James Curtis Heirston

JAMES C. HEIRSTON - A Life Of Adventure and Service James "Jim" Heirston, 83, of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away on January 15, 2016. In 1948, Jim began his aviation career as a flight line boy and mechanic's helper at the Downtown Airpark in Oklahoma City. In 1952 he was called to active duty with the US Navy and earned a honorable discharge. Jim's 50+ years in aviation included much travel and many adventures. Jim worked for aircraft manufacturing companies, international airlines, governmental organizations and flying clubs in the US, Vietnam, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Korea, Philippines and Japan. In 1974, soon after Jim arrived in Anchorage, he began working on general aviation aircraft around Lake Hood. In 1977 he bought his first Cessna 150 and started the American Pacific Aviation flight school, sea plane base and maintenance facility. By 1979, his FAA approved flight school consisted of various Cessna aircraft and extensive maintenance facilities. In 2005, Jim completed his professional aviation experience when he retired as a FAA Airworthiness Inspector assigned to United Airlines. Throughout his career, Jim earned numerous certifications, citations and awards including the prestigious Charles E. Taylor Award for Aviation Mechanical Excellence and the FAA's Flight Standards Field Office Award. As a FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner, he had the unique ability to mentor and prepare aspiring mechanics to perform to the highest ethical standards. In addition to his aviation activities, Jim had a life long love of racing sports cars. He won many trophies at race tracks and car shows. Jim was not only exceptional aircraft mechanic but also a skilled car mechanic and problem solver on just about any make or model. His favorite cars were corvettes. He owned a number of corvettes over the years and was active in the Anchorage Corvette Club. Jim is survived by his wife Sumiko of 43 years, sons; Curtis, Bryan and Barry, and grandchildren; Alexandria, Samuel, Nicholas, Macaylie and Benjiman