Stalworth Investors owner Gary Speer had operated Flyaway for more than 21 years. Speer is pleased to see Robert advance to the position of owner. Robert began his tenure with Flyaway as a wind tunnel instructor while attending high school. Robert worked part time during school and worked full time during the busy summer tourist season. Following his high school graduation he began attending the University of Tennessee and continued to work at Flyaway as a Shift Manager. He interrupted his college studies to join a select Flyaway crew that was recruited to help train and open the first vertical wind tunnel in Europe in 1990. Robert spent a year in Switzerland at Airodium AG, a wind tunnel facility near Zurich.

Returning from a year abroad Robert resumed college and completed his degree. Then in 1995 Robert was hired as manager for the new Flyaway facility in Las Vegas, NV. He spent the next three years in Las Vegas, His work there contributed to the tunnel early success. The years that followed saw him return to Pigeon Forge as Manager followed by another assignment as Las Vegas Manager thru early 2005.

In the 1980’s Flyaway adopted the slogan, “Achieve The Dream”. According to Speer it was a reference to mankind’s universal dream of flight. Flyaway has allowed that dream to be achieved by tens of thousands since our beginning and Robert and his staff are continuing the experience.

This month´s engine swap began after closing hours on Sunday Dec. 4th. The tunnel reopened for flyer activity on Friday Dec. 9th. Many thanks to Buddy Phillips of American Generator, Knoxville, TN for managing the new engine installation in five long, busy days.