My first flight lesson was on January 13, 1973 at Wilgrove Airport, Charlotte NC. That flight was made in a Piper Cherokee PA-28-140, N1859T. Wilgrove airport is an uncontrolled airport (class G) with a Unicom (CTAF) of 122.8. The runway (RWY 35-17) is an old abandoned "hot-rod" drag strip. RWY surface consisted of concrete and had power lines directly over the beginning of 35. Depending upon the time of year, the runway also consisted of dirt, or, a little grass.
My instructor was Mr. Jim McLaughlin, who was also one of my high school teachers. Jim became a very strong influence in my life and was a very dear friend.
Jim endorsed my first supervised solo on March 23 of 1973. This first solo was made in a Piper Cherokee 140, N4984T. I do not remember how many landings I made, but the flight was for .8/hr. On December 12, 1973, I received my Private Pilot certificate with a single engine airplane category and land rating. The examiner was "Hank" Dutch, who was a civilian military instructor pilot during W.W.II.
In 1974, I passed another check ride for a Private Pilot certificate with a Glider category. This training was completed at Chester Airport, SC, in a Schweizer 2-33, N5724S. In 1975 I received my Instrument rating in a Piper Cherokee PA-28-180. Jim was also my instructor for this rating. In 1976, I received my Commercial Pilot certificate flying in a Piper Cherokee Arrow PA-28R-200.
I used my Commercial certificate to fly for WBT Radio in Charlotte, NC. My job was to fly, and report the morning and afternoon traffic conditions. These flights were all made in a Piper 140, N15424, converted to a small radio station. By coincidence, WBT had established my radio personality name as "Jeff Pilot," named after their parent company - Jefferson Pilot Broadcasting. (Many poor souls thought that "Jeff Pilot" was my real name.)
1990 saw the completion of my Multi-Engine training at Centennial Airport in Denver, CO. I had the opportunity to train with several United Airlines' Instructor Pilots. The Multi-Engine aircraft used was an Aero Commander 500A, N1260B. It was built in the late 1950's, and was in mint condition.
In 1991, I turned to the "sea" and completed a Commercial certificate with a single engine category and Seaplane rating. This was done during a vacation to the famous Jack Brown's Seaplane Base in Florida. My training was done in a 1940's Piper Cub, "on floats," PJ3-S, N70483.
My Commercial Glider certificate was completed in 1998 at Boulder Colorado. Check-ride was taken in a Schweitzer 2-33, N2793H.
In 2001and 2002, I was introduced to corporate jet flying. Through an educational opportunity, I was sent to both a Hawker and Challenger flight and ground school. This effort lead to Type Ratings in a HS-125 and CL-600.
I also have an Advanced and Instrument Ground Instructor certificate. I am a Full Professor of Aerospace Science at Metropolitan State College of Denver, and also serve as Department Chair. Affiliations include the National Association of Flight Instructors and The University Aviation Association.
My grandfather, Marcel Juif, was in the French Army Air Corps Regiment as a pilot and aerial photographer in W.W.I . I know very little of his experiences as a pilot. I do have his discharge papers (1923), wings, and partial wooden prop from one of his biplanes!
In 2006, I completed my doctoral studies within the Graduate School of Computer & Information Science at NSU. My Ph.D. dissertation focused on data-mining of aviation safety information. The title of my dissertation is:
Forrest, J. S. (2006). Information Policies and Practices of Knowledge Management (KM) as Related to the Development of the Global Aviation Information Network (GAIN) – An Applied Case Study and Taxonomy Development. Dissertation Abstracts International. (UMI No. 3226963)
I completed a Masters in Aeronautical Science Degree, Management emphasis, at ERAU in 1998.
In 1994, I graduated from Webster University with an MA in Space Systems Management.
B.S. -
Metropolitan State College of Denver
B.A. - University of North Carolina
After receiving a BA in Geography ('78) from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, I returned to school at MSCD in 1989. In 1991, I graduated from MSCD with a BS in Aviation Technology (Professional Pilot emphasis). The Department of Aviation & Aerospace Science is an outstanding aviation educational facility, featuring the World Indoor Airport. This Department at MSCD is located on the historic Auraria Campus. In 1999, I became a full time Professor within the MSCD Aerospace Science Department.
My other favorite mode of transportation!
