Harold L. Mize learned to fly at a small grass airport near Lake Charles, La. while attending high school. By working after school at the airport he earned his flying time and private pilot cirtificate. After graduation from LSU and commissioning from the AFROTC program, he entered the Air Force in the very first of the UPT (all officer and jet training) pilot classes. After graduation he was selected to qualify as a jet instructor and spent his time in the Air Force training students in the T-37, T-33 and T-38 aircraft.
Upon leaving the Air Force to pursue an airline career, H.L. Mize resigned the Air Force commission to accept a Navy Officer commission and fly in the Navy reserve program. There he flew T-1-A, T-33B, T-38B, A-4, F-8 and F-4 aircraft - retiring with the rank of Commander.
H.L. Mize flew a total of 33 plus years for airlines, and worked his way up to Captain with three different airlines. The first was Braniff International, then Piedmont, and then US Air. In between airline jobs, he also managed to crop dust as well as keep flying in various types of small aircraft. Flying continues to be a passion in his life.
Harold L. Mize learned to fly at a small grass airport near Lake Charles, La. while attending high school. By working after school at the airport he earned his flying time and private pilot cirtificate. After graduation from LSU and commissioning from the AFROTC program, he entered the Air Force in the very first of the UPT (all officer and jet training) pilot classes. After graduation he was selected to qualify as a jet instructor and spent his time in the Air Force training students in the T-37, T-33 and T-38 aircraft.
