Tango Thirty One Aero Clube

Back in the day, a kid could ride his bicycle up to the airport, poke around a little and maybe find themselves in command of a broom sweeping out someone’s hangar, or on their back cleaning the belly of an airplane. If the job was done well, the reward might have been an airplane ride.

In today’s environment, curious kids are locked out of a lot of local municipal airports by overreaching bureaucracy that does more to discourage future aviators than it does to encourage them. It is like somebody rolled up the welcome mat and threw it in the trash can. Some airport managers come out of college with little to no general aviation background and decide to run the municipal airport like Chicago O’Hare, leaving many youngsters disappointed that they are unable to find a way into the country club.

Kevin Lacey had spent a great deal of time at the McKinney Aviation Academy as one of the mentors to the students engaged in the Eagle’s Nest Project who built a RV-12. Some of the students wanted and needed more aviation, but they were not welcome at that airport after class was over. The airport manager came right out and stated “His airport was no place for kids, they are not welcome here!”

As a result, Kevin’s hangar at Aero Country Airport became an after school gathering place for several of the kids. They wanted more aviation than their high school could offer and they could not afford the ridiculous rates of $250 per hour for dual flight instruction from the local Part 141 Flight School. In the flight schools defense, the new aircraft are north of $300,000, but that is still a pretty tough nut to crack for a kid that can barely find a part time job slinging hamburgers for $9 per hour.

It was decided that there needed to be an organization that could help get these enthusiastic youngsters started and stay engaged in aviation without bankrupting them and their families. Founders, Retired Colonel Greg “Spanky” Barber, Retired Delta Airlines Captain Ron Roland and Kevin Lacey got together to discuss ways to help these youngsters out. Most had been flying several times with Kevin in the SloHawk, but it seemed that there was so much more that could be done.

Several phone calls were made to Michael Zidziunas. Mike Z is the Director of the very successful Lakeland Aero Club. There is no sense in trying to reinvent the wheel. After writing checks to lawyers and the IRS and waiting around for several months, the Tango Thirty One Aero Clube was born.

Unfortunately, tragedy struck the Aero Clube on New Years eve 2016 in the form of a mid-air collision which took the life of Founder and Director Greg “Spanky” Barber and his son Tim. Aero Clube’s approval from the State had not been received by that time, but Texas law requires three Directors, so another potential candidate had to be identified and eventually the Clube selected Mr. Todd Curtis to round out Directors Row.

Today, the Tango Thirty One Aero Clube is a standalone 501(C) 3 nonprofit aero club for kids. Celebrating its second anniversary, the Clube has a lot to be grateful for. The Clube depends entirely on donations to finance its operation and although the Clube is cash strapped most of the time, they always seem to find a way to make things happen.

Officially the Clube has 27 Members, but with departures to college and jobs after school, a Clube get together will include 10-12 members. Officially the Clube meets three days a week for its normal routine and restoration maintenance on the Clube’s aircraft, but during times of good weather, members will be out all days of the week taking flying lessons.

The Clube Members performed a frame up restoration on a 1967 Cessna 150, named Casper and are performing a flying restoration of their 1976 Cessna 150, named 35Ugly. In addition, they have begun the process of restoring a 1946 Cessna 120, in which they intend to “un-metalize” the wings and recover them with fabric.

The young Clube members actually perform all the work (under the supervision of qualified individuals of course). From fabricating an avionics wire harness, to an engine top overhaul, to windshield installation, to applying a shiny coat of paint, they do it all.

Their reward for all this sweat equity invested in the Clube aircraft is that they get to fly for the cost of fuel, which is about $26 per hour. While a couple of Clube members have graduated high school and moved on to college to pursue their flying credentials, others have been steadily honing their skills in the traffic pattern.

2018 saw the Clube fly approximately 210 hours in Clube aircraft. Alex “Blue” Coats has all the flight requirements for his Private Pilots License (PPL) and is in the final stages of preparing for the written test. Gabriel “Skinny” Hatton has his written test passed and is just a few hours away from qualifying to take his check ride. Sahara “Miss Ponytail” Billman soloed one week after her 16th birthday (weather delay). Kaleb “Beer Money” McPherson was just about to solo when his parents grounded him for an unacceptable 86% on a test score at school. Daniel “Professor” Kaphingst soloed just before the weather started turning bad and is now waiting for good spring time weather to begin his cross-country training. Kevin “Hammer” Butler just earned his Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic (A&P) certificate and has just begun his flight training.

In an attempt to gain further exposure to the aviation world, eight Clube Members made the 800 nautical mile trek from Aero Country to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for EAA’s AirVenture 2018. Alex “Blue” Coats flew solo cross country to Fond du Lac and back, while the remaining Clube Members took turns flying the SloHawk and riding in the ground support vehicle being driven by Sara Butler. It was a real eye opener for most, with many different activities including workshops, airline recruiters, concerts, air shows and of course, airplanes and aviators everywhere.

The Clube Members have spent a great deal of time attending and participating at local North Texas air shows including assisting with Young Eagle Rally’s, cleaning performers aircraft, and marshalling the ramp.

New Clube members are generally welcomed into the group by participating in aircraft maintenance activities and socializing with the group. If they demonstrate the proper amount of enthusiasm and desire, at some point they are given an EAA Young Eagle flight, usually with Clube Director Kevin Lacey in the infamous SloHawk.

During this first flight they are put in the left seat and are required to perform as much of the flight as they can. From taxi and take-off, departing the pattern, performing turns and stalls and other basic flight maneuvers.

This initial Young Eagle Flight provides several things. First is a glimpse of what is possible if they decide they like it and want to pursue opportunities in aviation. It also offers a free two year student membership to EAA. Perhaps the most important of all, is it also offers them free access to Sporty’s online interactive Private Pilot study course.

The Clube is doing its best to make it as economical as possible to get started in aviation. With free ground school through Sporty’s and the ability to fly Clube aircraft for the price of fuel, which is running about $26 per hour.

For close to 30 years certain groups were standing on the mountain top screaming about the upcoming pilot and mechanic shortage. It appears the shortage is finally here, but the opportunity to pursue an aviation career has all but priced itself out of the market for many. The Tango Thirty One Aero Clube is doing its best to prepare these youngsters for the adventure of a lifetime without driving them and their families deep into debt.

For many people, aviation is not a job, it is a passion. We are generally more than willing to share that passion with those who are interested. We enjoy the challenges it presents and the freedom it offers. The sky is not the limit, it is simply a waypoint creating a new adventure enroute to a destination.