By BILL JAMES
UFOs exist — I’ve seen them.
In fact, I’ve even had lunch with 13 of them.
On a beautiful August day, I launched my Ercoupe headed for Grimes Field (I74) in Urbana, Ohio. Taking off from Akron-Canton Regional Airport (KCAK) and flying at 100 mph, my steed delivered me in about 1-½ hours to lunch at the airport’s popular restaurant with the United Flying Octogenarians (UFOs).
This very exclusive club numbers more than 1,500 pilots worldwide. Membership qualifications are simple and cast in stone: To gain membership you must “operate as pilot in command of an aircraft at least once after your 80th birthday” — no exceptions.
These Midwest members arrived in Pipers, Cessnas, Glasairs, RVs, and a couple of homebuilts I did not recognize.
Two of the lady UFOers were past air racers, both in the United States and in Europe. These two amazing women, Maisey Stear and Barb Godwin, flew in from Toledo in their two Cessna 177s.
By the way, these women are both 83 and look like they could handle another race season!
Two 85-year-olds, Charley DeBerry in his Cherokee, John Chuprin in his 172, arrived in style, as did Don Green, 83, in his Piper Arrow.
Also joining the group were an RV-4 and an RV-8, flown by Rick Stansley and Gordon Comfort. Gordon, who is 86, built both of the RVs.
The oldest attendee was Art Sussman, 93, who drove in with his wife.
Talking to this group was little different than talking to a roomful of enthusiastic 30 something pilots. The octogenarians were loud and laughing, talking airplanes and magical places visited in their birds. There was something really special being in by their presence.
On March 12, 2020, I am going to get in my Ercoupe and do a touch and go — then send in my application for UFO membership!
Wow…. I’m younger than I thought…. I have to wait 20. Years before I can join the. U F O Crowd
Start the countdown clock!
October 2, 2021
What is scary is how soon that is.
I am reminded of my instructor at Martin Field in So. Sioux City, NB in 1965. It was Tommy Martin who was in his 60s when he took me on. He continued flying well into his 80s and I think he got his glider and hot air ratings after he turned 80. He has been gone many years now, but he certainly left a lasting impression on me. I’m 74 and wish I was current again…….
Sept of 2043 for me and my Ercoupe!
August 2032 for me and my ‘Coupe, Bill.
Your South Texas UFO Rep is John Larrison, La Vernia, TX flying an RV-8 out of TE86 Heritage Airfield. Contact is 201-313-2868 [email protected].
75, retired, bored, and thinking about my bucket list. I am a retired schoolteacher in good health. I have flown R/C aircraft for years. Yes, I know that doesn’t necessarily transfer to the real thing. But some of the fundamental principles are the same. Anyway I’d like to learn how to fly. I just wanted to ask the CFIs out there if they thought it was a good idea at 75. Anyone in the western New York area looking for a new old student?
Thank you in advance.
David, I am a female retired schoolteacher. Flying was on my bucket list so at age 78 I took my first lesson. My first CFI wasn’t a good match for me so I took off some time to wait for the right instructor. I found him at the same Flight School eleven months later. He took me on, understood my limitations andJudith taught me how to fly!! I am now 81 years young and fly several times a month or more often if the weather permits. It is harder at this age but then, anything in life that is as good as flying, is worth the extra effort. So go for it!! Just find the right CFI for you.
Here’s an adult guy who learned how to fly a few years ago and look what HE is doing:
https://generalaviationnews.com/2018/10/03/new-city-new-plane/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=%5BThe+Pulse+of+Aviation%5D+UFOs+Exist&utm_campaign=TPOA-20181004
Great reading.
You need an ombudsman to guide you. Find your local Experimental Aircraft Assn (EAA) Chapter and attend one of their meetings. They will welcome you, guide you and educate you and will know your area and what’s available. Don’t let the name scare you … they’re all about every type of flying there is.
Go to:
https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/eaa-chapters/find-an-eaa-chapter
I’m 55 years old and I’m interested learning to fly we’re do I start
Fred….I recommend finding the cheapest place you can find because I learned a lot after I got my license from experience and continued studying on-line.
(((GO TO EXAMS4PILOTS.org)))…………IT’S FREE FREE FREE
I could have taken my courses from my local Santa Monica, CA airport where it would have cost me $20,000.00+. Instead I went to Fort Lauderdale, FL where it cost me $6,000.00 back in 2012. Of course I had to pay for the plane tickets round trip about $300.00, the motel room with a kitchenette one block for the airport about $800.00 ( I ate a lot of top-ramin). NO rent a car, the school picked me up and returned me to the Miami airport and my instructor picked me up from the room and brought me back every day!
Most people take their courses during the weekends because they work during the week. So when they go back to school, they have to do a lot of reviewing of what they learned last week. I know a guy that bought an airplane so that he wouldn’t have to pay for the aircraft rental. That was 3 years ago and he still doesn’t have his license. Because I went to school everyday and studied or flew from 8 am until 11 pm only stopping to eat and sleep, I was able to get my license in 28 DAYS.
Hi Fred: Denver CO at KAPA. Offer a 1967 Cessna-150 at $79 an hour wet. About $6,000 includes 50 hours of flight and 20 hours with a almost 76 year old CFI. Not bad at 2018 prices!