MONTGOMERY AL- To the person who flies, being a
pilot is not just what you do, many times it defines who you are. Blessed to be
an aviator 75 years, Herb Sloane (Nov 4, 1914 - Jan 11, 2013) defined being a pilot.
A WW II patriot flying a B17, C54, C47 and B25, Col Sloane was a member of the"Greatest Generation". He made his final
approach at home this morning, going West, at age 98.
Herb, born in Hamburg, Germany, the son of a U.S. Diplomat, arrived in the U.S. in 1922 continued his education, graduated Princeton 1936 and later law school in Utah- Class of ‘53. With limited job opportunities in 1936 he enlisted in the US Army, Army Air Corps- a 2nd Lt, 1941 and the US Air Force, a Col.1947-1970. He and his wife Patricia moved to Montgomery over 30 years ago. Arriving there, he made many friends at the former Maxwell Air Force Base Aero Club including Lloyd Probst. The two retired USAF officers would share many adventures and war stories for decades as flying buddies based at the Wetumpka airport.
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-A familiar sight at the Weumpka airport, Herb in his Ercoupe-
A B17 pilot, he and his crew survived being shot down and ditching in the English Channel. As a military lawyer during 1947, who also spoke German, he served as an interrogator and investigator of war criminals during the Nuremburg Trials. In 1948 Herb participated in the Berlin Airlift that flew in food and supplies saving thousands of lives.
During a full military career and legal profession and afterwards, Herb remained engaged in his aviation activities and always took time to fly. He flew charity flights with Air Lifeline and Angel Flight. During Young Eagle events, he flew dozens of youth with his EAA Chapter 822 adding to his 14,000 flight hours. He was a mentor to student pilots and shared his vast knowledge. Herb was first in a group of five Wetumpka based pilots to receive Alabama's first Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. Recognition awarded by the FAA for 50 years of safe operations to pilots who qualify.
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-The first Master Pilot certificate awarded in Alabama-
He took special pleasure in the "Retired Old Men Eating Out" code name ROMEO, a lunch meeting held each Thursday with his Wetumpka flying friends. This group of pilots is the core of Wetumpka airport support, events, the EAA Chapter, the Annual Spring Fly In and student pilot mentors. Some are members of the United Flying Octogenarians. An association aligned beside AOPA, Herb served as an officer and strong advocate for those actively flying over 80 years old. Keeping cost of flying down, access to private aircraft and community airports were among his aviation passions.
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-Herb Sloane with Lloyd Probst at Wetumpka Airport-
Sloane, a local leader in General Aviation advocacy, lobbied Montgomery legislators on behalf of Alabama aircraft owners during an ad valorem tax equalization issue. He was a founding member of the Elmore County Aviation Alliance and worked in earnest to save the Wetumpka airport.
The quintessential gentleman, sharp witted and beloved pilot flew his Ercoupe at least twice a week the last few years under a
Sport Pilot License. Herb made his mark, he will be missed and hopefully flying the heavens on his 100th birthday- the dream he long cherished. -B Meyer
Herb, born in Hamburg, Germany, the son of a U.S. Diplomat, arrived in the U.S. in 1922 continued his education, graduated Princeton 1936 and later law school in Utah- Class of ‘53. With limited job opportunities in 1936 he enlisted in the US Army, Army Air Corps- a 2nd Lt, 1941 and the US Air Force, a Col.1947-1970. He and his wife Patricia moved to Montgomery over 30 years ago. Arriving there, he made many friends at the former Maxwell Air Force Base Aero Club including Lloyd Probst. The two retired USAF officers would share many adventures and war stories for decades as flying buddies based at the Wetumpka airport.
-A familiar sight at the Weumpka airport, Herb in his Ercoupe-
A B17 pilot, he and his crew survived being shot down and ditching in the English Channel. As a military lawyer during 1947, who also spoke German, he served as an interrogator and investigator of war criminals during the Nuremburg Trials. In 1948 Herb participated in the Berlin Airlift that flew in food and supplies saving thousands of lives.
During a full military career and legal profession and afterwards, Herb remained engaged in his aviation activities and always took time to fly. He flew charity flights with Air Lifeline and Angel Flight. During Young Eagle events, he flew dozens of youth with his EAA Chapter 822 adding to his 14,000 flight hours. He was a mentor to student pilots and shared his vast knowledge. Herb was first in a group of five Wetumpka based pilots to receive Alabama's first Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. Recognition awarded by the FAA for 50 years of safe operations to pilots who qualify.
-The first Master Pilot certificate awarded in Alabama-
He took special pleasure in the "Retired Old Men Eating Out" code name ROMEO, a lunch meeting held each Thursday with his Wetumpka flying friends. This group of pilots is the core of Wetumpka airport support, events, the EAA Chapter, the Annual Spring Fly In and student pilot mentors. Some are members of the United Flying Octogenarians. An association aligned beside AOPA, Herb served as an officer and strong advocate for those actively flying over 80 years old. Keeping cost of flying down, access to private aircraft and community airports were among his aviation passions.
-Herb Sloane with Lloyd Probst at Wetumpka Airport-
Sloane, a local leader in General Aviation advocacy, lobbied Montgomery legislators on behalf of Alabama aircraft owners during an ad valorem tax equalization issue. He was a founding member of the Elmore County Aviation Alliance and worked in earnest to save the Wetumpka airport.
The quintessential gentleman, sharp witted and beloved pilot flew his Ercoupe at least twice a week the last few years under a
Sport Pilot License. Herb made his mark, he will be missed and hopefully flying the heavens on his 100th birthday- the dream he long cherished. -B Meyer