By Ralph L. Moser, EAA Lifetime 702188
Two EAA members recently received the FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award at their EAA Chapter 485 monthly meeting. BHM FSDO FAAST member Jordan Shaw (center) presented the awards. The two recipients were DeWitt Barker, EAA 551690, shown on the right, and Ralph Moser, EAA 702188, shown on the left. Both DeWitt and Ralph are now retired and share ownership in the Cessna 182Q shown. Between them they have accumulated more than 46,000 hours of flight time.
DeWitt enjoyed a very colorful career, including crop dusting, seaplane servicing of oil rigs, and owning a parachute drop zone (he has accumulated more than 3,000 jumps). He flew freight all over the world in Lockheed Electra and C-130 aircraft, and he has owned a number of GA aircraft. He is a CFII and A&P/IA.
Ralph started out as a 20-year U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, flying the F-4, F-15, F-16, and C-12J aircraft. This was followed by some Part 135 charter flying, then 22-and-a-half years as a pilot for United Airlines. He was an A320 check airman for 11 years, training new captains and first officers at UAL. He is a CFII/MEL.
They both enjoy flying Young Eagles at their chapter in Pensacola, Florida, provide selected ground and flight instruction, and support various youth programs leading to aviation careers. DeWitt currently serves as IMC Club coordinator, and Ralph serves as president for their chapter.