When I was 14 in 1973, I had become infatuated with flight in all its forms. I decided that I wanted to learn to fly R/C models. I approached my dad (a Civil Engineer) and told him that I wanted to sell my mini-bike and get into R/C. He thought about it and came to the conclusion that it could be educational. Man, was he right!!! I recently retired after 28 years on the Space Shuttle Program (during which I was awarded a Silver Snoopy), and 3.5 on the Orion spacecraft.
I flew pattern for many years and competed at two AMA Nats (1976 & 1980, I believe). I have flown helis for a while. But in 1999, I got the turbine bug and went in that direction. Thank you, dad in heaven, for starting me down that path. He made the right choice indeed!!!!
The photo is me in the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Control Center (LCC) just before the liftoff of STS-125!
