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.