SPRINGFIELD, ILL. – After 24 years, Gary D. Stevens has retired from the Illinois Division of Aeronautics as Flight Safety Coordinator, and chief airport and heliport inspector for northern Illinois. Most recently, Stevens worked with Helicopter Association International and the FAA to develop the FAA’s Heliport Design Guide. Whether it was giving a seminar at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., working with the local Aviation Exploring Post, or flipping pancakes at a local fly-in, Gary Stevens was the “go-to” guy.
Gary credits former division employees Duane Moore and Charlie Wells with providing him a wealth of knowledge about aviation and its integration into community relations.
At a retirement reception, Illinois Secretary of Transportation Gary Hannig presented Gary Stevens with a plaque recognizing his service to the State of Illinois and his efforts to promote aviation and aviation safety.