The Federal Aviation Administration has honored Maj. N. Gregory Soter of the Utah Wing with the agency’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot award.
“I have always known I would fly. My earliest conscious memory is of an airplane,” said Sota, the wing’s director of standardization/evaluation, referring to the impact he felt around age 4 while standing outside the chain link fence surrounding the Great Falls International Airport ramp area in Montana.
“I watched a DC3 load its passengers, then heard and felt it crank those smoking, rumbling radials to life, turn, and taxi away from me,” Soter related with a nostalgic smile.
“That moment was absolute magic. I thought I was in heaven as that prop wash blew airport dirt and grit into my face, almost knocking me off my feet.”
His dreams of flying turned into reality in 1969. when he soloed after receiving 7.1 hours of instruction.
Richard Jeffs of the FAA’s Salt Lake City Flight Standards District Office presented the award to Soter at CAP’s Phantom Composite Squadron meeting.
The Wright Brothers Award recognizes “50 years of exemplary aviation flight experience, distinguished professionalism, and steadfast commitment to aviation safety.”
Soter was recruited into Civil Air Patrol in 2016, primarily for his certificated flight instructor credentials and experience. He adapted quickly and comfortably to CAP culture, earned qualifications in all aircrew assignments. and serves as a check pilot examiner.
“Two of the things I like best about Civil Air Patrol are the high quality of the people in the organization, and CAP’s fundamental mission,” Soter said. “Doing what we do appeals to me. Doing it alongside people of such high character is a privilege, a huge bonus.”
Soter had a 46-year career heading up a Utah advertising/marketing firm. “Running an ad agency as my day job and flying/flight instructing as my hobby job was a great combination for me,” he said.
Soter continues to regularly fly CAP missions, provide flight instruction, and conduct check rides. _____1st Lt. Casey SmithPublic Affairs OfficerUtah Wing
