Continued from page one...

   Clipper was nominated for several awards in 1999's VANF awards. We actually won Best New Airline. This was the height of VA excellence of the day. However, Clipper's manual pilot report system was straining and we needed to automate. Lucky for us, my sister happens to be a computer software developer. I got her to build us an automation system and basic website. However Adam failed to come through with his side of the agreement, and this began a long souring of our friendship. By early 2001 this was becoming nearly hostile. In late February I told Adam I was gone and killed the automation scripts, which were my property.

   So I went to Jetstream, and never looked back. Clipper completely failed several weeks later, over which I had no regrets. At Jetstream I helped develop a new paint-scheme. However I was running at odds to the wishes of the Jetstream COO, Josh Garrett. Josh and I knew each other, and for reasons I never really understood he hated me. He opposed everything I proposed, wouldn't accept any criticism, yet that was exactly what Dan asked me to do. I finally told Dan it was he or I... and he said fine, Josh is gone. After that, I wrote Jetstream one of the best schedules any VA had, rebuilt the fleet and had a great time.

   While looking for add-ons for Flight Simulator 2002 I came across a new group called ProjectAI. After looking over the website, I decided I'd paint up a few planes for it. That was 2 years and over 300 repaints ago. Though my work with PAI I was asked to do commercial work for Flight1's new Ultimate Traffic add-on. I eventually was asked to run ProjectAI's screenshot contest, which I still do.

   In late 2002 Perrin asked me to paint a plane for Eastern for him for Flight Simulator 2000. I told him I would be willing but had never done bare metal. After several attempts, I hit a good looking metal and finished the 757. I did a few more planes for Perrin over the next 2 years. Also in mid 2002, I was introduced to this rather hyperactive girl who worked for Perrin named Gaby Carlson. Gaby was destined to become the most interesting person I’ve ever worked with. Gaby worked for Eastern but was also working on her own VA, Sierra Airlines, and wanted a painter. I agreed to do it, and soon regretted it after it became apparent how much of a perfectionist Gaby was, just kidding! Gaby never got her VA running, though keeps saying she will someday soon.

   Jetstream flew high into 2003; we had over 200 pilots and were winning awards and praises all over the net. However in early 2004, Jetstream started falling apart. That summer Dan and I tried to implement a new look and new ideas. But in late August, Dan told me he had no time for the airline anymore, and asked if I would run it alone. I agreed with some reservations. I ran the airline for about a month, but then the website went offline due to a billing dispute. By November I gave up and let Jetstream die.

   About this time Gaby asked me to paint the new SGAir DC-9-51 for Eastern. I did so, and added the -14 and -31 for good measure. I also began work on the Eastern Express fleet, painting DC-3, Dornier 228, Metro, Beech 99 and ATR42 aircraft.