All of us ago frequent these pages are familiar with the wisdom and insight provided by Wayne Bookout, AKA Preacher1. Many of you know of his health problems of late, and I wanted to pass along to the FA community that our friend Wayne had "slipped the surly bonds of Earth" and met his Lord yesterday afternoon. I never met Wayne inn person, but became friends with him through conversations here and on other social media. I learned a lot about flying and about life from him. Fly high… (www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com) さらに...
I don't understand plane language but that puts a lump in my throat. I have enjoyed his posts and commentary. He sure told it like it was/is. He seemed like a great man. I wish I could have met him.
For your understanding as a non pilot squawk 1200 means flying VFR in good weather. frequency change approved means in this case leaving communication to go to his destination,the gates of heaven.
Sorry for the typos, I'm on my phone. Not listed in his obit was his thousands of hours in various aircraft including his favorite, the "high steppin' lady" the Boeing 757. Wayne was a pilot's pilot. He knew his stuff. I teased him about writing a book of his stories. I wish I could've convinced him that there are people who would love to hear them. He will be missed. Please pray for his family.
Just a note on that, he had tons of hours in the early 707's flying both airline captain and corporate flying, it recent years he has spent much of his time in the companies CRJ-200 and Boeing 767 and he enjoyed them both. In current time he also flew their companies King Air as well....
He shared with me his best memory of flying was very recent when he had the unique distinction of flying an Angel One flight where he was requested by the family to fly the fallen soldier from Dover Air Force base back to his home base in Fort Smith, AK with full military escort and by talking to him that was the greatest flight he ever flew.
Yes, that Angel Flight was most memorable to him...he talked of it when we discussed the Life Flights and how they help families of the ill. He revealed his own emotions during that flight and afterwards. I think he was actually a little surprised that it made such a deep impression on him after his previous service and all the years of flying. It is a measure of his humanity that this was most memorable in all his aviation experience.
Thanks Brian, I was so intrigued by his post and became a friend over cell phone conversations, so I flew up from KDTS to meet him about a year ago. He was the sequential Southern gentleman, country through and through. I will miss his simple explanations that always cut through all the chatter that made his remarks so insightful. God just got a new angel that will not need to learn how to use his wings. Allen Churchwell
Preacher1 taught me a lot about US aviation over the years...I admired his passion, his love for Boeing aircraft and the fact that he did know what he was talking about. His toleration of us " non licenced " types will long be remembered. God Speed Preacher1. CAVU forever.
I can remember saying CAVU one day......and Preacher chimmed in saying i was a bright young gun. I will never forget the feeling of awe that came over me just because Preacher acknowledged me. Blue Skies Preach
I had met preacher only through these squawks, for he seemed to comment on things I found of interest, and his comments seemed reasoned and critically accurate. I think he has found what he expected and hoped for in his progression and travels, beginning yesterday. My wishes go out to his survivors.
Hi all, Wayne's son Mike wanted me to let you all know that he had read all of your comments here and to pass along how much they appreciated the kind words, thoughts and prayers for the family and the admiration we all shared for his dad.
RIP, old fellow. He and I met and became friends on Flight Aware exchanging many private emails in addition to sharing posts on FA as his health deteriorated. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy never dimmed his optimism, his faith or his love of aviation and his family. We will miss all miss him and his insightful and often humorous comments.
Wayne and I shared many an email as we both were fighting cancer. We never met personally even though we lived only a couple hundred miles apart. Rest in peace my good friend. May you forever fly high in calm winds.
He was a great personal friend and always had good advice. I enjoyed talking with him as we communicated much away from here. I talked to his wife yesterday and they are all doing well.
Only knew him through the squawks and emails, and will miss his comments and perspectives. I will remember him for his 757 love, meeting the blackbird at Kadena, and comments on the Kai Tak checkerboard. Rest in Peace my friend.
They moved to the North West portion of Arkansas, Where I believe that he was born in or near "Dardanelle, AK". His mother or mother-in-law lived next door to him as well, and he helped take care of her.
I was looking through FA Squawks on Thursday and found myself wondering if Preacher1's comm was in for repairs. A reasoned and active squawker - he is missed. V2, preach!
I've been reading his comments for a long time. I don't comment on here often, but when I did he always seemed to respond. Will miss reading his insights.
As a non aviator I have followed Preacher1s squawks for many years and always found them to be interesting and informative. I'm sure he will be missed by so many aviators and FlightAware members. Condolences to his family.
Farewell my friend! I always enjoyed reading your posts, and respected your opinions, advice, wealth of aviation knowledge and your faith in God. May you rest in peace, my prayers for you and your loved ones.
Preacher1 will be sorely missed. I am not a professional pilot but his posts always encouraged us lower beings to comment and learn. I will miss him very much and my (newly repaired) heart is heavy. RIP
Just thought I'd throw out there that his Arkansas Razorbacks took down #9 LSU tonight, so in Wayne's honor, I give a hearty WOOO PIG SUEY!This one's for you buddy.
Heartbreaking loss for this community, and I'm sure a worse loss for his family. I'm at a loss for words, never met him but still would consider him a friend.
If anyone organizes a memorial fund or gift for the family from here let me know I would be interested in contributing.
Great idea. I sent his son Mike a message to inquire about that. I'll post instructions when I hear back from him. I also sent him a link to this board so the family could read all your comments. Thanks to everyone.
I too would support this. I also think that his family might get great comfort knowing how he was a respected aviator and that he had world wide friends, most of whom he never met. All this may be possible through the Funeral Home Website.
I'm late getting this awful news. I will miss Wayne greatly even though our friendship was confined to public and private conversations. Condolences to his family.
Preacher...you are cleared for a straight out departure! Our conversations about "Checkerboard Hill" and the Hard Right producing a major "Pucker Effect"...I still think about that. And you can't forget the "BIZ Bag" when you blocked at the gate! You will be missed, my friend. You were always my "wingman"! Your flight plan landed you in a special place. Take that Boeing 757, rotate and pull some "G's"!! God Speed, my friend.
Tears are coming down onto my keyboard right now, with a smerk across my face. Mr. Bookout(Preach1) is now forever flying. Blue Skies to a great man. Cheers
Always like to read his comments on here and ask questions that he would answer. May his flights always be under sunny skys, smooth air and sitting in that seat he loved so well. Now that he has gone west as they say he will be missed on here by more than just me.
I'm fairly recent to this forum, a lowly groundlubber with a permanent crick in the neck from peering skyward - but I always enjoyed Preacher1's squawks and felt the presence of a kind, gentle soul filled with wisdom and humor. May his family and friends find smiles and peace in their memories of a Good Man.
There's a saying among we aviators. It's very simple and we all understand. It goes like this. "To fly West, my friend, is a flight we all must take for a final check". I like to add a bit of aviation procedure. "Clearance, this is Preacher1" "Good morning, sir. I have your clearance. are you ready to copy?" "Preacher1, go ahead". "You are cleared west, my friend, direct to destination, Angels unlimited, squawk 1200, no readback required. "God speed, sir".
Kind of a shock to see fresh comments on this man. I never met him either but his calm demeanor and knowledge was a obvious sign that he was a "voice of reason" at all times. And you, Sparkie624, know that well. I'm just about as choked up as when this squawk began 3 years ago.
It gave me a bit of a turn to see it pop up again, but it's good to remember. The board was a more civil and respectful place that it is now. I prefer to think his presence and contributions proved to be a moderating influence that seems sadly lacking today.
Preacher1 was a very good man. He was well knowledge in aviation. He also held the blood pressure of FlightAware. When he passed it made a lot of people sad and depressed. He kept flightaware calm and going well. But also when he left flightaware went down the hill a little. Yes it’s still a great platform to chat about aviation but preacher1 was the heart and soul of it. He has been missed by many and I’m sure in 10-15 years maybe in 20-50 year we will still be missing him and hopeing where ever he is that he’s happy and in good spirits. Rip my friend and may we always remember you.
Thank you, Preacher, for sharing your wisdom and insights with the rest of the world. Knowledge is useful to one person, when it is shared with many, it becomes priceless. Godspeed!
Preacher1 always seemed like a great Man, I had a few conversations with him here- I only wish I'd been able to meet him - Always first rate, and yes knew more than most - You'll be missed sir - Squawking wont be the same without you ! Enjoy the flying the Universe Cap. Prayers to your family.....
I will miss the level-headed and informative comments from Preacher1. People like him make this site something very special. Thanks, Preacher1 - God Bless
I always enjoyed his posts. They were informative to anyone regardless of skill level in aviation. He will be greatly missed in the squawk postings. Thank you for your service to this country and your expertise in this industry. May you rest easy sir and your family find peace.
I am very late in getting this sad news and am so sorry I'll never meet Wayne face to face, in this world anyway and for the loss to his family. I was hoping to remedy that on my next trip to East Texas but alas I'm too late. God speed fellow traveler. WE didn't know each other long, just long enough to miss you, your wisdom and calm demeanor. God bless you and keep you. Until we meet again.
R.I.P. Preacher1. Your posts brought a very informed, experienced based perspective to this reader who looked forward to them "for the rest of the story".....
I always read his comments with great interest because he seemed consummately professional in his outlook and demeanor. I'm not a pilot but have known some. My father trained in a Stearman 75 prior to WWII but was never licensed. I travel for a living so I'm always interested in what commercial pilots have to say.
My condolences to the family and I'll be keeping my eyes to the skies for a while in contemplation. Weatherize, that was a brilliant post.
BTW, AK is Alaska and AR is Arkansas. You had me fairly confused for a few posts there.
My heart goes out to Preacher1's family. This winger (ex-crew chief on CH-46s) looked forward to his posts and insights on aviation. Preacher, look up my Pops, you two have a bit in common. You can kibitz over the way strike packages were created (if a strike pilot in 'Nam) as he had a big hand in it while he was over there. Y'all can also talk about what took you to meet St. Peter. RIP
I only knew Preacher1 through FA and he was the reason I looked forward to Fridays. Had missed his posts recently and was concerned. Knew he had health issues from reading his posts. He responded to a couple of my posts which I greatly appreciated. I think everything that could be said has been said in the 119 other posts. I'm sincere when I say RIP CAPT. WAYNE BOOKOUT and extend my condolences to his family.
Not familiar and I see what I've missed. Always sad to see such distinguished souls leave our midst. God Bless Preacher1 and his family....and vector him safely to new horizons.