Doug Gilliss

[mikewint]

Late as usual but I too am very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I seem to recall posts about him back when I first joined the forum. As I recall, the FAA had held him responsible for an airshow crash even though he was not even flying the plane.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Thanks for all the kind words folks. I'm going to lock this thread up with some last words about Doug services planned in his memory. Again all of your thoughts and prayers are appreciated!

FLYBOYJ

July 27, 1946 to May 18, 2012. Gentleman, Friend, Mentor, Teacher, Pilot, Writer, Photographer. Our friend Doug passed away doing what he loved and did best, flying jets... He has "slipped the surly bonds of Earth"......Forevermore.

Mr. Gi...lliss graduated from Shaker Heights (Ohio) High School. He graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism and from University... of Dayton with a Master of Business Administration degree and later from University of Dayton with a Doctor of Juris Prudence (Law) degree.

Captain Gilliss, Call Sign: Papa Bear, served his country honorably in the United States Air Force as a T-38 jet flight instructor and saw combat in Vietnam in F-5 Jet Fighter aircraft. As a USAF pilot, he flew the F-5A B, C-123K, T-38A, T-37B, T-28C, T-34A B aircraft. He was also an US Air Force Instructor and check pilot in T-38 for formation, instrument flight, aerobatics and flew as a demonstration pilot for airshows and was a safety officer.

As a civilian pilot, Mr. Gilliss held FAA Airline Transport Pilot, Single and Multi-engine, Certified Flight Instructor/Single and Multi-engine and Instrument certificates as well as an FAA Advanced Ground Instructor certificate. He held an FAA First Class medical and FCC Restricted Radio Telephone Operator Permit. He flew more than 40 types of singel and multi-engine aircraft, including Learjets and Gulfstream, as Pilot in Command and as an instructor.

Mr. Gilliss was also rated and current in the Aero Vodochody L-29 Delfin Jet (with more than 1100 hours) and L-39 Albatross Jet (with more than 400 hours). As a FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, he gave over 100 FAA flight exams in L-29 and L-39 Jets to pilots across the country. He was a FAST Formation Check Pilot for Classic Jet Aircraft Association, North American Trainer Association and Red Star Pilots Association. He was also a fixture at the Reno Air Races for many years conducting formation qualification exams for air racing pilots.

Mr. Gilliss developed and taught ground school curriculum for L-29 and L-39 jets, including an FAA approved syllabus for training and trained and certified numerous jet students. He was an FAA Safety Counselor, conducting FSDO safety meetings on jet warbirds for over five years and wrote and delivered more than 50 safety, regulatory and flight training presentations to pilots across the country.

Mr. Gilliss formed and proudly flew as flight leader for the L-29 four-ship "Thunder Delfin" jet demonstration team for ten years and recently began flying with a new team, "Red Steel", as the flight leader in the L-39 jet aircraft. He flew in more than 100 air shows and exhibited numerous types of jet aircraft. In all, Mr. Gilliss had over 5,800 flight hours with 85% of his flight time in jet aircraft.

Mr. Gilliss was also one of a select group of aviators who performed complex stunts and sequences for Hollywood Film and Television Productions. Mr. Gilliss and his flying abilities have appeared on programs broadcast by The History Channel, Discovery Channel, ESPN, and countless films for Hollywood's major motion picture studios seen around the world.

Mr. Gilliss was the author of three regular columns in aviation magazines for the past four years and currently; he had more than 30 published articles in FAA Aviation News, CJAA Jet Journal and RPA Alert Magazine on safety, training, regulation interpretation and formation techniques, including more than 50 published air-to-air photographs.

Mr. Gilliss was a career Aviation Law Professor, Negotiations/Business Lecturer and mentor to business students and executives all over the country. He prepared and taught over 120 related univerity management and aviation courses for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Southern Illinois University, and University of Phoenix and was an expert witness in aviation related cases.

In addition to his aviation and business activities, Mr. Gilliss was an avid photographer and journalist. He generously took pictures and shared flight moments with hundreds of pilots and aviation enthusiasts. Several of his photographs and accompanying flight safety articles have been published by the Classic Jet Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, Federal Aviation Administration and numerous other aviation publications. His photos have frequently been selected as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Photograph of the Week on the school's web site.

Douglas E. Gilliss is survived by his twin brother David Gilliss, his sister Susie and hundreds of thankful friends, students and pilots, all made better for having known him. Fly High Captain...

A memorial celebration of his life and achievements is planned for June 3, 2012 at 1300 hrs located at
March Field Air Museum
22550 Van Buren Blvd
Riverside, CA 92518

In lieu of flowers, an aviation scholarship fund has been established by the Curran Curran Law Firm in Encinitas, CA. Donations can be made to "Curran and Curran Law In Trust for Gilliss Aviation Scholarship Fund" and sent to Curran and Curran Law, 90 N. Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92924. All donations are tax deductible.

 

[evangilder]

To add one last thing here. There is a Celebration of Life Facebook page fro Doug now as well.

https://www.facebook.com/CelebrationOfLifeDougGilliss

 

[FLYBOYJ]

I'll be there