I met him once. He sat with my young daughter and me in a hangar at a dinner for fliers in June many years ago. He was the featured speaker and talked about spins, just one of his areas of expertise. He was hilarious and informative at the same time. We felt fortune to be with the man who had taught me so much. He was very humble and unassuming, but I knew the wealth of knowledge and experience of this man.
William K Kershner died this week, age 77, after battling cancer.
I was fortunate in that I found a series of books when I was learning to fly. “The Student Pilot’s Manual”, “The Advanced Pilot’s Manual”, “The Instrument Flight Manual”. “The Flight Instructor’s Manual”, and “The Basic Aerobatic Manual”. All by “Bill” Kershner. He had an engineer and test pilot background. Together, they produced a man who really knew airplanes. His books are personally illustrated, manuscripts were typed by his wife, and chocked full of useful equations. It was all in there if you took the time to read and absorb the information. I was hungry for knowledge about airplanes and devoured his books. I was basically self taught using the “Kershner” books. I often knew more than my flight instructors.
So, here I was in the presence of my idol. An aviation God. A friend to student pilots, flight instructors, and those who wanted to learn about spins. We sat and ate, communed as pilots do, and LAUGHED.
I have taken the knowledge William K. Kershner provided in his books with me though out my aviation career. I am thankful for my pedigree and how I became an aviator… how Bill Kershner has taught me.
He has left a lasting legacy in his writing. His books collectively constitute my aviator’s Bible. Airplanes will always be working to overcome gravity and drag with lift and thrust.
Thanks Mr. Kershner.
AeroDave
Please go to www.aopa.org/kershner/ to learn more about this remarkable man.
