Roger Olson first soloed in a Piper PA 28-140 on January 25, 1973, in Marshall, Minnesota. After earning his Private Pilot certificate in March 1973, Roger decided to head to train in warmer climes, and joined the US Navy to become a Naval Aviator.  Training in the Florida Panhandle, Roger flew the T-34B, T-28, TH-57C, and H-1 Huey helicopters as a Student Naval Aviator.  From the time he entered naval flight training in September 1973 until graduation and winging in June 1974 as a helicopter pilot, Roger blazed through his training, nearly setting a record for shortest time in Navy flight training and joined the Fleet to fly the HH-1K Huey out of NAS Jacksonville in June of 1974.  While stationed there through early 1977, Roger flew rescue and liaison missions flying not only the Huey, the SH-3G, HH-46, T-28 as an Instructor Pilot, and US-2B as well.  In 1977, he transitioned to the Sikorsky SH-3G helicopter and served with HS-5 aboard USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 60) and USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) from mid-July 1977 through the end of 1979. 

While serving in this role, Roger made two at-sea rescues, one where Roger rescued the pilot who ejected from a F-14 that got into a flat spin (the first Top Gun movie was based on this F-14 accident) and the other mission to rescue a Sailor who had fallen overboard at night.  It was also during this time, when the ships were in-port that Roger used his VA benefits under the GI Bill to earn his ATP – AMEL certificate as well as his CFI-ASE and Flight Engineer – Turbojet certifications.  And so, from March 1980 through May 1984, Roger found himself with Mid-State Airlines in Stevens Point Wisconsin, flying the Swearingen Metroliner 2, -2B, and -3 aircraft.  It was during this time that Roger re-joined the Navy in 1982 as a Reservist, flying the P-3B Orion out of NAS Glenview, Illinois.  Roger earned his Patrol Plane Commander designation in 1985 and retired as a Commander in 2000.  In May 1984, Roger joined Northwest Airlines, which eventually merged with Delta Air Lines. 

Roger flew the Big Iron, starting as Second Officer on the 727 and DC-10, First Officer on the Boeing 757, First Officer and Instructor Pilot on the 747-400, then as Captain, Instructor Pilot, Check Airman, Line Check Airman, and Aircrew Program Designee on the A-320 and A-330.  Since April of 2012, Roger has served with Delta Professional Services, or DPS, teaching in the A330 as an Instructor Pilot and Check Airman.  Roger has been teaching in the Airbus for 34 years and says no one at Delta has been teaching in the Airbus longer than he has!  At the same time Roger joined DPS, he is also an instructor here with Brown’s Seaplane Base.  In 2013, Roger bought a Cessna 185F on amphibious Wipline floats. He has over 500 hours in it and still loves it! It is parked outside.

Friends and associates who recommended Roger for this evening’s award include our hosts, Master Pilots Jon and Chuck Brown, and Jennifer Trapp. All cited Roger’s approach to safety and his instructional skills, promoting confidence and enthusiasm in students, and serving as an aviation ambassador to everyone he meets.