With the pandemic sweeping our nation and our world, we wanted to turn our attention to the thing that brings us all here to begin with, our community and our airplanes.
You’ll notice that very little of our issue covers the effects of the coronavirus on aviation, though that remains overwhelmingly the biggest story in the world and in our little aviation niche, too.
When we announced last month that we would be putting together special features dedicated in part to the strength of the people like you and me who fly small planes, the response was enormous. The idea, which resonated strongly with our readers, was not so much to document the effects of the novel coronavirus but to highlight the resilience of the people who fly small planes in the face of that virus. So we wanted to share with you the faces, the stories and the strength (and, okay, the planes) of our readers. We think that you will find them as moving and inspirational as we have. (SCROLL DOWN TO MEET OUR READERS AND READ THEIR STORIES)
Plane-Strong Pilot-Strong Sales To Benefit Sun ‘n Fun
Gil Brown
Gil Brown has been a pilot for over four decades. A retired teacher, he incorporated aeronautics lessons into his curriculum and continues to enjoy flying today in his beloved Bonanza.
His Plane: 1979 Beechcraft Bonanza F33A, owned with wife Carol
Ratings:Â Private Pilot with a tailwheel endorsement
Favorite Plane: âNothing can beat my Bonanza, but Iâve always been absolutely fascinated by the amazing Boeing 747.â
Home Airport:Â KREI (Redlands Municipal Airport)
Favorite Destination: The Waypoint Café in Camarillo (excellent food and service!)
His Story: Forty-four yearsâthatâs how long pilot Gil Brownâs been flying. âI earned my private pilotâs license in 1976 in Redlands, California, with a wonderful flight instructor and friend, Earl Grigsby. I flew rental aircraft until 1994, when I purchased and began the restoration of a 1966 Cherokee Six. Together with our four sons, my wife, Carol, and I had memorable adventures in that airplane.â He even took his love for flying into his career: âAs a classroom teacher in the Redlands Unified School District for 35 years, I incorporated aeronautics into my science curriculum. My fifth- and sixth-grade students learned complex principles of physics that are applicable to aircraft design and instrumentation. The unit culminated with students receiving a flight in my airplane. I am now retired from teaching but work four hours a day as co-owner and manager of Coyote Aviation in Redlands.âÂ
Flying In Pandemic Times: The current crisis has curtailed the pilotâs flying fun. âNow, most flights are to maintain proficiency. With airport restaurants closed, our Coyote Aviation Breakfast Club has nowhere to go, and pilots are avoiding meeting together. Certainly, the virus has given me much more solitary time to maintain my hangar and lavish my Bonanza with TLC. Still, it remains a joy simply to be at the airport.â He remains hopeful, however. âWhile the COVID-19 pandemic has placed an enormous strain on the lifestyles of most who live in the United States, I am absolutely certain we will weather the storm. In the future, retrospection will reveal this as a time in which the character of the American citizenry was defined.â
Norma Jean (NJ) Hanson
Norma Jean Hanson has been a pilot since 1984. She currently flies the right seat in the TBM, handling the GTN750s, radios and checklists.
Her Plane: Daher TBM 850, co-owned with her husband
Ratings:Single Engine Land
Favorite Plane: TBM 850
Home Airport: KSFF
Favorite Destination: Caribbean destinations. Also enjoyed a trip to Europe last year.
Her Story: Normaâs husband taught her how to fly before they were married. The couple also owns a Cessna 185.
Flying In Pandemic Times: The pandemic has slowed down her flying, and she is âbeing more cautious around others.â
Edwin Cade Chesler
Edwin Cade Chesler is aiming high for a career in aviation, as he has served as a Cadet Lt. Col. in the Civil Air Patrol since June 2019. Currently in high school preparing for college, he plans to stay the course through the coronavirus crisis.
His Plane: Cessna 172 of the Civil Air Patrol, New York Wing
Ratings: Pre-solo
Favorite Plane: B-25 Mitchell
Home Airport: KIUA (Canandaigua)
Favorite Destination: Daytona Beach International AirportÂ
His Story: Flying has been a huge part of Cheslerâs life from the day he was born, and heâs pursuing this passion through his studies. âI have been flying with the Civil Air Patrol since June of 2019. I plan on becoming a pilot for my career and continue to take the steps toward that dream. I have been accepted to Bowling Green State University, the University of North Dakota, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and SUNY Farmingdale, all for the aviation major.â
Flying In Pandemic Times: With reduced traffic at the airport in the last few weeks, Cheslerâs flying life has changed significantly. âIn my last lesson, my CFI had us use masks and gloves to make sure the plane was safe to fly in. With my online school schedule, I have more time to complete my flight training approved by the New York Wing of Civil Air Patrol.â Heâs determined to come out on the other side of the crisis as a pilot. âAs a student pilot in high school preparing for college, the COVID-19 pandemic has put a lot of doubt in the minds of some future pilots with the state of the industry being uncertain. My plan is to stay on course with my goals and hope that everything sorts itself out in the coming months before I head off to college in August.â
Glenn Kinneberg
It has been a full flying life of 73 years for 93-year-old Glenn Kinneberg, who earned his Private Pilot license when he was 20. For him, flying has provided a wonderful, entertaining and educational means to meet people from all over the world.
His Plane: 1947 Piper PA-11, of the Royal Flying Club, formed in 1947. Kinneberg is the remaining owner and charter member.Â
Ratings: Single Engine Land
Favorite Plane: PA-11
Home Airport: KCHU (Houston County Airport)
Favorite Destination: Any fly-in breakfast or Oshkosh.
His Story: Kinneberg is an accomplished pilot, dovetailing his love of flying into his love of farming as a member of the International Flying Farmers. Some more pilot facts about him: âEarned the FAA Master Pilot Award for 50 years of safe flying. Member of International Flying Farmers for 72 years, having served as the Minnesota president of the association and also the Region 5 director. I served as the IFF Minnesota Teen Adviser and also provided 25 first flights for the EAA Young Eagles First Flight program. Was inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame. At Oshkosh in 2012, was one of 185 Cubs in attendance and received Awards for both the oldest pilot flying in and longest ownership of a Cub.â He has also written a book, Flaps Up, with stories from more than 70 years of flying.
Flying In Pandemic Times: Kinneberg reports that there is âno flying at present.â
Jan Johnson
Flying is in Jan Johnsonâs DNA, as her father was a fighter pilot in World War II. She loves continuing her passion for aviation in her Stinson.
Her Plane: Beautifully restored Stinson L-5.
Ratings: Private Pilot (working on seaplane rating)
Favorite Plane: L-5 Stinson! (But with great affection for Lockheed P-38 Lightning and Boeing Stearman.)
Home Airport: Hayward Executive, Hayward, California
Favorite Destination: Low and slow to KOSH
Her Story: âMy momâs first husband was a USAAF fighter pilot in World War II, flying the P-51 Mustang. He then served again, flying jets in the Korean War. He was killed in a flame-out accident in his Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star in Japan. My mom returned to the U.S. and remarried. I grew up hearing stories of his bravery, courage and fun sense of humor.â After working for years as a flight attendant, the tallest female FA in FAA history, she believes, she got her rating at 51½ years of age. Then she got the Stinson. âI fly my 75-year-old warbird to several fly-ins and airshows each year and strive to talk with each person who approaches my airplane. I allow kids to climb up into the pilot seat and make believe they are flying.â
Flying In Pandemic Times: âNot much change. I made a short flight recently. No traffic. Upon landing at my home airport, I thanked the controller in the tower and wished him well. He reciprocated.â
Paul Koch
Paul Kochâs wife, Raye, gave him a discovery flight and the encouragement to pursue his flying dream for his 50th birthday. Since then, heâs been an avid pilot.
His Plane: Diamond DA-40NG with a partner
Ratings: Private Pilot, Instrument rated
Favorite Plane: The DA-40NG
Home Airport: KADS, Addison, Texas
Favorite Destination: âMy next one! My wife and I enjoyed our trip last summer to Cedarville on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to visit some longtime friends at their summer home.â
His Story: âI always wanted to be a pilot, just never had the time to pursue it. I was worried that I was getting too old, but my uncle Herb Sloane showed me through his example that you can fly airplanes well into your 90s! (Uncle Herb was a former B-17 pilot and flew until he was 98 years old.). So when I turned 50, my wife, Raye, gave me a discovery flight (and encouragement) to pursue my dream. I earned my PPL certificate in 2006 when I was 50 years old. Former SR-71 Pilot Rich Graham was my instructor. It always amazed me to think that heâd flown at Mach 3+ near the edge of space and was happy teaching me basic stick-and-rudder in a 1975 Cessna 150.â
Flying In Pandemic Times: âWeâve suspended our Thursday hangar flying meeting. So far, it hasnât yet affected my actual flying. If things get more restrictive, I have a home simulator that I use to fly practice approaches ahead of flying to a new airport.â
Bec Larkin
Bec Larkin has been a pilot in Australia for 10 years. She hopes to encourage other women to take up aviation as a career.
Her Plane: C172N
Ratings: Instructor Rating
Favorite Plane: Extra 300L
Home Airport: Camden, New South Wales, Australia
Favorite Destination: Moruya Airport
Her Story: âI started flying in 2009 and worked three jobs for years to get my commercial license. In 2017, I got my commercial license and headed up to the Northern Territory to get my first job. I started working as a charter pilot, transporting people between remote communities. After gaining experience for a few years in the territory, I came back to Sydney at the start of the year to complete my Instructor rating to pass on my knowledge and skills. I am also completing aerobatics training in the hope to compete in international aerobatic competitions and become a female role model for future aviators.âÂ
Flying In Pandemic Times: COVID-19 has derailed her career plans, but sheâs staying on top of her flying through aerobatics. âI just completed my instructor rating and had been offered a job with a few different schools. After a week holiday (when Coronavirus came to Australia), I came back to Sydney and was told there were no jobs available to start as an instructor. Since then, Iâve found myself with no job prospects as businesses continue to collapse in the industry. I continue to do aerobatic training.â
Pat and Nanette Miller
Pat Miller had been dreaming about finishing his flying lessons since the â80s. At 50, he decided to just do it.
Their Plane: 1979 Piper Arrow IV
Ratings: Private Pilot, Instrument, Light Sport Mechanic
Favorite Plane:North American P-51 Mustang
Home Airport: KRAL (Riverside, California, Municipal)
Favorite Destination: Paso Robles, California. âFamily lives there.â
His Story: âI took about 10 hours of lessons (almost ready to solo) in the 1980s when I was in the Air Force, but, as a broke staff sergeant, had to choose between finishing college and finishing my flying lessons. I held on to my logbook for almost 30 years and kept dreaming of finishing. In the years in between, I never quite had enough time and the money at the same time to learn. As I was getting ready to turn 50, I decided to just do it.â
Flying In Pandemic Times: âHavenât flown much for the last month. Desperately hoping that the FAA doesnât shut down the national airspace while weâre en route.â
Allison Leeward
Allison Leeward is a fourth-generation pilot who grew up in a large fly-in community. She has been flying her entire life.
Her Plane: Cessna 120 Partnership
Ratings: Private Pilot (working on Instrument Rating)
Favorite Plane: âA shiny P-51 Mustang.â
Home Airport: KCRG (Jacksonville Executive at Craig)
Favorite Destination: St. Simons Island or Key West
Her Story: âIâm a fourth-generation pilot, grew up in a fly-in community…really wish I was still there right now during all this COVID-19 madness! It would be nice to walk outside and fly my plane out of the backyard!â
Flying In Pandemic Times: The pandemic hasnât, she wrote, affected her flying yet. âWe live in a military area, so if they restrict our airspace or travel, I wonât be able to fly.â
Kristin Acadia Rokos
Kristin Acadia Rokos has been drawn to adventure since she was a young child. Her dream of flying crystallized at age 15, when she read a small book about what an airline pilot was.
Her Plane: Flight Design CTsw (and paraglider)
Ratings: ATP, Multi-Engine, IFR (A-320, CE-525S, CL-30, ERJ-170, ERJ-190) CFI, Paraglider, Paramotor.
Favorite Plane: âThe one Iâm flying, though I hold a special place for my paraglider.â
Home Airport: KPOU (Hudson Valley Regional, New York)
Favorite Destination: The mountains and wilderness
Her Story: Four years ago, I achieved my goal of flying for my dream legacy airline. The best part about aviation is that there is always more to learn and more adventures to be had. With a personal goal to fly as many different types of aircraft possible, Iâve recently achieved my float plane rating in Alaska and have plans to start working on a helicopter rating next, along with as many ratings as I can achieve. One of my favorite aircraft is one of the simplest. I can pack my paraglider into a backpack, hike up a beautiful mountain, and fly off into butter-smooth air, the wind in my face, my legs hanging freely above the earth, gently shifting my body from side to side to slice through the air.â
Flying In Pandemic Times: âWe should know in the next few hours whether Iâll be flying a normal schedule or if Iâll have some time off at reduced pay, in an effort to help out all of our pilots from being furloughed. If I get the time off, Iâll be planning some longer flying adventures in our new Husky.â
Bobby Lee Patterson Jr.
A lifelong aviation enthusiast and grandfather of four, Bobby Lee Patterson Jr. has been a pilot on and off for over two decades.
His Plane: Grumman AA1C T Cat.
Ratings: Private Pilot
Favorite Plane: G550
Home Airport: KFDW (Fairfield County)
Favorite Destination: St. Simons Island
His Story: âRetired military veteran (Air Force and Army), career government financial manager, first-generation pilot, native of Birmingham, Alabama. Resident of Blythewood, South Carolina.â
Flying In Pandemic Times: Patterson, like many pilots, is sticking to the ground these days: âMy flying has been reduced by 75%.â
Tobias Burch And Jackie Steiner
This couple had their wedding plans altered because of COVID-19, but theyâre hopeful for 2021.
Their Plane: Carbon Cub EX-2
His Ratings: Private Pilot
Favorite Plane: Carbon Cub EX-2 (Tobias)
Home Airport: Brown Field, San Diego
Favorite Destination: Big Bar Strip, Hells Canyon
His Story: While in British Columbia, Tobias, who is from Switzerland, chanced upon a de Havilland Beaver docked at a resort. He got a scenic flight, but wound up getting to do some flying, too, and he was hooked. After getting his FAA Private Pilot rating, Tobias did bush plane training in Alaska in 2015. It wasnât long before he got hooked on the backcountry, found work in the U.S.A., and moved here full time.
Flying In Pandemic Times: The couple had plans to fly the length of the Americas, from Alaska to Argentina, in their Carbon Cub EX-2. The trip was going to get underway in July just after Oshkosh, but the adventure, they told us, has now been postponed. The new date is March of 2021. Jackie reports that she is âhappier than ever to go on backcountry flying adventures,â where she can do two things she loves, camping and being in nature. âItâs a great way to decompress,â she says, âand the Carbon Cub is the right machine for the mission!â
