With much sorrow I must share that Kevin McNeight passed away Saturday after a long battle. Kevin was an extraordinary individual who was a notated Airline Flight instructor, Airline Pilot and miniature aircraft collector. Kevin's career began in the Air Force as a C-130 Driver and flight instructor who then began a second career as an airline pilot and then progressed into flight instruction there as well. Kevin's last duty was flying with Delta Airlines and based in Georgia.
Along the way he began collecting aviation related artifacts and especially models that reflected his own aviation connections as well as aviation historical items. Most items in military, commercial and private were all attractive to him and in many way he reflected the eclectic interests of the late CR Webster. He amassed a collection of large and small models with favorite subjects being the C-130, B-727, DC-8, DC-9/MD-30, B-737 and any unique versions thereof.
Kevin was a deep-minded pilot and, as a flight instructor, showed amazing patience, always a soft-spoken tone, and high tolerance with his student pilots. Hundreds of current commercial pilots learned focus, anticipation and consistency techniques from Kevin's tutelage. Kevin was also a master at all types personal skills including those needed as a general contractor (house rebuilding), museum curator (aviation artifacts), and confidant with all he knew. Kevin's deepest conviction was suggesting that anyone could and should consider becoming a commercial pilot.
I noted that everyone he met wanted to become his friend and most did. Kevin is survived by his wife, Cindy, who he also convinced to become an airline pilot and is current with UAL.
Funeral plans are being made to be held 10 am, Monday the 19th in Atlanta.
Tom Sanders