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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Sponsor

Honored by:
Ms. Nancy Martin

An aviation enthusiast since childhood, David has spent most of his life involved in aviation one way or another. As a youngster, he wasn't a very good baseball player because he was always watching the sky for airplanes. As a teenager, he was a "hangar rat" at a small FBO near his home in southeastern Missouri and spent countless hours sweeping floors, washing and waxing airplanes and doing whatever else he was allowed to just to be working around airplanes. The owner of the FBO became his flight instructor and mentor. David soloed at 16 and has maintained his single-engine ticket ever since. One of his fondest memories is flying over the Badlands with his family in his dad's Piper Warrior in 1978. One of his saddest days was in the aftermath of a powerful summer storm that destroyed the Warrior despite it being tied down. His dad decided not to replace the plane which meant no more "free" flying for David.

David received his Airframe & Powerplant ticket in 1985 and with the exception of 2 years has been working in the general aviation industry ever since. After gaining experience as a mechanic he spent more than a decade as an A & P Instructor at one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious aviation technology schools and is currently employed as a Field Service Representative for a highly respected aircraft engine manufacturer. He is the proud owner of N5579F, a 1968 Piper Cherokee 140. His dream would to be to one day volunteer his talents and experience to help with the aircraft restoration projects at the Udvar-Hazy Center.