Realizing his flying dreams began with Bill’s entry into the National Guard. After joining the guard, Bill learned that the Air National Guard was in need of pilots; so he was soon on his way to being trained by the US Air Force.
“I had the most marvelous pilot training experience anyone could have. I was a civilian, lent to the Air Force to be trained to fly as a military pilot”, says Bill.
Upon completing his training, Bill returned to his Air National Guard unit and began flying the photo-reconnaissance version of the Martin B-57 (Canberra). A university student at the time, Bill had also become an airline pilot for United Airlines, flying DC-6’s and DC-7’s. Soon after he got a job with United Airlines and moved to Atlantic City. “I was able to move to the local ANG unit in New Jersey, which also entailed converting to the Republic RF-84F Thunderflash jet.”
Charney served active duty twice: once during the Berlin crisis and then Vietnam. “I’d moved from the photo-reconnaissance Thunderflash onto the F-86 Sabre. That was a gorgeous aeroplane−the most exciting airplane I’ve ever flown.”
During the Vietnam War (1968-1969). Bill became an active front line combat pilot. He went on to complete 200 combat missions in Vietnam. (Currently inside Bill’s favorite plane, the Staggerwing, is a small silver plaque with the name Major Sherman Flanagan engraved on it.) “He was my roommate at Phu Cat airbase in Vietnam,” explains Charney. One day we took off in our F-100 Super Sabres and Sherman never came back. They never found him. But the flying out there was amazing − fifty feet above the ground flat-out with tracer ripping past you.”
Bill is reluctant to talk about his time in Vietnam. He was one of the lucky ones to survive a full tour, the same was not true for all of his friends.
Nonetheless, Bill does joke about how he managed to survive unscathed; he says he always flew as fast as possible, fast enough to outrun the bad guys so he wouldn’t be shot down.
When the war was over, Bill (affectionately known as Captain Biff Windsock) returned to his civilian life as an airline pilot and a successful career with United Airlines. (1)
Read the story about how 75-year-old Charney was determined to fly his Staggerwing around the world at http://www.captainbiff.com/pdfs/RewindArticle.pdf
Sources: “About Captain Biff Windsock” http://www.captainbiff.com/ and (1) “Captain Biff Windsock’ takes time out from piloting his prize-winning Beech 17 Staggerwing The Red Rockette around the world to talk to Pilot” – Pilot December 2012
William “Bill” Michael Charney, Capt USAF, “Headed West” on January 5, 2022.
Bill, affectionately known around the world as “Captain Biff Windsock”, age 86, “flew west” on January 5, 2022 in Reno, NV after a short illness. His daughters and son-in-law were by his side.
Bill was born on August 1, 1935 in Hamtramck, Michigan. At the young age of 8 years old, he stood at the edge of the local airfield and knew with certainty that aviation would be the passion of his life. While attending Western Michigan University, he joined the Air National Guard which launched his flying career. Upon graduating in 1961 with a degree in Business and Aviation, he found himself flying airplanes that most pilots only dream about: the F84, F86 and F100 in the United States Air Force. While in the reserves he was hired by United Airlines and had a rewarding 37 year career. From 1968-69, he was called to active duty during the Vietnam War to fly the F-100 Super Sabre successfully completing 200 combat missions.
After retirement from UAL in 1995, Bill found himself realizing a lifelong dream when he purchased a bright red 1944 Beechcraft Staggerwing which he proudly named the Red Rockette. The plane was refurbished in Mandeville, New Zealand gearing up for the real fun and yet another dream, to fly her around the world (www.captainbiff.com). The adventure began in 2009. Among some of his many stops were Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Middle East, Cyprus and into Europe and Southern England where he spent numerous long summers meeting up with cherished friends, old and new. There were many highlights along the way, but one of his favorite experiences was being honored to join in the fun at the Goodwood Revival where the Red Rockette proudly won the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation Award in 2012. Another favorite was having the plane painted with a special removable paint in WWII livery to participate in the D-Day Remembrance Flyovers on the 70th Anniversary in France in 2014.
Bill was truly a “citizen of the world” as shown by his support, membership in and association with numerous aviation organizations throughout the U.S., Great Britain, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Just a few of these are the Reno Mondongueros, Young Eagles Program, Earthrounders, Staggerwing Society, Tiger Moth Club, QB’s (Quiet Birdmen) and RUPA (retired United Pilots Association).
Bill, our beloved father, brother, uncle, great-uncle, cousin, grandfather, and friend is survived by his children Jill Charney, ElizaBeth (Tim) Ulfig, Scott (Jorge Figueroa) Charney, his grandchildren Kirsten, Lindsay, Kennedy and Macy Ulfig, his brothers Bob (Cookie) Charney, Ron (Joan) Charney and Larry (Colleen) Charney, plus countless wonderful nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his brother Ray Charney, his parents Michael and Mary (Hreha) Charney and his children’s mother and friend Susie Johnson.
He will be remembered by family and friends for being a kind, generous, fun and friendly man as well as a worldly aviator. Bill was an enthusiast of many things but at heart, he was a one of a kind adventurer with an infectious personality. Soar the heavens, be at peace Bill.
A mass will be held at a later date at Our Lady of the Snows, followed by a celebration of life. Bill will then be buried at Arlington National Cemetery also at a later date.
To help Captain Biff’s generous legacy to spread and teach the passion of flight, please consider donating in Bill’s memory to:
Wings of Hope www.wingsofhope.ngo, 18370 Wings of Hope Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63005 or
The Rob Wildeoboer Scholarship Fund, scholarship@goodwood.com
To plant a tree in memory of Wiliam “Bill” Michael Charney, please visit our Tribute Store.
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Source: Reno Gazette
