Earl Heron is a former United States Air Force flight engineer and aircraft mechanic whose aviation career provides the foundation for his writing. Through years of hands-on work with military aircraft and flight operations, he developed the technical knowledge and firsthand experience that shape the aviation history books published by Jets Press.
After an unsuccessful 1977 run at an aeronautical engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, author Earl Heron enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in the spring of 1980. He served three years as an F-4 and F-16 mechanic (Dedicated crew chief) at Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada, before accumulating more than 900 domestic and international hours as a C-130 flight engineer, flying from Pope AFB, Fayetteville, North Carolina. After six years of Air Force service, he left the military to leverage the experience and educational benefits. He began by completing a baccalaureate degree in automotive technology and management at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI. Ferris endorsed the diploma with high distinction.
In 1989 he began work in Automotive industry positions ranging from Porsche technician at Champion Porsche Audi of Pompano Beach, FL, to Saturn Corporation's sales and service consultant to its retailers in New York City. Along the way he served in GM automotive customer assistance centers and wholesale automotive telemarketing centers in Lansing, MI. Earl later served at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, MI, and in several large US cities participating in advanced technology vehicle development/customer acceptance research (GM Impact/Saturn EV1). His preparation for this PrEView Drive project included media training, test driver training, track time, and subject-matter expert briefings on the GM Proving Grounds in Milford, MI, and Mesa, AZ. After living this "car dream" for 11 years, Earl left the corporate scene in 2000 to prioritize marriage over career and joined New York City's public bus transportation system and has served in several technical and supervisory positions in their maintenance department. Earl retired in 2022.
Earl Heron’s interest in aviation began with a pursuit of aeronautical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1977. Although his academic path changed direction, his interest in aircraft and aviation technology continued to grow.
In the spring of 1980, Heron enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he worked as a dedicated crew chief responsible for the maintenance and operational readiness of F-4 and F-16 aircraft.
Earl Heron holds the FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) mechanic certificate, and is a member of the Air Force Association (AFA), and the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA).
After serving as a crew chief, Heron expanded his aviation career by becoming a flight engineer on the C-130 aircraft. Stationed at Pope Air Force Base in Fayetteville, North Carolina, he accumulated more than 900 hours of domestic and international flight time while supporting military transport missions.
Following six years of service in the Air Force, Heron transitioned from active military aviation into writing and research. His books combine firsthand experience with aviation history, offering readers a technical and personal perspective on military aircraft operations.
Through Jets Press, Earl Heron publishes aviation books that document aircraft systems, flight operations, and the experiences of those who work on and fly military aircraft. His work focuses on presenting accurate aviation history supported by real operational knowledge.
He calls road bike cycling and hypermiling his Hybrid Avalon Limited his primary hobbies and is now enjoying family life residing near his New York City hometown.
Earl may be contacted at earlheron@jjetspress.com.