James Scott Wolcott

He started flying lessons while in college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He was pre-law, but the aviation bug bit, so after about 100 hours flying out of Indiana County/Jimmy Stewart Airport (IDI) and his private pilot certificate newly inked, he joined the Air Force. “I expected to fly for a few years and then possibly head to the airlines, but I enjoyed serving and the flying so much that I ended up staying in the Air Force for an entire career. I flew everything from the Northrop T–38 Talon (supersonic advanced jet trainer), the Lockheed C–141 Starlifter (a four-engine heavy jet), and the Beechcraft T–34 Mentor.”

Wolcott was the commanding officer of a joint Navy-Air Force flight training squadron. He then flew the Gulfstream G–III, with some time in Boeing 737 and 757s, while serving at Andrews Air Force Base supporting the White House. He was an instructor and examiner pilot in nearly every aircraft he flew, qualified to instruct instruments, aerobatics, formation, low-level flying, air refueling, airdrop, combat tactics, low-level, and special operations. While serving in the military, he owned and flew a Piper Arrow. “As I rose in rank (I retired as a colonel) and held positions with increased responsibilities that didn’t allow me to fly as often, I had to work extra hard and come up with techniques to allow me to stay current and proficient. That meant a lot of evenings spent on the books after work just keeping up with things and making the most out of every flight I did get to fly.”

Now retired from the military (although he is CEO of a consulting firm), he is the president of the East Cooper Pilots Association at Mount Pleasant Airport (LRO) in Charleston, South Carolina. “I now own and regularly fly a Piper Comanche. I’ve come full circle back to my general aviation roots, and it’s been a wonderful journey.”

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