Foil: 3 Panel: 4 Column: 2 Line: 24

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. Steven W. Denham

“Hey! It’s just as easy to fly on your altitude as it is 50’ low – now get back up there!” I still hear those words spoken (yelled?) by my father when I’m shooting a tight approach in the 737 I fly for a major airline. He was a master at getting the best out of young students. My father was born in 1933 and graduated from college in 1954 as a commissioned Air Force 2nd Lt. After completing fighter school, he was plopped into the back seat of a B-47, courtesy of Gen. LeMay. After 6 years in SAC, he flew T-33’s and F-89’s for the Wisconsin Air Guard. He later became regional (western) Chief Check pilot for CAP. The knowledge and passion of flight he imparted to me and countless other young aviators like me is incalculable. He learned to fly the “old way” – needle, ball, airspeed. I still use his old techniques in the modern computer-dominated jet I fly today. Today’s aviation owes a debt of gratitude to my father and all the old masters like him.