Pilots who died in vintage airplane crash in Chino led lives of passion, variety

Michael Paul Gilles pilots a UC-43 Staggerwing with Frank James Wright Jr. as his co-pilot. The men died on June 15, 2024, in the crash of a Lockheed 12A Electra Junior at Chino Airport. (Photo courtesy of Craig Rembold)

Read the original full article at Orange County Register written by Brian Rokos on July 13, 2024

Michael Paul Gilles ferried people in a taxi before piloting a hot air balloon for a hotel magnate. Frank James Wright Jr. turned a wrench on trucks before dedicating himself to fixing classic airplanes.

The families of the men who died in the crash of a vintage airplane at Chino Airport on June 15 are remembering them for their passion and skill in all manner of things — whether it was ballroom dancing, fishing or, of course, aviation.

Read the original full article at Orange County Register written by Brian Rokos on July 13, 2024