Byron Pederson
From as far back as I can remember, I had always wanted to be an airline pilot. I had my first official flying lesson on my 16th birthday and received my private pilots license one year later when I turned 17. A little over 2 years later I had both my commercial license and instrument rating. Unfortunately for me, 1976 did not hold much promise for those wanting to be airline pilots, so I took a different path. The end of the 70's found me working at Boeing and able to log some time in the air. In late 1984 an airplane was purchased for investment purposes and it also allowed me to start flying again. As our family grew it was apparent that the plane had to go and so once again my flying days went into dormancy. In 1989 the decision was made to sell our house and leave the hustle and bustle of Seattle for a laid back life in Central Oregon. It soon became apparent that "laid back" was a misconception and reality set in when it came time make a living. I started designing homes in Sunriver Oregon for people who were fleeing California for the "laid back" lifestyle that we had sought. Since earning a living became the focus of my energies, the prospect of being able to flying again began to wane as the weeks turned to months and months to years.
By early 1990 I had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that flying was not going to be a part of my future. In October, I met a businessman that wanted an airplane for his business and needed a pilot. Over the next 9 years and several different planes, we managed to fly several thousand hours all over the Western United States. From Canada to San Diego, from the Pacific Ocean to the plains of Nebraska. There were not many places in between that we didn't visit. As his need for flying tapered off in 1999, I took a job in Bozeman Montana flying charters and playing copilot on a small business jet. Although the position lasted only 7 months, while in Bozeman I witnessed first hand the need for an organization like Mercy Xpress and so the journey began. We left Bozeman and returned to Central Oregon where I resumed designing houses and once again the prospect for flying were slim at best.
It is said that history repeats itself and as it had happened 10 years earlier, I was able to hook up with a company in Bend that had a plane and whose pilot lived in California. As he was becoming less and less available, I was able to fill the void. While flying for ADI, I was able to transition into turboprop aircraft and make numerous trips across the country. Unfortunately, in early 2002 the plane had to be sold and once again I put away my flying clothes. It was during this time that I started working more on the concept for Mercy Xpress. It was becoming more apparent that if I wanted to fly, I would have to make it happen. The need was still there so with the help of a pilot friend of mine, the initial groundwork for Mercy Xpress was finally being laid.
In late 2001, Mercy Xpress was incorporated in Montana, as it was our desire to return to live and base Mercy Xpress there. In late 2002 we moved to Kalispell and shortly there after in March of 2003 the Internal Revenue Service issued an advanced ruling on behalf of Mercy Xpress, Inc., establishing it as a tax-exempt charitable organization. In 2005, we moved to Ennis Montana, the fly-fishing capital of the world. In 2006, the IRS reaffirmed our status as a tax-exempt charitable organization and so the only thing holding us back is an airplane and the funds to operate it. In January 2008 I embarked on a 33 month adventure in Saudi Arabia as part of a rain enhancement project. Now that things have come to an end, it's time to once again put an emphasis on getting Mercy Xpress up and running.I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is only a matter of time before Mercy Xpress is making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate here in Montana. I am looking forward to combining my passion for flying, with a desire to help the needy. Hopefully, Mercy Xpress can give individuals and families a glimmer of hope in the midst of whatever trial or tragedy they are having to endure.
I hold an Air Transport Rating with a jet type rating as well as multi-engine and instrument ratings. I have just under 3,600 hours of flight time in planes ranging from single and piston engine twins to twin engine turboprops and light jets. My wife and I have been married for 28 years and have 3 daughters and four grandchildren.
