Dale “Snort” Snodgrass

Dale started out as a young flight school graduate, becoming the youngest Nugget to carrier Qual for both Day and Night. Dale “Snort” Snodgrass  became nothing short of legendary, becoming the US Navy’s Fighter Pilot of the Year (1985). Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) Graduate and Instructor. Selected by Grumman Aerospace as “TOPCAT OF THE YEAR” (1986) Commanding Officer of Fighter Squadron (VF-33) during Desert Storm. Led 34 combat missions in Desert Storm as overall Strike or Fighter Lead. Wing Commander for all US Navy F-14 Squadrons from 1994-1997. Highest Flight Time F-14 Pilot in history with over 4,800 hours in the Tomcat. 7,800 hours in Fighters, 1,287 Carrier Arrested Landings. 12 operational Fighter Squadron/Wing tours and a total of 26 Years of Decorated Naval Service.

After his many dedicated years of proud service, Dale retired form the US Navy, and jumped into the airshow industry that he had gown to love during his time as the longest running F-14 Demo pilot.  Snort went on to fly over 800 airshows in all types of aircraft performing his signature extreem low passes in the P-51 Mustang, MiG 15, MiG 17, P-40, T-6, L-39 and the F-86 Sabre thrilling audiences around North America for over 20 consecutive years...

Sadly, On July 24th, 2021, Dale O. “Snort” Snodgrass flew west. The legendary F-14 Tomcat pilot and famed air show performer was lost while doing what he loved most. Flying. He will be greatly missed by the F-14 Tomcat community, his air show family, and most of all, his family and friends...

With his loving wife Cynthia,  daughters Danby & Morgan, granddaughters Molly, Mae, Avery and Emory, his Sisters Donn & Marilou and his wife Cynthia’s children, Holly and Jeffery, surrounded by his military and airshow families, Dale was laid to rest at the Fort Stanton Veterans Cemetery, as multiple military aircraft passed overhead to bid farewell to the well loved and ledgendary aviator... and there on his gravestone below, the words engraved exemplified his playful humor, his love for flight, and his dedication to his endless pursuit of aviation excellence.

"FLY GOOD, DON'T SUCK

It is difficult to think of the F-14 Tomcat, and not be reminded of Snort.  His exemplary leadership, his masterfully tuned flying skills, and his contagious laughter.  A fine aviator, and a true gentleman. 

Fair winds and following seas Snort...

I hope there's a place, way up in the sky
Where pilots can go when they have to die.
A place where a guy could buy a cold beer
For a friend and a comrade whose memory is dear.
A place where no doctor or lawyer could tread,
Nor a management-type would e'ler be caught dead!
Just a quaint little place, kind of dark, full of smoke,
Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke.
The kind of a place that a lady could go
And feel safe and secure by the men she would know.

There must be a place where old pilots go,
When their wings become heavy, when their airspeed gets low,
Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young,
And songs about flying and dying are sung.
Where you'd see all the fellows who'd 'flown west' before,
And they'd call out your name, as you came through the door,
Who would buy you a drink, if your thirst should be bad,
And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!"

And there, through the mist, you'd spot an old guy
You had not seen in years, though he'd taught you to fly.
He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear
And say, "Welcome, my Son, I'm proud that you're here!
For this is the place where true flyers come
When the battles are over, and the wars have been won.
They've come here at last, to be safe and alone,
>From the government clerk, and the management clone;
Politicians and lawyers, the Feds, and the noise,
Where all hours are happy, and these good ol' boys
Can relax with a cool one, and a well deserved rest!
This is Heaven, my Son. You've passed your last test!"

— Captain Michael J. Larkin

Image Capture: Mike Westra