LaVerne R. Tech

Major LaVerne R. Tech's passion for flying was inspired while watching training flights of WWII fighters over his family farm in South Dakota. He received his civilian pilot's license at Novato, California in 1958.
 
He joined the United States Air Force in 1955 and got out in 1958 to attend college. After graduating in 1961, he rejoined the Air Force, completed Officer Training School, and earned his pilot wings in 1963.
 
Major Tech has logged over 9000 flying hours in his military career flying the T-33, T-37, C-123, C-130 and B-52 aircraft. His superior skills were recognized by his selection as instructor and/or evaluator pilot in each aircraft that he was assigned to fly. Major Tech accumulated over 3000 of his flying hours in the C-130, his favorite aircraft.
 
He served 927 days in Southeast Asia in support of the Vietnam War. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1972 for a mission over Cambodia, delivering needed supplies to ground troops while both his C-130 and the ground troops were under heavy attack.
 
Major Tech retired from the Air Force in 1978. During his career he was awarded 15 medals for Meritorious Service, Excellence, Skill or Proficiency.

His civilian flying is an important part of his life, earning Commercial SEL, MEL and CFI ratings. Major Tech has owned a Cessna 172 and spent three years flying a Cessna 340 twin engine as a corporate pilot.  
 
He picked up a derelict 1942 Aeronca Defender and through his association with the Experimental Aircraft Association. He volunteered part of the plane as a learning experience for the chapter members on fabric covering. That led to his restoration and flying of the airplane. He also participates in the EAA's Young Eagles Program, sharing his love of flying with others, including several of his grandchildren.
 
In 2009, he was inducted into the South Dakota Air Combat Crew Memorial. At the same time was awarded the FAA's "Master Pilot's" certificate in recognition of his 50 years of flying "without incident.”