[1] Real was loaned to Pan American Airways for more than a year in 1943 to learn about commercial aircraft development.

Two years later, his career advanced again with a promotion to chief engineer of research, development and testing.

[4] It is reported that Howard Hughes directed his company to submit a bid at a price below the actual production cost of the helicopter, in order to secure this order, resulting in substantial losses on the US Army deal, with the anticipation that an extended production cycle would eventually prove financially viable.

The program was so successful that in 1984 he oversaw the sale of Hughes Helicopters to McDonnell Douglas and became president and CEO of that company until his retirement in 1987.

[8] Real played a role in the later years of Hughes' life that aides, dubbed as the "Mormon Mafia", perceived as disruptive and inconvenient.

"[1] In retirement, he played a key role in relocating the Spruce Goose to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon where he was Chairman and President from 1995-2001.

Along with President Gerald R. Ford, Bob Hope, and General Jimmy Doolittle, in 1983, Real became only the fourth person to receive the prestigious Americanism Award, which is "given to individuals of national stature who have made outstanding contributions to their community and profession.

"[1] He is a recipient of the Howard Hughes Memorial Award presented by the Southern California Aeronautic Association to give recognition "to an aerospace leader whose accomplishments over a long career have contributed significantly to the advancement of aviation or space technology."