Individual Details

Richard Henson was a chief test pilot at Fairchild Aircraft Corporation, and founder of the Henson Flying Service. Richard knew he wanted to fly airplanes by age 17. He got his commercial license in 1931 and began flying passengers in a C-Z Challenger that he bought for $1,500. During the Depression, Richard earned $40 a week as a test pilot for Fairchild Aircraft. At the same time as working for Fairchild, he bought the Blue Ridge Flying Service and renamed it Henson Flying Service. He was a member of the "Caterpillar Club," a group of pilots that had the dubious badge of honor of having eject from an aircraft. In 1955, he began selling Beechcraft Aircraft, all the while continuing as a test pilot for Fairchild. In 1962, he started the Hagerstown Commuter Airline, which affiliated with Allegheny Airlines, which in turn became US Air. When he became dissatisfied in his alliance with US Air, he shifted to a partnership with Piedmont Aviation, but then US Air bought Piedmont. Throughout, he ran the commuter air passenger service. At one point, his service was known as "Henson, The Piedmont Regional Airline." In retirement, he founded the Richard Henson Foundation to promote philanthropic causes.

Birth	12 Feb 1910	Paramount, Washington, MD
Marriage	4 May 1943	Miami, Dade, FL - Jane Shafer Schlosser
Death	12 Jun 2002	Salisbury, Wicomico, MD
Burial

Spouse

Jane Shafer Schlosser (1915 - 1986)

Father	Frank Francis Henson (1867 - 1952)
Mother	Ora Belle Adams (1876 - 1966)
Sibling	Living
Sibling	Living
Sibling	Living

Notes