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Illinois Flag Bearer

Bill Sheridan

Introduction

Bill Sheridan
640-D West Fulton Street
Chicago, Illinois 60661
312-993-9456
bsheridan@ameritech.net

Personal Stuff

I have a unique respect and love of aviation. My oldest brother was a passenger on an American Eagle ATR 72 that crashed due to icing in October of 1994. Prior to that he had a 25-year love affair with general aviation as a private pilot. While he flew untold numbers of hours, his favorite stories of the sky were told over and over again. After his death I started dating and immediately fell in love with his widow (flying). Boy, general aviation and I sure miss him.

But this experience gives me an insight to the deepest roots of personal misery and tragedy that touched millions of Americans, one person at a time. Nearly a decade later I still feel the pain of the loss. I am certain that the wounds of 9/11 will also be with us for a lifetime.

For the past three years I have been flying my Grumman Tiger. It has taken me to California, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Canada, Washington D.C. and many points in between. My favorite weekend trip is the circumnavigation of Lake Michigan. Fly north from Chicago, up the western shoreline of Lake Michigan to Mackinaw Island, Michigan with a return trip down the eastern/Michigan shore back to Chicago. The plank-baked Walleye Pike is phenomenal. Every one of these trips is the trip of a lifetime!

I am dedicating my flight to my youngest brother Terry Sheridan who is the bravest man that I know. Not just because he is a Lieutenant in a Chicago Suburban Fire Department, but because he has 8 more months to be through with three years of chemotherapy. Terry and I went through ground school together, but he was diagnosed with Leukemia only days before his check ride. Terry will be my navigator on my Flight Across America.

August 11, 2002 until the Flight Across America Plans

Day one of August 11th will find me flying my first of many FLAA dedicated flights from the Illinois Capital of Springfield. I have already been invited to come back in October as a VIP Guest of the State of Illinois to attend the 20th Springfield (Air Rendezvous) Air Show. I will be reporting on the Flight Across America at that time.

I have built a multi-day barnstorming schedule to travel to the corners of Illinois to talk about this national initiative. I expect to visit more than 20 sites before departing for the big trip. I will also be attending the Flight Across America Media Day at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport on August 28th. I will also be attending the Pioneer Airport “Good Ol’ Day’s” In Oshkosh, Wisconsin on August 31st.

Flight Planning for the Flight Across America

Terry and I are scheduling our formal departure ceremony from Meigs Field on Thursday, September 5th. We will be planning to arrive in Somerset, Pennsylvania in time for the evening activities acknowledging the heroes of Flight 93.

Phase two of our travels on Friday, September 6th will take us to Frederick, Maryland for a tribute to those lost in the Pentagon location. A meeting with Phil Boyer is also scheduled for this day.

Finally, we will be arriving in Caldwell, New Jersey on the morning of Saturday, September 7th where the final tributes are scheduled to take place.

Meigs Field

Last Updated: 08/09/02. Copyright © 2002 Flight Across America