In Memoriam

January 6, 1954 - December 28, 2021

Scott Chrane McKittrick passed away at his home in Georgetown, TX on the morning of December 28, 2021 at the age of 67. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Tone McKittrick, his son and daughter-in-law Russell and Lorraine, their children Patrick and Catherine, and sister-in-law Iris Strachan and her children Caleb, KC and Caroline.
Scott was born on January 6, 1954 to Rex and Mary Jane McKittrick in Pasadena California. As a young man, Scott lived an active life under the warm California sun where he met the love of his life Liz, and cultivated what became a life-long passion for flying airplanes. He grew up during a time of great change in America, and the world, when jet airplanes first began leaving their trails in the sky, and people still remembered and spoke of the golden age of aviation. Scott was so determined to be a pilot that he obtained his private pilot's license before his driver's license. He did this while attending Agoura high school, where he met Liz, and graduated in 1972. In 1976 he graduated with a bachelor's degree from CSU Northridge, which he obtained for the sole purpose of qualifying to fly for commercial airlines. During those early years Scott worked as a flight instructor for an outfit called Skyroamers, and occasionally piloted some wild flights with Liz and their friends. On October 21, 1979 Scott and Elizabeth became husband and wife.
Scott's career flying jets began with some legendary experiences, which included flying for Disney under the internationally recognized call sign MM (Mickey Mouse) 1, as well as traveling all over the world in the cockpit of a 747 for the Flying Tigers freight airline; however, his life and career permanently changed with the birth of his son Russell in 1984 and hiring on at Alaska Airlines in 1985. Scott went on to complete a 33 year accident free career for Alaska Airlines upon his retirement as a captain In 2019.
In 1987 the family moved to Redmond Washington, where Scott commuted to SEA-TAC airport and raised his family under tall conifer trees and a horizon dotted with snow capped peaks of the cascade mountain range. During their time in Washington State, Scott and the family had many adventures, including: fishing and camping trips, neighborhood parties, Russell's sports, and trips to the King 
Dome where the crowds roared amidst the snap of a Randy Johnson fastball. The family moved down to Carlsbad California in 2000, where Scott continued to participate in Russell's Sports. In 2006 Scott's love for the Pacific Northwest brought him and Liz to SIsters Oregon where they once again breathed mountain air and had many travels and adventures with their friends and Cavalier Spaniel 
puppies, Chase and Kate.
In 2019 Scott and Liz began a new and wonderful chapter in their lives when the new grandparents-to-be moved to Texas to be closer to Russell and his wife Lorraine who gave birth to Patrick in 2020, and Catherine in 2021. In this last chapter of Scott's life, he was close to 
family and had special times as a grandfather.
Services are planned in Columbia, Mississippi at a later date.

The following is from Chris Killion, who worked with Scott in Crew Planning when he was furlough in 1982

I knew Scott when I was Manager of Crew Planning at HDQ.  There had been a furlough of pilots so we hired Scott to work in Crew Planning, pay wasn’t as much as pilot pay but would help to tide him over.  He did great work and at performance appraisal time I had rated him a “5” as in exceeds expectations.  Unfortunately we then had to reduce staffing at HDQ and I had to let Scott go as he was the junior man in the department.  This must have been around the time that he went to Alaska Airlines. Years later we were visiting in Berkeley and were waiting for a seat at the Cafe at Chez Panisse above the main restaurant.  In those days they did not take reservations for the cafe so when one arrived you gave them your name and waited to be called for a table. While we were waiting I looked over and thought a couple who had just walked in looked like Scott and his wife Liz. So my husband loudly said “Scott" and sure enough he turned around.  We ended up sitting together and had a lovely time catching up.  I am saddened that we did not stay in touch after that and even sadder to hear of his passing.
Chris Killion

The following comes from Barney Szymaniak who, as it turns out, was Scott's Primary Flight Instructor:

In July 1971, about six weeks before my hiring with Flying Tigers, I was working at Van Nuys airport and one summer day Scott who just finished his junior HS year walked into Van Nuys Skyways with his Mom interested in learning how to fly. I happened to be in the lobby and told him that I was going through interviewing hiring process with Flying Tigers but I would take him on as Private Pilot student. Scott, as a young man, was my best student pilot. He slammed dunked the training in 3 weeks with a minimum 36 hours. A NATURAL that was a pleasure to instruct. On the day that he was scheduled to be licensed, he had to go to the Post Office to see if his FAA written was there. It was and he got his private pilot license. It was in the spring of 1981 that I checked out as DC 8 Cpt based at JFK and ran into new hire, DC 8 flight engineer, Scottie Mc Kittrick. With 2 other commuters, we shared a Crash Pad on Long Island. RIP Scottie Barney Szymaniak

Anyone else wishing to contribute to this page with archived pictures or testimonials is encouraged to contact us at email@flyingtigerline.org