Robert R. Powell

Robert R."Boom" Powell

Grew up on Long Island, NY. Son of an air-minded father who became a B-24 navigator during WW II; S.R.Powell, the comic book artist (Sheena, Mr. Mystic, "Tales from the Crypt"). Does not remember his first flight because he was a babe in his mother's arms. University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia on a Navy ROTC scholarship. Soloed a Piper Colt before Pensacola and Navy flight training. Vietnam tour and later instructor pilot in A-4 Skyhawk. Transitioned to RA5C Vigilante and returned to WestPac on USS Kittyhawk. Drafted to be the LSO for RA5C training squadron for three years. Returned to the fleet for deployments on Forrestal and Kittyhawk. Two years in fighter adversary squadron at NAS Oceana followed by tour as Naval Attaché to South Africa. Retired as a Commander and after a year flying a corporate Sabreliner was hired by Pan American. First at Pan Am Express on the ATR-42 (including ten ferry flights across the Atlantic), then to Pan Am Airways as a first officer on B-747's to Europe and South America. After Pan Am passed into history, joined Atlas Air and was a captain flying freight world-wide in Boeing 747's--both the classic and computer-managed 400 models.

Earned civil flight instructor ratings while in Navy and trained students from then on. Loves aviation and will try anything. Flew DC-3 charters in Africa, Turbo-porters, historic AD Skyraiders, SNJ's, and aerobatics in anything that can loop. Spent many exuberant weekends as jump pilot for sport parachuting. (Son "Rickster" is a world-class professional skydiver.) Instructor with Air Combat USA, "Be a Fighter Pilot for a Day!" in Sia Marchetti 260's. Discovered soaring and owns a Libelle 15-metre sailplane. Flies old aircraft, including WW 1 replicas, at Virginia Beach Military Aviation Museum.

Began writing while in the Navy and has a regular column in The Hook. Continues to write mini-biographies for that journal. Several articles have been published in well know aviation magazines. Much of his writing was done in hotel rooms in wee small hours--local time--in exotic cities around the world.

Married to Marie for 56 years and is happily ensconced with two large Poodles in Virginia Beach on the eastern branch of the Elizabeth River, which is more like a "squidgy creek" at his property. Only tells the story behind his nickname with a drink in his hand.