While Spud's occupation was as Watch General Foreman for Con Edison's Waterside Station in Manhattan, his spare time was spent doing what he loved most. On October 16, 1973, he received his Private Pilot: airplane single-engine land license. From 1977 through 1985, he received
- Airman Certifications in Private Pilot: airplane single-engine land, instrument airplane
- Commercial Pilot: airplane single engine land - instrument airplane
- Commercial Pilot: airplane single- and multiengine land - instrument airplane
- Flight Instructor: airplane single engine
- Flight Instructor: airplane single engine - instrument airplane.

Over the years, he has piloted charter flights (he especially loved flying to Block Island), banner towing over the Long Island beaches, sightseeing tours over Manhattan and up the Hudson River. He performed biennial examinations. He also learned aerobatics.

In 2000 he became a Designated Pilot Examiner and was recertified in 2001, 2002 and 2003. He also served the Federal Aviation Administration as a Flight Safety Counselor and an Accident Prevention Counselor.

In September of 2001, he purchased his pride and joy -- a Piper Cherokee PA28-140.

Among some of his awards are:
- Flying Safety Certificate of Merit Achievement Award from the Department of Transportation, FAA, Eastern Region
- The Eastern Region's Annual Flight Instructor Award, Farmingdale Flight Standards District Office.

His favorite trip to take was to Washington, DC to visit the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. For his love, devotion and commitment to flight and flight safety, it is a privilege to submit my father's name to the National Aviation and Space Exploration Wall of Honor.