Dale Crane (1923-2010) was involved in aviation for over 50 years. His credentials include: Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic, Designated Mechanic Examiner, Commercial Pilot, Flight Instructor (airplanes), and Advanced and Instrument Ground Instructor. Dale began his career in the U.S. Navy as a mechanic and flight engineer in PBYs. After World War II, he attended Parks Air College. After college, he worked as an instrument overhaul mechanic, instrument shop manager, and flight test instrumentation engineer. He spent the following 16 years as an instructor, and then became director of an aviation maintenance school. For the last 30 years of his life, Dale was active as a writer of aviation technical materials, and a consultant in developing aviation training programs. He participated with the FAA in the Aviation Mechanic Occupation Study, and the Aviation Mechanic Textbook Study.
