S. P. Rice Jr. (“Preston”) is a lifelong aviation buff who spent over 46 years in the aircraft and airline industry.

After 4 years of service as an Aircraft Parts Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy on the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea, he joined Capital Airlines in Washington, DC as an Aircraft Parts Clerk. His career with Capital, and subsequently United Airlines, spanned much of the country: DCA in 1952 for 12 years, United's Home Office in Illinois in 1960 for 6.5 years, San Francisco Maintenance Base in 1970 for 15.5 years, and Washington National/Dulles in 1985 for 8 years.

At Washington National/Dulles, Preston attended frequent Staff and Aircraft Inventory Planning and Control meetings at Chicago O'Hara Field, San Francisco, Denver and the New York area. When he retired in March 1993, he was responsible for the Dulles Ground Equipment parts function and the Aircraft and Ground Equipment Parts functions at Philadelphia, Cleveland, Washington National, Orlando, Miami and Atlanta.

Preston continues to revel in and inspire interest in all things that fly, Thank You!