van tassel became an aircraft mechanic and flight inspector who at various times between 1930 and 1947 worked for douglas aircraft, hughes aircraft, and lockheed. while at hughes aircraft he was the top flight inspector. he finally left southern california's booming aerospace industry for the desert in 1947. he and his family at first lived a simple existence in the rooms frank critzer had dug out under giant rock. van tassel eventually built a home, a cafe, a small airstrip, and a dude ranch beside the rock.