Meet the Pilot - Jim Chandler

The Chandler family has a long history of aviation.

Jack Chandler, Jim’s dad, was part of the first cadets drafted for WW2 and was

stationed in Bakersfield, CA. After training in the BT13 and then the AT6, he was

promoted to Captain and an instructor in the Boeing B17. After the war, he

continued flying in a brand new 1957 Cessna 310, 1960 Cessna 310, and then a

1965 Baron 55. We had many wonderful family trips in these airplanes.

Jim Johnson, Jim’s 1 st cousin, lied about his age and joined the army at 17. With

tours in WW2 in Japan, then Korea and then Vietnam, he retired as Lieutenant

Colonel. He flew helicopters, the L19, Caribou and several general aviation

aircraft.

Ben Chandler, Jim’s son, started flying lessons at age 14. He now holds a private,

instrument, and multiengine certificate and is currently working on his

commercial. He has flown the Cessna 182, VTail Bonanza, Debonair, Cirrus and is

now part owner in a Piper Meridian.

Ben has been associated with the US Space and Rocket Center since he was 14

located in Hunstville, AL. He is currently serving as the Chairman of the Board of

the Foundation.

Jim started flying at age 18 and has made flying a 52 year career. His first

corporate job was in 1974 flying a 1974, serial number BB9 King Air 200. From

there he moved on to the Citation 500, serial number CE13. His first type rating

was in the Sabreliner 65 and he continued flying the 40, 60, and 80 model Sabres.

Then on to Eastern Airlines as a FO on the DC9. After Eastern he was VP Director

of Flight Operations for a Fortune 300 company. The department at its peak had 3

Hawker 800XP’s and 2 Lear 31A’s with a staff of 25.

During a 7 year period of retirement, Jim started an online company, Cool Travel

Stuff, catering to the general aviation group. With 4 Sun N Fun shows and 2 Osh

Kosh shows under their belt, Covid came along and operations were discontinued.

2022 saw the arrival of a 2007 Piper Meridian and with 4 partners we are

absolutely loving our time machine. I have become such a fan of the Piper M

Class aircraft and after attending the MMOPA convention in Tucson, I decided to

start an online store catering to the PA46 models.