This week we will take another opportunity to spotlight one of our Aircraft Management clients, Gerald Gaige, owner of N194LG, a Cirrus SR22. An interesting aspect of this tail number: Gerald and his wife, Larisa, met in January 1994.

Gerald’s start in aviation was in the U.S. Air Force, teaching as an instructor pilot in both the T-37 and T-38 aircraft.  Today he is involved in mentoring and giving of his time in promoting general aviation. Gerald mentors our youth through coordinating airport tours, showing them all aspects of aviation — from aircraft, to air traffic control, to simply meeting some of our great GMU folks.

Gerald utilizes his Cirrus in a variety of ways. One is to fly missions between his Upstate residence and another residence in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Another is to use the aircraft in ways to promote enthusiasm for general aviation. Gerald is routinely taking folks for rides as a way of promoting aviation and our Greenville Downtown Airport. He recently donated a one-hour flight at a fundraiser that will help raise money towards a park at GMU. Many folks are excited about this park; it will be an excellent tool to promote the downtown airport and general aviation in our community.

Gerald represents aircraft owners in the South Carolina Aviation Safety Council. He is a life member of the Aircraft Owner’s and Pilot’s Association (AOPA) since 1965, a member of the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association, and one of which he is most proud, the Veterans Airlift Command.

The VAC, www.veteransairlift.org, provides free air transportation to wounded veterans and their families for medical and other compassionate purposes, through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots. Gerald has currently flown four of these missions and looks forward to continued involvement.

What does Gerald think of Special Services?

“In my efforts to foster general aviation and enjoy my own flying, I have found the team at SSC to be first class partners. Without them I would be burdened with difficult maintenance and regulatory compliance issues that would sap my available time. For me, the team at Special Services has been a capable partner in making my flying enjoyable as we promote general aviation together.”