He's a nationally acclaimed speed demon, one of the fastest guys in the US piloting a former Russian Yak trainer with a radial engine and the envy of many at the Reno Air Races.  He started flying F-4 's for the US Navy, back in the 70's, was a carrier qualified flight instructor, and an author.  He's flown the little guys and is type rated on the huge B-767 and B-777's.  He currently pilots a C-47B and a T-28 Trojan.  He's fast, he's furious, he's even interesting. In his spare time, he operates a vineyard in Templeton, a purveyor of fine wine. We also know him as "boss".

Born in San Luis Obispo on July 29. 1948, Sherm was raised in north SLO County. Initially, he lived on the Paso Robles airport in the old base firehouse while his father pioneered aerial pipeline patrol business in California.

The family then moved to Atascadero in 1953 and he graduated from Atascadero Union High School in 1966. Sherm got the flying bug early when, after his father's death in 1954, his mother took over the flying business. He loved his Dad's first employee, a young pilot named Archie Dean. Years later, Archie bought the business and successfully ran the pipeline patrol for over 20 years. Archie had a lasting affect on Sherm and convinced him to pursue aviation.

Sherm put himself through Washington State University flying airplanes. He taught Army, Air Force, and Navy ROTC students under the Flight Indoctrination Programs of WSU and the University of Idaho. By the time he graduated from college in 1970 with a BS in Biological Sciences, Sherm had accumulated 3,000 flight hours, had all his ratings and extra money in his pocket. Before reporting to flight school with the U.S. Navy, he returned to Paso Robles in 1970 to help his mentor, Archie Dean. He started a flight and ground school, taught aerobatics, started an air charter business, and did some forest service flying. A lot of the folks around here were taught to fly by Sherman Smoot.
 

For more information about Sherm Smoot and for pictures from previous dinners click here

Dinner is catered and open to the public ($17/person), reservations are required prior to 6 p.m., Monday prior to dinner, either On-line HERE or call 805 296-1935.