One pilot’s sparkling safety record has landed him with a safety award from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Johnny Jack Vines has received to Orville and Wilbur “Master Pilot Award” for his safety record in aviation. Vines’ record is clear of any accident, incident or violation in his 50-plus years to Nashville and beginning his career in aviation in 1962 at the Cornelia Fort Airpark. Over the years, Vines has collected numerous licenses in both single and multi-engine aircraft and aircraft mechanics licenses.
Vines holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Missouri Baptist University and a doctoral degree in business from Southwest Baptist University. He started television stations in Nashville and St. Louis and began an electronics company in 1973, which was inspired by his experience in aviation. The company designed and built microwave and satellite vehicles used in broadcast news service.
Vines received a plaque from the FAA, lapel pins for him and his wife, a certificate of achievement and his name will be placed in the headquarters building of the FAA in Washington, D.C.
Vines retired in 2012 and became chief pilot for a Missouri corporation, where he is still employed today. He credits a large part of his success to the late E.C. Seaton, Mr. Wright Hoss and Mr. John Cloyd, who all gave him encouragement in his early days of flying.
A Jonesborough native, Vines attended East Tennessee State University and worked at WJHL before moving
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/article/125186/pilot-jonesborough-native-lands-national-safety-award