Pilot, Wife Provide Eyes in the Sky

By Darby Prater, 'Battle Creek Enquirer'

Bill Ross of Marshall, Mich., already knew what he and wife Becky could do for money when he was forced into early retirement. Bill is a longtime pilot and Becky a photographer, making aerial photography a natural business for the two. They have been running their business Flying Still Photography for the last two of their 37 years of marriage, operating their 1960 Cessna 172 called “The Flying Dog” out of Brooks Field Airport.

“We learned to fly when I was stationed in Germany … in the U.S. Air Force from 1970 to 1974,” says Bill, to which his wife responds, “Bill has always had a passion for flying. We thought this would be a great retirement business, and retirement came early for some.” Bill says, “We took a trip, flew up to Traverse City and on the way back she took pictures. She was able to capture the patterns … of the land. You’ll see that the patterns of the land differentiate.” In their area, Bill says,

“On a clear day, if you get up about 5,000 feet, you can see Lake Michigan.” Oddly enough, Bill says that he is afraid of heights, but “as long as I’ve got an airplane strapped to me, I’m fine.”

July 13, 2009