The political skies have changed from clear to pretty gloomy these days for U.S. Senator Ben Nelson and the storm seems far from over for the Nebraska Senator at least as far as his future in politics goes. There was a time however, when the sky was just overcast. I’m referring of course to the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) venerable B-17 bomber, Aluminum Overcast, which began its 2010 tour last weekend at Deer Valley Airport in Phoenix, AZ. Senator Nelson has always known and appreciated the value of aviation, experiencing it first hand as Governor of Nebraska for two terms back in the nineties crisscrossing the Cornhusker state in a variety of general aviation aircraft. That is where our paths crossed.

I was a state trooper assigned to the Executive Protection Division of the Nebraska State Patrol and would from time to time occupy the right seat on those trips. I remember driving Governor Nelson from Lincoln to Omaha one evening and commenting on what a neat job the Aeronautics Director would be. To my surprise he said, “you ought to throw your hat in the ring!” Lo and behold, recognizing my love for aviation he appointed me as the Director More >