Darwin has been flying for 45 years with breaks to raise his family of four girls. He started flying when he was old enough to get his driver’s license and acquire a beat up old car to drive to the airport. Darwin is an Instrument Flight Instructor and has been teaching people to fly in the mountains of North Carolina for 25 years. His most memorable student is his daughter Cheri that he soloed when she was 16 years old.
Darwin now has over 5,000 hours of flying experience and almost 2,000 hours in some unusual attitude, like upside down, aerobatics. Darwin flew aerobatic competition with the International Aerobatic Club for 15 years winning many awards. Darwin says that flying for SouthWings is the rewards that he seeks now, working with great people and helping preserve our natural heritage.
Darwin is married to Jan and they have four grown daughters and five grandchildren, three boys and two girls.
Darwin no longer flies for SouthWings; however, his years of dedicated service have earned him Honorary Emeritus status.