Jim Willess Aviator
Jim's aviation experience began on his fathers lap while he was flying passenger hops over San Berdino California in a Stinson Gull Wing. His dad operated the airport there and at Palm Springs and ran a flight school at each including a pre- war CPT program. Jim's formal aviation education began at Highland Park Airport in Dallas Texas after a three-year stint in the U.S. Army during the Korean Police action. Jim soloed in the venerable J-3 Cub in 1956. The purchase of his first airplane, a BC-12D Taylorcraft, soon followed. Jim progressed through private, commercial, and instrument airplane and limited flight instructor while attending Texas A&M. upon graduation; the U.S. Air force trained him to fly T-37 and T-33 jets at Reese AFB in Lubbock Texas. Upon completion of Undergraduate Pilot Training, Jim's first and only assignment was Pope AFB at Fayetteville North Carolina. He was trained as a C123B troop carrier co-pilot and was in Vietnam by Christmas of 1962. A six-month stay in the early days of the war was uneventful and filled with backcountry experiences. Upon returning to Pope, Jim checked out as an Aircraft Commander in the "Provider". In 1963 the C-123 was being phased out, and C-130's was his next assignment. Training at Nashville was complete in the fall off 1964. TDY stints in Africa, England, Philippines and Japan followed. These were interspersed with short exciting trips back to Vietnam. Spending so much time "in Country" made him ineligible for further flying. The decision was made to leave the Air Force and a ground job for the security of United Airlines in 1969. After training as a "third crewmember" on the B737, Jim moved to Fairfax Virginia. Eighteen months later the down turn in the economy found Jim on furlough. This lasted nearly seven years. Flying jobs - transporting explosives, mail, cargo, passengers (both alive and deceased) charter in and out of Washington National and two years as a King's Dominion Air show Stearman Pilot kept him busy and flying.
Recalled in 1978, United sent Jim to Chicago. He progressed through the Boeing fleet and retired as a Captain on the B-767. His domiciles included San Francisco, Denver, Washington D.C. and frequent commutes to Chicago from his home in Manassas.
Upon attaining the "unqualified age of sixty" Jim retired to Fauquier County and started a small ultralight flight training operation.
He has been active in Ultralight Instruction, Kit sales and building since 1995 when he retired. His 1500 hours of Ultralight time supplements his 25,000 hrs. of Commercial, Military and General Aviation flying. His certificates include ATP, Commercial, MEL, SES, Glider & Hilo. He also holds CFIA, CFIG, CFII, CFIME and advanced Ground instructor ratings. His type ratings include C-130 (L-382) NA 265 (Saber Liner), C-46, B727,B737,B757,B767. He operates Virginia Sport Aircraft, a CGS Hawk Dealership (Jim has assembled six Hawks a Starduster and a Phantom) . He is the Safety and education Officer and the past President of USUA Club#1 of Northern Virginia. He served as President of the NIFA Flying Aggies of Texas A&M in 1960. His son Justin (a third generation pilot) was a member of the NIFA Flying Hokies of the Virginia Tech Flying Club and is working on his instrument rating Jim is an active member of EAA and serves as a tech and flight advisor.
He performs "First Flights" on newly built or restored Aircraft.
An active general aviation Instructor, he specializes in tail wheel instruction and entry level/defensive aerobatics.
He gets his real excitement ferrying unusual airplanes throughout North and South America.
An FAA DAR for Experimental and Sport Planes in the Eastern Region permits him to help the Ultralight community enter the FAA System.
NOTE: Although the date of death is listed as July of 2007, Jim actually went missing on February 28, 2007 while ferrying an airplane from California to Virginia. Conditions at the crash sight would indicate that Jim was killed on impact on that date. Tail winds West Jim.
Jim's aviation experience began on his fathers lap while he was flying passenger hops over San Berdino California in a Stinson Gull Wing. His dad operated the airport there and at Palm Springs and ran a flight school at each including a pre- war CPT program. Jim's formal aviation education began at Highland Park Airport in Dallas Texas after a three-year stint in the U.S. Army during the Korean Police action. Jim soloed in the venerable J-3 Cub in 1956. The purchase of his first airplane, a BC-12D Taylorcraft, soon followed. Jim progressed through private, commercial, and instrument airplane and limited flight instructor while attending Texas A&M. upon graduation; the U.S. Air force trained him to fly T-37 and T-33 jets at Reese AFB in Lubbock Texas. Upon completion of Undergraduate Pilot Training, Jim's first and only assignment was Pope AFB at Fayetteville North Carolina. He was trained as a C123B troop carrier co-pilot and was in Vietnam by Christmas of 1962. A six-month stay in the early days of the war was uneventful and filled with backcountry experiences. Upon returning to Pope, Jim checked out as an Aircraft Commander in the "Provider". In 1963 the C-123 was being phased out, and C-130's was his next assignment. Training at Nashville was complete in the fall off 1964. TDY stints in Africa, England, Philippines and Japan followed. These were interspersed with short exciting trips back to Vietnam. Spending so much time "in Country" made him ineligible for further flying. The decision was made to leave the Air Force and a ground job for the security of United Airlines in 1969. After training as a "third crewmember" on the B737, Jim moved to Fairfax Virginia. Eighteen months later the down turn in the economy found Jim on furlough. This lasted nearly seven years. Flying jobs - transporting explosives, mail, cargo, passengers (both alive and deceased) charter in and out of Washington National and two years as a King's Dominion Air show Stearman Pilot kept him busy and flying.
Recalled in 1978, United sent Jim to Chicago. He progressed through the Boeing fleet and retired as a Captain on the B-767. His domiciles included San Francisco, Denver, Washington D.C. and frequent commutes to Chicago from his home in Manassas.
Upon attaining the "unqualified age of sixty" Jim retired to Fauquier County and started a small ultralight flight training operation.
He has been active in Ultralight Instruction, Kit sales and building since 1995 when he retired. His 1500 hours of Ultralight time supplements his 25,000 hrs. of Commercial, Military and General Aviation flying. His certificates include ATP, Commercial, MEL, SES, Glider & Hilo. He also holds CFIA, CFIG, CFII, CFIME and advanced Ground instructor ratings. His type ratings include C-130 (L-382) NA 265 (Saber Liner), C-46, B727,B737,B757,B767. He operates Virginia Sport Aircraft, a CGS Hawk Dealership (Jim has assembled six Hawks a Starduster and a Phantom) . He is the Safety and education Officer and the past President of USUA Club#1 of Northern Virginia. He served as President of the NIFA Flying Aggies of Texas A&M in 1960. His son Justin (a third generation pilot) was a member of the NIFA Flying Hokies of the Virginia Tech Flying Club and is working on his instrument rating Jim is an active member of EAA and serves as a tech and flight advisor.
He performs "First Flights" on newly built or restored Aircraft.
An active general aviation Instructor, he specializes in tail wheel instruction and entry level/defensive aerobatics.
He gets his real excitement ferrying unusual airplanes throughout North and South America.
An FAA DAR for Experimental and Sport Planes in the Eastern Region permits him to help the Ultralight community enter the FAA System.
NOTE: Although the date of death is listed as July of 2007, Jim actually went missing on February 28, 2007 while ferrying an airplane from California to Virginia. Conditions at the crash sight would indicate that Jim was killed on impact on that date. Tail winds West Jim.
Jim Willess Aviator
Jim's aviation experience began on his fathers lap while he was flying passenger hops over San Berdino California in a Stinson Gull Wing. His dad operated the airport there and at Palm Springs and ran a flight school at each including a pre- war CPT program. Jim's formal aviation education began at Highland Park Airport in Dallas Texas after a three-year stint in the U.S. Army during the Korean Police action. Jim soloed in the venerable J-3 Cub in 1956. The purchase of his first airplane, a BC-12D Taylorcraft, soon followed. Jim progressed through private, commercial, and instrument airplane and limited flight instructor while attending Texas A&M. upon graduation; the U.S. Air force trained him to fly T-37 and T-33 jets at Reese AFB in Lubbock Texas. Upon completion of Undergraduate Pilot Training, Jim's first and only assignment was Pope AFB at Fayetteville North Carolina. He was trained as a C123B troop carrier co-pilot and was in Vietnam by Christmas of 1962. A six-month stay in the early days of the war was uneventful and filled with backcountry experiences. Upon returning to Pope, Jim checked out as an Aircraft Commander in the "Provider". In 1963 the C-123 was being phased out, and C-130's was his next assignment. Training at Nashville was complete in the fall off 1964. TDY stints in Africa, England, Philippines and Japan followed. These were interspersed with short exciting trips back to Vietnam. Spending so much time "in Country" made him ineligible for further flying. The decision was made to leave the Air Force and a ground job for the security of United Airlines in 1969. After training as a "third crewmember" on the B737, Jim moved to Fairfax Virginia. Eighteen months later the down turn in the economy found Jim on furlough. This lasted nearly seven years. Flying jobs - transporting explosives, mail, cargo, passengers (both alive and deceased) charter in and out of Washington National and two years as a King's Dominion Air show Stearman Pilot kept him busy and flying.
Recalled in 1978, United sent Jim to Chicago. He progressed through the Boeing fleet and retired as a Captain on the B-767. His domiciles included San Francisco, Denver, Washington D.C. and frequent commutes to Chicago from his home in Manassas.
Upon attaining the "unqualified age of sixty" Jim retired to Fauquier County and started a small ultralight flight training operation.
He has been active in Ultralight Instruction, Kit sales and building since 1995 when he retired. His 1500 hours of Ultralight time supplements his 25,000 hrs. of Commercial, Military and General Aviation flying. His certificates include ATP, Commercial, MEL, SES, Glider & Hilo. He also holds CFIA, CFIG, CFII, CFIME and advanced Ground instructor ratings. His type ratings include C-130 (L-382) NA 265 (Saber Liner), C-46, B727,B737,B757,B767. He operates Virginia Sport Aircraft, a CGS Hawk Dealership (Jim has assembled six Hawks a Starduster and a Phantom) . He is the Safety and education Officer and the past President of USUA Club#1 of Northern Virginia. He served as President of the NIFA Flying Aggies of Texas A&M in 1960. His son Justin (a third generation pilot) was a member of the NIFA Flying Hokies of the Virginia Tech Flying Club and is working on his instrument rating Jim is an active member of EAA and serves as a tech and flight advisor.
He performs "First Flights" on newly built or restored Aircraft.
An active general aviation Instructor, he specializes in tail wheel instruction and entry level/defensive aerobatics.
He gets his real excitement ferrying unusual airplanes throughout North and South America.
An FAA DAR for Experimental and Sport Planes in the Eastern Region permits him to help the Ultralight community enter the FAA System.
NOTE: Although the date of death is listed as July of 2007, Jim actually went missing on February 28, 2007 while ferrying an airplane from California to Virginia. Conditions at the crash sight would indicate that Jim was killed on impact on that date. Tail winds West Jim.
Jim's aviation experience began on his fathers lap while he was flying passenger hops over San Berdino California in a Stinson Gull Wing. His dad operated the airport there and at Palm Springs and ran a flight school at each including a pre- war CPT program. Jim's formal aviation education began at Highland Park Airport in Dallas Texas after a three-year stint in the U.S. Army during the Korean Police action. Jim soloed in the venerable J-3 Cub in 1956. The purchase of his first airplane, a BC-12D Taylorcraft, soon followed. Jim progressed through private, commercial, and instrument airplane and limited flight instructor while attending Texas A&M. upon graduation; the U.S. Air force trained him to fly T-37 and T-33 jets at Reese AFB in Lubbock Texas. Upon completion of Undergraduate Pilot Training, Jim's first and only assignment was Pope AFB at Fayetteville North Carolina. He was trained as a C123B troop carrier co-pilot and was in Vietnam by Christmas of 1962. A six-month stay in the early days of the war was uneventful and filled with backcountry experiences. Upon returning to Pope, Jim checked out as an Aircraft Commander in the "Provider". In 1963 the C-123 was being phased out, and C-130's was his next assignment. Training at Nashville was complete in the fall off 1964. TDY stints in Africa, England, Philippines and Japan followed. These were interspersed with short exciting trips back to Vietnam. Spending so much time "in Country" made him ineligible for further flying. The decision was made to leave the Air Force and a ground job for the security of United Airlines in 1969. After training as a "third crewmember" on the B737, Jim moved to Fairfax Virginia. Eighteen months later the down turn in the economy found Jim on furlough. This lasted nearly seven years. Flying jobs - transporting explosives, mail, cargo, passengers (both alive and deceased) charter in and out of Washington National and two years as a King's Dominion Air show Stearman Pilot kept him busy and flying.
Recalled in 1978, United sent Jim to Chicago. He progressed through the Boeing fleet and retired as a Captain on the B-767. His domiciles included San Francisco, Denver, Washington D.C. and frequent commutes to Chicago from his home in Manassas.
Upon attaining the "unqualified age of sixty" Jim retired to Fauquier County and started a small ultralight flight training operation.
He has been active in Ultralight Instruction, Kit sales and building since 1995 when he retired. His 1500 hours of Ultralight time supplements his 25,000 hrs. of Commercial, Military and General Aviation flying. His certificates include ATP, Commercial, MEL, SES, Glider & Hilo. He also holds CFIA, CFIG, CFII, CFIME and advanced Ground instructor ratings. His type ratings include C-130 (L-382) NA 265 (Saber Liner), C-46, B727,B737,B757,B767. He operates Virginia Sport Aircraft, a CGS Hawk Dealership (Jim has assembled six Hawks a Starduster and a Phantom) . He is the Safety and education Officer and the past President of USUA Club#1 of Northern Virginia. He served as President of the NIFA Flying Aggies of Texas A&M in 1960. His son Justin (a third generation pilot) was a member of the NIFA Flying Hokies of the Virginia Tech Flying Club and is working on his instrument rating Jim is an active member of EAA and serves as a tech and flight advisor.
He performs "First Flights" on newly built or restored Aircraft.
An active general aviation Instructor, he specializes in tail wheel instruction and entry level/defensive aerobatics.
He gets his real excitement ferrying unusual airplanes throughout North and South America.
An FAA DAR for Experimental and Sport Planes in the Eastern Region permits him to help the Ultralight community enter the FAA System.
NOTE: Although the date of death is listed as July of 2007, Jim actually went missing on February 28, 2007 while ferrying an airplane from California to Virginia. Conditions at the crash sight would indicate that Jim was killed on impact on that date. Tail winds West Jim.
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