Friday Photo: Alaska seaplane sunset

Craig Bixby has been captivated by airplanes and aviation for as long as he can remember. He worked on aircraft in both the US Army and the US Air Force, and retired from the military in 1988. He first soloed in a Cessna 150 in 1970 but did not earn his SEL Private Pilot Certificate until 1986. Before leaving the Air Force he added an Instrument Rating, earned his FAA Airframe and Powerplant Certificate, and completed a Bachelor of Science Degree through Embry-Riddle. After leaving the Air Force, he began a new career as the Manager of Maintenance Training for a regional airline, retiring in 2015. While attending the 2008 Reno Air Races, he had the opportunity to take a couple of introductory glider flights and became hooked on soaring. Once back home he discovered that there was a glider club in his area and after joining, he earned his Private Pilot Glider certificate a year later. He went on to obtain a Commercial Glider Pilot license in 2010. He has owned a Cessna 172 and a Taylorcraft BC-12D. Though he is not actively flying, he does participate in his local EAA chapter and looks forward to the possibility of one day owning another aircraft.