Ben was raised on a cattle ranch near Madras. He and his siblings began flying with their father, Ron, off their alfalfa fields in Cessna 180’s and 185’s. They helped in the restoration of their 1941 Navy N3N-3 biplane and 1914 French Nieuport, a World War I fighter, now donated to the Museum of Flight near Seattle. They helped host fly-ins held at the ranch. Ben is a licensed pilot with time in a wide variety of aircraft. He serves as Fly-In Director and leads an excellent crew responsible for receiving all incoming aircraft, inviting antiques and unusual aircraft to the airshow.