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User:Feofer/John Olsen Lear

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John Olson Lear (December 3, 1942 - ) is an influential conspiracy theorist, a pilot, and a one-time candidate for State Senate. Lear has promoted the "Dark Hypothesis", a story of alien collusion with secret governmental forces.[1] Lear left a lasting influence on the UFO movement; One author observed "in the early years [UFO writers] did not, by and large, embrace strong political positions. [Lear and his partner] were the tip of a spear asserting that the number one thing we had to fear was not little green men, but the government that colluded with them, appropriating their technology against us." [1]

Early life

John Olson Lear was born on December 3, 1942 to industrialist and future Learjet founder Bill Lear and his wife Moya Marie.Cite error: The <ref> tag name cannot be a simple integer (see the help page).[2] He was named after his maternal grandfather, famous comedian John Olsen.Cite error: The <ref> tag name cannot be a simple integer (see the help page). His second and third birthday parties was covered in the "Society" page of an Ohio paper.[3][4]

Lear graduated from the Institut Le Rosey boarding school in Switzerland and attended Wichita State University.[5][6]

In 1965, Lear was employed by the Paul Kelly Flying Service when its founder was killed while piloting a LearJet. Lear testified at the Civilian Aeronotics Board investigation into the crash.[7]

Between May 23 and 26, 1966, Lear and crewmmate flew a record-breaking flight around the world in a LearJet that covered 22,000 miles in 50 hours and 39 minutes.[8] In August 1966, Lear was featured in the Wichita Press after he piloted a LearJet carrying the rock band The Byrds and the trip inspired them to write a song about the plane.[9]

In 1968, Air Force personnel from Hamilton Air Force Base launched a rescue effort to help Lear land after heavy San Francisco fog interfered with landing. Traffic was cleared from the Golden Gate Bridge in anticipation of a forced landing. After a helicopter pilot established visual contract, Lear was able to successfully land at the base.[10]


Lear claimed to fly "secret missions for the CIA" between 1967 and 1983.[11][better source needed]

Personal life

In 1970, Lear married Marilee Higginbotham, the owner of a California fashion modelling agency, at a ceremony in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b https://newrepublic.com/article/150922/pioneer-paranoia
  2. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/image/391944501
  3. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/image/45780916/
  4. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/image/47035669
  5. ^ a b https://www.newspapers.com/image/384761900
  6. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/image/148040498
  7. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/image/694531330
  8. ^ https://www.si.edu/object/lear-jet-23%3Anasm_A19780122000
  9. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/image/695745835
  10. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/image/41570448/
  11. ^ https://www.wanttoknow.nl/wp-content/uploads/911-lear-affidavit.pdf
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