This morning I drove down to Cannon Field and got the
Alamo Liaison Squadron Stinson L-5 ready to go. The weather held me up briefly, but not too long and soon the Stinson swooped down on Stinson Field for a landing.
Today was partial repayment for a debt I feel I owe as well as an opportunity to help show the ALS flag in a way that is really part of our stated mission. Ten years ago I got my first big "break" in aviation (after the first flight that my parents gave me and one other event). There is an organization that holds what is called the
ACE Academy (ACE standing for Aviation Career Aviation). It is a day camp that is held in various locations around the US. Several significant aviation organizations typically sponsor the day camps and give the students a very diverse look at the aviation industry.
Ten years ago I got to attend the Dallas camp and had a number of wonderful experiences like landing the AA 777 simulator with an airline captain coaching me from the right seat, going all over DFW including airline hangars, touring TRACON and one of the towers, visiting Southwest Airline's headquarters (That was amazing and the place had an esprit de corps I've rarely experienced) and on the last day, visiting Chuckie the B-17 at the museum there at Meacham and getting to fly. I was supposed to get a ride in a Stearman (which was supposed to be a special ride for some of the "better" students), but the Stearman never showed, and I ended up riding in a Stinson 108 Voyager instead. All in all it was a good experience and a fascinating introduction to a number of aspects of the industry I did not previously know about.
Well, last year I found out that there is now one of these programs
here in San Antonio, and, bumping into them again this year I got to actually speak briefly to the students yesterday morning about what it's like ten years later, and a few ideas on how to get from where they are to where they might like to be.
Today, I had the privilege of GIVING some of the rides to several of the students, which was pretty neat. The radios on the plane were giving me a headache (we have a new intercom that needs to go in VERY soon...) but it was so neat to get to help out. Mr. Calvin Allen of the San Marcos CAF wing brought his T-6 out for a few of the special students, and I got to give some of the other students some flights as well as a special treat.
Anyway, here are a few pictures from the day.
The student group
Mr. Allen giving a ride to a student in the T-6
The T-6 taking off
My current favorite Stinson at Stinson Field with the T-6 in the background
Anyway, a thank you should also be mentioned to the folks up at the VFM with Chuckie for a good experience ten years ago as well.
Now you know why I had a good day!
Ryan
_________________
Aerial Photographer with
Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites:
Texas Tailwheel Flight Training,
DoolittleRaid.com and
Lbirds.com.
The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31
- Train, Practice, Trust.
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