Pilots

Richard A. (Dick) Henson is extremely proud of his latest personal aircraft, a Lear 31 business jet, and admits he enjoys operating the sleek high-performance machine from the left seat. Although he flew his previous Cessna Citation solo, a copilot is required on the Lear, and at the age of 85 he believes this is reasonable. Commenting on flying a jet at his advancing age, he says, "I think the human envelope can be stretched just as the aircraft performance envelope can be stretched."

Obviously, he is basing this assumption upon his keen mind and excellent physical condition, which appears comparable to that of a person several decades younger. He attributes his present splendid physical condition to a significant change in lifestyle some 40 years ago, after he experienced a serious medical problem and changed his diet by eliminating most highcholesterol foods and adopting a regular exercise program of jogging and bike riding. "I would like to see all pilots consider this lifestyle," he adds.

Henson has owned several personal aircraft in his 14,000 flight hours, always seeking higher cruising altitudes and performance. He comments, "When I first looked at the Lear 31 with the little winglets and delta fins, I said, 'Ah, that's the prettiest airplane I've ever seen!'" He is also extremely enthusiastic about the performance of his new machine.

Henson learned to fly in 1930 when he procured a 25-percent interest in an OX-5 Challenger for $375. He formed Henson Flying Service in 1931 with a $1,500 OX-5 Challenger and reopened the Hagerstown (Maryland) Airport, employing one mechanic. He was CEO of Henson Aviation, Incorporated, from 1931 to 1989. During World War II he operated a Civilian Pilot Training Program school for the government and trained hundreds of ensigns for service in the Navy.

Along with the operation of his FBO, Henson also held numerous positions at Fairchild Aircraft from 1931 to 1964. Starting as a test pilot, he became one of the first 12 operators in the United States to begin scheduled air taxi and commuter service. After establishing a successful commuter airline service, he tied in with Allegheny Airlines to become the first Allegheny Commuter operator. During 1983, the airline carried some 700,000 passengers.

In 1983, Henson signed an agreement for Piedmont Aviation to purchase Henson Aviation over a four-year period. While he remained as CEO and operated "Henson, the Piedmont Regional Airline," the carrier rapidly expanded to 42 cities in 11 states, with service extending from Boston to Miami and the Bahamas, and by 1988 it was carrying more than 1.5 million passengers annually.

Allegheny Airlines, meanwhile, changed its name to USAir. In 1989 USAir acquired Piedmont Airlines and soon changed the Henson Regional Airline name to USAir Express, at which time, after 58 years, Henson decided to retire as CEO. He is still chairman of the board of USAir Express, with an office and secretary at the company headquarters at the Salisbury-Wicomico County Airport in Salisbury, Maryland. Reflecting upon almost six decades of direct management, Henson summarizes, "It has been very rewarding to me — I thought I would miss being in direct management, but this has given me the opportunity to do a lot of things, and now I can be involved more in the community."

Henson has received many awards and honorary degrees for his frequent involvement in community and governmental affairs, as well as recognition from the aviation community. Last year he was awarded the prestigious title of "Elder Statesman of Aviation" by the National Aeronautic Association, and in 1989 he was inducted into the OX-5 Aviation Hall of Fame. Another rather unusual award is membership in the "Caterpillar Club," a result of being forced to bail out of an experimental Fairchild aircraft during a test flight in 1936.

In 1990 Henson formed the Richard A. Henson Charitable Foundation as a way of meeting the ultimate objectives of his lifetime philosophy. With the cooperation of Salisbury city officials, he renovated a vacant downtown bank building for the foundation and decorated the office and conference room walls with interesting memorabilia reflecting his extensive aviation career. The magnitude of aid to various schools, colleges, and community facilities from the foundation can be tabulated in the multimillion-dollar range, and a file of local newspaper clippings heralds each transaction. Since Henson's adoption of Salisbury as his hometown, the community has reaped tremendous benefits from the foundation's motto of "Working today for a better tomorrow."

Henson's dedicated efforts, spanning more than six decades of aviation, also reflect a prime example of the rewards of successful free enterprise. Well past the age when most executives have retired to a life of leisure, Henson chose to stay active as a pilot as well as an executive. He still enjoys his lifestyle and frequently "takes time to smell the roses." The Hensons have established a residence in Naples, Florida, as well as in Salisbury, and Henson looks forward to commuting between the two in the new Learjet.

Henson and his wife, Dorothy, also make frequent use of their new 45-foot, custom-built motorhome. Last summer they took a 30- day, 6,500-mile trip, touring the northwest United States. Henson says, "Now that I have the latest state-of-the-art aircraft and motorhome, I can store both of my new toys in the same hangar."