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 Museum Planes Flown: T-6, T-34, Stearman Bio: Born during WWII, Dave had a family of aviators to grow up with. Dad was a private pilot, while Uncle Stanley was a pilot with the forerunner company of Delta Airlines. During high school, Dave found a job working for a farmer, whose son happened to be a flight instructor at Niles Airways in Niles, MI. Thus, the money earned from the job went towards flying lessons. By the time high school came to a close, Dave had achieved his private pilots license. After graduation, Dave began working for the Clark Equipment Company in Buchanan, MI, but never once veered from his aviation goals. During this time, his job financed lessons towards earning his commercial and multi-engine ratings. He then joined the Four Flags Flying Club at the Niles Airport, which gave him an opportunity to obtain flight time. During one particular day, a pilot from the club, Mr. Jim Wiseman, asked Dave to accompany him to Graubart Aviation of Valpo, IN in regards to looking at the aircraft that were for sale there. During this excursion, while looking at aircraft for sale, Mr. Graubart asked if either Jim or Dave would be willing to fly an aircraft to Clinton, IA. After both pilots agreed to participate, they flew the Stinson 108-3 aircraft to IA. Some time later, Mr. Graubart offered Dave a job flying the Graubart Aviation aircraft to and from their points of origins and destinations. This worked out well for Dave, as he had been contemplating the possibility of attending Valparaiso University. From 1962 - 1965 Dave worked for Graubart Aviation and also attended VU. However, when Graubarts moved their operation to the Chicago Palwaukee Airport, Dave took another job with Phillips Airlines in Michigan City, IN, spent two years there, then moved on to flying a Cessna 310C for a company that made automatic car wash machines. Afterwards, Dave flew for Universal Airlines in Ypsilanti, MI for a couple of years flying the large cargo transport plane, also utilized in WWII, known as the C-46. From there, Dave went to Hub Airlines in South Bend flying a small commuter Beechcraft Queenair, and then to Weil-Mclain Company flying their King Air 90. From here on opportunities became better, and Dave flew a North American Saberliner and Beechcraft Turbo Baron for Guerdon Industries in Louisville, KY, and then was called by North Central Airlines, which later transformed to Northwest Airlines. During this opportune time, Dave obtained ratings for the DC-9, Airbus A-320, and 747-400. Currently, Dave is a Captain flying the 747-400 on Northwest's International Route System. Needless to say, Dave has covered the territory in aviation experiences, but loves overall to fly light aircraft, and especially warbirds. During his tenure, he has flown the following warbirds: P-63F King Cobra (only one in existence owned by the Commemorative Air Force in Midland, TX), P-51 Mustang, AT-6 Texan, PT-17 Stearman, Waco UPF7, Staggerwing Beechcraft, C-46, Lockheed 12A, 1937 Great Lakes, B-25 Mitchell, B-17G Flying Fortress, Dehavilland Chipmunk, And more... Please sign our Guest Book and add your comments. |
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