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Post by drlj on Jun 23, 2024 9:44:24 GMT -5
I just learned that good friend Mike Gilles, who was one of the original posters on the AG forum, and who took part in the Valparaiso AG Forum gathering, was killed in a plane crash on Saturday, June 15th.
I know many of you remember Mike. He was the corporate pilot for the Hilton family for many years. He also put together a great weekend for some us at a Hilton in Madison, Wisconsin many years back.
Below is a newspaper account of the crash.
Mike and I were in regular contact and I am deeply saddened by his death.
“Two people were killed when a vintage airplane crashed near Chino Airport shortly after takeoff during an air museum event on Saturday, June 15, authorities said.
The twin-engine Lockheed 12A crashed around 12:35 p.m., Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Mina Kaji said.
The plane caught fire after it crashed just west of the airport, Chino Valley Fire District Battalion Chief Bryan Turner said. Firefighters got the fire under control in about 10 minutes before finding the two people inside.
Turner described the plane as older and historical.
The San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office identified the victims Sunday as Frank J. Wright, 67, of Riverside, and Michael P. Gilles, 71, of Aliso Viejo. Both men were licensed to fly multi-engine airplanes, according to FAA records. Gilles was also licensed to pilot gliders and hot air balloons.
The airplane belonged to the Yanks Air Museum, according to a Facebook post from that organization.”
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Post by millring on Jun 23, 2024 9:48:17 GMT -5
This is so shocking and sad. Mike was such a nice guy. Very talented and generous too.
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Post by billhammond on Jun 23, 2024 9:48:19 GMT -5
I just learned that good friend Mike Gilles, who was one of the original posters on the AG forum, and who took part in the Valparaiso AG Forum gathering, was killed in a plane crash on Fathers Day. I know many of you remember Mike. He was the corporate pilot for the Hilton family for many years. He also put together a great weekend for some us at a Hilton in Madison, Wisconsin many years back. Below is a newspaper account of the crash. Mike and I were in regular contact and I am deeply saddened by his death. “Two people were killed when a vintage airplane crashed near Chino Airport shortly after takeoff during an air museum event on Saturday, June 15, authorities said. The twin-engine Lockheed 12A crashed around 12:35 p.m., Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Mina Kaji said. The plane caught fire after it crashed just west of the airport, Chino Valley Fire District Battalion Chief Bryan Turner said. Firefighters got the fire under control in about 10 minutes before finding the two people inside. Turner described the plane as older and historical. The San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office identified the victims Sunday as Frank J. Wright, 67, of Riverside, and Michael P. Gilles, 71, of Aliso Viejo. Both men were licensed to fly multi-engine airplanes, according to FAA records. Gilles was also licensed to pilot gliders and hot air balloons. The airplane belonged to the Yanks Air Museum, according to a Facebook post from that organization.” How awful! I remember Mike well. RIP, Mr. Gilles. |
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Dub
Administrator
I'm gettin' so the past is the only thing I can remember.
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Post by Dub on Jun 23, 2024 10:04:34 GMT -5
So sorry, LJ. We offer our condolences.
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Post by drlj on Jun 23, 2024 10:31:27 GMT -5
The crash took place on Saturday the 15th of June.
Mike was a great guy and I am really going to miss our long conversations.
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Post by billhammond on Jun 23, 2024 10:40:42 GMT -5
The crash took place on Saturday the 15th of June. Mike was a great guy and I am really going to miss our long conversations. Didn't he live in Japan? Was he still flying for a living? |
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Post by John B on Jun 23, 2024 10:51:31 GMT -5
Oh man, I'm really sorry to hear this. I do recall Mike from AG and beyond. He seemed like a really nice guy. I also recall he might have been one of the first people to have a Voyage-Air guitar?
I'm sorry, LJ, for your loss, and of course for Mike's family.
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Post by howard lee on Jun 23, 2024 10:58:07 GMT -5
This is shocking and heartbreaking. I had a text from LJ and felt my knees go weak. Mike was an all-around great guy,
incredible storyteller, and in possession of a beautiful Irish tenor singing voice. This is tragic.
Mike was a skilled and competent pilot who flew for decades, everything from commercial airliners
to private Lear jets, and also taught aerobatics in a Stearman back in the day.
Here are a couple of photos from the weekend in Madison he arranged for us, in February 2006.
At Spruce Tree Music, in Madison
Mike (right) with proprietor Will Bremer, at Spruce Tree Music
Mike (left) with friends, in Madison
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Post by drlj on Jun 23, 2024 10:59:44 GMT -5
The crash took place on Saturday the 15th of June. Mike was a great guy and I am really going to miss our long conversations. Didn't he live in Japan? Was he still flying for a living? Mike lived in Aliso Viejo, CA. He was still actively flying. After Barron Hilton’s death, Hilton’s plane was sold to a guy who owned several restaurants in the southern states and Mike went to work for him flying him from restaurant to restaurant in what were sometimes 2-3 day trips. He was very active flying gliders, hot air balloons, and instructing pilots and beginners. He was also active at the air museum where the crash took place. As a matter of fact, he sent me a photo of the plane several months ago and told me how much he enjoyed flying it. Mike flew close to 7 days a week most of the time. |
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Post by epaul on Jun 23, 2024 11:22:56 GMT -5
Sorry, LJ. And to all the knew him. Stuff can pile up and get you down. That's ok. Just let stuff get you back up again later.
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Post by TKennedy on Jun 23, 2024 11:36:39 GMT -5
That’s tough. Juan Brown has a commentary on the accident.
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Post by Cosmic Wonder on Jun 23, 2024 11:42:56 GMT -5
Oh no.
Mike was a great guy, we always had plans to get together when I was diwn South but never did. He canpme to the open mic I hosted in 2001? And had a guitar that he sent around to AG forum members to play and sign. Damn damn damn. This sucks.
Mike
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Post by drlj on Jun 23, 2024 11:53:04 GMT -5
Oh no. Mike was a great guy, we always had plans to get together when I was diwn South but never did. He canpme to the open mic I hosted in 2001? And had a guitar that he sent around to AG forum members to play and sign. Damn damn damn. This sucks. Mike He called that guitar Guilda. I have a picture of it somewhere. This is the plane picture Mike sent me a few months ago.  |
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Post by epaul on Jun 23, 2024 11:55:13 GMT -5
Sheesh, that guy was in a rush to post his stuff.
"We lost a plane..."
He couldn't wait a couple hours and get the names of two pilots who died and mention them? Couldn't wait until the photo was confirmed as authentic or there was some confirmed accident data?
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Post by Village Idiot on Jun 23, 2024 12:27:09 GMT -5
I remember him being around on line but never met him. My thoughts go out to his family and to those of you who knew him.
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Post by coachdoc on Jun 23, 2024 13:23:14 GMT -5
I echo VI and send my condolences.
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Post by dradtke on Jun 23, 2024 14:43:59 GMT -5
I remember his name but never met him. My deepest sympathies for all who knew him.
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Post by Rob Hanesworth on Jun 23, 2024 15:31:56 GMT -5
Sympathy to LJ and his family.
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Post by Marshall on Jun 23, 2024 15:35:59 GMT -5
Never met Gilles. But I saw and signed Guilda, as I remember.
Sad, I know. But he went out doing what he loved, while he was still able to do it. Not a bad epitaph.
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Post by drlj on Jun 23, 2024 15:39:52 GMT -5
Never met Gilles. But I saw and signed Guilda, as I remember. Sad, I know. But he went out doing what he loved, while he was still able to do it. Not a bad epitaph. That’s what I said to Barb a little while ago- at least he died doing what he loved. And he did, truly, love flying. |
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