Aviation Business Journal | Buyers’ Guide Issue 2022 19 tuition for residents is 400 bucks a semester.” I went to school full-time in St. Thomas. I would fly over in one of our little airplanes, park on the soccer field on the north side of the runway, go to college during the week, and then fly back to St. Croix on weekends. By the time I was 19 years old, I was a captain flying scheduled service pas- sengers back and forth to San Juan, St. Thomas, and St. Croix on a four-engine De Havilland Heron. Without my dad, I would have never had that opportunity and I don’t think I would be where I am today. What’s it been like to pass it on to your son Billy in the same way? When he was about 19, Billy came to me and said, “You know, I think I want to fly.” I’d already helped him solo and earn his private license, so I suggested he join the Puerto Rico Guard unit, where he got his wings in a T-33, became a second lieutenant, and earned lots of ratings and experience. Now Billy flies Captain on everything we have. He could have moved on to the airlines, but he said, “No, I want to stay in this business because I love it.” So now he’s running the business eight days a week like I used to, and he still serves in the Guard as a lieutenant colonel. Billy loves what he does, and he loves aviation. He, his wife, and two kids even live right next to the airport! I see you’ve still been busy, even in retirement. The Gray Eagles — which is the retired American Airlines pilots’ group — had asked me to serve on their board for almost 10 years. I kept saying, “I really don’t have any time,” because when I retired from American in 2006, I continued to work full-time with my son. When I fully retired, though, they came back and said, “Would you like to come on the Board now? You’ll be the second vice president the first year, first vice president the second year, and by the third year — it’s your show.” We’re having our convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, in October, so I’m heavily involved in that right now. What does the NATA Distinguished Service Award represent to you? I’m sure there are many people that are deserving of the award, but I’m appreciative of it and honored to receive it. I’ve been involved in NATA for a very long time and have always thought the world of the Association. I think we became NATA members about 1970, and I was on the board of directors at one point. Visiting NATA’s head- quarters in Washington was a chance to meet senators, FAA administrators, all kinds of people in the industry, and it really increased my knowledge of what the avia- tion world was about. When I reflect on my time in aviation – particularly thinking about “service” to the industry – one thing I’m proudest of is helping others get their start. My whole life, when I met a kid who was interested in airplanes, I’d always, always, always say, “Come on over – we want to work with you and show you what you can do. You might have to polish a few airplanes or clean some latrines, but we will get you some flying time to get you started.” And we did that with a lot of kids. You know, general aviation in the Virgin Islands was in its infancy when I first got here. There was nothing going on. Now look at it: kids we trained became Navy, Air Force, and airline pilots — 777 captains and 747 captains — and we’re so proud that we were able to help. If they had the initiative, then we’d go forward from there. That’s my story. Continued on page 20
