Mort Brown headed West...

[GAHorn]

It was reported in an aviation news article and confirmed at his own website by his wife Sharon, that long-time Cessna Chief Production Test Pilot, Mort Brown passed away this weekend.

Mort and his wife Sharon attended our Branson Convention and he flew in a number of our members airplanes more than 60 years after he'd first flown them on their original production test flights. While at convention Mort generously supplied CDs and records and conversations about his test flying years at Cessna, and provided many answers to questions unavailable from any other source.

Mort Brown, aged 103, and still actively engaged in aviation. We will carry fond memories of you and of your gracious and generous life, made even more accessible by your gracious wife, Sharon. Thank you!


More details to follow.-gh

Mort Brown's Webpage: http://www.mortbrown.info/d/mb/bio_images_man.cfm

Collage hosted at Mort and Sharon's webpage:

mort_collage.jpg

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

This is sad news. 103 years, what a run. Meeting him (and Sharon) at Branson were an inspiration and a testament that your never old till you think you are.

[Harold Holiman]

Thanks for posting this George. Carolyn and I talked extensively with him at the Branson convention and he was a very interesting and extremely knowlogable person. He will be missed in the aviation world.

[170C]

Sorry to hear of Mort's passing I enjoyed visiting with he and Sharon upon our arrival at the Branson convention and throughout that week. He and Sharon communicated with me on several occasions regarding Mort's test flying vrs aircraft I have owned and they sent me numerous cd's of Mort's experiences. As others have said, he will be missed, but what a life. 103 years!!

Tailwinds and Blue Sky's Mort!

[n3833v]

He was a very interesting person to talk to. My wife and I both enjoyed him and Sharon at Branson and since then.
Happy Flights, Mort.

John

[Kyle Wolfe]

A generous man (and couple!). They devoted a lot of time to historical notes and documentation. Sorry to hear of his passing.

[bsdunek]

Comes a time for all of us, and Mort did so well. Our prayers are with you and your family, Sharon.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

From Sharon Brown Morts widow:

• Mort Brown quietly passed away in his sleep on Saturday, September 10, 2011. Mort was 103 years old. Mort Brown was the first Chief Pilot of Production Flight Test, Cessna Aircraft Company, from 1937 - 1972. During his tenure, Mort was responsible for the release of 85,000 airplanes through Production Flight Test, of which he personally flew over 14,000 first flights, logging over 20,760 actual flight hours. Honors include: the FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame, and the OX-5 Aviation Pioneers Legion of Honor and Hall of Fame.
  
  In order to allow everyone to participate in paying their respects and honor to Mort, we will be having memorial celebrations across the country this fall, spring and summer. We will be collecting photos & video over the next year, to create a DVD dedicated not only to Mort, but to the entire Cessna team, series, and heritage. The DVD will be created & released tentively in 2013?
  
  Mrs. Brown is requesting photos and/or video of any memorial fly-overs scheduled during the next year, so aviation clubs and organizations across the country can be included in paying their respects and honor, to create a memorial tribute DVD dedicated to Mort and the Cessna team, series, and heritage.
  
  Personal tributes can be sent to Mort's website at http://www.mortbrown.info

Jan Billeb our Association Executive Secretary said that in conversation Sharon said Mort had ridden his bicycle 12 miles the day he passed away. So he seemed to be in good health to the moment he passed. We should all be so lucky.