The Northstate aviation community is mourning the loss of a highly respected pilot. Delmar Shulte was known to everyone as Del. Longtime KQMS Engineer and Radio Host Jim Bremer, who’s the president of the local Experimental Aircraft Association Post, says Shulte had an FAA Air Transport Pilot Rating and was licensed to fly single and multiple engine land and sea planes, as well as helicopters. He also was a designated Pilot Examiner, authorized by the FAA to test pilots for proficiency. Shulte worked as a spotter pilot for CAL FIRE and was once employed by CHP Air Operations. Tuesday afternoon Shulte was in a plane crash in Tehama County near Laurel Way in the Bowman area south of Cottonwood. The single engine plane caught fire when it hit the ground. One person was able to escape the burning plane and was transported to UC Davis Medical Center with serious burns, but apparently succumbed to his injuries. Another occupant was trapped in the plane and died at the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
-Steve Gibson