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HomeNewsArchivesThe Life of the Pilot, Aircraft Mechanic and Entrepreneur Ken Webster

The Life of the Pilot, Aircraft Mechanic and Entrepreneur Ken Webster

"Blessed are those who have soared beyond the earthly ties into the blue yonder to experience the fantasy of flight, for they have lived the ultimate thrill of life." Athol F.
Dec. 15, 2008 – Mr. Ken Webster, of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, a 30 year Aviation Veteran, an accomplished Pilot/Mechanic and successful entrepreneur was the ultimate aviation perfectionist who spent many hours in the air and on the ground, always enjoying the simplest pleasures of life. He was persistent, patient, dedicated, hardworking and a humble gentleman, with a jovial but driven spirit. He was respectable and respected by everyone who was blessed to know him. He lived every moment of his life to the fullest. He departed this earth on December 3, 2008, doing what he loved most, flying.
At a young age, Ken had his objectives and goals engraved in his mind. He graduated from Northrop University in California with honors and later became a licensed Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic. After a couple of years working as an aircraft mechanic, he went on to pursue his real desire to become a pilot and again excelled with honors.
Ken had multiple licenses, including Airplane Transport Pilot, 1A-Jet, Airplane Multi-Engine, Single Engine Land and Commercial pilot license. Although he was not rated as an Instructor–he taught many. Those who heeded his advice were gratified to know–he was always right.
In the early 1980's, Ken migrated to St. Croix, where along with Dimitrios Doliottis, they formed the company known as St. Croix Aviation, which provided maintenance support for aircrafts. This, however, was not enough for Ken. In 1989, he purchased his first airplane, a Travel Air. He took his family and friends on Caribbean island hops. It is now retired at his hangar.
I had the fortunate opportunity to meet Ken through Gerard Boyce in 1982 when I was the Supply Sergeant for the Aviation Detachment of the Virgin Islands National Guard. Many of the aviators who worked with me encouraged me to become a pilot. I visited Ken daily and he assisted me in my preparation for flight school, although the Army trains on helicopter first, the basic flight instruction was the same for airplanes or helicopters. I became a helicopter pilot in 1986 and continued to pick Ken brains for aviation information to sharpen my skills. We then had two UH-1H's helicopters and a U-8 Queen air. In 1990, I got my fixed wing (airplane) rating.
Ten years later, as the Aviation Commander of the Virgin Islands National Guard, I had the opportunity to recruit Ken to be the Lead Maintenance Manager for the recently acquired C-23 Sherpa. I told Ken "if I have to fly the C-23 Aircraft, I wanted a seasoned mechanic to work on it". He chuckled and stated he will think about it. After much arm twisting and convincing, he applied and was over qualified for the position. He was hired and turned around encouraged and hire his partner–Mr. Gerard Boyce, a retired non-commissioned officer and Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic. Ken served as the Lead Maintenance Manager and Boyce was the maintenance worker for seven years–they made an excellent maintenance team. Our aircraft was mission capable 95% of the time. Ken was meticulous and paid attention to details in the performance of his duties. In 1999, the National Guard Bureau made a decision to relocate the C-23 Sherpa to Puerto Rico to reduce cost and offered both employees the opportunity to relocate to the US Mainland to work with the Shorts contractor. Ken didn't want to leave his beloved St. Croix and accepted a position and moved on to become the Mechanic-in-Charge and Pilot of a fleet of aircraft owned by Innovative Corporation.
Ken was an excellent mechanic and pilot. His skills were praised throughout the Caribbean and North America. Over a period of time, he was contacted by several pilots for advice with regards to how to deal with certain problems and he always had the answers. A plane would pull in with maintenance problems and by the sound of the engine–he could recognize and diagnose the problem. He had keen ears and an uncanny talent with aircraft. These calls would come anytime during the day or evening and he never hesitated to assist.
Ken's deepest desire, however, was to build his own Company. In 2005, he finally broke ground on what is now a successful, thriving and widely recognized aviation enterprise known as "Websta's Aviation Services Inc." Ken worked hard and long to achieve his goal. On Saturday, July 8, 2006, his dream became reality, "The Grand Opening" of a state of the art Flight Base Operations (FBO) Facility, where he offered airplane repairs, hangaring of aircraft and charter services.
Mr. Ken Webster will be recorded in the history books. He was the first Afro-American to establish an FBO on St. Croix. He may be the only one within the Virgin Islands and Caribbean to accomplish this feat. His maintenance experience gained working in the commercial, private and military arena attributed to his exceptional knowledge of maintaining and piloting aircrafts.
Ken has piloted and maintained many types of aircraft–Cessna, Cherokee, Aztec, Baron, Queen Air, Commander & West Wings. He have flown all over the world–Caribbean, South America, Central America, US Mainland to bring back many aircraft purchased by others and on charter or pleasure flights.
His clientele range from the businessmen to the common person. He was service and customer oriented, which is why many of his customers always came back and referred many. All of his customers were always treated with dignity, respect and professionalism.
Ken has flown officials of government, sports team, families and many affluent businesspersons over the years. Ken flew Mr. Kent Clapp, CEO of Medical Mutual & his fiancée, Ms. Tracy Turner, a Rock Hall and Cleveland Play House Board member, in April 2008 back and forth to Beef Island and Anguilla. They return again in December and Ken flew them from Puerto Rico to Beef Island. Unfortunately, they also lost their lives in this accident when they were returning to Puerto Rico.
Ken had a true zest for life. He found time for some of his hobbies: softball, volleyball, basketball, bicycling, jet skiing, scuba driving, bowling, dominoes, ping pong, shooting (many types of weapons), pool and golf to name a few. In the model arena–he operated model planes, cars and boats. Whatever, he put his hands on and heart into, he did it exceptionally well.
I'm thankful to have known Ken for over 26 years as a pilot, co-worker and family friend. Sometimes Ken would call me up to travel with him whenever he was making a quick run to a Caribbean island. I was always ready! My last flight with him was from St. Croix via Anguilla to St. Vincent and back. We always had a great time together!
Within all of us is a varying amount of space lint and stardust, the residue from our creation. Most are too busy to notice it, and it is stronger in some than others. It is strongest in those of us who fly and is responsible for an unconscious, subtle desire to slip into some wings and try for the elusive boundaries of our origin.
K. O. Eckland, "Footprints On Clouds"
For those of us who mourn his passing, life will not ever be quite the same without Ken. His larger than life smile and laugh from the bottom of his belly will be greatly missed, but his legacy will not be forgotten. Rest in peace, my aviation brother.

Ken loved, laughed and lived!

Editor's note: Colonel Caroline F. Adams is a pilot, and longtime coworker and family friend of Ken Webster's.

Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to visource@gmail.com.

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