jrh
Well-Known Member
I lost a good friend this morning in a plane crash. Up until today, I've been very blessed to have gone eight years as a professional pilot without losing anyone close to me.
http://www.1011now.com/home/headlin...m_plane_crash_near_Neb_airport_129232828.html
My friend, Jeff, was the flight instructor in this Pitts. Lots of details are missing, but it appears to have been an engine failure on takeoff.
Jeff was a really fantastic guy. He literally had a lifetime of flying experience to draw from. When he wasn't flying Citations or King Airs for the local FBO's charter department, he was restoring J-3 cubs and flying off of private grass strips. A couple months ago I laughed as I walked into the FBO's lobby and saw an unpainted J-3 cowling on the floor--Jeff had picked it up from a faraway airport, stuck it in the Citation's baggage compartment, and brought it home during his latest charter trip, to save on shipping costs for one of his restoration projects.
He loved all things tailwheel and I looked up to him as an extremely talented pilot, instructor, and person in general. Words can't describe how much respect I have for the man. He was truly the role model for how I hope to look back on my own flying career twenty years from now.
It's crazy for me to think about how much can change in an instant. My last conversation with him was in the hallway at work a few days ago, chatting for twenty minutes about how I'm looking forward to flying for Cape Air. He was full of good career advice and stories from his various employers over the years.
I won't finish this post with a caution to "fly safe." Jeff was one of the most current, qualified, safest pilots I know. But he's still not here tonight.
Instead, I'd advise everyone to be thankful for their time in the sky and time spent with people you care about. Live without regrets. You never know when it will end.
http://www.1011now.com/home/headlin...m_plane_crash_near_Neb_airport_129232828.html
My friend, Jeff, was the flight instructor in this Pitts. Lots of details are missing, but it appears to have been an engine failure on takeoff.
Jeff was a really fantastic guy. He literally had a lifetime of flying experience to draw from. When he wasn't flying Citations or King Airs for the local FBO's charter department, he was restoring J-3 cubs and flying off of private grass strips. A couple months ago I laughed as I walked into the FBO's lobby and saw an unpainted J-3 cowling on the floor--Jeff had picked it up from a faraway airport, stuck it in the Citation's baggage compartment, and brought it home during his latest charter trip, to save on shipping costs for one of his restoration projects.
He loved all things tailwheel and I looked up to him as an extremely talented pilot, instructor, and person in general. Words can't describe how much respect I have for the man. He was truly the role model for how I hope to look back on my own flying career twenty years from now.
It's crazy for me to think about how much can change in an instant. My last conversation with him was in the hallway at work a few days ago, chatting for twenty minutes about how I'm looking forward to flying for Cape Air. He was full of good career advice and stories from his various employers over the years.
I won't finish this post with a caution to "fly safe." Jeff was one of the most current, qualified, safest pilots I know. But he's still not here tonight.
Instead, I'd advise everyone to be thankful for their time in the sky and time spent with people you care about. Live without regrets. You never know when it will end.
