CDR Frank Weisser, USN (Ret’d), visited the museum on May 14, 2025. The purpose of his visit was to spend time with the long-time volunteers of the museum as a payback for the many hours that they have spent making HAM what it is today and to sign copies of his new book, “Lead Solo: Learning Life’s Vectors from an F/A-18 Blue Angel Aviator.” CDR Weisser is no stranger to Hickory NC, on May 13, 2020, he delivered “Blue Angel 5” F/A-18A Legacy Hornet to the museum upon its retirement.
CDR Weisser went right to work that morning after being checked out in a Beechcraft T-34B Mentor two seat trainer and took about volunteers up for 20-minute rides around the local area, arriving “on top” in the HKY pattern for the carrier break. Judging by the smiles, everyone had a blast.
Most people might not know that CDR Weisser also logged many hours doing stunt flying in the F/A-18 Super Hornet for the movie “Top Gun: Maverick” including the open low-level sequence across the desert. After all the rides were done, museum staff and the gathered public were treated to a talk about his career, the movie, and that was followed by a Q&A session. Afterwards, the long line formed for purchasing the book and autographs with CDR Weisser taking time to talk to the many children as well as taking photos. One hundred percent of the books’ proceeds go to the Wingman Foundation charity and the book is available to purchase on Amazon.
