Date: Fri 15-May-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Mike-Meffert-pilot-Delta

Full Text:

A Longtime Flying Career Touches Down

(with photo)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Longtime Newtown resident and pilot Mike Meffert took to the skies as a

professional for the final time this past Sunday on a flight from Denver to

New York.

The Delta Air Lines captain had been flying planes for the past 32 years and

had reached the mandatory retirement age of 60. He was joined on his final

voyage by his wife, Sallie, son, David, and daughter-in-law, Shari. Daughter

Stephanie was unable to make the flight because she was taking final exams at

Stephen F. Austin University in Texas.

As Mr Meffert landed his 727 at LaGuardia International Airport Sunday, he was

greeted by a pair of Port Authority fire trucks that shot a huge arch of water

over the plane. It was congratulations for a successful career.

During his career as pilot for both Pan Am and Delta, Mr Meffert flew

domestically and around the world. He has been to every continent except

Antarctica. He leaves with mixed emotions.

"I'll miss the actual flying, but I won't miss all the long drives to the

airport in the snow and ice," he said this week.

Mr Meffert said the highlights of his career included piloting several White

House press charter flights, which included White House staff, secret service,

and press for the Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan administrations.

He flew several White House press charters between Israel and Egypt during

President Carter's efforts for a peace accord with Menachem Begin and Anwar

Sadat.

Mr Meffert also flew into Vietnam during the war with military cargo and flew

troops out of the area on R&R flights.

After landing at LaGuardia on Sunday, Mr Meffert informed his passengers that

this was his final flight. They all cheered, grateful that his final trip was

just as smooth as all the others.