Born in Hutchinson Kansas in March of 1943 and, for
the exception of a few months, a lifelong resident
thereof. Michael has been interested in airplanes for
as long as he can remember. Building basic gliding
model airplanes as early as kindergarten. He began
taking flying lessons in 1963, soloing in March of that
year. Earning his Commercial and Flight Instructor
ratings in 1965, he took his first job in aviation as
Assistant Airport Manager at Lyons Kansas. Back in
Hutchinson in 1966, he earned more ratings. On
October 14, 1968, Michael was hired by Wells
Aircraft Inc. as a pilot. In April 1969, was transferred to
Dillon Co's. Inc. Retiring in 2001, Michael
remained as a contract pilot until 2005.
