Autry enlisted in the U.S. Air Force immediately after graduating from high school, and earned his private pilot’s certificate through the Aero Club at Craig Air Force Base. After his time in the Air Force, he incorporated Midwest Piper Flight in 1973 at Comotara Airpark, later renamed Colonel James Jabara Airport. In 1974, Autry pioneered an air ambulance throughout rural Kansas. LifeWATCH, as he named his program, helped save hundreds of lives, and became a model for future air ambulance operations across the country. In 1982, he started Midwest Corporate Aviation, which offered flight training, aircraft charter services, hangers, sales, aircraft maintenance and fuel services.