AOPA member to celebrate 100th birthday

AOPA member to celebrate 100th birthday

AOPA has some long-time members, but one stands out this week. Captain Johnny Miller, of Poughkeepsie, New York, plans on celebrating his 100th birthday on Thursday with a short flight—weather permitting—in his Beechcraft Bonanza.

"Johnny has been flying since 1923—I'm sure many pilots hope to enjoy their passion for aviation as long as he has," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Happy birthday, Johnny."

Miller saw Glenn Curtiss take off once and decided, at the young age of 4, that he was going to be a pilot.

"I never changed my mind," Miller said.

Miller was a barnstormer, a test pilot, an airmail pilot, and an airline pilot for United and Eastern airlines. He also was the founding director of the American Bonanza Society and continues to write for ABS publications.

He has passed his love for aviation on to his family, teaching a son and grandson how to fly over the years.

AOPA Pilot magazine featured Miller in the December 2003 "Pilots" department, and you'll be able to read about him again in an upcoming issue.

December 13, 2005