Thanks Dad

This is a little something that I would like to dedicate to my Dad and any other fathers who have inspired their kids to love aviation and all the good things that go with it. Whether to pursue aviation as a career path or hobby or passionate interest, was the biggest question of my life. I can't tell you how much aviation has meant to me.

I was raised as an Air Force brat. My dad was a bomber pilot for his entire career. His Air Force career inspired this animation. The "first" plane he flew was the venerable AT-6 and the "last" was the mighty B-52. I caught these two photos at Reno a few years ago. Without his love for me and airplanes, I don't think I would be involved in aviation as I am today. My Uncle Bill had a large part in my Dad's first trip in 1973, and my subsequent first trip to Reno in 1974 as well, so I can't fail to mention him here.

I matured, and really became a man as a radar operator on P-3 Orions in the Navy. I saw quite a bit of the world in this capacity, where I was able to come home with a renewed appreciation for this wonderful country that we live in. I met alot of life-long friends during this time as well. My interests have always been in WW2 aircraft of all types. I have often thought that I should have been around then, (maybe I was). I want to thank my dad for getting me to go to Reno the first time back in 74. I have since become addicted, getting ready to celebrate my twentieth year in a row, hence the name Air Race Addict. I can't get enough of the Reno sounds of the Merlins and Pratts at full "song", or the color and drama. It is just so damn exciting to me. With the strong presence by the Military, past and present, Reno also reminds me of the sacrifice of those men and women who "saved the world" so we can enjoy what we have today. (Hope I'm not getting too weird here, but that's what I feel at Reno).

I finally decided to become an Aircraft Maintenance Technician and this gave me many more travel options to see more of this great globe we call home. It has given me the flexibility to make it to Reno the last 19 years, come Hell or high water. I love what I do and do what I love. Life just doesn't get much better than this.

I just wanted to share these thoughts on this page. I hope you enjoy it.

Sincerely, Bill Clark, Air Race Addict

(Reprinted and edited from my first website, 1999)