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United States Pilots Association |
Monday July 3rd was not an unusual day. It dawned beautifully in Montrose, Colorado, and no one expected what was to come next in this west Colorado town. A newly purchased Beechcraft A36TC was practicing touch and go landings at Montrose airport at about mid-morning. The new owner of the airplane, a successful 61 year old architect was at the controls. Along side him in the right seat was a 65 year old professional pilot, Larry Smalley, of Rifle, Colorado. Larry was a long time friend of mine who I first met when he worked for the FAA in Albuquerque, NM, as a flight ops inspector. He and his wonderful wife Sally had become close to Pam and me, and when Sally got sick several years ago we became even closer. Eventually I moved to Hobbs, NM, and the Smalleys to Rifle. Larry was a pro pilot flying for Ratheon and then a local charter service in Colorado. He flew the Hawker 800. We talked several times a year. My most vivid memory of Larry was flying together with him and Carter DuBois (former President of the New Mexico Pilots Association) from Albuquerque to Sedona, Arizona, in our Vikings for breakfast. Larry was the commensurate aviator.
Monday morning at 10:00am something happened to cause the Bonanza to go down into a residential area on the approach path to Montrose airport. The plane hit a parked semi and exploded, ejecting both occupants, killing them instantly.
General Aviation has lost yet another of its unsung heroes, and I have lost a good friend. I sincerely hope that God, in His infinite wisdom, has given Larry a beloved Viking to fly around the Heavens for eternity.
Good bye, dear friend. You will be missed.
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association