Friends
Taking my dad up for an aerobatic ride. I think he liked it.
I trust only one
place to work on my aircrafts and that is NW Air Repair out of MMV
McMinnville, Or. They do everything from major rebuilds, avionics,
annuals, to oil changes.
Graham Goad, a long time friend, owns and operates NW Air Repair. Graham
has worked on everything from the B-1 bomber and the Space Shuttle, to a
Piper Pacer which he personally rebuilt. Jeff Snook who works with
Graham, is also a master mechanic great with major repairs and engines.
Jeff's experience working with radial engines on Beach-18's at jump
sites and working on Texan T-6's play a big part in my trust to have
them maintain my aircraft.
Graham Goad has been a long time friend. He owns and operates NW Air Repair an aviation maintenance facility based at MMV McMinnville Oregon. Graham is an A&P as well as an IA. He is also a commercial Pilot with a CFI rating. Graham flies a Pacer and a Beechcraft.
Bob Harris, friend, instigator, cohort, and guardian. Bob turned me to the dark side in 2004 when he got me to join the International Aerobatics Club. Bob invited me to a local contest to see what competition aerobatics was all about. Lets just say, Bob has cost me a lot of money! (just kidding) Bob is involved in front and behind the scenes of competition aerobatics and is there for anyone. Bob and Robert Toppel are Oregon's Contest Directors and ran a tight ship at our last contest. He is a great training partner and coach. Bob is a fearless pilot and flies a beautiful Extra 300 mid-wing.
I am afraid I
have turned my friend Adam Goad to the dark side myself. Adam is a
commercial helicopter pilot as well as a fixed wing pilot. He
started flying aerobatics with me in 2006 in a Citabria and now flies
with me in the Yak 52.
Adam flew his first contest in 2008 winning all three flights, taking
home the 1st place trophy!
Here is my friend Tim Swift who flies a Yak 52 out of Tempe Arizona. Tim is a member of the Red Star Pilots Association. The Red Star Pilots Association trains and qualifies pilots of Eastern Bloc aircraft to safely fly close formation. You can check out the Red Star Pilots Association at www.flyredstar.org, watch the video, you will see Tim a couple of times in it!
Then there is my best friend, my wife, Leigh Ann. She is oh so understanding and patient. She puts up with so much, yet remains supportive. She even went inverted to see what it was all about. Men can push the boundaries of a relationship, pilots can stretch it a bit, but an aerobatic pilot takes a special friend to understand what it is all about. Thank you honey!
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