In Aviation Statistics I described how I became a student pilot. But once started, the journey was nothing like I ever expected. Learning to be a pilot was as much academic study as it was practical skills. At the University of Illinois, this meant a three-hour lecture course combined with semi-weekly “lab” sessions at the
Two days after the World Trade Center Towers were attacked, I had the unique experience of flying a mission for Lifeline Pilots … when the skies over the U.S.A. were cleared of all but F-16s and a handful of emergency medical flights. Here are some stories from that flight: (From LifeLine Pilots: the shortest distance
Crystal Lake Airport (now Lake in the Hills) was a sleepy airport serving local pilots about 30 miles northwest of O’Hare. It housed a flight school with three trainers and a couple flight instructors. Hangars on the field included one for my dad’s brand new Beechcraft Bonanza – the ultimate single-engine airplane of the time.
June 24, 1942 – August 28, 2021 Larry R. Clapper died peacefully on Saturday, August 28, after a short illness. He is survived by wife Gretchen Vik, daughter Laurie Chamberlin, granddaughter Kate and grandson lan (Washington, D.C). and son Dave Clapper, grandsons Cameron and Zachary (Seattle), as well as his brother Lyle Clapper (Bentonville, Arkansas)
A few weeks ago Marie and I attended a memorial service for my brother, Larry. His wife Gretchen arranged a small, but warm and wonderful gathering during which Marie and I reconnected with her and Larry’s kids. The climax of the gathering was the chartered sailboat from which we spread his ashes and sweet rose
