The agricultural aviation industry lost one of its titans with the passing of Grant Lane on July 12. Grant was the longtime president and CEO of Lane Aviation Inc., which was founded in 1945 by Grant’s father and uncle, George and Milton Lane, respectively.
Grant Lane took a hands-on approach with his customers. As the first company to become an Air Tractor dealer in 1974, Grant and Lane Aviation had a seemingly ubiquitous presence at state, regional, national and international ag aviation conferences. “At Lane Aviation, we take great pride in providing the absolute best products and services in the industry,” Grant declared in a note to customers on Lane Aviation’s website, which included this pledge: “I make it a point to work personally with every client to ensure they leave satisfied to the fullest extent.”
Grant put those words into action often. After Grant was named the co-recipient of NAAA’s 2011 Larsen-Miller Community Service Award, in a piece written for Agricultural Aviation’s January/February 2012 issue, Sun Valley Dusting Company owner/operator Pat Kornegay described Grant as the “ever-present Air Tractor dealer who is always there at the state, national or international conventions with a warm smile and a firm handshake.” Kornegay continued:
He is also known to many of us as the guy who has shown up on our airstrip in the middle of a hot season, stepped out of his late model Baron in a starched, clean shirt and jeans, broke out the tools and dived into changing a fuel control unit or starter generator that he had brought with him. After putting us back in the air quickly, and with the ever-present smile and handshake, he hops back in his airplane and disappears over the horizon.
Lane Aviation celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2020, and Grant received numerous accolades of his own over the years. Together, Grant and his father, George Lane, received NAAA’s prestigious Agrinaut Award in 2006 for Lane Aviation’s creation in the 1970s of the Lane Brake, a major breakthrough in pump fan brake technology.
Grant Lane headed over the horizon for the final time on July 12. Among the numerous relatives Grant is survived by are his brother, Mark Lane, Lane Aviation’s chief pilot, and his son, Logan Lane, Lane Aviation’s vice president.
The staff, board and members of NAAA extend their deepest condolences to the Lane family and Grant’s extended Lane Aviation family in their time of grief. Per Grant’s wishes, there will not be any funeral services, but Lane Aviation will host a celebration of Grant’s life sometime in the fall.
In lieu of flowers, the Lane family is requesting donations be made to your local blood bank or to the PAASS Program in Grant Lane’s name. Donations to PAASS may be made online here or by mailing to:
National Agricultural Aviation Association
1440 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314