Growing up in Tucson, I found myself looking up at all of the planes flying in and out of Davis Monthan Air Force Base. The C5A’s, F16’s and F4’s were captivating, but it was the A10’s that really stopped me in my tracks, watching them do slow steep turns was amazing to me. After my time in the Marines and flying in the back of CH46s, CH53s, and Hueys, I vowed to get my pilot license someday. Fast forward, a roommate who had been flying since he was a little kid was kind enough to take me up in his dad's home build Cavalier on weekend adventures. That sealed the deal for me.
In 1997, I got my private license and began to fly. Renting was going to be too expensive so I bought a Challenger two place ultralight and had many adventures with it, exploring and learning true stick and rudder flying. Adding to the “bug”, I started flying hang gliders up until our first daughter was born, when I decided to set it aside.
A buddy and I bought an older V-Tail Bonanza (1954 E Model) and after a brief time, found we wanted a little more range so in 2006 we stepped up to a 1969 V35A model, which I still own today. It’s been such a great cross country as well as a fun breakfast flight plane.
My wife and our daughters have all had fun flying in “Bo” for many years.
In 2023, John Stephen helped me earn my taildragger rating and began another style of flying. Later that year, I picked up a 1947 Piper PA-12 “Super Cruiser” which brought back low and slow to enjoy flying another way. In the summer of 2025, I plan on attending a back country flying course in Idaho to hone my skills and learn new techniques to safely explore backcountry strips.
I realize my limited flying experience pales in comparison to many others, but recreational GA flying has been such a fun hobby and pastime for my family and I.
