Aviation Career of
Captain Bruce M. Sprague
To my fellow pilots,
After graduating from Auburn University in 1970 (Aviation Management degree...first solo in 1969), I started a year of US Air Force pilot training at Webb AFB, Big Spring, TX, and served for 14 years (8 years active duty and 6 years in the reserves). I flew to all parts of the world, served in the Vietnam War and Arab Israeli War of 1973, and flew the C-141 Starlifter 4 engine jet transport (3 years ...1971 to 1974 out of Charleston AFB, SC) and the C-5 Galaxy 4 engine jumbo jet transport (10 years ...1974 to 1984 out of Dover AFB, DE). Most of this time I flew as an Aircraft Commander, and attained the rank of Major (Honorable Discharge).
In 1978, I started flying with Continental Airlines, spending 15 years on the B-727, and in 1993 started flying the B-737-300, 500, 700, 800 and 900. Since 1984 I was a Captain at Continental Airlines. Most of this flying I was based out of Houston, Texas (KIAH). After nearly 25,000 total hours of flying time, at age 60, I retired from Continental in November, 2006.
I also spent quite a bit of time during my aviation career distributing booklets and handouts on all the various airplanes that I have flown. One of the Continental 737 projects I handed over to Captain Bill Bulfer (see Leading Edge Publishing) in 1998, my Cockpit Panel Notes (now titled Cockpit Companion). For fifteen years I published the 737 QRC (Quick Reference Card), and handed this over to two Continental (now United Airlines) pilots in 2008 (see QRC download page).
Starting in 2016, for four years I taught military pilots in the 737-NG simulator (locations in California, Las Vegas, and Dallas), to get their B-737 Type ratings, and the summer of 2017 I taught KAL pilots in S. Korea. In 2019 I flew right seat for the DOJ JPATS ("ConAir") 737 flights carrying prisoners around the country, out of Oklahoma City, OK (KOKC). From 2019 to 2021 I did contract work for L3HARRIS, the 6th largest defense company in the U.S....teaching the ATP-CTP simulator classes in the 737, at Dallas, Texas. On occasion during that time I also ran the simulator for FAA evaluation and training.
From 1980 to 2005, I ran a computer business...selling and supporting Apple and Macintosh computers. I have slowed down on this business, but still help family and friends with their computer problems. I have other interests such as boating, fishing, home theater, computers, home automation, genealogy, photo / video cataloging and puttering around making and fixing things.
Since 2007 I have run the website for my Auburn University college fraternity brothers (TKE). During 2011-2014 I was a tour guide at the Space Center Houston (NASA). Since 2015 I have been the Treasurer and Webmaster for the Golden Eagles....an organization for retired Continental Airlines pilots.
I have four grown children, two girls and two boys, six grandsons, two granddaughters, and my wonderful wife Ok Su who wants to travel with a travel reluctant husband.
Bruce M. Sprague
CLICK for: Flying Career Photos and Video >>
(this file is very large and may take awhile to download)
To my fellow pilots,
After graduating from Auburn University in 1970 (Aviation Management degree...first solo in 1969), I started a year of US Air Force pilot training at Webb AFB, Big Spring, TX, and served for 14 years (8 years active duty and 6 years in the reserves). I flew to all parts of the world, served in the Vietnam War and Arab Israeli War of 1973, and flew the C-141 Starlifter 4 engine jet transport (3 years ...1971 to 1974 out of Charleston AFB, SC) and the C-5 Galaxy 4 engine jumbo jet transport (10 years ...1974 to 1984 out of Dover AFB, DE). Most of this time I flew as an Aircraft Commander, and attained the rank of Major (Honorable Discharge).
In 1978, I started flying with Continental Airlines, spending 15 years on the B-727, and in 1993 started flying the B-737-300, 500, 700, 800 and 900. Since 1984 I was a Captain at Continental Airlines. Most of this flying I was based out of Houston, Texas (KIAH). After nearly 25,000 total hours of flying time, at age 60, I retired from Continental in November, 2006.
I also spent quite a bit of time during my aviation career distributing booklets and handouts on all the various airplanes that I have flown. One of the Continental 737 projects I handed over to Captain Bill Bulfer (see Leading Edge Publishing) in 1998, my Cockpit Panel Notes (now titled Cockpit Companion). For fifteen years I published the 737 QRC (Quick Reference Card), and handed this over to two Continental (now United Airlines) pilots in 2008 (see QRC download page).
Starting in 2016, for four years I taught military pilots in the 737-NG simulator (locations in California, Las Vegas, and Dallas), to get their B-737 Type ratings, and the summer of 2017 I taught KAL pilots in S. Korea. In 2019 I flew right seat for the DOJ JPATS ("ConAir") 737 flights carrying prisoners around the country, out of Oklahoma City, OK (KOKC). From 2019 to 2021 I did contract work for L3HARRIS, the 6th largest defense company in the U.S....teaching the ATP-CTP simulator classes in the 737, at Dallas, Texas. On occasion during that time I also ran the simulator for FAA evaluation and training.
From 1980 to 2005, I ran a computer business...selling and supporting Apple and Macintosh computers. I have slowed down on this business, but still help family and friends with their computer problems. I have other interests such as boating, fishing, home theater, computers, home automation, genealogy, photo / video cataloging and puttering around making and fixing things.
Since 2007 I have run the website for my Auburn University college fraternity brothers (TKE). During 2011-2014 I was a tour guide at the Space Center Houston (NASA). Since 2015 I have been the Treasurer and Webmaster for the Golden Eagles....an organization for retired Continental Airlines pilots.
I have four grown children, two girls and two boys, six grandsons, two granddaughters, and my wonderful wife Ok Su who wants to travel with a travel reluctant husband.
Bruce M. Sprague
CLICK for: Flying Career Photos and Video >>
(this file is very large and may take awhile to download)