Charles William Connor

Charles Wm. “Bill” Connor, was born in Miami, Florida, on August 2, 1935, to the late Robert and Mary (Cauthen) Connor. He grew up on Venetia Avenue in Coral Gables, Florida, with his older brother, Bob. As soon as he was old enough he joined the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Eagle Scout, played football, baseball, basketball, track and much more! His Parents bought him a Tennessee Walking Horse and that began his love of horses and showing them. He was a member of the Miami Sunshine Circuit. He won many first-place ribbons and loved and cared for his horse for many years. While at Coral Gables High School, he excelled in many subjects like Math, Science and History. He joined Ching Tang, a fraternity that principles were honor, brotherhood, gentlemanly behavior and scholarship. He was a natural born athlete, a quarterback on the football team, lettered in track, played baseball and etc. Also during high school he joined the Civil Air Patrol and took his first airplane ride in a Stearman Biplane. Flying over Miami and Biscayne Bay, he decided flying was where he wanted to be.

At the University of Miami, he joined SAE (Sigma Alpha Epsilon) and ROTC. After receiving his degree, he was accepted to U.S. Naval Flight Training at Pensacola Naval Air Station. On November 25, 1958, he received his “Wings of Gold” and was designated a Naval Aviator with single and multi-engine land airplanes and helicopters. He took his commission in the Marine Corps joining HMR L 261. He had tours of duty in the Far East, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean. He flew during “Operation Hunger” in Taiwan after Typhoon Sarah (1959) and rescued hundreds of people and also flew in food and supplies. Many nights they had to help carry him out of the helicopter after him flying 17 to 18hour days. He was 1 of 26 people ever awarded in the U.S. Military “Chinese Air Wings”, Congress approved him wearing these wings on his uniform. In 1961, he was chosen to be a Marine Corps Recovery Pilot for the Project Mercury Program. He participated in the recovery of John Glenn, and Scott Carpenter and training pilot for Wally Schirra and Gordon Cooper. This started his lifetime friendships with all the original 7 astronauts. After the Marine Corps, Bill joined Boeing-Vertol as an experimental test pilot. He tested many helicopters including the CH-46A and CH47A transport for Vietnam.

In March 1966, Bill joined Delta Airlines and during his almost 30 years he flew the DC-6, DC-7, DC-8, DC-9, DC-10, B-727 and the L-1011. He loved the L-1011 best of all. He flew over 20,526 hours. He was a Delta Check Airman, FAA Aircrew Program Designee/APD/ATP, B-727 and L-1011. During his years at Delta, Bill went on to receive 2 Masters Degrees with Distinction in Aeronautical Science and a MBA in Aviation from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and a Doctorate Degree in Aeronautical Science and Human Factors Behavioral Psychology.

He founded the first 2 Human Factors Safety Committees of SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers, Aviation Division). The SAE G-10 and the HBT in 1982 and wrote their charters. These committees went on to produce Aerospace Recommended Practices and Aerospace Standards for the Aviation Industry that are being used in the cockpits today. He was a B-727 Training Department instructor from 1988 to 1990, and during that time was invited to do a special study on the effects of high- altitude radiation levels on Pilots’ vision through the Corning Corp.

In 1992 he founded the SAE G-10 Airborne laser Hazards Subcommittee, he was the ALPA Safety Chairman and the U.S. representative to ICAO on Airborne Laser Safety Standards. He was also an expert laser consultant for the FAA and the U.S. Air Force. He traveled to Las Vegas in 1995 to testify regarding the Lasers that were interfering with the landings and take-offs. He got them to turn off the lasers that were in navigable airspace trying to prevent a tragedy and was later interviewed on NBC, CBS and ABC.

He was asked by Donald Engen, the FAA Administrator, to implement the changes that Bill developed for the Jeppesen Approach Plates, which are in use today. He was a consultant in 2000, to Jeppesen as Human Factors Expert on Information Transfer and Symbology Recognition for the EFB (Electronic Flight Bag) now in use by all pilots!

He retired in 1995, and was asked by Delta to come back as an L-1011 Flight Simulator Instructor and Delta Pilot Interviewer of potential new-hires (1996-1999).

He developed “Operational Flight deck Laser Procedures to recognize and respond to startle effect due to Laser Flash Blindness”, which is used across the world today. This document is the core reference for ICAO and is the Standard Worldwide for “Outdoor Laser Safety” for the 184 – ICAO member countries.

Among his many Technical Awards was ALPA’s Presidential Citation for “Outstanding Service to Air Safety”. The FAA Administration Award “In recognition of Outstanding Contributions to Aviation Safety and Standardization, as the Founder and Chair of the SAE G-10 Aviation Behavioral Engineering Technology Committee for over 20 years. Under his direction and with his guidance the documents developed have served as the reference documents for most of the FAA and Industry Standards and Practices that have followed. Captain Connor leaves a legacy of hard work, effective Gov’t/Industry cooperation and much improved Air Safety.” By Jane F. Garvey, FAA Administrator.

Bill belonged to many Technical Societies, but his favorite was the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP). He became a member in 1963 and an Associate Fellow in 1999. He served in many different capacities over the years, he started and was the Chairman for the New Member Committee Reception and was happy to serve for some years, held during the Anaheim Annual Meeting.

Bill had a heart of gold and never met a stranger. He loved and cherished his Family and was always there if they needed him. He loved playing golf, traveling to far off places and cruises. He also loved his dogs and cats and all animals, big and small and made sure to give to local shelters. He also gave to all service connected charities.

Bill is survived by his adoring wife of 38 years, Retha. His son, Chuck and (Teresa) Connor, his daughter, Christine Connor, and his daughter, Elizabeth Partee, his cherished grandchildren, Cameron and (Coleman) Tolbert, Sean Connor and Emma Partee.

Bill lived a full life dedicated to his family, close friends and his dedication to Aviation & Air Safety!

Services will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, February 19, 2026 at Caballero Rivero Little Havana, 3344 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33135. www.riverofuneralhomemiami.com ; Interment will follow in Caballero Rivero Woodlawn North.

Memorial Park Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200. For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com