Bill Gunn with his wife Jill.
TxDOT Aviation Education and Information Program Coordinator Bill Gunn recently announced his retirement. His colleagues, family and friends gathered at a retirement reception in his honor on August 26 at TxDOT Flight Services. Gunn joined TxDOT in 1991.
Gunn was known throughout the state for his expertise in general aviation airport compliance issues. His presentation at the annual aviation conference was always among the most popular sessions.
A 21-year United States Air Force veteran, Bill flew RF4C aircraft in the Vietnam War and holds the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with eleven Oak Leaf clusters. He is an Airline Transport Pilot, Certified Flight Instructor, Instrument Instructor, Multi-Engine Instructor and former FAA Safety Team counselor.
Gunn flew as a professional air show pilot in the United Kingdom from 1976 to 1979. In March of 2001, Bill represented the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Foundation in Australia at test flight instructor clinics. He also helped start the Texas Aviation Association, an aviation advocacy group that supports general aviation in Texas.
Gunn is a current aircraft owner and flies regularly for work and pleasure, including precision formation air show venues with the Falcon Flight demonstration team all across the USA.
Gunn lives in Lakeway, near Austin, Texas, has two grown sons and is married to Jill.
“There is no one better known in Texas general aviation than Bill Gunn, and that’s a fact,” said Aviation Division Director David Fulton at Gunn’s retirement reception. “His level of expertise in compliance issues is unmatched. To say he will be missed is an understatement.”