About
I did not get my PPL until completing ROTC flight training at Western Ky. Univ. in the early ‘60s, but I was actually taught to fly by my Dad, a former WWII B-17 pilot and a part time flight instructor when I was growing up.
Shortly after graduation from college I completed the US Army Helicopter training at Ft. Rucker AL.
My Dad, George H. Dillard during training at The Lodwick School of Aeronautics in Lakeland FL. Around 1944
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Ft Wolters TX, 1967
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Lai Khe, RVN, 1969
and then I attended the Army Aviation Safety Officer and Accident Investigation School at the Univ. of Southern Ca. before serving a tour in RVN flying UH-1 helicopters for the 1st Cav.
While in the Army I earned a Masters Degree from The Univ. of Southern Ca. in Aerospace Operations and Management.
I instructed for a while after leaving the Army in the early 70s and took whatever flying job could be found. I did some night freight, air ambulance flights, flew the mail for a short while in a Beech D-18-S, flew and demonstrated crop dusters for 3 1/2 years for an Ag-Cat distributor along with 5 years of contract work flying a dozen different airplanes and helicopters based in Knoxville, Tn. During this period, I completed training for an ATP rating in Fixed and Rotary wing aircraft and a CFII & ME. I used my Military Instructor rating to get my FAA Helicopter Instructor Rating.
I signed on with Sea Ray Boats when they moved their headquarters to Knoxville in the mid 80s flying an Agusta 109 helicopter and a Dasault Falcon 50. That job lasted until Brunswick bought the company.
In 1989 I joined Anheuser-Busch and stayed with them flying their Falcon 900s, 50s, and a Bell 412 until retirement in October 2008.
On the steps of N83FJ, a Dassault Falcon 50 I flew for 19 1/2 years
Along with partners, I have owned a Bellanca Citabria since 2004.
During my career I have logged over 18,000 hours in more than 130 different models of aircraft.
I currently hold An Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with ratings in Airplane Multiengine Land and Rotorcraft-Helicopter with Type Ratings in;
AS-355, BH-212, DA-10, DA-20, DA-50, and LR45. And Commercial Privileges in Airplane Single Engine Land and Sea.
I also hold a Flight Instructor Certificate with ratings in Airplane Single and Multiengine; Rotorcraft-Helicopter, Instrument Airplane and Helicopter.
I am a designated EAA Flight Advisor.
I have been married to wife number 1 since 1966 and have 2 grown children and 5 grandchildren.
I believe that my broad and varied background gives me a unique and seasoned perspective on teaching basic stick and rudder flying skills.
