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Denver's major interests was, tragically, a long-held fascination with
aviation. Growing up in an Air Force family, this interest was born
early.
He received his private pilot's license in 1976 and his Learjet Type
Rating
in 1978. In 1981, his instrument rating enabled him to fly as a captain
at all altitudes. Denver was also an aerobatics pilot and licensed to
fly
gliders. His conscientiousness and enthusiasm for flying paid off. At
Oshkosh,
Wisconsin, site of the most prestigious air event in the U.S., he was
honored
by the Experimental Aircraft Association for his support of general and
experimental aircraft and was even selected to serve on the Board of
Advisors
for EAA. Not content to keep his interest in aviation to himself,
Denver
co-produced a 1980 television special, "The Higher We Fly", a
fascinating
look at aircraft, space and the many possibilities opening for
increased
scientific knowledge in this realm. It was honored by the Houston
Film
Festival and won the coveted Earl Osborn Award from the
Aviation
/Space Writer's Association. Denver took advantage of any opportunity
made
available to him to fly various aircraft. He flew Air Force F-15
fighters
and the space shuttle simulator. Long a vocal advocate of the manned
space
program, he has been invited by NASA to receive a medal normally
reserved
for spaceflight designers and engineers. He was presented NASA's Public
Service Medal for helping increase "awareness of space exploration
by the peoples of the world." "I loved the medal," said Denver, "but
there's
something I'm looking forward to even more ... the day when I'll be
able
to ride the shuttle." This wish was short to being fulfilled. Had
president
Reagan not decided to send a teacher as the first civilian in space,
Denver
had taken the seat of Christa McAuliffe in the Challenger's fatal
flight
in 1986.
The world was shocked when John Denver's love for aviation eventually took his life on October 12th, 1997. He was flying an experimental Long EZ over Monterey Bay, CA on a sunny late afternoon, when he suffered a fatal accident at the age of 53. The accident's cause may never be found out accurately. Investigators determined a series of factors, including John Denver's lack of experience with this particular airplane and the fuel selector handle's hard-to-access position. When he tried to switch to his back-up tank he had to turn around, thereby most likely hitting the right rudder with his leg, which resulted in the loss of airplane control. Due to the low altitude he was flying he had no chance to regain control. He was survived by his three children, Zachary (born 1974), Anna Kate (born 1976), and Jesse Belle (born 1989). John
Denver's
life was truly a multi-faceted one. He was a master communicator who
could
reach audiences despite geographic, economic, political and language
barriers.
He was an international figure dedicated to the environment and world
peace.
"Music," Denver explained, "is indeed the universal language. It does
bring
people together and allows us to experience that people everywhere are
the same in their heart and spirit; no matter what language we speak,
what
color we are, the form of our politics or the expression of our faith -
we are the same." Back
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