THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 16, 1994 TAG: 9411150114
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
When folks ask John Whitehurst how long he's been involved in aviation, he tells 'em that it all started even before he was born.
``Yeah, me and my Dad have been airport bums forever,'' says Whitehurst, the man responsible for keeping Sentara's Nightingale air ambulance working.
Whitehurst grew up in Huntsville, Ala., a mecca for anyone connected to flight thanks to NASA's operations there. Whitehurst's father is an aerospace engineer who's from Hampton Roads and like his son plans to make his way back to the area soon.
Whitehurst hasn't yet been certified to fly the chopper, but he certainly knows the whirlybird's mechanical ins and outs. He's on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In his spare time he's working on getting his pilot's license, first in fixed wing aircraft and later for the helo.
Full name: John William Whitehurst Jr.
Hometown: Huntsville, Ala.
What brought you to the Beach? Requested relocation from Omni Flight Helicopters in Dallas, Texas, to Norfolk to be near relatives.
Birthdate: 9/21/54
Occupation: Aircraft mechanic for Sentara Norfolk General Hospital/Nightingale and Helicopter Transport Services Chopper 10
Nickname: None
Marital status: Married to Deborah Daily Whitehurst
Children: Emily Joan, age 14
What is your idea of a perfect day off? No beeper!
Last smart thing you did: Bought a house in Virginia Beach with a swimming pool.
Last dumb thing you did: Postponing flying lessons, which I have recently started.
Favorite meal: Grandma Morlino's spaghetti
Favorite movies: ``Apocalypse Now,'' ``Easy Rider,'' ``The Godfather''
Favorite song: ``Limelight'' (Rush)
Last book read: Helicopter Maintenance Manual and ``Moon Shot''
Hobbies: Aviation, auto racing, astronomy, music, drums (and someday I'll own that Harley-Davidson!)
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? To not be so demanding of other people
If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be? For her to have perfect health
Secret vice: I can't drive 55!
Favorite restaurant: Duck-In
Your favorite night on the town: Sharing an evening of spontaneous adventure with my wife
Favorite TV shows: ``Star Trek: The Next Generation,'' ``Highlander,'' ``X Files,'' ``Wings''
Favorite sport: Auto racing, baseball
Last vacation: Outer Banks of North Carolina the week AFTER Labor Day
Pets: Doberman, Zeus, 8 years old
Worst job: Busboy at age 17 in Huntsville, Ala.
Of what achievements are you most proud? My beautiful, intelligent daughter, Emily Joan
What would you like on your epitaph? Lived long, loved much and was loved ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
KEYWORDS: PROFILE INTERVIEW
by CNB