Veterans Flight
Pensacola Beach Blue Angels Air Show
Bill Ross is joining Veterans Flight for the third time. Part of the strong Stearman contingent at Roy Ray airport southwest of Mobile, Bill got an early start to his aviation career by earning a private pilot's license while still in high school. After high school Bill immediately enrolled in Alabama Aviation College, where he earned an Associate Degree in Applied Flight Technology. He earned A&P (airframe and powerplant) mechanic certificates, as well as a commercial pilot license with instrument and multi-engine ratings. He is a CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor) with ratings for airplane, single and multiengine, as well as instruments.
During his aviation career Bill has worked as a flight instructor, corporate/charter pilot and mechanic. He continued his education and received a B.A. from the University of South Alabama. He entered the corporate world and was employed by Continental Motors for 15 years, where he held positions in Engineering, Analytical, Air Safety, and Technical Product Support.
Bill is now Vice President, Product Support for Superior Air Parts in Dallas, Texas. When he isn’t working at Superior, Bill can be often found flying his family’s 1941 Boeing Stearman, restoring aircraft or introducing young people to the joys of flight and potential careers in aviation.
Bill Ross (Army Air Corps #37) leads Lantz Pohlman (Navy #302) toward Pensacola Beach during Veterans Flight 2015. In the front cockpit of Bill’s Stearman is Army Air Corps B-25 pilot John Beard. Ace Pensacola News Journal photographer Tony Giberson is in the front cockpit of Lantz’s Stearman.)
Bill Ross assists Army Air Corps B-29 pilot Paul McClain into the front cockpit of Bill’s beautifully restored PT-17 Stearman during Veterans Flight – 2015. Paul celebrated his 99th birthday the day after his flight with Bill, and came back again in 2016 and 2017 and flew to celebrate his 100th and 101st birthdays.