Annual Southern Gentleman® Issue
Pilots experience the world from a distinctly different perspective. From up above, limits fall away, adventure awaits, and peace abounds for those who dare to seek it. Read on to learn more about four local Chattanooga pilots and their incredible stories from the sky.
By Lindsey Clute / Photography by Final Flash Productions
Ed Jones | Boeing-Stearman Model 75
While some pilots get flight experience early in life, 68-year-old Ed Jones is proof that it’s never too late to learn a new skill or pick up a new hobby – even one as grand as flying.
“I’ve been flying since 2010,” Jones shares. “I have always been drawn to the spirit of flight since I can remember, but decided I would wait until my daughter was grown to get my license. It was a major challenge, but I completed the studies and flights after only one year.”
Jones has flown a variety of aircrafts over the past 10 years, but a Piper T-tail single-engine plane named “Chipper” and a 1942 Boeing-Stearman Model 75 biplane are his current prized possessions.
“I have flown the Piper to New York, Chicago, Colorado, and Florida, but I also enjoy shorter trips,” says Jones. “The comfort is incredible, and it holds a great deal of weight.” With the help of his plane partner, Jones replaced Chipper’s original red velvet design with an upgraded leather interior. “The smell of that leather is heaven to me as it brings my mind back to my past flights,” he says. “I sometimes go to the hangar just to smell the plane!”
In contrast to the Piper, Jones explains that the Stearman – which he uses for aerobatic maneuvers – was built for military use in the 1930s and 1940s and is characterized by a more robust design. “It’s a classic aircraft that is a legend,” he shares. “Boeing built about 10,000 Stearman to train pilots to fight in World War II. It was not built for comfort or ease. The double wings and open cockpit are breathtaking, and the sound of a radial motor in a plane is unlike any sound I know.”
For those who desire to experience the magic of flight, Jones would tell you it is well worth the venture. “It disconnects me from my world in incredible ways,” he says. “I want to suggest to anyone that has looked up into the sky at a plane and felt a longing to not wait too long to pursue it.”
Clark Campbell | Cessna 172
On his 40th birthday, Clark Campbell took the first steps towards turning his lifelong dream of becoming a pilot into a reality.
“I have been obsessed and fascinated with airplanes for as long as I can remember, thanks to my dad who took me to watch military aircraft every weekend as a kid in Atlanta,” Campbell recalls. “I fell in love with Delta Airlines since my dad traveled the world for work every week. However, I didn’t fully realize the benefits of aviation until midway into my pilot’s license.”
In addition to two Cessna 172s that he co-owns with his business partner, Campbell also flies a Cirrus SR20 and a Cessna 182, each offering new ways to experience the world beyond the confines of gravity. “Both of our Cessna 172s were manufactured after 2005, during the era when Cessna began equipping their aircraft with Garmin G1000 glass cockpit avionics, replacing the traditional vacuum-powered steam gauges,” Campbell shares. “The newer 172 was manufactured in 2016 and was part of Embry Riddle’s Flight School in Prescott, Arizona, until we purchased it in 2024 and flew it here to Chattanooga.” The Cessna’s tail number, N423CA, is a nod to both the Scenic City and Crystal Air, the local aviation company where Campbell received his training.
Whether flying for business or pleasure, he strives to bring others along for the ride, making countless memories along the way. “I rarely fly solo because I love sharing the joy of flying with my friends and family,” Campbell says. “Whether it’s learning something new about yourself under pressure, flying somewhere faster than I could have driven, or taking my kids to a college football game at Auburn University, every flight is memorable.”
“Flying connects me to something deeper,” he continues. “It sharpens my mind, challenges my decision-making, and gives me a healthy respect for preparation and precision. It’s both humbling and empowering. I walk away from every flight feeling more alive and more grounded, ironically enough. I also love flying because it turns everyday geography into something magical. What used to be a five-hour drive becomes a scenic one-hour hop. Finally, it has introduced me to a passionate community of pilots who love learning, helping, and adventuring together.”
Steve Michael | Zenith Super Duty
Although Steve Michael is quite the experienced pilot now, you would never guess that his love for flying started as a DIY project while serving as an air traffic controller in Vietnam in 1972. “We had a Popular Mechanics magazine with a small ad that said, ‘build your own helicopter,’” says Michael. “I read that ad two dozen times and then sent in my request for plans. When I returned home, the kit was there. I built my first flying machine, a Bensen B-8M Gyrocopter, and then taught myself how to fly it.”
Over the last 50+ years, Michael has built over 15 aircrafts, including his two current planes – a Zenith Super Duty and a Van’s RV-14 – which he flies almost daily.
“The Zenith is not meant for speed,” Michael shares. “It’s for going up on a calm day, sightseeing, and landing at some of the many grass runways we have in the Chattanooga area. It’s somewhat unique in that it uses a Honda automobile engine supplied by the company Viking Aircraft Engines. It’s super quiet, very smooth, and very efficient to operate.”
Of all the memories from his time in the air, Michael’s favorite is the time he took his son and his son’s friend for a ride. “I let them take their seatbelts off and did a pushover where they experienced less than 1g and actually floated around in the seat,” he explains. “I remember the smiles and laughs like I had never heard from them. That was probably the thing that spurred the love of aviation in both their souls.”
There are many things to feel grateful for while soaring among the clouds, and for Michael, the people and the splendor of the universe are at the top of the list. “Flying is a community,” he shares. “I have met so many wonderful people and friends in the aviation community. We can sit around and tell hangar stories all day long. Some of them are even true.”
“I enjoy getting up and looking around at God’s creation. Watching the sun rise or set, seeing the mountains and valleys, and imagining how they were formed – it’s a peaceful experience,” finishes Michael.
Warren Brandon | Cessna 206 Turbo
Our plane is a tool,” says Warren Brandon. “It’s a time machine, really.” The plane being described – a 2001 Cessna 206 Turbo – is a six-seater aircraft equipped with a turbo to aid in climbing performance and an air conditioner to combat hot summer days.
Brandon shares the Cessna with his dad, whom he credits for his love of flying. “My dad has been a pilot for decades, and I can remember flying with him when all I could see were the instruments and a little blue sky above them,” he says. “Fast forward to my 40s, and I finally decided it was time to go after my own license.
For Brandon, the plane is a means for both personal and business ventures due to its ability to significantly reduce travel time. “We use it to pick up nieces and nephews during holidays, for hunting trips, and business trips alike,” he says. “When time-sensitive issues pop up for work, we can drive to the airport and be in a customer’s boardroom the same day several states away while allowing us to sleep in our own bed that night.”
The plane’s ample storage space often proves useful on such trips. “There’s a joke about 206s that if you can shut the doors, she’ll fly,” Brandon explains. “We’re able to remove the third row of the plane to make room for luggage and gear in the back. This extra space comes in quite handy.”
A less useful element, Brandon would jokingly argue, is a bulldog emblem on the plane’s exterior. “My father is a big Mississippi State fan,” Brandon shares. “As a Razorback alumnus myself, it takes all I have to not politely remove it.”
In addition to fueling his adventurous spirit, flying has also led to new comradeship for Brandon. “I love the professional and interesting people I meet while flying,” he says. “I make it a point to talk to other pilots or travelers in the different FBOs I find myself in. Pilots are often fascinating people that have so much to offer in conversation, and I have made many lifelong friends through the hobby.”
