Fred Huppertz, An Officer and a Gentleman

 

How often can a nonprofit organization that utilizes volunteer pilots to transport those with compelling medical and humanitarian needs successfully recruit an honored and decorated aviator who has accumulated more than 15,000 hours of flight time? Mercy Flight™ Southeast (MFSE™) can boast such a volunteer in pilot Fred Huppertz. Huppertz was honored on May 10 with the prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. In this instance, the FAA award was bestowed upon Huppertz in recognition of 50 consecutive years of aviation safety.

 

Fred's career would likely take days to describe even in the simplest of terms. He served in many capacities in a career in the U.S. Air Force that began in 1953. Among many of this aviator's achievements is the honor of being the youngest Air Force officer in history to serve as a commander in the USAF B-52 fleet. His honors include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit, not to mention 23 other Air Force commendations. As a retiree, he participates not only in several MFSE™ missions a year but also is quite active in other important aviation and community organizations. He seems to take it all in stride, however, now dedicated to utilize the talents he accumulated over many decades to benefit countless strangers, young and old alike.

 

“When I finished flying professionally,” Huppertz said in his typically understated, matter-of-fact style, “I was looking to do something as a retiree that would utilize my career skills." He set out to join the famously active EAA Young Eagles 690 division in Lawrenceville, GA. But it was Larry Bishop, current MFSE™ chairman, who educated Huppertz about MFSE™ and got him on board. "Once I began flying these consistently grateful passengers, I was hooked," Huppertz said. "It’s just incredibly fulfilling that I’m able to use the experience and technology I’ve accumulated for 50 years. I’m able to do to give something back.”

 

That was in 2003, after Huppertz had reached the end of a truly storied vocation as a U.S. Air Force airman. Flying B36s in the mid-1950s, B52 bombers later in the century and then serving in various capacities in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere, Huppertz gets the opportunity to ensure that civilians benefit from the training associated with his varied Air Force assignments. He is among the hundreds of aviators that have faithfully served the passengers of MFSE™ across five states and beyond.

 

Since ’03, Huppertz has flown many Mercy Flight missions. Compassion flights have been among Huppertz’s most favorite, he said.  Fred related the tale of a recent mission: A family was dealing with dying parents “clear across the country,” he said, and they needed to get there in order to take care of them. Describing a tale of both hope and grief, Huppertz commented poignantly, “The mom was just such a nice lady and thankful. Somehow she got a hold of my address and sent me a very nice letter. It made me feel good about what we were doing. Her mother had died after she arrived, but at least we made sure she was there for her.”

 

The retired Air Force officer also works hard to ensure that his passengers, whether experienced or not with general aviation aircraft, feel comfortable each time they get in his four-seat Bonanza.

 

“I try to tell them what the weather’s going to be and assure them that we won’t do anything that puts them in danger. I have a headset for everybody, and I try to make sure that they’re always aware of what’s going on.” But sometimes those passengers take him by surprise, too. “One elderly lady on her third flight leg of the day – obviously a pretty long haul, suddenly remarked when we landed, ‘Those were the first flights of any kind I have been on.’ She was so matter-of-fact about it!”

 

Huppertz is a consistent ambassador for the cause of public benefit flying relates the stories of his MFSE™ missions whenever he can -- between his Air Force tales, of course! “I just mostly tell people precisely what we do – carry people in need. It's very surprising -- and gratifying -- how many people already know about our organization and our mission.”