Jim Terry
A graduate of Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, Class of 1978, was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the USAF and was assigned to the Minuteman Missile System as an Operations Officer in October of that year. He went on to earn an MBA in 1984 and retired as a Major in the B2 Bomber program in 1995. Following retirement from the USAF, Jim and a partner founded Terry and Sons pipe and steel in Cleburne, Texas. In ten years he grew it into the largest steel supplier in the area. As if by destiny, within weeks of the selling the steel company, Jim found a derelict B-25 in a junkyard in San Antonio, Texas. Nine months and a massive effort later the Pacific Prowler was reborn - this time to honor the Veterans that flew her in defense of our country all those years ago.
Jim's love of flying started when he was only 12. He soloed a Cessna 180 with a phone book under him and two behind him at age 13. From that point on, there was no looking back. He completed his private pilot rating while still in college and has accumulated thousands of hours and numerous ratings since that time.
Jim Terry - Aircraft Commander & Flight Instructor
Photo courtesy of Gene Hodges
Patrick Mahaffey
One of our pilots and licensed mechanics. Patrick grew up in a flying family. His dad was in the Army Air Corps in WWII, and his grandparents, aunts, and uncles were all pilots. The family ran a civilian pilot training school in South Carolina during WWII. Patrick started flying when he was 15.
"My dad had to drive me to my flying lessons, because I didn't have a drivers license yet," explains Patrick. He holds commercial, multi-engine, instrument, and certified flight instructor ratings. Additionally, he is type rated in the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and is also checked out in the PT-17, the AT-6 and of course, the B-25. He has just earned his rating in our DC-3 also! Patrick has been working on warbirds for over 20 years, a certified master scuba diver, and a licensed pyrotechnician.
Pat is now one of our flight instructors and able to teach the B-25 and DC-3
Part of the
family of historic planes.
Jim's special interest in the B-25 and the men that flew them is personal- his uncle was a B-25 pilot in the Pacific. Jim spent many of his summers with this uncle, learning to fly and listening to the stories that inspired him to join the USAF, keep flying, and eventually own a B-25 of his own. "Everything I am is a direct result of the influence of my Uncle John," states Jim.
Today, Jim is one of the most experienced B-25 pilots in the world, flying the Prowler several times a week. Jim is also an A&P mechanic, he is not only highly experienced in flying the plane, he is highly experienced maintaining the plane - guaranteeing it stays in top condition - at all times.
Patrick Mahaffey - Pilot , Mechanic and Flight Instructor
The Greatest Generation Aircraft Organization is a non-profit 501(C)(3) non-profit.
It is dedicated to the restoration and exhibition of this piece of American History.
Phone Numbers:
877-435-9225
or
225-802-0777
Dick Smith
Dick flew the Dehavilland Otter in Vietnam, became a full time flight instructor and charter pilot and raced at Reno, Cincinnati, San Marco and Tamiami in the bi-plane class. After that Dick had a few years in fisheries enforcement and survey with a Dehavilland Beaver on floats. Since then he’s been into corporate aviation (last 30 years).
Dick has over 22,000+ flight hours, is an airplane owner and lover of old airplanes.
Dick says: “I really enjoy helping pilots improve their airmanship skills especially crosswind technique and tailwheel airplane skills.”
Certificates and Ratings:
Airline Transport Pilot with DC-3, B-25, Cessna Citation and Hawker Jet types. Flight Instructor for Airplanes, Helicopters, Multi engine, Instrument, and Tailwheel. Ground Instructor with Advanced and Instrument endorsements. Airframe and Powerplant mechanic with Inspection Authorization.
Dick has also rebuilt several award winning airplanes from derelicts or wrecks including 3 Cessna 140’s, J-3 Cub floatplane, 2 Cessna 195’s, A Howard DGA 15, and most recently a Great Lakes.
Dick is a great asset to the Greatest Generation Aircraft organization, and if Dick says you’re ready to fly, then you’re ready to fly.
Dick Smith - Pilot and Flight Instructor