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West Virginia Flag Bearers

Ben Mallory and Bill Peters

Introduction

Pilots from Mallory Airport in Charleston, WV applied as a team to become Flag Bearers for Flight Across America. Once selected, the group put into action a plan for flying the WV State Flag to 37 public use airports, and a few private fields. WV’s Governor, Bob Wise, provided state flags and a proclamation for Mallory’s pilots to carry throughout the state. Pilots also are collecting the signatures of firemen, police, EMS workers, and other citizens at each site to present along with the state flag in New York.

Mallory’s Pilot Association met on August 5 to select a pilot and copilot for the New York flight. Two highly qualified pilots from a large field of candidates were selected for the historic flight.

Ben Mallory who will pilot a Beechcraft Bonanza N7SP, is the owner of Mallory Airport (WV12) located in the heart of the industrialized Kanawha Valley. In 1954, following a stint in the Marines, he began carving away the side of a mountain and ultimately ended up with a paved strip that today measures under 2000 feet in length and 24 feet wide.

Ben was recognized in 1989 by the FAA with a certificate of merit for his more than 35, 000 hours of flying time and his contributions to the aviation industry in the Kanawha Valley. Today he still operates a busy flight school with many students working on ratings from private pilot to airline transport pilot. Ben Mallory is felt by many to be the glue that holds WV’s general aviation community together. Ben’s accomplished ratings include: CFII, Airline Transport Pilot, Rotorcraft-helicopter, Seaplane, Instrument Airplane, IA, and for many years he served as a Federal Flight Examiner for both fixed wing and helicopter. With a folksy, good old boy character, you’ll never forget him once you meet at Essex County and you’ll be welcomed to stop by for a visit at Mallory Airport as you pass through the Mountain State.

Contacted by officials offering reimbursement for revenue lost after the airport and flight school were shut down due to 9/11, Ben replied, “keep that money, buy bombs”. Mallory pilots and citizens statewide are proud to have Benny represent them on this historic mission.

Copilot, Bill Peters, was a pilot in the 130th Airlift Wing, WV Air National Guard for 33 years and recently retired as the Wing Commander. He has a total of 17,500 hours, 10,500 of which are military. He now flies a Lear Jet 31A for a local law firm. He is also a Designated Pilot Examiner for the FAA and gives checkrides from private pilot to ATP. Bill and his wife Sharon, also a pilot, own a 7AC Aeronca Champ and a Glasair III. They also fly a Beechcraft Bonanza which will carry the West Virginia flag to NYC. Bill has been flying at Mallory Airport since the 1960's.

Ben and Bill will be making the planned stop in Frederick, Maryland for the Pentagon visit and look forward to meeting other flag bearers at Essex County, NJ.

Contact:
Ben Mallory:  malloryairport@aol.com
Bill Peters:  imaflyer10@charter.net

Prepared by:  Nancy Kessel:  nankessel@aol.com

Last Updated: 08/13/02. Copyright © 2002 Flight Across America