Page 10 - Volume 13 Number 5

The Rans S-7 Lonnie owns is made for landing on rough terrain such as local river and sand bars; here at a fishing trip on the Mississippi River.
an invitation-only competition for elite riders at that time.
“I was following my dreams and feel my father was looking down and helping me along,” he said.
When he had time away from competing, Lonnie would join a hydro blasting, painting or sand- blasting crew in the field for Circle S. “My father believed in hard work and was involved in all roles of our company,” he said. “He taught me that the best way to learn the business was to work in various parts of the business.”
He also was starting to fly himself to competitions. He earned his instrument rating in 1995 by flying to rodeos with chief flight instructor Jim Latta from American Flyers in Dallas. “He wanted to learn about bull riding, so while we were at the rodeo I would help him with his riding and I would receive training on the way there and back,” Lonnie said. “I traveled a lot when I was
8 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
MAY 2019