A Real, Live Hallmark Xmas Ornament

[Jay Honeck]

80 degrees in Iowa? In April? If this is "global warming" I'm all for it.
And if it's just an early spring, well, all the better!

When we departed KIOW today, shortly after noon, the sun was warm, the winds
light, and my 14-year-old son was in the right seat. Mary, having worked 25
of the last 48 hours (two weddings at the inn -- on the same weekend!) was
more than willing to snooze in the back seat while Joey learned a bit more
about being a pilot.

Destination today? Hampton, Iowa -- home of the Hampton Aviation
Association, and the most beautiful Gullwing Stinson to ever grace the
skies, owned by our friend Paul Sensor. This beautiful 1936 aircraft,
fully restored by Paul in 2000, was the model for the 2002 Hallmark Aviation
Christmas ornament, which was reproduced with incredible accuracy, right
down to the "NC" number.

One catch: Paul didn't know we were coming. In fact, *we* didn't know we
were coming until 10 minutes before departure, thanks to our incredibly
hectic weekend and a decided lack of planning. Still, we figured if no one
was at the airport, we'd simply proceed on to Fort Dodge -- home of a Flight
Service station, and another Iowa airport that we had never visited.

Of course, we were in search of food -- when aren't we? -- and truthfully
Hampton didn't look too promising, with AOPA's directory clearly stating
"FBO closed Sundays." But, with enough fuel aboard to fly to Texas
non-stop, we figured we'd take our chances.

After climbing to 5500 feet, Joey quickly learned that flying in summertime
haze was a LOT different than flying in the winter. With ever growing
frustration he discovered that without a well-defined horizon he could hold
heading or altitude -- but usually not both at the same time. My amusement
grew as he quickly learned that maybe flying wasn't the "slam-dunk" he
thought it was, but Mary -- sitting behind the center of gravity -- soon put
an end to my fun by protesting his too-active bank and pitch corrections...

Approaching the pattern Joey gladly relinquished the controls, perhaps a bit
wiser, and I landed uneventfully. As feared, however, this pristine airport
was deserted, but the FBO was unlocked, so we went inside to look around.

Everything in the place was neat as a pin, and appeared to be brand new.
The concrete was smooth as a pool table, with nary a skid mark or a stone
out of place. Clearly this was an airport that was well-loved and
thoughtfully maintained, so we were puzzled by its unused condition on such
a perfect flying day.

My eyes fell on a phone book laying on the desk, and I figured "what could
it hurt?" to give Paul a jingle. Only last month he had led his group of
aviation merry-makers on a junket to Iowa City, where the guys and gals had
rented the entire hotel for a wonderful weekend of flying, hanger lying, and
shopping. During his time with us we had hit it off pretty well, and Paul
had invited us to visit "any time" -- so why not test the waters?

Luckily, he had just stopped at home for lunch, after spending the morning
bringing the Stinson out of "winter mothballs." He immediately offered to
come get us, and within minutes he and a friend were pulling up to meet us.
Outgoing and warm as always, Paul -- knowing we were hungry -- had taken the
liberty of calling his favorite local restaurant to make sure that they
would stay open long enough for us to eat there! (In small-town Iowa, many
businesses are still closed on Sundays, and the ones that *are* open usually
close early.)

He then drove us to "Coffee & Company" -- a small, intimate
restaurant/coffee shop (owned by a guy whose last name really is "Coffee")
with fantastic food -- and left us to our devices while he went back to work
on the Stinson. Before he left, he asked our waitress to CALL HIM on his
cell phone when it looked like we were finishing up, so he could be back to
fetch us before we were done chewing! It just doesn't get much better than
that, and we enjoyed a terrific lunch, complete with home-made potato/bacon
soup and a slice of home-made cheesecake for dessert...

True to his word, Paul was there to pick us up right as the cashier finished
running our card -- and he happily whisked us back to his hangar for a
first-hand tour of his incredible plane.

One of only three left flying (there were four until last week, when one was
retired to the Delta Airlines museum), this incredible Stinson has been
lovingly restored to better-than-new condition by Paul and a dedicated band
of friends and mechanics. He showed us his "restoration book", a
picture-diary which outlined in great detail just how far he had taken his
bird in a very few short years.

While never a basket case -- he flew it for four years before restoring
it -- the Gullwing had been extensively modified over the years. Details
like a wrong engine cowling, the wrong wheel pants, and an inaccurate
interior all had to be replaced and fabricated from scratch -- and you don't
go out and get this stuff from "Airtex"! The end result is so stunning
that, well, Hallmark made a Christmas ornament out of it! You really just
have to see it to appreciate it.

Paul then directed Mary, me and the kids to climb up and in his surprisingly
huge work of art. (Never was I so paranoid about having children!) Just
getting in took some lessons, since -- even though there is a ladder built
into the fuselage for entry -- it's not entirely obvious where to put your
hands and feet.

Once inside we were bathed in fresh leather -- a whole *bunch* of cows gave
there all for THIS bird. The seat was deeply comfortable, although smaller
than modern seats (people apparently weren't as broad-butted during the
Depression as they are today), and we were surprised to be staring up at the
sky! In fact, the pilot's position is closer to that of the Apollo
astronauts than it is to that of the Space Shuttle pilots -- a Stinson
really sits back on its haunches! Paul stated that he had seen "an entire
T-28 hide behind that nose" more than once, so he must constantly S-turn
while taxiing to avoid catastrophe.

He assured me, however, that once the nose came up visibility was just fine.

He then regaled us with tales of the restoration process, and how he had
found expert "faux wood painters" down south to re-create the panel
accurately. (In the 1930s they didn't have veneer woods yet, so they painted
the panels to look like wood.) Even this little detail has been perfectly
re-created, and the end result is a perfect time machine. It was easy to
close my eyes and imagine famed air racer Roscoe Turner piloting this
bird -- as he had, in fact, done. (He owned it for a time, during which he
used it in a short-lived airline that he opened -- and closed -- within a
few short months, after running into trouble with the CAA for running an
illegal airline!)

Too soon it was time to go. I wanted to wait until they were ready for
another ground run, but the kids were getting antsy and the sky was
beckoning. After bidding our friends farewell, and inviting them to a
return trip to Iowa City soon, we launched back into that warm, milky sky.

Mary flew us home, while I gazed out the window, pondering how lucky we were
to be alive, how fabulous everyone in the tight-knit world of aviation can
be, and how fortunate we were to be enjoying this wondrous thing we call
flight...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Montblack]

("Jay Honeck" wrote)
<snip>
> Destination today? Hampton, Iowa -- home of the Hampton Aviation
> Association, and the most beautiful Gullwing Stinson to ever grace the
> skies, owned by our friend Paul Sensor. This beautiful 1936 aircraft,
> fully restored by Paul in 2000, was the model for the 2002 Hallmark
> Aviation Christmas ornament, which was reproduced with incredible
> accuracy, right down to the "NC" number.


http://www.pilotjournal.com/content/pastissues/gullwing.html
Paul Sensor's 1936 Gull Wing Stinson (SR8E Reliant)


Montblack

[Jason Dodd]

Great story Jay. As a fellow Iowan, I REALLY was wishing I could fly
today! I didn't happen, but I did get a 1931 oldsmobile running! Great
to hear someone else punching holes in the Iowa sky.

Jason


Jay Honeck wrote:
> 80 degrees in Iowa? In April? If this is "global warming" I'm all for it.
> And if it's just an early spring, well, all the better!
>
> When we departed KIOW today, shortly after noon, the sun was warm, the winds
> light, and my 14-year-old son was in the right seat. Mary, having worked 25
> of the last 48 hours (two weddings at the inn -- on the same weekend!) was
> more than willing to snooze in the back seat while Joey learned a bit more
> about being a pilot.
>
> Destination today? Hampton, Iowa -- home of the Hampton Aviation
> Association, and the most beautiful Gullwing Stinson to ever grace the
> skies, owned by our friend Paul Sensor. This beautiful 1936 aircraft,
> fully restored by Paul in 2000, was the model for the 2002 Hallmark Aviation
> Christmas ornament, which was reproduced with incredible accuracy, right
> down to the "NC" number.
>
> One catch: Paul didn't know we were coming. In fact, *we* didn't know we
> were coming until 10 minutes before departure, thanks to our incredibly
> hectic weekend and a decided lack of planning. Still, we figured if no one
> was at the airport, we'd simply proceed on to Fort Dodge -- home of a Flight
> Service station, and another Iowa airport that we had never visited.
>
> Of course, we were in search of food -- when aren't we? -- and truthfully
> Hampton didn't look too promising, with AOPA's directory clearly stating
> "FBO closed Sundays." But, with enough fuel aboard to fly to Texas
> non-stop, we figured we'd take our chances.
>
> After climbing to 5500 feet, Joey quickly learned that flying in summertime
> haze was a LOT different than flying in the winter. With ever growing
> frustration he discovered that without a well-defined horizon he could hold
> heading or altitude -- but usually not both at the same time. My amusement
> grew as he quickly learned that maybe flying wasn't the "slam-dunk" he
> thought it was, but Mary -- sitting behind the center of gravity -- soon put
> an end to my fun by protesting his too-active bank and pitch corrections...
>
> Approaching the pattern Joey gladly relinquished the controls, perhaps a bit
> wiser, and I landed uneventfully. As feared, however, this pristine airport
> was deserted, but the FBO was unlocked, so we went inside to look around.
>
> Everything in the place was neat as a pin, and appeared to be brand new.
> The concrete was smooth as a pool table, with nary a skid mark or a stone
> out of place. Clearly this was an airport that was well-loved and
> thoughtfully maintained, so we were puzzled by its unused condition on such
> a perfect flying day.
>
> My eyes fell on a phone book laying on the desk, and I figured "what could
> it hurt?" to give Paul a jingle. Only last month he had led his group of
> aviation merry-makers on a junket to Iowa City, where the guys and gals had
> rented the entire hotel for a wonderful weekend of flying, hanger lying, and
> shopping. During his time with us we had hit it off pretty well, and Paul
> had invited us to visit "any time" -- so why not test the waters?
>
> Luckily, he had just stopped at home for lunch, after spending the morning
> bringing the Stinson out of "winter mothballs." He immediately offered to
> come get us, and within minutes he and a friend were pulling up to meet us.
> Outgoing and warm as always, Paul -- knowing we were hungry -- had taken the
> liberty of calling his favorite local restaurant to make sure that they
> would stay open long enough for us to eat there! (In small-town Iowa, many
> businesses are still closed on Sundays, and the ones that *are* open usually
> close early.)
>
> He then drove us to "Coffee & Company" -- a small, intimate
> restaurant/coffee shop (owned by a guy whose last name really is "Coffee")
> with fantastic food -- and left us to our devices while he went back to work
> on the Stinson. Before he left, he asked our waitress to CALL HIM on his
> cell phone when it looked like we were finishing up, so he could be back to
> fetch us before we were done chewing! It just doesn't get much better than
> that, and we enjoyed a terrific lunch, complete with home-made potato/bacon
> soup and a slice of home-made cheesecake for dessert...
>
> True to his word, Paul was there to pick us up right as the cashier finished
> running our card -- and he happily whisked us back to his hangar for a
> first-hand tour of his incredible plane.
>
> One of only three left flying (there were four until last week, when one was
> retired to the Delta Airlines museum), this incredible Stinson has been
> lovingly restored to better-than-new condition by Paul and a dedicated band
> of friends and mechanics. He showed us his "restoration book", a
> picture-diary which outlined in great detail just how far he had taken his
> bird in a very few short years.
>
> While never a basket case -- he flew it for four years before restoring
> it -- the Gullwing had been extensively modified over the years. Details
> like a wrong engine cowling, the wrong wheel pants, and an inaccurate
> interior all had to be replaced and fabricated from scratch -- and you don't
> go out and get this stuff from "Airtex"! The end result is so stunning
> that, well, Hallmark made a Christmas ornament out of it! You really just
> have to see it to appreciate it.
>
> Paul then directed Mary, me and the kids to climb up and in his surprisingly
> huge work of art. (Never was I so paranoid about having children!) Just
> getting in took some lessons, since -- even though there is a ladder built
> into the fuselage for entry -- it's not entirely obvious where to put your
> hands and feet.
>
> Once inside we were bathed in fresh leather -- a whole *bunch* of cows gave
> there all for THIS bird. The seat was deeply comfortable, although smaller
> than modern seats (people apparently weren't as broad-butted during the
> Depression as they are today), and we were surprised to be staring up at the
> sky! In fact, the pilot's position is closer to that of the Apollo
> astronauts than it is to that of the Space Shuttle pilots -- a Stinson
> really sits back on its haunches! Paul stated that he had seen "an entire
> T-28 hide behind that nose" more than once, so he must constantly S-turn
> while taxiing to avoid catastrophe.
>
> He assured me, however, that once the nose came up visibility was just fine.
>
> He then regaled us with tales of the restoration process, and how he had
> found expert "faux wood painters" down south to re-create the panel
> accurately. (In the 1930s they didn't have veneer woods yet, so they painted
> the panels to look like wood.) Even this little detail has been perfectly
> re-created, and the end result is a perfect time machine. It was easy to
> close my eyes and imagine famed air racer Roscoe Turner piloting this
> bird -- as he had, in fact, done. (He owned it for a time, during which he
> used it in a short-lived airline that he opened -- and closed -- within a
> few short months, after running into trouble with the CAA for running an
> illegal airline!)
>
> Too soon it was time to go. I wanted to wait until they were ready for
> another ground run, but the kids were getting antsy and the sky was
> beckoning. After bidding our friends farewell, and inviting them to a
> return trip to Iowa City soon, we launched back into that warm, milky sky.
>
> Mary flew us home, while I gazed out the window, pondering how lucky we were
> to be alive, how fabulous everyone in the tight-knit world of aviation can
> be, and how fortunate we were to be enjoying this wondrous thing we call
> flight...

[Morgans]

"Montblack" > wrote
>
> http://www.pilotjournal.com/content/pastissues/gullwing.html
> Paul Sensor's 1936 Gull Wing Stinson (SR8E Reliant)
>

Nice. I only wish the pictures were click-able, so I could see some of the
details, up close.
--
Jim in NC

[jeremiah johnson]

awesome story.

I wish I could get my license. I wish I could start training, even. I
make $50k+ per year and I still can't afford it... so keep me going
with more stories like this. :)

jeremiah

Jason Dodd wrote:
> Great story Jay. As a fellow Iowan, I REALLY was wishing I could fly
> today! I didn't happen, but I did get a 1931 oldsmobile running! Great
> to hear someone else punching holes in the Iowa sky.
>
> Jason
>
>
> Jay Honeck wrote:
>
>> 80 degrees in Iowa? In April? If this is "global warming" I'm all
>> for it. And if it's just an early spring, well, all the better!
>>
>> When we departed KIOW today, shortly after noon, the sun was warm, the
>> winds light, and my 14-year-old son was in the right seat. Mary,
>> having worked 25 of the last 48 hours (two weddings at the inn -- on
>> the same weekend!) was more than willing to snooze in the back seat
>> while Joey learned a bit more about being a pilot.
>>
>> Destination today? Hampton, Iowa -- home of the Hampton Aviation
>> Association, and the most beautiful Gullwing Stinson to ever grace the
>> skies, owned by our friend Paul Sensor. This beautiful 1936
>> aircraft, fully restored by Paul in 2000, was the model for the 2002
>> Hallmark Aviation Christmas ornament, which was reproduced with
>> incredible accuracy, right down to the "NC" number.
>>
>> One catch: Paul didn't know we were coming. In fact, *we* didn't
>> know we were coming until 10 minutes before departure, thanks to our
>> incredibly hectic weekend and a decided lack of planning. Still, we
>> figured if no one was at the airport, we'd simply proceed on to Fort
>> Dodge -- home of a Flight Service station, and another Iowa airport
>> that we had never visited.
>>
>> Of course, we were in search of food -- when aren't we? -- and
>> truthfully Hampton didn't look too promising, with AOPA's directory
>> clearly stating "FBO closed Sundays." But, with enough fuel aboard
>> to fly to Texas non-stop, we figured we'd take our chances.
>>
>> After climbing to 5500 feet, Joey quickly learned that flying in
>> summertime haze was a LOT different than flying in the winter. With
>> ever growing frustration he discovered that without a well-defined
>> horizon he could hold heading or altitude -- but usually not both at
>> the same time. My amusement grew as he quickly learned that maybe
>> flying wasn't the "slam-dunk" he thought it was, but Mary -- sitting
>> behind the center of gravity -- soon put an end to my fun by
>> protesting his too-active bank and pitch corrections...
>>
>> Approaching the pattern Joey gladly relinquished the controls, perhaps
>> a bit wiser, and I landed uneventfully. As feared, however, this
>> pristine airport was deserted, but the FBO was unlocked, so we went
>> inside to look around.
>>
>> Everything in the place was neat as a pin, and appeared to be brand
>> new. The concrete was smooth as a pool table, with nary a skid mark or
>> a stone out of place. Clearly this was an airport that was
>> well-loved and thoughtfully maintained, so we were puzzled by its
>> unused condition on such a perfect flying day.
>>
>> My eyes fell on a phone book laying on the desk, and I figured "what
>> could it hurt?" to give Paul a jingle. Only last month he had led his
>> group of aviation merry-makers on a junket to Iowa City, where the
>> guys and gals had rented the entire hotel for a wonderful weekend of
>> flying, hanger lying, and shopping. During his time with us we had
>> hit it off pretty well, and Paul had invited us to visit "any time" --
>> so why not test the waters?
>>
>> Luckily, he had just stopped at home for lunch, after spending the
>> morning bringing the Stinson out of "winter mothballs." He
>> immediately offered to come get us, and within minutes he and a friend
>> were pulling up to meet us. Outgoing and warm as always, Paul --
>> knowing we were hungry -- had taken the liberty of calling his
>> favorite local restaurant to make sure that they would stay open long
>> enough for us to eat there! (In small-town Iowa, many businesses are
>> still closed on Sundays, and the ones that *are* open usually close
>> early.)
>>
>> He then drove us to "Coffee & Company" -- a small, intimate
>> restaurant/coffee shop (owned by a guy whose last name really is
>> "Coffee") with fantastic food -- and left us to our devices while he
>> went back to work on the Stinson. Before he left, he asked our
>> waitress to CALL HIM on his cell phone when it looked like we were
>> finishing up, so he could be back to fetch us before we were done
>> chewing! It just doesn't get much better than that, and we enjoyed a
>> terrific lunch, complete with home-made potato/bacon soup and a slice
>> of home-made cheesecake for dessert...
>>
>> True to his word, Paul was there to pick us up right as the cashier
>> finished running our card -- and he happily whisked us back to his
>> hangar for a first-hand tour of his incredible plane.
>>
>> One of only three left flying (there were four until last week, when
>> one was retired to the Delta Airlines museum), this incredible Stinson
>> has been lovingly restored to better-than-new condition by Paul and a
>> dedicated band of friends and mechanics. He showed us his
>> "restoration book", a picture-diary which outlined in great detail
>> just how far he had taken his bird in a very few short years.
>>
>> While never a basket case -- he flew it for four years before
>> restoring it -- the Gullwing had been extensively modified over the
>> years. Details like a wrong engine cowling, the wrong wheel pants,
>> and an inaccurate interior all had to be replaced and fabricated from
>> scratch -- and you don't go out and get this stuff from "Airtex"!
>> The end result is so stunning that, well, Hallmark made a Christmas
>> ornament out of it! You really just have to see it to appreciate it.
>>
>> Paul then directed Mary, me and the kids to climb up and in his
>> surprisingly huge work of art. (Never was I so paranoid about having
>> children!) Just getting in took some lessons, since -- even though
>> there is a ladder built into the fuselage for entry -- it's not
>> entirely obvious where to put your hands and feet.
>>
>> Once inside we were bathed in fresh leather -- a whole *bunch* of cows
>> gave there all for THIS bird. The seat was deeply comfortable,
>> although smaller than modern seats (people apparently weren't as
>> broad-butted during the Depression as they are today), and we were
>> surprised to be staring up at the sky! In fact, the pilot's position
>> is closer to that of the Apollo astronauts than it is to that of the
>> Space Shuttle pilots -- a Stinson really sits back on its haunches!
>> Paul stated that he had seen "an entire T-28 hide behind that nose"
>> more than once, so he must constantly S-turn while taxiing to avoid
>> catastrophe.
>>
>> He assured me, however, that once the nose came up visibility was just
>> fine.
>>
>> He then regaled us with tales of the restoration process, and how he
>> had found expert "faux wood painters" down south to re-create the
>> panel accurately. (In the 1930s they didn't have veneer woods yet, so
>> they painted the panels to look like wood.) Even this little detail
>> has been perfectly re-created, and the end result is a perfect time
>> machine. It was easy to close my eyes and imagine famed air racer
>> Roscoe Turner piloting this bird -- as he had, in fact, done. (He
>> owned it for a time, during which he used it in a short-lived airline
>> that he opened -- and closed -- within a few short months, after
>> running into trouble with the CAA for running an illegal airline!)
>>
>> Too soon it was time to go. I wanted to wait until they were ready for
>> another ground run, but the kids were getting antsy and the sky was
>> beckoning. After bidding our friends farewell, and inviting them to a
>> return trip to Iowa City soon, we launched back into that warm, milky
>> sky.
>>
>> Mary flew us home, while I gazed out the window, pondering how lucky
>> we were to be alive, how fabulous everyone in the tight-knit world of
>> aviation can be, and how fortunate we were to be enjoying this
>> wondrous thing we call flight...

[Jay Honeck]

> I wish I could get my license. I wish I could start training, even. I >
> make $50k+ per year and I still can't afford it... so keep me going with
> more stories like this. :)

Depends where you live. I suppose if you live on the West coast, $50K is
considered survival wages?

In Iowa, a $50K annual income would allow you to easily take flight lessons.
I know several people making less than that who own and regularly fly their
own planes.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[ShawnD2112]

Jay,
you really ought to be doing human interest stories for an aviation
magazine. Lane's got nothing you haven't got, so to speak.

Shawn

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:2FE8e.24433$Bb3.3793@attbi_s22...
> 80 degrees in Iowa? In April? If this is "global warming" I'm all for
> it. And if it's just an early spring, well, all the better!
>
> When we departed KIOW today, shortly after noon, the sun was warm, the
> winds light, and my 14-year-old son was in the right seat. Mary, having
> worked 25 of the last 48 hours (two weddings at the inn -- on the same
> weekend!) was more than willing to snooze in the back seat while Joey
> learned a bit more about being a pilot.
>
> Destination today? Hampton, Iowa -- home of the Hampton Aviation
> Association, and the most beautiful Gullwing Stinson to ever grace the
> skies, owned by our friend Paul Sensor. This beautiful 1936 aircraft,
> fully restored by Paul in 2000, was the model for the 2002 Hallmark
> Aviation Christmas ornament, which was reproduced with incredible
> accuracy, right down to the "NC" number.
>
> One catch: Paul didn't know we were coming. In fact, *we* didn't know we
> were coming until 10 minutes before departure, thanks to our incredibly
> hectic weekend and a decided lack of planning. Still, we figured if no
> one was at the airport, we'd simply proceed on to Fort Dodge -- home of a
> Flight Service station, and another Iowa airport that we had never
> visited.
>
> Of course, we were in search of food -- when aren't we? -- and truthfully
> Hampton didn't look too promising, with AOPA's directory clearly stating
> "FBO closed Sundays." But, with enough fuel aboard to fly to Texas
> non-stop, we figured we'd take our chances.
>
> After climbing to 5500 feet, Joey quickly learned that flying in
> summertime haze was a LOT different than flying in the winter. With ever
> growing frustration he discovered that without a well-defined horizon he
> could hold heading or altitude -- but usually not both at the same time.
> My amusement grew as he quickly learned that maybe flying wasn't the
> "slam-dunk" he thought it was, but Mary -- sitting behind the center of
> gravity -- soon put an end to my fun by protesting his too-active bank and
> pitch corrections...
>
> Approaching the pattern Joey gladly relinquished the controls, perhaps a
> bit wiser, and I landed uneventfully. As feared, however, this pristine
> airport was deserted, but the FBO was unlocked, so we went inside to look
> around.
>
> Everything in the place was neat as a pin, and appeared to be brand new.
> The concrete was smooth as a pool table, with nary a skid mark or a stone
> out of place. Clearly this was an airport that was well-loved and
> thoughtfully maintained, so we were puzzled by its unused condition on
> such a perfect flying day.
>
> My eyes fell on a phone book laying on the desk, and I figured "what could
> it hurt?" to give Paul a jingle. Only last month he had led his group of
> aviation merry-makers on a junket to Iowa City, where the guys and gals
> had rented the entire hotel for a wonderful weekend of flying, hanger
> lying, and shopping. During his time with us we had hit it off pretty
> well, and Paul had invited us to visit "any time" -- so why not test the
> waters?
>
> Luckily, he had just stopped at home for lunch, after spending the morning
> bringing the Stinson out of "winter mothballs." He immediately offered to
> come get us, and within minutes he and a friend were pulling up to meet
> us. Outgoing and warm as always, Paul -- knowing we were hungry -- had
> taken the liberty of calling his favorite local restaurant to make sure
> that they would stay open long enough for us to eat there! (In
> small-town Iowa, many businesses are still closed on Sundays, and the ones
> that *are* open usually close early.)
>
> He then drove us to "Coffee & Company" -- a small, intimate
> restaurant/coffee shop (owned by a guy whose last name really is "Coffee")
> with fantastic food -- and left us to our devices while he went back to
> work on the Stinson. Before he left, he asked our waitress to CALL HIM on
> his cell phone when it looked like we were finishing up, so he could be
> back to fetch us before we were done chewing! It just doesn't get much
> better than that, and we enjoyed a terrific lunch, complete with home-made
> potato/bacon soup and a slice of home-made cheesecake for dessert...
>
> True to his word, Paul was there to pick us up right as the cashier
> finished running our card -- and he happily whisked us back to his hangar
> for a first-hand tour of his incredible plane.
>
> One of only three left flying (there were four until last week, when one
> was retired to the Delta Airlines museum), this incredible Stinson has
> been lovingly restored to better-than-new condition by Paul and a
> dedicated band of friends and mechanics. He showed us his "restoration
> book", a picture-diary which outlined in great detail just how far he had
> taken his bird in a very few short years.
>
> While never a basket case -- he flew it for four years before restoring
> it -- the Gullwing had been extensively modified over the years. Details
> like a wrong engine cowling, the wrong wheel pants, and an inaccurate
> interior all had to be replaced and fabricated from scratch -- and you
> don't go out and get this stuff from "Airtex"! The end result is so
> stunning that, well, Hallmark made a Christmas ornament out of it! You
> really just have to see it to appreciate it.
>
> Paul then directed Mary, me and the kids to climb up and in his
> surprisingly huge work of art. (Never was I so paranoid about having
> children!) Just getting in took some lessons, since -- even though there
> is a ladder built into the fuselage for entry -- it's not entirely obvious
> where to put your hands and feet.
>
> Once inside we were bathed in fresh leather -- a whole *bunch* of cows
> gave there all for THIS bird. The seat was deeply comfortable, although
> smaller than modern seats (people apparently weren't as broad-butted
> during the Depression as they are today), and we were surprised to be
> staring up at the sky! In fact, the pilot's position is closer to that
> of the Apollo astronauts than it is to that of the Space Shuttle pilots --
> a Stinson really sits back on its haunches! Paul stated that he had seen
> "an entire T-28 hide behind that nose" more than once, so he must
> constantly S-turn while taxiing to avoid catastrophe.
>
> He assured me, however, that once the nose came up visibility was just
> fine.
>
> He then regaled us with tales of the restoration process, and how he had
> found expert "faux wood painters" down south to re-create the panel
> accurately. (In the 1930s they didn't have veneer woods yet, so they
> painted the panels to look like wood.) Even this little detail has been
> perfectly re-created, and the end result is a perfect time machine. It
> was easy to close my eyes and imagine famed air racer Roscoe Turner
> piloting this bird -- as he had, in fact, done. (He owned it for a time,
> during which he used it in a short-lived airline that he opened -- and
> closed -- within a few short months, after running into trouble with the
> CAA for running an illegal airline!)
>
> Too soon it was time to go. I wanted to wait until they were ready for
> another ground run, but the kids were getting antsy and the sky was
> beckoning. After bidding our friends farewell, and inviting them to a
> return trip to Iowa City soon, we launched back into that warm, milky sky.
>
> Mary flew us home, while I gazed out the window, pondering how lucky we
> were to be alive, how fabulous everyone in the tight-knit world of
> aviation can be, and how fortunate we were to be enjoying this wondrous
> thing we call flight...
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>

[Marco Leon]

For anyone interested in seeing the ornament:

http://www.mxtx.com/hallmark/ad2003/qx8147.htm

Great story Jay. Well-written as always. Seripusly, you should try to get
paid for some of your pieces. If Dick Karl from Flying can write about the
joy in flying his friend's Bonanza and make it sound interesting for a
column, then your stuff is cover feature material!

Marco Leon

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:2FE8e.24433$Bb3.3793@attbi_s22...
> 80 degrees in Iowa? In April? If this is "global warming" I'm all for
it.
> And if it's just an early spring, well, all the better!
>
> When we departed KIOW today, shortly after noon, the sun was warm, the
winds
> light, and my 14-year-old son was in the right seat. Mary, having worked
25
> of the last 48 hours (two weddings at the inn -- on the same weekend!) was
> more than willing to snooze in the back seat while Joey learned a bit more
> about being a pilot.
>
> Destination today? Hampton, Iowa -- home of the Hampton Aviation
> Association, and the most beautiful Gullwing Stinson to ever grace the
> skies, owned by our friend Paul Sensor. This beautiful 1936 aircraft,
> fully restored by Paul in 2000, was the model for the 2002 Hallmark
Aviation
> Christmas ornament, which was reproduced with incredible accuracy, right
> down to the "NC" number.
>
> One catch: Paul didn't know we were coming. In fact, *we* didn't know we
> were coming until 10 minutes before departure, thanks to our incredibly
> hectic weekend and a decided lack of planning. Still, we figured if no
one
> was at the airport, we'd simply proceed on to Fort Dodge -- home of a
Flight
> Service station, and another Iowa airport that we had never visited.
>
> Of course, we were in search of food -- when aren't we? -- and truthfully
> Hampton didn't look too promising, with AOPA's directory clearly stating
> "FBO closed Sundays." But, with enough fuel aboard to fly to Texas
> non-stop, we figured we'd take our chances.
>
> After climbing to 5500 feet, Joey quickly learned that flying in
summertime
> haze was a LOT different than flying in the winter. With ever growing
> frustration he discovered that without a well-defined horizon he could
hold
> heading or altitude -- but usually not both at the same time. My
amusement
> grew as he quickly learned that maybe flying wasn't the "slam-dunk" he
> thought it was, but Mary -- sitting behind the center of gravity -- soon
put
> an end to my fun by protesting his too-active bank and pitch
corrections...
>
> Approaching the pattern Joey gladly relinquished the controls, perhaps a
bit
> wiser, and I landed uneventfully. As feared, however, this pristine
airport
> was deserted, but the FBO was unlocked, so we went inside to look around.
>
> Everything in the place was neat as a pin, and appeared to be brand new.
> The concrete was smooth as a pool table, with nary a skid mark or a stone
> out of place. Clearly this was an airport that was well-loved and
> thoughtfully maintained, so we were puzzled by its unused condition on
such
> a perfect flying day.
>
> My eyes fell on a phone book laying on the desk, and I figured "what could
> it hurt?" to give Paul a jingle. Only last month he had led his group of
> aviation merry-makers on a junket to Iowa City, where the guys and gals
had
> rented the entire hotel for a wonderful weekend of flying, hanger lying,
and
> shopping. During his time with us we had hit it off pretty well, and
Paul
> had invited us to visit "any time" -- so why not test the waters?
>
> Luckily, he had just stopped at home for lunch, after spending the morning
> bringing the Stinson out of "winter mothballs." He immediately offered to
> come get us, and within minutes he and a friend were pulling up to meet
us.
> Outgoing and warm as always, Paul -- knowing we were hungry -- had taken
the
> liberty of calling his favorite local restaurant to make sure that they
> would stay open long enough for us to eat there! (In small-town Iowa,
many
> businesses are still closed on Sundays, and the ones that *are* open
usually
> close early.)
>
> He then drove us to "Coffee & Company" -- a small, intimate
> restaurant/coffee shop (owned by a guy whose last name really is "Coffee")
> with fantastic food -- and left us to our devices while he went back to
work
> on the Stinson. Before he left, he asked our waitress to CALL HIM on his
> cell phone when it looked like we were finishing up, so he could be back
to
> fetch us before we were done chewing! It just doesn't get much better
than
> that, and we enjoyed a terrific lunch, complete with home-made
potato/bacon
> soup and a slice of home-made cheesecake for dessert...
>
> True to his word, Paul was there to pick us up right as the cashier
finished
> running our card -- and he happily whisked us back to his hangar for a
> first-hand tour of his incredible plane.
>
> One of only three left flying (there were four until last week, when one
was
> retired to the Delta Airlines museum), this incredible Stinson has been
> lovingly restored to better-than-new condition by Paul and a dedicated
band
> of friends and mechanics. He showed us his "restoration book", a
> picture-diary which outlined in great detail just how far he had taken his
> bird in a very few short years.
>
> While never a basket case -- he flew it for four years before restoring
> it -- the Gullwing had been extensively modified over the years. Details
> like a wrong engine cowling, the wrong wheel pants, and an inaccurate
> interior all had to be replaced and fabricated from scratch -- and you
don't
> go out and get this stuff from "Airtex"! The end result is so stunning
> that, well, Hallmark made a Christmas ornament out of it! You really just
> have to see it to appreciate it.
>
> Paul then directed Mary, me and the kids to climb up and in his
surprisingly
> huge work of art. (Never was I so paranoid about having children!) Just
> getting in took some lessons, since -- even though there is a ladder built
> into the fuselage for entry -- it's not entirely obvious where to put your
> hands and feet.
>
> Once inside we were bathed in fresh leather -- a whole *bunch* of cows
gave
> there all for THIS bird. The seat was deeply comfortable, although
smaller
> than modern seats (people apparently weren't as broad-butted during the
> Depression as they are today), and we were surprised to be staring up at
the
> sky! In fact, the pilot's position is closer to that of the Apollo
> astronauts than it is to that of the Space Shuttle pilots -- a Stinson
> really sits back on its haunches! Paul stated that he had seen "an
entire
> T-28 hide behind that nose" more than once, so he must constantly S-turn
> while taxiing to avoid catastrophe.
>
> He assured me, however, that once the nose came up visibility was just
fine.
>
> He then regaled us with tales of the restoration process, and how he had
> found expert "faux wood painters" down south to re-create the panel
> accurately. (In the 1930s they didn't have veneer woods yet, so they
painted
> the panels to look like wood.) Even this little detail has been perfectly
> re-created, and the end result is a perfect time machine. It was easy to
> close my eyes and imagine famed air racer Roscoe Turner piloting this
> bird -- as he had, in fact, done. (He owned it for a time, during which
he
> used it in a short-lived airline that he opened -- and closed -- within a
> few short months, after running into trouble with the CAA for running an
> illegal airline!)
>
> Too soon it was time to go. I wanted to wait until they were ready for
> another ground run, but the kids were getting antsy and the sky was
> beckoning. After bidding our friends farewell, and inviting them to a
> return trip to Iowa City soon, we launched back into that warm, milky sky.
>
> Mary flew us home, while I gazed out the window, pondering how lucky we
were
> to be alive, how fabulous everyone in the tight-knit world of aviation can
> be, and how fortunate we were to be enjoying this wondrous thing we call
> flight...
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[houstondan]

i 3rd the motion. you're at least good enough as a writer to publish
your stuff and you've obviously got yourself in the situation to have a
steady stream of interesting subject matter.

and thanks to montblack for posting the link to the story and pictures.


just google-up some writers agents, prepare a profile and a half-dozen
of your pieces from here and start sending 'em out. you'd be suprised
how much need there is for product out there. just don't expect much
money. magazine writing is right up there with airplane driving as a
way to have a lot of fun without making money (g).


dan

[Robert A. Barker]

"houstondan" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>i 3rd the motion. you're at least good enough as a writer to publish
> your stuff and you've obviously got yourself in the situation to have a
> steady stream of interesting subject matter.
>
> and thanks to montblack for posting the link to the story and pictures.
>
>
> just google-up some writers agents, prepare a profile and a half-dozen
> of your pieces from here and start sending 'em out. you'd be suprised
> how much need there is for product out there. just don't expect much
> money. magazine writing is right up there with airplane driving as a
> way to have a lot of fun without making money (g).
>
>
> dan

I hate to be a me too guy BUT "what they just said.I
always enjoy reading your "articles".

Bob Barker N8749S

[jeremiah johnson]

Illinois. I married into a lot of debt. If I didn't have $2k in
payments each month It would be easy to afford lessons.

But as it stands, living on what many in my town consider a King's
Ransom I cannot yet afford lessons.

one day ...

Jay Honeck wrote:
>>I wish I could get my license. I wish I could start training, even. I >
>>make $50k+ per year and I still can't afford it... so keep me going with
>>more stories like this. :)
>
>
> Depends where you live. I suppose if you live on the West coast, $50K is
> considered survival wages?
>
> In Iowa, a $50K annual income would allow you to easily take flight lessons.
> I know several people making less than that who own and regularly fly their
> own planes.

[A Lieberman]

On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 02:09:02 GMT, Jay Honeck wrote:

> Mary flew us home, while I gazed out the window, pondering how lucky we were
> to be alive, how fabulous everyone in the tight-knit world of aviation can
> be, and how fortunate we were to be enjoying this wondrous thing we call
> flight...

Jay,

You have said this so many times so eloquently, more so then I ever could
myself.

I have been honored to the freedom of flight, and have managed to capture
some of my flights on video (with the help of a passenger *smile*.

If you go to http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=mbo, you will see some
of the magic of flying I have experienced.

Feel free to download and upload to your website if you desire. The videos
range from take off to IMC to VFR on top, to a night flight landing.

For me, it's an honor to be able to "commute" to work as I do now, or just
take off and fly from Mississippi and be in Ohio 5 1/2 hours later.....

Allen

[Highflyer]

"jeremiah johnson" > wrote in message
news:Q9H8e.25550$Bb3.6735@attbi_s22...
> awesome story.
>
> I wish I could get my license. I wish I could start training, even. I
> make $50k+ per year and I still can't afford it... so keep me going with
> more stories like this. :)
>
> jeremiah
>

I won't say anything jeremiah. My income is considerably less than $50k+
per year. However, I did learn to fly and currently own eight airplanes.
Admittedly only one of the eight is currently in flying condition, but I AM
working on getting a few more flying as I can afford to buy the parts and
materials.

I was up flying the other day though in the one that is flying. It is also
a Gull wing Stinson Reliant, although it is a bit newer than Paul's. :-)
Mine was built in 1942 for the Army Air Corps to use as an advanced trainer.
Then the US decided they didn't need those particular advanced trainers and
lend-leased them all to Britain. It flew over to Britain in 1943 on its own
wings.

Mary and I were in Bangor, Wales downing a few pints at a local pub and I
got talking to the gent next to me at the bar. Of course, me being who I
am, the conversation turned to aircraft and flying. The gentleman mentioned
that he had been a flight instructor in the RAF during the war. Of course I
asked him what he instructed in. I expected Tiger Moths, or Provosts or
something like that. Imagine my shock and pleasure when he replied "Stinson
Reliants."

Of course I responded to that with "Do you know, I own THREE Stinson
Reliants that ALL flew for the British in WWII!"

Anyway, I chugged around the countryside at a leisurely 100 knots in luxury
in my elderly but roomy airplane, fondly referred to on the news groups as
"The Red Lady."

She makes her home at Pinckneyville, Illinois ( PJY ) which is the home of
the annual rec.aviation flyin. This year the flyin is being held May 20,
21, and 22. I usually try to give everyone who wants a ride in the Red Lady
a chance to ride in it and take the controls for a while. Sometimes the
weather doesn't cooperate, and sometimes the Lady herself gets cranky and
won't cooperate, but usually we all get to fly around a bit during the
flyin. It is a flyin where we fly all day and talk about flying all night!
You don't need a lot of money but extra stamina is very useful.

If anyone wants to join the crowd at Pinckneyville for the flyin please drop
us an email at to let us know you are coming so we can be
sure not to run out of groceries. :-)

Highflyer
Highflight Aviation Services
Pinckneyville Airport ( PJY )

[Jay Honeck]

> Illinois. I married into a lot of debt. If I didn't have $2k in payments
> each month It would be easy to afford lessons.

Ouch. You ain't kidding!

Well, be patient. I don't know how old you are, but I spent my first 35
years on this planet gazing skyward, wondering...

It's never too late!

Blue skies,
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> If anyone wants to join the crowd at Pinckneyville for the flyin please
> drop us an email at to let us know you are coming so we
> can be sure not to run out of groceries. :-)

Augh. Another Pinckneyville lost to us -- we've got to be at my nephew's
wedding in Seattle that weekend.

One of these years...

Personally, I'm rooting for a huge fight between the future bride & groom
between now and then...

:-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

Very nice videos, Allen.

I just might steal that night landing video...

Thanks,
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[jsmith]

This from an English major...

Jay Honeck wrote:
> Once inside we were bathed in fresh leather -- a whole *bunch* of cows gave
> there all for THIS bird.

[Jay Honeck]

Here are a few pix from the flight...

http://www.alexisparkinn.com/stinson_gullwing.htm
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[jeremiah johnson]

30 on friday. Actually I talked with my fiance (not /quite/ married
yet, though i call her my wife because the day is so close) and she has
over $110k in debt. I have $0.

I'll be upset if I don't have my private certificate by the time I'm 35.
Actually I'll be upset about it no matter what happens because
originally I wanted it by my 30th birthday.

I read the stories that you people write and the discussions that go on
here, longing. I've been lurking on this group for a long time.

You guys need to keep talking about flying, and how wonderful it is :)
I need to live vicariously through this newsgroup or I'll go crazy.. :)

jeremiah

Jay Honeck wrote:
>>Illinois. I married into a lot of debt. If I didn't have $2k in payments
>>each month It would be easy to afford lessons.
>
>
> Ouch. You ain't kidding!
>
> Well, be patient. I don't know how old you are, but I spent my first 35
> years on this planet gazing skyward, wondering...
>
> It's never too late!
>
> Blue skies,

[Jay Honeck]

> she has over $110k in debt. I have $0.

Holy crikey! Now *that* is true love...

;-)

One piece of advice: Cut the credit cards up now -- BEFORE the
wedding...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Matt Whiting]

Jay Honeck wrote:
>>she has over $110k in debt. I have $0.
>
>
> Holy crikey! Now *that* is true love...
>
> ;-)

Or, more likely, very bad judgment! :-)

Matt

[jeremiah johnson]

Nah, its love.

Matt Whiting wrote:
> Jay Honeck wrote:
>
>>> she has over $110k in debt. I have $0.
>>
>>
>>
>> Holy crikey! Now *that* is true love...
>>
>> ;-)
>
>
> Or, more likely, very bad judgment! :-)
>
> Matt

[Matt Whiting]

jeremiah johnson wrote:
> Nah, its love.
>
> Matt Whiting wrote:
>
>> Jay Honeck wrote:
>>
>>>> she has over $110k in debt. I have $0.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Holy crikey! Now *that* is true love...
>>>
>>> ;-)
>>
>>
>>
>> Or, more likely, very bad judgment! :-)
>>
>> Matt

Yes, but the love is causing bad judgment to be exercised.
Unfortunately, money problems is one of the leading causes of divorce.


Matt

[jeremiah johnson]

Well, there's a house in there, so its not really *that* much debt. Two
cars, a house, half a dozen charge accounts... i've seen worse.

I'm 100% aware of the situation i'm getting into, i promise.

thanks for the concern, but i'm quite capable of making my own decisions.

jeremiah

Matt Whiting wrote:
> jeremiah johnson wrote:
>
>> Nah, its love.
>>
>> Matt Whiting wrote:
>>
>>> Jay Honeck wrote:
>>>
>>>>> she has over $110k in debt. I have $0.
>>>>
>>>> Holy crikey! Now *that* is true love...
>>>>
>>>> ;-)
>>>
>>> Or, more likely, very bad judgment! :-)
>>>
>>> Matt
>
>
> Yes, but the love is causing bad judgment to be exercised.
> Unfortunately, money problems is one of the leading causes of divorce.
>
>
> Matt

[Jay Honeck]

> thanks for the concern, but i'm quite capable of making my own decisions.

Hoo, boy. That ranks right up there with "Watch this!" as "famous last
words"...

:-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[jeremiah johnson]

Hahah, well I've made my fair share of bad moves in the past, but I'm
very sure that this is one of those decisions that I won't regret in the
future.

I'll be fine. Life has thrown me a lot of challenges. I've survived
cancer (testicular), a term in the US Air Force as explosives ordinance
disposal, two hospitalizing car crashes (both as a result of other
people's intoxication), a 65mph motorcycle wreck (mechanical failure, i
walked away), two toddlerettes, and an ex-wife (this one was genuinely
bad judgement, i'll admit)

I'll be fine. and if something does happen, i'm certain i'll be able to
handle it.

Jay Honeck wrote:
>>thanks for the concern, but i'm quite capable of making my own decisions.
>
>
> Hoo, boy. That ranks right up there with "Watch this!" as "famous last
> words"...
>
> :-)

[Jay Honeck]

> I'll be fine. and if something does happen, i'm certain i'll be able to
> handle it.

Good luck, Jeremiah. I hope you get your chance in the left seat someday...

I suspect that with your "can-do" attitude, it'll happen.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Dan Luke]

"Highflyer" wrote:
> Anyway, I chugged around the countryside at a leisurely 100 knots in luxury
> in my elderly but roomy airplane, fondly referred to on the news groups as
> "The Red Lady."

"Leisurely," hah!

Those of you who haven't been on board for one of Highflyer's 3-g pullouts in
the Stinson may be forgiven if you don't have an accurate picture of what he
means by "leisurely."


>
> If anyone wants to join the crowd at Pinckneyville for the flyin please
drop
> us an email at to let us know you are coming so we can be
> sure not to run out of groceries. :-)

The coolest fly-in I've ever beer, er, been to. See you there next month,
John.
--
Dan
C-172RG at BFM

[W P Dixon]

>
> Jeremiah,
I know the pain of being broke and wanting to fly. IT CAN BE DONE! I
make 12000 a year, my wife about 24000 and I have started my sport pilot
training. I do not get to fly 2 or 3 times a week , and with the bad weather
we have had every weekend I have not gotten alot of time in for the last two
months! but you can do it!

Patrick
student SPL
aircraft structural mech ( med retired dreadfully!)