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:

The author describes regular gatherings of experienced pilots who share stories and wisdom, expressing concern over the absence of new, young pilots to carry on the aviation legacy.
These "lunch bunch" meetings feature a diverse group of aviators, from retired major airline captains to general aviation enthusiasts and aircraft builders.
A significant portion of the article details the author's 20-year career as an FAA DC-3 specialist, including challenging training experiences and an encounter with a unique Carvair operation.
The shared anecdotes are not merely about old airplanes but serve as a means for pilots to remember who they were, the experiences they had, and the people they met throughout their flying careers.

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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!)