ALPA President Capt. John Prater (L) and Pilot Assistance Chairman Capt. Jerry McDermott (R) presenting Rich with 2009 Pilot Assistant of the Year Award.
Rich’s first aviation memories are wasting time at the Sigourney, Iowa Airport with his dad, and riding in the back of an Aeronca Champ with Nellie Ruby flying.
http://flyingmuseum.com/hall-of-fame/1993-nellie-vos-ruby/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaV468cYEOg
He started flight training at the Oskaloosa, Iowa airport in 1988, and became their full time flight instructor in 1990. In 1993 after two different FBOs had gone out of business, he started part time at the Ottumwa, Iowa airport. When he left there in 2000 he was Chief Pilot and Check Airman for their FAR 135 Charter. He has flown Beechcraft King Air, Cessna 310, 401, 421, Piper Aztec, and Seneca on FAR 135 Charter, with flight time in Beechcraft Duchess, Cessna 340, 414, Diamond DA42, Piper Apache, and Navajos.
In 2000 he accepted a job with American Eagle Airlines and flew the ATR 42/72, Saab 340, EMB-145 and CRJ-700s during more than 16 years there. He now flies for a Legacy U.S. airline- currently on the Boeing 737 and previously on the Airbus A319/320/321.
He was an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner for 25 years.
After 9/11 he decided to volunteer for the union, and though it wasn’t his intention, God put him on the Aeromedical/ HIMS Committee. He knew nothing about addiction or recovery. In 14 yrs of union volunteering he served as LEC HIMS Peer Monitor, MEC HIMS Chairman, ALPA Nat’l HIMS Vice Chair and later, Chairman. At one time he was Chairman of four different committees concurrently (1 Nat’l, 3 MEC). He received the 2009 ALPA Pilot Assistant of the Year Award. He is so grateful for all the people who helped him understand addiction and recovery, and for all those who "do the next right thing” everyday. Though no longer active in union work, he stays in contact and involved by helping HIMS/ Professional Pilots regain their certificates after revocation. He has helped over 110 Professional Pilots regain their licenses and return to work, from all Major Airlines, most Regional Airlines, some Cargo as well as Fractional Pilots.
He has previously owned a Piper Apache, Cessna 120, and Schweizer 1-26. He currently owns a Cessna 170B and DG-400. He is an ATP, A&P, Commercial Sea Plane, and Glider Pilot. He is a Gold Seal Flight Instructor in both airplanes and gliders, and an Advanced and Instrument Ground Instructor.
He and his wife Lisa have been married since 1985 and live on their family’s Century Farm just a mile from the long gone Sigourney Airport. They have one son and five grandsons. When not flying or farming, they enjoy quiet time at home with their dog and three horses, time with family, shooting sports, and riding Harley Davidson motorcycles.
