LARRY ARKEN, COMMANDING OFFICER / FLIGHT LEAD

Larry Arken resides in Greenlawn, New York, and is a captain with American Airlines. He has been flying since he was a child sitting in the co-pilot seat behind his father, Mort. Larry, a New York native, has a bachelor's degree in marketing from Queens College as well as a bachelor's degree in business from Edison State University.

He began his career flying warbirds and corporate jets while growing up in New York. Flying Falcon 10's, 20's and 50's, he later flew DC-8's for UPS before flying with American.

The consummate aviator, he presently flies a P-47, F4U and P-51 for the Air Power Museum in Farmingdale, NY. Larry also holds a NATA designation as a formation check pilot. Larry recently stated that he would some day like to fly the Space Shuttle.