Another industry pioneer has left us. Gordon Autry, Founder and CEO of Rocky Mountain Airways, passed away Saturday March 10, 2012 at his home on the Lazy-A Ranch, near Montrose Colorado.
Here you can hear him (in March 2010) describe what it was like building the airline before deregulation and other insights like launching the de Havilland Dash 7. Play
It was at Rocky Mountain Airways that I learned about the airline industry and went on to work at Western Airlines and QANTAS, but I always carried with me what the feeling of the airline family from Rocky Mountain Airways. Both Gordon Autry and Dennis Heap are good men and great instructors. I will always be grateful for them.
Thanks to Rockty Mountain Airways I began a career that I truly love and am still part of. I look back at what pioneers we were in air travel to resorts at the time. All thanks to a man with a dream..
We will miss you Gordon….
Gordon, a real innovator and leader for his time in the aviation business. A true sage who gave opportunities in the field to so many aspiring individuals. I enjoyed working for him and always cherish Rocky Mountain Airways as one of the most enjoyable flying environments of my avaition career. A great family that remains dear in my heart. Peace on the other side sir.
I went to work for RMA in 1969. The experiences I had will never be forgotten. Working with Gordon was very interesting to say the least, he at one time said there would only be four or five major carriers left,and he was close to being right. His ideas were way ahead of the times and most worked. I ended my career after thirty six plus years and I credit RMA for my succes.
Gordon Autry gave me my first airline job at RMA, I learned reservations, ticket counter, load planning, weight and balance and currently I am a ticket agent for the New United Airlines, definitely my favorite was RMA where we were truly family and we all worked together, it was awsome. Thank you Gordon!!!!
Thanks for a great few years at Rocky…I still have the cool wings. Didn’t know Gordon, but Rocky sent me on my way to a fun career. Thanks, and all the best to his family.
Steve Lack, Delta Air Lines SLC A320
I knew Gordon before RMA when he was with the Ken White Company. I did work part time for RMA in the 60’s.
In the early 70′ s I worked for RMA as Director Ground Operations, reporting to Ann Lawson, and of course, Gordon. That was a time of change at RMA, and even though Gordon did not always agree with me, he did respect my efforts, and I respected him.
He was a true airline pioneer. RIP, Gordon
OMG I’m so sorry for his death. I loved him so much. He was an amazing man. also a great friend of mine. That I will never forget.
hi my name is gaylene craig from wanganui new zealand and i knew gordon when i lived in london in 1984. I was invited to the states by mr autry however never made it. I was very sad to hear of his death.
I worked for Gordon and RMA from 1980 until 1986, when I left for United Airlines. After nearly 30 years with UA, I still look back fondly on my years with the great family at the Rock Pile.
Gordon gave me a chance to work hard and learn my trade. While it seems we were always understaffed (Gordon told me once that he did that deliberately because it’s the only way to get 100% out of some people), and the work was hard, I’m not sure I would be where I am today if not for those years of discovery. My work ethic and my success at UA is directly attributable to what I learned at RMA.
I spent many hours keeping the TALAR and the NDBs on the air, and just as many hours driving through blizzards over Vail or Rabbit Ears Pass because one or the other wasn’t functional.
Gordon and I spent a lot of time working on his Bonanza and on his Ryan, and it was through those side jobs that I really got to know the man. He was a true pioneer at the end of the airline pioneer age.
I’m sorry that I heard about his death so late and only recently found this site.
God Speed, Gordon. See you when I get to the other side.