So long, Bernie Geier

The long-time manager of FAA's Flight Standards Division in HQ passed recently, and he was a hell of a guy. Many of you may remember Bernie Geier from his years as Air Boss at the EAA Convention Fly-in -- back when that was the name for today's EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. My friendship with Bernie started in 1982, when he was introduced to me as one of the FAA officials who would have to sign off on a new FAR covering the then-revolutionary Ultralight aircraft that seemed to multiply like mosquitoes.

Bernie quickly realized how green I was as the staff writer for Glider Rider Magazine and contributed plenty to my education into how the fed -- in particular FAA and DOT -- worked from the Washington end. He continued to be a helpful voice when I moved to speaking for GA at AOPA and when I moved even farther away from my hang gliding roots as a reporter for an airline-trade magazine, Air Transport World.

Tailwinds, Bernie -- sharp, savvy guys like you rarely rise to the top at places like the FAA.