Professional Pilot, March 2018

GONE WEST Archie Lee Trammell Jr world renowned aviation safety advocate 88 PROFESSIONAL PILOT March 2018 Archies true passion can be found in the endless hours logged on typewriters and computers in order for continuous open communications with pilots and others in the field The knowledge and growth in the field that this accomplished for the use of airborne weather radar will continue to benefit pilots for many years to come A viation journalist and safety icon Archie Trammell Jr died February 5 2018 at his home in Mansfield TX His impressive background includes senior editor for Flying magazine editor in chief of Business and Commercial Aviation magazine and executive director of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation In 1976 he was awarded the distinguished Earl Osborn Award by the Aviation Space Writers Association for his article Weather Accidents As an aviation journalist he flew hundreds of hours each year in all kinds of aircraft from simple trainers to large corporate jets often while they were still in the experimental stage Archie was born October 23 1928 to Georgia N and Archie Lee Trammell Sr During WWII he served in the US Coast Guard gaining entry by using a bogus birth certificate After tours in the Philippines and Okinawa he completed his education and graduated with honors from the University of the Pacific with a degree in Journalism In 1979 Archie formed his own company and created a training program for pilots on the proper use of weather radar The next year he began lecturing on the subject worldwide His training included clients from the FAA DEA FBI all military branches many corporate flight departments and most major airlines His dedication to aviation safety was acknowledged by the National Business Aviation Association who awarded him the Meritorious Service Award in 2006 This award is NBAAs most distinguished honor presented to an individual who by virtue of a lifetime of personal dedication has made significant identifiable contributions that have materially advanced aviation interests Referred to as the leading authority on the use of airborne weather radar Archie published an informative website free of charge to pilots produced a new Convective Weather Flying training manual and wrote articles for Professional Pilot through 2017 Although he consulted with radar engineers on his recommendations for their future radar designs he was a most humble man never taking full credit for his own research and knowledge He always gave credit to the people who supported his efforts and the scientists that contributed to his work Archie is survived by his wife Mary and his 3 children Nathan Lisa Trammell of Linden TX Rev Bessie John Adams of New Harmony IN and Archie D Kristine Trammell of Dallas TX His stepchildren are Michele Kevin Miracle of Graham TX and Douglas Aracely Seitz of Arlington TX He also has 6 grandchildren 4 step grandchildren 13 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren He was preceded in death by his parents and 1 granddaughter Services were held at Jaynes Memorial Chapel in Duncanville TX on February 14 with interment at DFW National Cemetery Memorials may be made to the James M Cook Scholarship Fund at the University of Oklahoma 100 Timberdell Road Norman OK 73072 By Pro Pilot staff The evolution that can be seen in Archies life from airplane mechanic to pilot to radar specialist was what really set him apart He craved growth in his field in his life and in other pilots He worked to accomplish an ever growing wealth of knowledge that will continue on which is why he spent such an abundant amount of time researching and determining the best and most efficient ways of training pilots in the proper use of airborne weather radar