Lunch Bunch: A Time for Old Friends and Airplanes

Group gathers to recall past exploits and shared wisdom.

Martha Lunken

Friday, May 29, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

From the author’s years with the FAA to two decades as a Douglas DC-3 specialist, the stories unfold easily. [Credit: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

A group of experienced "Sky Gods and Goddesses" pilots regularly meets to share diverse aviation stories and wisdom, lamenting the absence of new, young pilots to carry on their legacy.
The author details their extensive career, including 28 years as an FAA inspector and 20 years as a DC-3 specialist, recounting challenging training experiences and encounters with unique characters.
Personal anecdotes highlight the author's journey, from struggling with early FAA assignments to mastering aircraft like the DC-3 and the cumbersome Carvair.
These pilot gatherings serve as a vital space for recalling personal histories, the aircraft flown, and the influential people met, emphasizing the deep connection pilots have to their past experiences.

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Our wednesday lunch bunch met as usual at one of our favorite restaurants near the airport. I realize that’s probably not an earthshaking event because it likely happens with pilots all over the country.

A friend in Southern California tells me the same thing occurs on Fridays at the Camarillo Airport (KCMA) restaurant. (Note: If you want to meet Barry Schiff, KCMA is the place to go. Just be prepared to buy his lunch!)