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Jeffrey A. Anderson was born June 27, 1961 in Madison, Wisconsin. He attended LaFollette High School, graduating in June of 1979. His flying and work record began in 1975. On June 28,1975 he took his first flight lesson at age 14. He was working at the FBO Four Lakes Aviation. He started out as a gofer, then moved up to line crewman in 1978. Following graduation he organized the parts department of Four Lakes. Jeff soloed his family Cessna 180 on his sixteenth birthday. Exactly one year later he earned his Private Pilot Certificate in the 180. In the fall of 1979 Jeff entered the University of Wisconsin as a Business student. In the spring of 1980 he earned his Instrument Rating. His instructor was long time family friend, Francis DeRienzo. In the summer of 1980 he completed his Commercial Pilot certificate. In January of 1981 Jeff became a flight instructor. He was promptly hired as an instructor by long-time employer Four Lakes Aviation.
Early Flying
Working as an instructor Jeff took multi-engine training in Piper Twin Comanche's. Later, during the summer of 1981 he passed his Instrument Instructor check ride. Dispite success in aviation, Jeff didn't fair well at the UW. After two years of studies, he transfered to UW-Whitewater to complete his studies. On weekends and during vacations Jeff instructed. In May of 1984 Jeff graduated from UW-Whitewater with a degree in Business Administration. Immediately following graduation, Jeff joined the charter department of Four Lakes. Since he was low man on the totem pole, he had to combine part-time instruction with part-time charter work. August of 1984 was a big month as he passed his Airline Transport Pilot training and got married in the same week. He married the former Jill Shafer. Jill had been the girl down the street and he had known her since childhood.
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Simmons/American Eagle
On September 17,1984 Jeff began ground school as a First Officer for Simmons Airlines in Marquette, MI. He was assigned to fly an Embraer Banderantie. He completed ground school in the EMB-110. Before he could begin flight training, he was assigned as FO on the larger Shorts SD3-60. In December of 1984 Jeff passed his First Officer check ride. He was an airline pilot at the age of 23. Six months later he was in upgrade class as Captain on the Shorts. In mid June of 1985 Jeff passed his type ride in the Shorts. He was a part 25 Captain before his 24th birthday! In September of 1985 Jill gave birth to their first child. Michael Jeffrey was born on September 24,1985.
In April of 1986 Jeff travelled to Marquette for another ground school. He was one of the first eight line captains to fly the new ATR-42. His first flight of Initial Operating Experience (IOE) was the first revenue flight of an ATR for Simmons. Jeff was still 24 years old. In May of 1988 a daughter, Melissa was born. For five years Jeff bounced between Marquette and Chicago bases. In 1991 the larger ATR-72 came on the property. This was Jeff's favorite airplane. 1994 started out on a high note as his third child, a daughter named Jessica was born in February. The year ended with the crash of American Eagle flight 4184 near Roslelawn, IN. Jeff spent the first four months TDY in Miami. It was there he decided to move the family south. In late 1995 he and Jill headed the U-Haul south and moved to the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. They settled in Arlington, TX. Just prior to moving to DFW, Jeff was named Chairman of the ORD Professional Standards Committee. In all, he served on the ALPA Committe seven years. The aborted strike of American Airlines pilots resulted in a flow-thru agreement for Eagle pilots. In July 1998 Jeff passed his type rating on the Embraer EMB-145 regional jet. He had spent twelve years flying the ATR, amassing over 10,000 hours in type. Jeff flew the Embraer for a year and a half before moving on to American Airlines.
American Airlines
On Valentines day 2000 Jeff and Jill attended orientation at American Airlines. By May he was checked out as a First Officer on the McDonnell-Douglas MD-80.
In 1996 Jeff joined his father Art on the Contemporary Judges team at Airventure in Oshkosh. Two years later his buddy, John Goodloe joined the team on Jeff's recommendation. In late 2000 Jeff began work on a RV-8. So far, progress has been very slow. He keeps his CFI current. Perhaps his children will feel the urge to fly. Son Mike, now 16, has taken a few lessons. He hasn't shown the burning desire to fly. Wife Jill has shown interest. Both daughters have also talked about wanting to fly. Either way, Jeff plans of continuing flying well past age 60. He says that is the time when he can give back to the industry he so dearly loves. There will always be someone who yearns to experience flight. Jeff hopes to be able to continue teaching flying. Who knows, perhaps it could be another Anderson.
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