It is with a heavy heart I have to tell you Artie died after a battle with illness, what a good man he was, a very loyal member of the Florida Flying Gators for many years, always a friend and helpful to everyone.

Not so long ago he sold his Mallard and a very sad day that was, though he could fly his body wouldn’t let him get into the plane. THE GOLDEN YEARS whoever coined that phrase, I’d like to stuff with the roughest end of a pineapple.

He and Angel Matos build the Mallard from a Buccaneer 2 B and what a wonderful job he made of it. I flew with Artie many times he was a great Flying Pilot and a One off wonderful Sea pilot that docked many hundreds of ships into New York harbor .The days of the Greatest Ships in the world, the days when only the rich traveled he world, he also docked the great battleships and aircraft carriers.

To Arvilla and his family our hearts go out to them in their sad loss

Artie was Vice President in 1990, and became President.

I wrote this for A Florida Flying Gator. Everyone Loved you Artie

                                     The morning dew has lost its chance

                                     The sky is bright and blue

                                     The wind is five to 10

                                     These conditions will really do

                                     So in you climb for that last assent.

                                    Oh lord, I am near to you

                                    The clock says lots of zero’s

                                    The vario right on two

                                    The climb seems never ending.

                                    Oh lord I am near to you.

                                    The Love of Ultralight flying

                                    The sailing in the blue

                                    The lumps and bumps of turbulence. 

                                    Oh lord I am near to you

                                    The Friends Loved ones in the pattern

                                    The touch and go of life

                                    The flying of the Thermals

                                    The glide is just like life.

                                    The day has come forever

                                    And I believe it true

                                    The wings I exchange are for the best.

                                   TILL WHEN ? I’LL WAIT FOR YOU