Sad to report on Sunday the 25^th April, we here in Florida lost a very great friend, in fact the greatest friend to the Florida Ultralight community I have ever known.

Many years ago at one of the Florida Flying Gators Fly In’s a two seat Quicksilver flew in, nothing strange about that in those days it was a very common sight.

Until one noticed the passenger, who was smaller than usual, and a dog, a spaniel called Ralph, it was the first flying dog I had ever seen.

His master undid his safety harness and Ralph went off cocking his leg, on about all he viewed.

His master introduced himself as Jerry Rooks, and was he ever proud of his companion; Jerry brought with him an introduction to what he was doing for the Ultralight community. A booklet that had more or less everything a flyer would like to contact, from a Show Commentator, to a FAA examiner, address Email telephone number it was all there, and the charge ZLITCH, you could send him a donation.

I met more and more people who knew of Jerry’s generosity, and it intrigued me how a man could take such an interest. I found out he had helped budding Ultralighters buy a machine, that he paid for Flying lessons for several young wanna be pilots, he gave them planes to further their careers.

He at a later date completely stunned me when he said it would give him great pleasure and an honor to donate and help me travel the country doing the air shows. I was very grateful to him and he was for three years my largest benefactor, Jerry would take great pleasure in saying to anyone promoting an airshow. I have a commentator who will help you and of course I would without a second thought..

He must of spent days and many many hours at the computer, the information was always there. Daily Weekly Yearly, he helped out many many EAA chapters, and not so long ago At South Lakeland they presented him with an Appreciation Trophy for which he was so pleased .And so richly deserved.

At the Fly In that I met him, Ralph Jerry’s life, would walk past twenty or more planes that started up to travel home and not take a bit of notice, until Jerry Started his, he knew that tone and was in the passenger seat like lightening “I’m ready to go home Dad”! Sadly Ralph had to leave him for Doggie Heaven and Jerry has never been the same since.

I would like to think they are back together.