Richard McSpadden | |
---|---|
Born | 1960
Panama City, Florida, U.S. |
Died | (aged 63)
Lake Placid, New York, U.S. |
Alma mater |
University of Georgia Troy University Air War College |
Occupation(s) | Pilot and educator |
Richard Gibson McSpadden (1960 – October 1, 2023) [1] was an American educator and pilot. He became the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Institute (ASI) senior vice-president in 2020, having previously been its executive director from 2017.
Richard Gibson McSpadden was born in Panama City, Florida, to Ann and Richard McSpadden, one of their four children. [1] [2]
McSpadden began flying in his teenage years, inspired by his pilot father, and was based out of Air Harbor Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina. The pursuit turned into a career of over 5,000 flying hours. He taught his son to fly and instructed his daughter to fly solo in the family's Piper Super Cub. [3]
He graduated with a degree in economics from the University of Georgia and from Troy University with a master's degree in Public Administration. He also graduated from the U.S. Air Force Air War College. [4]
McSpadden served in the United States Air Force for twenty years, achieving the role of commander and flight leader of its Thunderbirds demonstration team. [5]
He became a commercial pilot with certified flight instructor, multi-engine land, single-engine seaplane and multi-engine seaplane ratings [3] while also working in information technology. [4]
In 2017, he became executive director of the AOPA's ASI. He was promoted to senior vice-president three years later. He also served as the chairman of the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee. He produced aviation safety material for ASI's YouTube channel [6] and website. [4]
McSpadden was married for 31 years to Judy, with whom he had two children. [1] [7]
On October 1, 2023, McSpadden was killed in an aircraft accident in Lake Placid, New York. He was 63. [8] [9] [10] He and former American football tight end Russ Francis were flying a Cessna 177 out of Lake Placid Airport when the aircraft experienced an engine failure. They attempted to return to the airport but crashed into a ravine near it. Both McSpadden and Francis were killed. [11]
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