ABOUT US - THE JOURNEY BEGINS

As a young farm boy, it was all too common to catch him looking skyward anytime the drone of an aircraft engine was heard passing over the hayfields near the farm where he worked while growing up. The urge to take flight was so strong that he would often ride his bicycle to the local small town airport every single day after his farm work was done.

On one beautiful, summer afternoon back in 1983 while he watched the planes take off and land at Sky Manor Airport, the FBO owner's wife walked over and introduced herself to him. She smiled and said, "I'd bet you'd love to take a ride in one of those..." As she pointed to one of the flight schools airplanes. He smiled back and said "You bet I would!!!" She smiled and said "Well then, come with me young man..."

Before he knew it, Jay was strapped into the front seat of a 1946 Aeronca Champ that would become the first aircraft he would ever fly in. Before he could blink, the engine roared to life with a flick of its wooden propeller. After a short flight with the FBO's Chief instructor Bob Hall, the hook was set and his love affair with aviation began.

Being a motivated soul at an early age, Jay managed to land a job at the local airport working for Billy and Mary Jo Smela, washing airplanes and working the glider line in exchange for lessons. It was a long and sometimes difficult road, but Jay soloed his first glider at the age of 14, and his first power plane, the very same Champ that ignited his passion to fly, at age 16.

Jay continued to work for the Smelas when they moved their operation to Van Sant Airport back in the late 80's. He actually towed gliders here in the early 90's in Cessna L-19's. To him, the move here is like "Coming Home."

If you ask him if flying is was worth all of the dirty airplanes and hot summer days on the glider line, he'll just smile and tell you, "It was worth every single greasy, but still beautiful rivet".

Vintage Aero Sports, LLC is Jay's second aviation venture. His first was Somerset Soaring Ventures, the glider operation at Somerset Airport in Bedminster, NJ.

Jay credits his aviation successes to his Dad and the values that he had instilled into him. "Nothing is impossible..." his Dad would always tell him.

All of Jay's aviation successes are dedicated in his father's memory.

Jay also realizes that he has some massive shoes to fill with his predecessor's retirement. "Azhar is an aviation Icon to me. He's always had nothing but kind words of encouragement...I can only hope to have one-tenth of his following, skill, knowledge and charisma".

At Vintage Aero Sports, Jay is joined by his older brother Buddy (The office guy) Jay's beautiful wife and driving force, Suzanne, his daughter Devon, and his eerily clone-like son, Tyler.

Tyler is most often seen tagging along with dad in whatever he's allowed to fly in, or trying to wheel and deal his way into a ride in something with wings.

Go figure.