreaming of the day he would be able to do the same. If he wasn't at the airport, he was building and flying model airplanes. Since 1979, when I was lucky enough to meet this amazing guy, we have been to many fly-ins, air shows, WWI and WWII aerial combat re-enactments, seminars on the history of aviation, educational seminars for safer flying, and restoration classes on how to make repairs on fabric covered planes. We have met many of our great heroes of WWII and listened to their wonderful stories.
After putting himself through college and buying his first home, John pursued his dream of getting his general aviation license. First, John aced his written test with a score of 100, and then after many weather delays John took the flying part of his exam and PASSED with flying colors.
John, myself and our beloved Bichon Frise "Riker" had many hours of enjoyment together in a Cessna 172. We flew out of Carroll County and Bay Bridge airports. And although Riker is not with us anymore, John and I still enjoy flying from Bay Bridge Airport and making new memories.
I am honored to have the chance to celebrate John's Tenth Anniversary as a general aviation pilot and his dedication and love of flying.