The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award and a Time to Reflect
I was recently presented with the FAA's Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. It reads "In recognition of your 50 years of exemplary aviation flight experience, distinguished professionalism, and steadfast commitment to aviation safety." That's a lot to live up to.
My nominators included Amy Hoover and Dick Williams. Both of whom are well known as outstanding pilots, authors and aviation educators focused on mountain, canyon and backcountry flying. Rich Stowell, my third nominator, is regarded by many as the leading expert on aircraft control and emergency maneuver training. Few have done more to further aviation safety. Receiving some measure of their respect is the biggest honor of all.
Like many, I've been lucky and learned from mistakes. I simply do my best to improve, share what I know, while trying to set a good example. As they say, a good pilot is always learning.
Receiving the award has given me an opportunity to reflect and feel thankful for my fifty plus years of flying. I thank my family, friends, mentors and clients who've given me so much along the way.
Fred Williams
Adventure Flying Services LLC
My father, Vic Williams, earned his Private Pilot certificate on November 11, 1969. He'd take me flying from time to time in his first airplane, a Cessna 140. He's pictured here with another 140 that he owned for 33 years.
A page from my grandfather's logbook showing his first solo on December 1, 1940 along with an old photo of the airplane he did it in, a 50 horsepower Taylor Cub. He never earned his Private certificate as the war came along a year later and ended his flying for good.
My mother, Norma Williams, took her first lesson the day of my dad's check ride, earning her certificate just four months later. Her aviation journey included women's air racing, and a commercial certificate. She was a founder the Santa Paula chapter of the Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women's Pilots. Together with my dad, they enjoyed traveling and camping out of the airplanes they owned.
As a fifteen year old, my dad introduced me to Rex and Mildred Wells who gave me my first job working at the airport. This is an early picture of them together. They were a very important part of the Santa Paula Airport for fifty years or so.
My first instructor and boss, Rex Wells, is pictured here. Sammy Mason, said this about Rex: "Normally retiring and shy, he became a tiger behind the controls of an airplane. He used to delight in killing the engine of his Aeronca, stopping the propeller, and then silently and gracefully twist the C3 through a series of deadstick aerobatics". He'd then step out and prop start it.
I am incredibly fortunate to have worked for, and learned so much Mildred and Rex Wells. I gassed, cleaned and rented airplanes along with selling parts and working a bit in the shop. They introduced me to some amazing aviators and I was surrounded by good folks who loved airplanes. A great time of my life.
Rex and Mildred Wells presented me with this framed piece the day on the day I soloed, my sixteenth birthday. A couple hours later my mom took me to the DMV to test for my driver's license. A pretty cool day for a teenage boy.
At one point during my sixteenth year, Mildred Wells pointed me toward an old Taylorcraft. I was able to buy it for $1400. Rex helped me clean it up, then gave me a tailwheel checkout in 45 minutes and 6 landings. I could fly it for $2 per hour in avgas. Much better than the $10 per hour it cost to rent the C150 pictured behind me.
The Santa Paula Airport was home to some amazing aviators. Mira Slovak was one such character well-worth googling. He's the only person in my life who regularly called me "Freddy." I was thrilled when he offered to take me up and teach me slow rolls in this highly-modified 1930s Bücker. How could any kid ever forget a day like that?
For me, Santa Paula was the right place at the right time. Where else would I have been able to meet so many unique aviation personalities. Here's just one example: Bud Gurney, at right, was a life-long friend of Charles Lindbergh. They barnstormed together in the 1920s. Fifty years later, Bud based his Gypsy Moth at SZP where I'd help him fuel and spin the prop to get him on his way.
Rex was an amazing pilot, but a man of few words in the cockpit. He'd show me what to do and I'd do my best to duplicate it. I guess it worked as I made it through the Private Pilot check ride on my seventeenth birthday. Jim Dewey was my examiner. It was then on to aerobatic training with Dan Gray at Michael Dewey Aviation.
I had lots of good times in the family T-Craft pictured here. Amongst other things, it was an airplane that was really fun to spin. Twenty-seven turns was my best. It's also the first airplane I took into the backcountry, landing and backpacking from Templeton Meadows near Mt Whitney.
In 1973 I was invited along to hang out and crew at the Reno Air Races. Mira Slovak, who had won the very first Reno Air Race in 1964 was there in his P-39 Air Cobra. In this photo I'm helping hold back a Cassutt race plane owned and piloted by Ken Haas. Those were the days of Bob Hoover, huge crowds, exciting races and non-stop airshows.
While in college a friend and fellow pilot convinced me to give hang gliding a try. This shot was taken on my first launch. I barely cleared a barbed wire fence to land at the bottom of the hill. My self-preservation instinct soon kicked in and the hang glider was sold.
While in college, I ran across this Aeronca Champ on the Klamath River and bought it for $2800. It hadn't been flown for years, but with a ferry permint in hand I flew it home to Arcata,CA. It was the last airplane to ever leave the old Orleans Airport and was a pure joy to fly.
I can always thank my mom and dad for having me fly their airplanes when I was without one of my own. They've owned several and enjoyed years of flying together on some great adventures throughout the west and into Alaska. In this picture, they've flown up to see and hold their new grandchild. One who will end up being the fourth generation pilot of the Williams family.
The 80s and 90s were a busy time for me building a business in the outdoor industry. I made good use of my instrument rating with this Cessna 177B, punching in and out of the coastal fog to visit suppliers, dealers, family. One trip I'll always remember was with my infant son in the back while we flew toward the sunrise over Monument Valley.
In 2015 we bought a couple of airplanes including the Kitfox pictured here. It was time to get my CFI certificate and share my passion for aviation. Adventure Flying Services was created with the support and encouragement of Dianna, my partner in life.
Nothing makes me happier than taking an airplane camping trip with my favorite left-seater. Dianna shares my passion for flying to off-the-beaten-path locations, pitching a tent and exploring the area on foot. Much like I did on my very first backcountry trip in the Sierra some fifty years ago. Shown here at Sullivan lake in Washington state.
I've been a supporter of the Recreational Aviation Foundation since 2015. My interest in aviation is closely tied with my love of the outdoors. It's always my desire to access the backcountry in a responsible way and only makes sense that I would share the RAFs mission and code of conduct with fellow aviatiors.
You'd think that a guy who spends so much time in the cockpit would happy to to get away from them while on a vacation to a place like New Zealand. That's sometimes the case, but don't tempt me with a chance to fly a vintage Dehavilland Tiger Moth over the beautiful lakes near Wanaka.
Who better to be your first student than your very own son? It was one of the greatest pleasures of my life to help him become the fourth generation pilot in our family. Shown here on the day of his successful check ride taken in the Adventure Flying Services Vans RV-12.
The rewards of instructing are made all the better by the countless clients I now call friends. Melissa is a great example. Her dream was to fly in the backcountry. She first soloed in our Kitfox and bought the airplane pictured here while still a student. We brought it back from Texas together and she earned her Private Pilot certificate soon after. Idaho Mountain/canyon training followed. Her dream fulfilled, Alaska awaits.
I flew my father across the Sierra Nevada on the day I received my Wright Brother's Master Pilot Award. I had proudly watched as he was presented with the very same award just a couple years before. He put me on this path fifty years ago. It was a pleasure to have him there with me as I received mine.
My father's Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. He flew airplanes for more than 53 years, retiring from the controls at the age of eighty-four.
Fifty years of flying and I still look forward to every single hour. There are far too many people to thank here by name, but believe me, they all mean more to me than I can express. To family, friends, mentors, clients, and the airport bums I have the pleasure to know - THANK YOU.