Lee Baldwin was born, grew up, and went to school in a rural part of Virginia. He didn’t have an opportunity to take flying lessons but often dreamed of being a pilot. After graduating with a doctorate degree in Educational Research from the University of Virginia in 1981, he moved to Florida with his wife. They had two children who are now grown. He had a career in education as a teacher, guidance counselor, and senior level administrator before retiring in 2011. He then became an associate professor in educational leadership at the University of Central Florida for nine years, retiring for good in 2020.
His son was fascinated with flying from an early age, and Lee started taking him to flying lessons while he was in high school. While observing the instruction and watching planes take off and land, he was bit by the flying bug.
He started taking lessons and gained his private pilot license in 2009. He then achieved his instrument rating in 2010. He has had a passion for flying ever since. In 2015 he purchased a 2009 Cessna 172 SP. He enjoys many aspects of flying including sightseeing, practicing maneuvers, and cross-country flights. He is also a volunteer pilot with EAA’s Young Eagles Program and flies youngsters from youth groups as well as individual flights.
He also is a “nature lover” who likes hiking in the outdoors. He strongly believes that the environment needs to be protected. After all, it is the only one that we have! That includes maintaining wilderness areas, state and national parks, wetlands, woodlands, as well as all natural resources.
