Meet A Real Aviation Star

If you dream of being a pilot, you'll thrill to hear the story of one pilot extraordinaire — Clay Lacy.  Just recently inducted in the U.S. National Aviation Hall of Fame, Lacy began flying at age 12 — no, that's not an error — he was flying at age 12. By the time he was 19, he had logged 1,500 flight hours. He flew F-86s in the U.S. Air Force and then joined United Airlines as a First Officer in a DC-3 aircraft. He retired as senior pilot after 40 years with United, having flown DC prop planes,plus the B-727, DC-8, DC-10 and B-747 aircraft.

He may have retired from United Airlines after 40 years, but not from aviation. While at United, he earned a Learjet rating and upon retirement became a demo pilot for Learjet. Upon leasing a Learjet himself, Clay then became the first executive jet charter service in the Western U.S., operating out of Los Angeles, the city of the movie stars.

Clay Lacy Aviation quickly became known as "Hollywood's Private Airline" because he carried so many celebrities worldwide. He soon bought more aircraft for his charter service, to carry more Hollywood stars! Clay also spent much of his time as part pilot, part film director, and part cinematographer, conducting nearly 3,000 air-to-air photo flights for hundreds of commercials, television and feature films. He personally piloted his camera-configured Learjet, which includes IMAX capability.  He has shot spectacular aerial footage such as seen in the movies Top Gun, The Right Stuff and Operation Red Flag: Fighter Pilot.

Lacy is also a veteran air race pilot and holds many world-flying records.

Today, Clay Lacy has over 50,000 hours of flight time, and his continued goal is is to fly each and every day of his life. 

If you dream of being another Clay Lacy, get started today.  Contact Phoenix East Aviation about learning to fly.  See www.pea.com for more information.