More detail on this person: Mike Wiklanski, 65,
of Carson City, NV. died of an apparent heart
attack on August 30, 2015 in his home. He is
survived by his beloved wife Sue. Mike was born
in Chicago, Il. on September 16, 1949. After
graduating from High School he began his fixed
wing training while working as a Mill Wright. As
his status progressed he became an Instructor
Pilot and successfully trained numerous students.
When he entered the Army, his compassion to fly
led him through Flight School. Ski-Bo became a
Warrant Officer and was sent to Viet Nam as a
Slick Pilot. To enhance his careeer he became an
IP.
While serving, he was awarded the DFC, Purple
Heart, Air Medal with " V " and Oak Leaf Cluster
device, numerous Air Medals, RVN Campaign
Medal, Vietnam Service Ribbon, One Over Seas
Bar and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He
also was involved with the Invasion of Cambodia
and became a Chief Warrant Officer Aircraft
Commander. When his tour with the Army
expired, he obtained his Commercial ratings for
Helicopters and Multi-Engine fixed wing aircraft.
This led him to travel to Arizona where he was
employed at Arizona Helicopters where he flew
contracted flight assignments, air ambulance
services and fought forest fires. Mike then went
on to Las Vegas, NV. where he began work for
Herbst Oil Company. He flew dignitaries to
destinations and fought forest fires. After
training and a lot of hard work, he achieved his A
& P Mechanics Certificate. As his experience
progressed, he made the move to Reno, NV. as
Chief Pilot for El Aero Services where he flew a
King Air for charters, continued to fight forest
fires in a Bell Jet Ranger and did line work for
Power Companies. His career total flight time
accumulated to over 21,000 hours. Mike was a
member of the VHPA, Blackhawks Association the
VFW and DFC Society.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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