Sal Crocker
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Above The Wing

Sal takes in some rays between flights in the jetway.

Enjoying the sun

Sal takes in some rays between flights in the jetway.

The landing is the highlight of the flight for pilots.  It is challenging and the conditions vary on every runway.  Pilots have to compensate for winds, thermals, runway surface conditions (rain, snow, etc.) and high altitude airports.

The Flare Maneuver

The landing is the highlight of the flight for pilots. It is challenging and the conditions vary on every runway. Pilots have to compensate for winds, thermals, runway surface conditions (rain, snow, etc.) and high altitude airports.

On the ramp in Vegas

On the ramp in Vegas

On the ramp in Vegas

The Airbus preparing for takeoff.

Taxiing for Takeoff

The Airbus preparing for takeoff.

Out with a friend on his private plane flying over sunny southern California.  Sal still has an interest in his roots, small planes.

Pleasure flying

Out with a friend on his private plane flying over sunny southern California. Sal still has an interest in his roots, small planes.

Early morning Houston departure.

Early A.M.

Early morning Houston departure.

Sal & His Bride Eurydice

Sal & His Bride Eurydice

Sal & His Bride Eurydice

Chief Anderson was one of the original Tuskegee Airman instructors.  Sal was fortunate to visit Chief Anderson at his home and to also fly with him in Chief's personal airplane.  Due to poor race relations in the 40's, Chief Anderson had to teach himself to fly.  "Chief told me the story on how he learned to fly.  He would taxi to the runway, add power, build some speed and then stop.  He would repeat this practice getting faster each time.  He flipped the plane over one time and scalped himself.  He didn't let that deter him.  He repaired his plane and continued.  He eventually and amazingly taught himself how to fly."

Chief Anderson

Chief Anderson was one of the original Tuskegee Airman instructors. Sal was fortunate to visit Chief Anderson at his home and to also fly with him in Chief's personal airplane. Due to poor race relations in the 40's, Chief Anderson had to teach himself to fly. "Chief told me the story on how he learned to fly. He would taxi to the runway, add power, build some speed and then stop. He would repeat this practice getting faster each time. He flipped the plane over one time and scalped himself. He didn't let that deter him. He repaired his plane and continued. He eventually and amazingly taught himself how to fly."

Gunnison, CO. and other mountain airports are challenging to aviators due to a number of factors.

The Layout

Gunnison, CO. and other mountain airports are challenging to aviators due to a number of factors.

Sal and his son Sean in 2001 on the flight deck.

Father and Son

Sal and his son Sean in 2001 on the flight deck.

Sal's plane after parking at DFW, Dallas Fort Worth International airport.

Parked in Dallas

Sal's plane after parking at DFW, Dallas Fort Worth International airport.

Sal was asked to be a part of a television ad for Apple. The ad highlighted the use of the device and the replacement of paper manuals.

Apple iPad Commercial

Sal was asked to be a part of a television ad for Apple. The ad highlighted the use of the device and the replacement of paper manuals.

Sal jet parked to perfection, nosewheel centered.  Airmen take pride in maintaining the centerline.  The ability to park with precision comes from practicing specific techniques such as using reference points in the cockpit.

On the line!

Sal jet parked to perfection, nosewheel centered. Airmen take pride in maintaining the centerline. The ability to park with precision comes from practicing specific techniques such as using reference points in the cockpit.

Waiting for the hotel shuttle

Waiting for the hotel shuttle

Waiting for the hotel shuttle

Sal and his crew touchdown.

Touchdown

Sal and his crew touchdown.

Birthday flight, and sparkling cider!

Birthday Flight

Birthday flight, and sparkling cider!

Some mountain airports are fortunate enough to have large jet seasonal service.  Because of steep mountain terrain in close proximity to the airport, the FAA requires the captain to attain a special qualification  prior to operating as pilot-in-command.  Sal qualifies those captains by flying in the right seat and providing instruction and guidance on avoiding "CFIT" Controlled Flight Into Terrain.

Gunnison, CO.

Some mountain airports are fortunate enough to have large jet seasonal service. Because of steep mountain terrain in close proximity to the airport, the FAA requires the captain to attain a special qualification prior to operating as pilot-in-command. Sal qualifies those captains by flying in the right seat and providing instruction and guidance on avoiding "CFIT" Controlled Flight Into Terrain.

Steve Vincent and Gordon Hall in Sal's model plane garage workshop.  Steve Vincent and Sal learned to fly together.  He is now a tenured captain at UPS.  Gordon was Sal's adopted flying dad, instructor and mentor.  He passed recently and was a decorated aviator.  He was in World War II, Vietnam and Korea.  He flew Hueys in Vietnam and Korea and started flying in the 40's.  He was an extremely demanding instructor, often creating fear and discipline in the hearts and minds of his students. "If you survived his training, you had nothing to worry about on your check rides."

Steve & Gordon

Steve Vincent and Gordon Hall in Sal's model plane garage workshop. Steve Vincent and Sal learned to fly together. He is now a tenured captain at UPS. Gordon was Sal's adopted flying dad, instructor and mentor. He passed recently and was a decorated aviator. He was in World War II, Vietnam and Korea. He flew Hueys in Vietnam and Korea and started flying in the 40's. He was an extremely demanding instructor, often creating fear and discipline in the hearts and minds of his students. "If you survived his training, you had nothing to worry about on your check rides."

All in, turn and burn.  The hub and spoke system is a tried and true logistical work of art.  Flights all arrive around the same time, trade passengers and depart again.

The Fleet

All in, turn and burn. The hub and spoke system is a tried and true logistical work of art. Flights all arrive around the same time, trade passengers and depart again.

Sal about to start his walk-around safety inspection of the aircraft prior to departure in sub-zero weather.

Gunnison, CO.

Sal about to start his walk-around safety inspection of the aircraft prior to departure in sub-zero weather.

Equipment & Setup Back in the day
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