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Eulogy for a Business Aviation Hero

When we think of heroes, warriors spring to mind. Or rescuers wading into the breach without care for personal danger. Or even the quietly determined individual defying impediments to gain everyday triumphs. We don’t typically think of business aviation.

But there are heroes in this industry. Men and women who risk their lives to ensure that the rest of us fly in safety and comfort. Pete Reynolds, for example.This week, members of the Kansas aviation community recognized Reynolds’ long service as a test pilot of the first order by inducting him into the state’s aviation Hall of Fame.

They made a valiant effort to hold the ceremony while Reynolds was still here to enjoy the honor. Unfortunately, they fell just short. Reynolds died last week.

Dave Franson, Wichita Aero Club president and former Learjet public affairs director, recounts a few stories that illustrate Pete Reynolds’ poise, professionalism and dry wit. Franson said Reynolds was one of those test pilots who took the time to keep the communications department up to date on new aircraft developments.

Universally Admired

The induction ceremony at the Kansas Aviation Museum in Wichita made his hero credentials crystal clear.

He joined Learjet in 1973 almost as a fluke. He happened to be passing through Wichita after completing his military service and saw an opening for a test pilot. He stayed for more than 30 years, eventually rising to become vice president for flight test for Bombardier.

In that role, he played a major part in developing, testing and certifying every new Learjet. As flight test VP, he oversaw a division of 500 people and managed testing for Bombardier’s Canadair, deHavilland and Learjet aircraft.

Peers say he did far more than just fly aircraft. He was also an engineer, and he worked closely with the design team, representing the pilot’s point of view while also working to make the aircraft the best and safest possible.

The Pilot They Wanted to Be

Those who knew him called him “hero” not so much for what he did, but how he did it, and who he was.

He was, above all, a consummate, intelligent pilot. His dry sense of humor and unshakeable calm carried him and his team through even the most challenging circumstances. And there were a few of those. Like the time both engines flamed out at high altitude. He put the plane into a dive to restart the engines, then detailed the incident so the engineers could fix it. A week later: same thing. And the same result.

On the third try, the plane flew flawlessly.

There was no doubt where young Pete Reynolds was headed.

Reynolds likely will be remembered as the pilot who commanded first flights for eight different Learjet models. Perhaps he should be remembered as the pilot who took the third flight on an aircraft that had failed the first two times out. He certainly should be remembered as the hero he was.

In addition to holding first flights in eight Learjet models, Pete Reynolds (at the left) held a number of speed records. He held five of those with another legend of air and space, Neil Armstrong.
Pete Reynolds was a hero of a different kind to his family – daughter Kelly, wife Becky and son Todd. At home, they said, he left his potentially life-threatening job behind him and made them the center of his world. Becky says she never really worried that something might happen at work because he was just so good at what he did.

BlueSky Business Aviation News; Eulogy for a Business Aviation Hero

April 16, 2014 BlueSky Business Aviation News

BlueSky Business Aviation News
Randy Bradbury, vice president and senior writer at Greteman Group, a marketing communications agency based in Wichita, Kansas, the Air Capital.
Eulogy for a Business Aviation Hero

hen we think of heroes, warriors spring to mind. Or rescuers wading into the breach without care for personal danger. Or even the quietly determined individual defying impediments to gain everyday triumphs. We don’t typically think of business aviation.
But there are heroes in this industry. Men and women who risk their lives to ensure that the rest of us fly in safety and comfort. Pete Reynolds, for example.This week, members of the Kansas aviation community recognized Reynolds’ long service as a test pilot of the first order by inducting him into the state’s aviation Hall of Fame.They made a valiant effort to hold the ceremony while Reynolds was still here to enjoy the honor. Unfortunately, they fell just short. Reynolds died last week.

Universally Admired

The induction ceremony at the Kansas Aviation Museum in Wichita made his hero credentials crystal clear.He joined Learjet in 1973 almost as a fluke. He happened to be passing through Wichita after completing his military service and saw an opening for a test pilot. He stayed for more than 30 years, eventually rising to become vice president for flight test for Bombardier. In that role, he played a major part in developing, testing and certifying every new Learjet. As flight test VP, he oversaw a division of 500 people and managed testing for Bombardier’s Canadair, deHavilland and Learjet aircraft. Peers say he did far more than just fly aircraft. He was also an engineer, and he worked closely with the design team, representing the pilot’s point of view while also working to make the aircraft the best and safest possible.
Dave Franson, Wichita Aero Club president and former Learjet public affairs director, recounts a few stories that illustrate Pete Reynolds’ poise, professionalism and dry wit. Franson said Reynolds was one of those test pilots who took the time to keep the communications department up to date on new aircraft developments.

The Pilot They Wanted to Be Those who knew him called him “hero” not so much for what he did, but how he did it, and who he was. He was, above all, a consummate, intelligent pilot. His dry sense of humor and unshakeable calm carried him and his team through even the most challenging circumstances. And there were a few of those. Like the time both engines flamed out at high altitude. He put the plane into a dive to restart the engines, then detailed the incident so the engineers could fix it. A week later: same thing. And the same result. On the third try, the plane flew flawlessly.

There was no doubt where young Pete Reynolds was headed.

Reynolds likely will be remembered as the pilot who commanded first flights for eight different Learjet models. Perhaps he should be remembered as the pilot who took the third flight on an aircraft that had failed the first two times out. He certainly should be remembered as the hero he was.

In addition to holding first flights in eight Learjet models, Pete Reynolds (at the left) held a number of speed records. He held five of those with another legend of air and space, Neil Armstrong.
Pete Reynolds was a hero of a different kind to his family – daughter Kelly, wife Becky and son Todd. At home, they said, he left his potentially life-threatening job behind him and made them the center of his world. Becky says she never really worried that something might happen at work because he was just so good at what he did.
A beautiful and moving video recounting Reynolds’ life and accomplishments is shown at his Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame induction ceremony Tuesday at the Kansas Aviation Museum. The video was produced by longtime Cessna marketing chief Tom Zwemke. Zwemke and Reynolds may have been professional competitors, but as can happen in Wichita, the Air Capital, they were also longtime friends and next-door neighbors.

©BlueSky Business Aviation News | 17th April 2014 | Issue #268
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WBJ; They Said It

They Said It

“Enjoy the process, be in the moment.”

Sonia Greteman, founder of Greteman Group, on one of the biggest lessons her 25 years in business has taught her.

April 4, 2014

© Wichita Business Journal, 2014


Wichita Eagle; Sonia Greteman and Rachel Groene, Out of the Office

Out of the Office

Jeff Turner, left, talks with Sonia Greteman of Greteman Group and John Davis at the agency’s 25th anniversary celebration Tuesday night.
From left, Denny Stoecklein of the Kansas State Fair talks with Rachel Groene of Greteman Group and Lori Hart, also with the state fair, at Greteman Group’s 25th anniversary celebration Tuesday night.

April 3, 2014 The Wichita Eagle Pg. 8C © The Wichita Eagle, 2014


WBJ; Moments of Zen: Sonia Greteman on keys to staying in business 25 years

Sonia Greteman founded Greteman Group 25 years ago today.

Regarding Sonia Greteman’s 25 years in business, the following excerpt is from the April 1, 2014 article:

With her company now celebrating its 25th year in business, she says if she could go back and tell herself something the day she opened the agency’s doors on April 1, 1989, it would be to take time to smell the roses.

“I’ve learned a lot of lessons,” Greteman says. “One of the biggest is to enjoy the process, be in the moment.”

Click here to read more about Sonia Greteman’s career insights: Moments of Zen: Sonia Greteman on keys to staying in business 25 years

Wichita Business Journal
Daniel McCoy

© Wichita Business Journal, 2014