Of all the people who have carved out a chunk of memories for me, our esteemed ground school instructor, Tom Pasquale, has perhaps made the biggest impression! His humor, professionalism and huge amount of knowledge was legend within the company and, perhaps, our industry! 
R.I.P., Tommy; your friendship and positive outlook will endure and inspire us forever.

Tom was a one of a kind guy who was always there to help. Whenever I needed an expert opinion on a rule or regulation from the FAA I would call Tom who knew it or would get an answer in less than a flash!
He was always very positive and was a joy to be around. He will be missed by all.

TOM, 

Not a day goes by I / we always think of you.

It may be A/C ground school, AA Part 1, flight manual briefings, landing and take off minimums, the local weather and DFW flight schedules.

I always felt very lucky as I got an extra  FMB at the local Braums ice cream store. Tom's stories come up in conversations with people every few days.  We are missing Tom's humor and wit.

CAPT. Bob Szablak and Connie S.







TOM,

THE PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS WERE ALMOST A DAILY AND A ROUTINE MISSION AND AN EXPECTED EVENT AND I SURE HAVE MISSED THOSE VERY MUCH.
THE FLIGHT MANUAL BRIEFINGS, USUALLY HELD AT BRAUMS FOR ICE CREAM OR PIZZA SOMEPLACE ALSO ARE MISSED BUT NEVER LEARNED TO APPRECIATE STROMBOLI MUCH---SORRY.
THE AIRPORT, BOTH FOUNDERS PLAZAS, GSWFA, AND STORIES NEVER HAVE NEVER STOPPED AND AS YOU OFTEN SAID, SOME WERE EVEN TRUE, UNFORTUNATELY !!!
CONNIE AND I MISS CAROL AND YOU VERY MUCH AS DO MANY AA TYPES  SAY AND THANKS FOR EVERYTHING.

BOB AND CONNIE SZABLAK






   



Capt Part one has left the building and the museum!
He will be missed by me and his many other friends.Mike Hudson


Tom was an excellant tennis player especially on clay.  The story goes that he and a few LGA boys went to the Carribbian for vacation.  Tom was set up with a tennis match to play the club pro at this resort.  What they didn't tell Tom was they had wagered the cost of their rooms double or nothing on the out come of the match.  Jim Pardee or Dan Wetherbee probably had set this up.  After Tom had lost the first set the Boy's had to have a talk with Tom to explain the situtuation.  Tom rallied and won but it was a very close match.

Rudy Mangels
AAL Captain Retired 

I can only echo what others have already said.  He was the type of instructor/teacher that made you want to not miss his classes, ever.  Many times while down for recurrent training, if I knew he was holding a class, I would sit in and soak it up.  

He always said that the greatest epitaph any AA Pilot could have on his tombstone would be, "He Died According to Part 1."

Tailwinds always Tom, you have inspired us all.

Jim Gombold
AA Captain, Retired

What a wonderful gentleman,!  One of the greatest professionals at American. Airlines!
I always looked forward to any pilot class taught by Tom.  He would end each class by putting his  phone number on the board with “ call me any time, day or night with your questions. Stay safe, stay legal”

I cannot say enough, how proud to have know  the “Pasquale”
Bless this outstanding  friend.

Ray Dupree, Captain retired.

Tom entered my life on day one when I was in new hire indoctrination class at LGA.  He gave his then famous, “I want to talk about  attitude. Not the airplane’s but yours’!”speech.  This was his lead in to the care and feeding of Captains and how to receive satisfactory  probationary reports. Within a few years we became friends. I can remember, years later, approaching him about rewriting Flight Manual Part One. A task equivalent to rewriting the King James Version of the Bible.  No one had a better understanding of the legalities of flying than Tom. He took on the task, shook out the chaff, and gave the pilots and the airline a book we could live by.  
Tom was born to give and he did it well. He asked little in return. He earned the respect of all with whom he taught and worked. An Icon and a Legend! Thanks Tom

Tom loved to Teach the difference between "can & may" as it pertained to FAA regulations.

Tom was a dear friend and big brother to me he was the  first one I called when I arrived at GSW in Sept 1969 I  didn't know a soul when I got  here and he took me under his wing to help me adjust to being a Texan which was really hard for me coming from New York but it worked out very well. I had the honor to attend his wedding and he was there for me when I retired in 2005.  He was an icon at the Fight Academy and will be truly missed by all who knew and worked with him.
Rest in Peace dear brother.
Jim Marigliano

Hey-ya - Pisano - Howsa things uppa there??  Cannota believa  you notta gonna be rounda any mor!!!  The Good Lord  - he'sa smilin' now as you ara his forever!!!     Yes, It is with deep sorrow that the Pilot Seniority List is now without its honorary, infamous Tomasso to lead us, to teach us, to keep us awake, and to inspire us to do our best.  God Bless, Tom!!

From just one of the thousands of pilots who, with the help of Tom's wit and professionalism, quietly made their way through the maze of rules and regulations of the day, we salute the "Great One".  We pray for his family, with the knowledge that this man had such a profound influence on the people he served.  Even though many signatures have slightly faded on my DC-10 retirement photo, Tom, you are as indelible as your career, and right in the center.  Thank you for our years together at the Flight Academy and hours on the tennis court.  May God bless you.

I am  not real sure where to start this message as Tom was EVERYTHING to my wife Connie and I for 40 Years since moving to Texas.

A GSWFA legend, Instructor, friend to all, neighbor, educator, and my Monthly Flight Manual Briefing at the local  Braum's restaurant for ice cream and never ending stories.

Carol and Tom were like family members to us. We always had good talks every few days. We enjoyed hearing his little sayings and stories as (Tom would say most of them were actually true). Fellow pilots all knew Tom from the flight academy and the American Airlines Museum. There wasn't one person who didn't know Tom. 

He will be missed by all. God speed Tom. We will never forget you.


Bob and Connie Szablak









 

God’s Speed prayers are Flying 
The Author of Part 1
A mentor and friends.

The "Godfather" has departed, R.I.P. the Dom.
With greatest respect, my grandfather was a Pasquale (first name) & we'd chat about it.  I only knew Tom briefly compared to others posting here, but glad to have know him, he had quite a history. 

Nobody gets out of here alive but some folks leave a much larger empty spot in the world than others when they leave. Tom left a huge empty spot in American Airlines when he retired. Recurrent Training was never the same after he vacated "The Schoolhouse". With his death we all have an even larger empty spot in our collective world. Tom was the best, the absolute best. His enthusiasm for teaching the obscure corners of rules that could keep you alive and keep your license in your pocket (rather than being taken by the authorities) was matched only by his unbelievable understanding of those obscure rules and regulations.  And the way he taught that dry, obtuse, obscure information was equally unbelievable - a teacher's teacher. RIP.

Bob Pustell
Captain, Retired

Tom was a fine man and a great instructor. He never failed to be certain everyone in the class was 100%  clear on the issues he was responsible for teaching.

I recall that he had a delightful personality and managed to keep us all engaged in the class room.

Alfred Reeser Capt. retired
Age 100


One of the most critical and dynamic decisions a pilot must make is to determine if the existing runway visibility is “legal” for takeoff or landing.
The instrument that determines the visibility is known as a transmissometer.
One day, while Tom was teaching a Part 1 class I asked him a question about  transmissometers.
With his usual wit, Tom responded, “Well, let’s start at the (FAA) hearing and work backwards.”
He then by a series of diagrams and drawings on the classroom whiteboard dissected how transmissometers  are built.
Perhaps it was way more knowledge than the average pilot needs to know. But it was his way of making us better at our profession. 
And that was his talent and gift to all of us who passed through his classroom.

This is an almost true story about the day Carole and Tom ran out of gas in front of their mailbox and my house. I was working in my garden and Carole was stopping to get the mail from her car window on the way to Costco. (She always drove.) Tom rolled down his window and gestured me over to share a joke with me. Not to be outdone, I told Tom my joke, to which he replied, that reminds me of an almost true story.... We parred our jokes for a good 20 minutes while Carole grew impatient as we had “just one more.” Exasperated, Carole exclaimed, “Enough! You two. We are leaving!”
She put the car in drive and sputtered forward about 3 yards then out of gas. Tom said, “Hey, things happen. Unbelievable!”

Farewell  dear Compadre.  You could not have been much closer to "us' without us having the same last name.
We are grateful for your devotion to our common task.  
SAFE AVIATION.
I assure you I thought of you when I landed the DC 10 at Charles De Gaulle (about 30 years ago)  and never saw the runway until after the "squeak" -  I lowered the nose, and there it was.
 Auto Land    Dual Auto Pilot  Auto roll-out.  
"One of Many",         Ted Harp.

I have no specific instances to relate. I only know that when I  saw the words “Tom Pasquale’s passing” my heart sank. No pilot of my era (1966-1999) could possibly hear that news and not feel a profound sense of loss. His classes were legendary in their importance , relevance and above all the joy of their presentation by him. Tom will be remembered fondly till his last student flies West. RIP

Our re-current training sessions were often filled with some anxiety, the desire to please any and all those in the “schoolhouse,” and to move on to the next bit of actual flying! Whenever Tom addressed me as “Mikey,” I was certain he would be zinging  me with some obscure factoid from one of our voluminous books of regulations which he had memorized; often had actually written! His was never to ridicule or embarrass and he frequently used humor and case studies to impress upon the students the importance of knowing those manuals well enough that our actions in the cockpit could never be challenged. He was a decent, God-fearing gentle man with a tremendous gift for teaching and explaining the depths of reason behind the seemingly imponderable rules. RIP, my good friend.

Tom was a true asset to American Airlines and there wasn't a pilot around who didn't have a great story to share about being one of his students.  He had the gift of keeping his students on task and made it fun while we were in his classroom.  Thank you and you will never be forgotten by those of us who were lucky enough to know you.
Beverley Bass
B-777 Captain (ret)

What a quality fellow!  I kept his phone number in my speed dial for my next flying job after my retirement from AA.  I knew he'd be there.

He was an incredibly valuable asset to the American Airlines pilots. He could explain confusing topics in a way that we understood them. He kept us out of trouble for years. What a joy to be in his class and to know him. RIP, Tom.

Tom's passing is a great loss, not only to his family, but to those of us at American Airlines who were privileged enough to be his student at the Flight Academy.  He had the innate ability to eliminate the gray areas and enhance our ability to make the proper decisions while complying with FARs and American Airlines policies and procedures. A consummate professional and friend who was always available to us on or off the clock-my condolences to Tom's family.

Tom touched the careers and lives of every pilot, new hire or recurrent for decades and was revered by all. As someone wrote above, he gave his personal phone number to all. I actually used it one cold and snowy night in Syracuse and he answered and gave me the info and advice I needed. Great Man!
RIP Tom. 

It was never easy to look forward to Ground School unless Tom was the Instructor.

Today's pilots don't know what they missed.

Rest in peace my friend.

One ground school class you would not fall asleep in. You would come out of Tom’s class with more knowledge of the FAR’s then you though you could remember, with a smile on your face due to his extraordinary wit. 
Rest In Peace Tom

Mr. Part 1.  Tom's classes were memorable - always had a story and a joke. He had that knack for getting his students to pay attention. One of his favorite comments, which we all heard quite often, was "If you don't pay attention in class, you will at the hearing".
Tom was always available if you needed help with anything - truly a friend to all.
He will never be forgotten by those of us who were fortunate enough to know him.  R.I.P   

Tom was an absolutely wonderful person. Even though I only saw him once or twice a year each time I spoke to him it was as though we were best friends.  The subjects he was tasked with educating us on were  incredibly boring but his class was the main attraction  on my recurrent schedule.  I know of no pilot who did not enjoy  the part 1 and 2  review  with Tom Pasquale.  Hearing his jovial voice as I turned the corner walking into the classroom  I would go from agonizing over how I was going to stay awake ,  to feeling so happy to be spending time with an old friend.  He will truly be missed. 

Tom was a true gentleman and a pleasure to be with. He hand carried me through DC-10 upgrade. RIP my friend. 

THE Tom Pasquale.....What wonderful memories from the 727 ASTROJET....Tom helped me and my initial F/E Classmates so much....All the way thru every nine months....Godspeed and rest easy now....THANK YOU.......

Sometimes you say , “he wrote the book”.  Tom Pasquale did write Flight Manual Part 1 & it was obvious when you had Tom in ground school or Captain ‘s responsibilities. He gave his phone number to anyone in case a question of legality came up as you were waiting to takeoff in questionable weather or vague FARs. Still have his number in my last log book. An honor to have Tom as an Associate Member of The Grey Eagles. Certainly will be missed as he has Gone West.

I was a "New Hire" in '66 and a Check Airman a & Designee on the  DC10.  Tom was a good friend and the most knowledgeable of the instructors.  He was the go to person when an aircraft question arose. RIP Tom!


Tom was my all time favorite at the school house. He was always teaching us and making us laugh at the same time. He will be missed but never forgotten. Rest In Peace my Friend. 

One of the great ones. Can you imagine actually wanting to attend a ground school class? You did with this fine gentleman!

One of the great ones, Tom was there for me from my first day as a new hire 727 FE through my MD-80 Captain’s Charm School. I thought I knew it all as a former Braniff pilot but Tom set me straight as I learned “the American way”. Thanks for all the great times at the school house Tom!

Only time I remember actually looking forward to sitting in a class room all day. He was such an outstanding instructor. His knowledge of the “Parts I & II” was unmatched, .......... and he made it fun! He was indeed a legend at AAL, especially among the pilot group. “RIP,” good friend! You will not be forgotten!

It is hard to express my appreciation to Tom.  I had the honor of having him as an instructor on many of my ground schools.  Having Tom as an instructor was like having a cheat sheet for an exam.  His ability to make the complicated subjects easy was a gift.  I always left training enlightened and energized and ready to accomplish my Job with more proficiency and confidence.  Going to miss you!

 Former POW

David Drummond
 GBU

Our sincere condolences and heartfelt prayers to family and friends.  It was an honor to know him and to be in his classes.  His was the one you always looked forward  to attending.  A tremendous loss to the American Airlines family and aviation.  Smooth air and clear skies on your journey West our brother.

I wonder when I will be able to look across the street at your house again and not feel such feelings of loss for my good buddy and fellow jokemonger.❤️KayRita 

OBITUARIO

Mr. Cajetan Charles Pasquale

13 noviembre, 1933 – 13 junio, 2020

Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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