A.J. High
Pilot for four Texas airlines
Captain A.J. High's career spans from Mercury airlines to Trans-Texas Airways to Texas International to Continental Airlines.
Born in Cleburne, Texas in 1923, High took his first airplane ride from a couple of barnstormers in 1938. He then taught himself to fly. He soloed at night on December 1, 1941 flying a J-3 Piper Cub.
On January 28, 1942 he became a cadet at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio. He received his military wings on November 10, 1942.
On March 19, 1946, he began his career as an airline pilot flying for Mercury Airlines. He was hired for the new Trans-Texas Airways in 1947. From 1967 to 1971, High served as Vice President of Trans-Texas / Texas International, then returned to piloting. In 1982, the airline merged with Continental Airlines. His last flight as captain was on April 7, 1983, the day before he turned 60 when the FAA required retirement. Captain High then became a private corporate pilot for 10 years.
Since its inception, Captain A.J. High served as Director and Chairman of the Board of the Houston Aeronautical Heritage Society, the non-profit group dedicated to restoring the museum, as well as a volunteer docent and a part of the history of the 1940 Air Terminal Museum.
On August 19, 2012, A.J. High was featured on The 950's Sunday radio show "Hangar Talk". Listen in below! His conversation starts at about 25 minutes in.
