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An All-American Airshow

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The author, an FAA inspector, shares her deep love for aviation, recounting humorous and rebellious past experiences, including rule-breaking flights and dealing with unreliable aircraft.
  • She vividly describes the annual Vinton County Airshow as a cherished, informal community event where pilots fly for free out of passion, camaraderie, and respect for the local "Appalachian Air Force."
  • The article culminates with a poignant account of the Vinton County community gathering on September 16, 2001, just after the 9/11 attacks, demonstrating their resilience, patriotism, and enduring spirit despite the absence of an actual airshow.
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As I was hefting two humongous boxes of maintenance records into the 180, I found myself thinking about the draconian FAA rules for operating a DC-3, the outta-sight fuel prices, the cost of round engines, spare parts, insurance, a hangar and maintenance. And I said to myself, out loud, “Martha, do we really want to buy this airplane?” And I answered, out loud, “You bet we do.” So the bathroom doesn’t get remodeled and the front walk stays cracked and I cut the grass and wash the windows myself. I can keep the car forever, cancel the cable and buy perfectly good jeans from Goodwill.

And, on that note, I settled on a name for this bimonthly (if Mac doesn’t fire me) column. “Flying; A Love Affair.” A good idea, but Unusual Attitudes is more accurate and descriptive.

Martha Lunken

Martha Lunken is a lifelong pilot, former FAA inspector and defrocked pilot examiner. She flies a Cessna 180 and anything with a tailwheel, from Cubs to DC-3s.

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