Flying has been part of my life as far back as I can remember. I grew up with a dad, Vernon L. Finzer who loved flying and was a pilot for United Air Lines. I belonged to my father's AIR SCOUT TROOP and first soloed in 1960 at the age of 16 (before I got my first automobile driver's license).

After that it was a Commercial license on 1/2/1964, instructor 9/16/1964, instrument 1/19/1966. In 1967 I was hired by United Air Lines -- there followed a Flight Engineer license and a long and rewarding career at United. At United I was a Flight Engineer from 1967 to 1979, a copilot from 1979 to 1991 and a captain from 1991 to 2004 when I turned 60. Today, I still enjoy flying light planes whenever I can. Following is a summary of some of the planes I have flown over the years. My total time as of 9/29/2011 is about 26,256.

While I have never made an effort to fly every airplane around, there were quite a few over the years. Growing up I can remember flying with Dad and Mom in Stinson's and Cessna's, but for learning it was the good old J-3 followed by a Cessna 120 and later a Cessna 180 which I still own. I also own the J-3 that I soloed in, which belonged to a flying club at the time. Here is a rundown of some of the light planes I flew:

-Piper/J-3s PA11s, PA 18s colts and Pacers, and Clipper
-Cessna 120s, 140s, 180s, 172s & 182s, 150s
-Aeronca Champs, Chiefs, and Defenders
-Stinson L5 & Voyagers

In 1967 I went to work for United Airlines as a Flight Engineer, and I flew: DC6, DC8, DC10, &727

Then as a copilot I flew 737,727 and as a Captain flew the 727 and 777

I have almost 15,000 hours on the 727, needless to say I loved flying the 727, it was a sweetheart. I guess I would say the 777 was my next favorite to fly however they were worlds apart!

After my retirement I began a volunteer docent position on the 727 at Chicago's Science & Industry Museum.

Melvern has a degree in Political Science with a minor in Economics from Illinois State University. He and his wife Carolyn have been married for over 40 years and have two daughters, Nicole Gabrielle and Deirdre Danielle.