Hello my name is Ralph Hixon,
My aviation dream began as a senior in high school. Several classmates and I decided we wanted to fly helicopters in the US Army. I wasn’t able to realize that dream but Uncle Sam invited me to jump out of airplanes if I was interested. I joined the Airborne and was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division. During the next four years, I flew in and parachuted out of many different types of aircraft, both fixed and rotary wing.
Many years later, after the kids were grown and gone my wife Jaci bought me a Discovery flight for a Christmas present. Best gift ever! The flight was in a light sport aircraft at the Burlington Wisconsin airport (KBUU). After that flight, I was hooked and knew I wanted to become a pilot. I began to research how and where to get this accomplished. In my Google search a small airport in Wonder Lake IL popped up. One morning on my way to work from Delavan WI to Crystal Lake IL I stopped in for a visit. I met Ed Brown who took me on a guided tour of Galt. I think I finally made it to work around noon or so. I knew Galt is where I wanted to be.
I started my flight training in 2016 in a light sport aircraft and at one point transitioned to private pilot. I achieved my PPL in May of 2020. After retiring in 2021 I decided to do something in aviation. I got my Ground Instructor Certificate and am currently teaching ground for AeroSport. I love teaching and sharing my passion for flying with others. I’m currently working on my CFI-S and look forward to continuing to share my love for aviation. My wife and I enjoy being members of EAA 932 and look forward to many more years of membership in this family.