• James Ramage - Inspector Pilot

On August 8th a Sikorsky S61 helicopter owned by Carson Helicopters carrying 11 fire fighters and two crew crashed in Shasta Trinity Forest after several practice drops. The crash is still under investigation.

Jim was the Forest Service Check Pilot and they had finished working for the day. The helicopter was returning when it crashed.

Of the four survivors, one stated that he owed his life to Jim. He reported that immediately after the helicopter lifted Jim recognized that there was a problem and yelled for everyone to take their crash positions. The survivor also stated that this act saved his life. Jim was however killed in the accident.

Jim had 40 years of service in Viet Nam first with the Army and later with Air America. On returning to the states he worked contract in logging and firefighting, later being the first pilot hired by CDF as badge number 1.

Jim knew more about flying and helicopters than anyone I have ever known. He enjoyed helping anyone understand flying and the joy it brought him. Everyone I have ever met who knew him held Jim as the pinnacle of what they should be in skill and in professionalism.

More than 800 people attended his funeral.

I would like to nominate Jim Ramage for this honor.

Gary Mandle