Co-Builder Paul Lasen

From Combat to KTPL

Before co-founding Velocity Force One, Paul Lasen flew over one of the most demanding eras in aviation history, carrying a lifetime of flight discipline into our Temple, Texas hangar.

KAXN Video about Paul Lasen

A Historic Class

As a member of the very first graduating class of the United States Air Force Academy, Paul went on to fly in the Vietnam War, completing over one hundred combat missions.

His transition to civil aviation eventually brought him to Texas, where his passion for flight united our paths around the unfinished fuselage of N495DV.

A short story about Paul Lasen - by John Michael Greiner

About 3 years ago I posted a dream project of mine at the Temple Airport because I knew owning a plane by myself wasn't practical without 1 or 2 other owners and pilots. About a week after posting I received a call from a man I never met and he said he only wanted the partnership and shared ownership to be between just us. I could tell the man may be in his 80's or 90's by his voice. He asked me to meet as his hangar, which turned out to be directly behind my hanger, where our planes had been tail to tail for years. When I arrived at his hangar a 90 year old man walked out wearting his golf attire with an Air Force or AOPA hat on his head. We did the normal introductions with a stranger and possible new partner. He told me he didn't want or and couldn't fly our project plane. He basically told me he would fund the project 50/50, call me your "financial advisor or sponsor" if you like. I was floored, you just want to help fund the dream? It was a deal only a fool would turn down. So a 2 and half year partnership, ownership, friendship, flying buddy, $$$ trips to just enjoy flight together and maybe get breakfast or barbeque at some random location. He reacquired his old love from a friend around the same time, a Bonanza Debonair he owned before, he put a brand new engine, new 3 bladed constant speed prop, and had the paint touched up and had the old girl looking brand new. He asked me to break in the new engine and prop so he could show it was safe for the new owner, since it would be up for sale soon. I jumped at the chance to join him and help. You see Paul Lasen we a retired Vietnam, Air Force, Republic F-105 Thunderchief fighter pilot, who served over 100 combat missions and lost many fellow pilots he trained during that time. He was likely too old at around 30 years old back in those days to fly for the airlines when he got out, but was hired to fly large private jets for a business man. He was blessed to be able to fly on those jets with his true love, not the Bonanza, Barbara. She was an incredible mother, wife, sweet and gentle person, pianist and just a treasure for any man to be blessed with. They raised 3 children together, until tragically he lost her more than 10 years back, too soon. I was honored and humbled to sit next to such a skilled and talented fellow pilot, as his co-pilot in the Debonair. He made my dream a reality and kept me flying where we both preferred to escape to as often as possible. You can learn all you need to know about Paul here - https://youtu.be/tCFNd99g8Ig (You can Goodle - "KXAN Paul Lasen") Not long after we started the 50/50 partnership I lost my job in Austin Texas as an 25 year IT professional. I didn't find a job for nearly a year and half later, to my supprise. I told Paul I don't think I can honor my side of the 50/50. To that point we only paid for the fuselage and the avionics package, we still had a very expensive aircraft engine to complete the project to buy. We had a very good price for it, but it cost as much as the fuselage and avionics combined as it was essentially brand new with only 10 hours on it. Paul said no way, this project must go on, I'll cover the cost of the engine. He looked me in the eye, with that stare and expression that tells you, this is how its going to be, and your not changing my mind. Paul said, "I'll pay for the engine, and we are still 50/50 on this project". Now math was one of my better subjects, and I am pretty sure if 1 partner spends $16K, and you spent $43K, that mathematically isn't 50/50. But Paul used a different mathematical equation than most people I have met with our partnership, his math deducted encouragement, believe in the dream and his partner, love for aviation and his partner, generosity with his blessings but also hard earned money, the list is long, but the result is the same, a partnership that remained 50/50 not matter how much the percentages moved in his favor. Yes I did all the labor, but that was my gift to the project and Paul, for goodness sake it was a joy to work on it, that makes it so easy and the time passed quickly. Paul helped me in so many other ways, always beyond believe, and overwhelms me to this day. Unfortunately our partnership and flying adventures ended too soon, if you ask me, but perfectly for Paul, as he had more than earned his ticket back to join Barbara. At 92, Paul was no longer the oldest living Air Force Academy, the first graduating class in Colorado Springs, CO. He died in Mexico visiting his son's amazing project that had reach Phase 1 of completion, joined as well by his beloved daughter, and met the love of his son's life. He played 9 holes of golf, his second favorite sport, and walked much of it, in the few days he was visiting. They had an amazing visit. He was to fly back home, I suspect, to rejoin me on our project and a possible new aircraft he was searching for us to continue the flying adventures, against his son's sound advice to slow down on flying, but Paul had a plan to put all of his son's valid concerns at ease. His son found his father in his room, just as he lived live, "Upright, noble, and with a peace many men lack in life, certainly not death." Just like Paul always had, he had a time and place of how things would transpire. I suspect he knew he had completed all of the missions, and it was time to cash in that lucky nickel, he had flown on earth all he wanted to, even with me, he had seen and made sure his children would be ok without him, he had given his partner on the Velocity more than he would ever need, in money, support, and encouragement. He had total faith is his partner, and we would be joined again in the sky together in the Velocity, only this time I would be in the Pilot's seat, and I know Paul will be there right beside me, in the copilot seat making sure I fly safe as my heavenly copilot. I imagine he said in his mind, "Lord I am ready to turn in these wings for new my new ones, I can get the job done from up there now, time to join my angel Barbara again, I am cashing in this nickel." He departed this life just as he lived it, in control of what he could, didn't waste time on the things he couldn't, and prayed and received the wisdom to know the difference. On July 8th, 2026, with the greatest Velocity test pilot in the world (if you ask me), Vic Taylor, lifted the dream off the ground for the first time 5-10 feet off the ground. It flew perfectly according to Vic. I was in it for the high speed taxi and short hop. The next day Vic took it around the pattern at Temple airport for its first official flight around the pattern on July 9th, 2026. The dream started by him and his wife that took 8 years and 8000+ hours, myself another 2.5 years, took to the sky. I know Paul witnessed this, but from his permanent place in the skys and with the wife and son he loved so dearly, not from the earthly ground like me, but one thing is for sure, we both had the huge ridicuoulsly grin on our face, and maybe some water eyes of joy in that moment we shared together. Thank you Lord for making Paul Lasen and his family part of my Life. The Testament of John Michael Greiner - to my humble and gracious mentor, partner, copilot, friend, and now guardian angel - a man that just preferred to be called "Paul". In loving memory of Paul Lasen. Glory be to God, AMEN, Amen, and Halleluiah. Look forward to our next flying adventure, you take the right seat this time though Paul.

An Unexpected Blessing and Dream Fullfilled

Moments in the Hangar

A visual record of craftsmanship, flight preparation, and shared adventures at KTPL airport.

The 85 Percent Legacy

Paul's quiet generosity kept our dream aloft when resources faltered. We honor an exceptional pilot, mentor, and friend whose spirit remains forever cleared for takeoff.