N4948K, my son Joe and I relocated from Belleville, IL 22 months ago (Summer 2005) to Portland, Oregon. The airplane is based at Aurora (UAO), Oregon.

I soloed in February of 1965 at Albrook AFB in the Panama Canal Zone. My father was an Air Force pilot, who flew P-47 in Europe during WWII, providing air cover during D Day and subsequent advance through France.

I began my professional flying career as a Crop Duster after attending Ayres Ag Pilot training in Albany, GA in 1973 and sprayed for 5 years throughout the southeastern U.S. and 2 years in North Africa, flying Trush and Pilatus PC6 aircraft. I retruned to the US in 1978 and flew King Airs on charter for Page Beechcraft out of DCA and IAD. I have owned a Taylorcraft BC-12D, two Steen Skybolts and now this wonderful NAVION with a 225 Continental.

Last summer I was privileged to fly a mercy mission, picking up an abused German Short Hair Pointer in Lexington, Oregon in the Navion for emergency medical care in Portland. My son and I have adopted the dog, named him Buddy and made him part of our little flying club.

I have owned N4948K for 6 years, having bought it in Grand Rapids, MI after selling my 2nd Skybolt. Each year we donate a ride to at least one charity fund raiser -- an activity I highly recommend to other NAVION pilots.