AVIATION
Personal HistoryThomas Retzlaff
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001
thomas_retzlaff@excite.com
Hughes 300 Osage
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Bell 47 Raven
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Hiller OH-23
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Bell UH-1H Huey (Iraquoi)
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Enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1969 I attended Warrant Officer Flight School. Primary flight training
was in the TH-55 (Hughes 300). After primary flight at Fort Wolters, Texas, classes transitioned to Fort Rucker, Alabama, where the UH-1A (Huey) was the primary trainer. Primary instrument training was in the Bell-47 and Hiller (TH-13)
with tactical low level instrument training in the UH-1.
Hughes 500 OH-6 (Cayuse)
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Active duty assignments were in the UH-1H and I later
transitioned into light observation helicopters (OH-6A & OH-58).
The Army Air National Guard was the next assignment
after active duty where flight inventories were the same.
While attending undergraduate school I maintained availability for co-pilot opportunities at a local F.B.O. Adding a single engine airplane rating to a commercial certificate I was eager to expand my aviation skills and became familiar with the Cessna 210 and 310 while acting as co-pilot on charter flights. Single pilot cross country jobs were also available in the Cessna 150.
Bell 206(Long Ranger) OH-58(Kiowa)
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After earning a B.B.A. degree I found employment in corporate aviation flying Jet Rangers offshore in the southwest. After a few months, assignmnets expanded to co-pilot status on Bell-212's and Sikorsky-76 before being caught up in a massive gulf
coast layoff scattering pilots to other locations and occupations.
While in Corpus Christi, Texas, I took advantage of an opportunity accepting an introductory ride in an ultralight gyrocopter. For reason unclear to me "real
helicopter pilots" find light weight experimental aircraft only amusing and otherwise impracticable. However, I promoted the product to the city police department (Beach Patrol) and the Board of Realtors (aerial photography) as a viable solution to modern economic dynamics. Sales potentials were in meeting the needs of a task specific, low cost and high utility single use vehicle.
Sikorsky UAH Blackhawk
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Additional experiences in avaition include managing an F.B.O. office at a regional airport; working as an airport service agent and designing a production draft of an ultralight aircraft based on Cierva flight principles.
I continue to be a supportive contributor to aviation
science and look forward to future developments in
technology.
Flight Time
Bell 212 UH-1U
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Sikorsky S-76 Eagle
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Aviation Homepage
Supplimental Employment History
Air Travel Company Allegan Aviation Army Aviation Elite Logistics Houston Helicopters, Inc.
Kal-Aero Aviation Michigan National Guard Victoria Aviation
Email: thomas_retzlaff@excite.com
