The Lakeland Aero Club Attends Triple Tree Fly-In

THE LAKELAND AERO CLUB ATTENDS TRIPLE TREE FLY-IN

By Carol Cali

The Triple Tree Aerodrome has fast become a welcome destination for the Lakeland Aero Club who returned for the second time this year. Eight (8) members of the high school flying club attended the 12th Annual Triple Tree Fly-In in Woodruff, South Carolina. This past June, six (6) members of the club flew their planes to the Youth Aviation Weekend held at Triple Tree.

Layton Bracey was pilot-in-command for this trip flying the club’s 1953 Piper PA-18. At just 18 years old, Bracey is currently working on his commercial rating and is a Freshman studying Business Administration at Polk State College. The Lakeland Aero Club was joined by SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In’s Director of Business Development and Airshow Operations, Greg Gibson, flying SUN ‘n FUN’s 1941 Stearman. Seven (7) members of the club rotated for flight time with Bracey and Gibson. One member, Hunter Hallstrand, a 17 year old Senior at Central Florida Aerospace Academy, recently completed his first powered solo. Similar to other members, Hallstrand first soloed on a glider earlier this year. The group of 6 young men and 2 young women worked together on the trip’s preparations including flight plans.

“This was tough for me” says Mike Zidziunas (aka Mike Z.). “This was the first trip that I’ve not been in the air (with my members). I had complete confidence in our pilots and their capabilities but had to do so from the ground this time.” The club’s second plane, a Piper PA-11, suffered unpredictable damage to its Continental C-85 engine that was detected after flying from Lakeland, FL to AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI this past July. Damage to one of the cylinders grounded the airplane at AirVenture, and after a thorough inspection by the Lakeland Aero Club members and mechanics from Don’s Dream Engines, it was determined that the engine was in need of a complete overhaul. A fundraising campaign is underway to complete the overhaul and to return to pick up the plane that had to be left behind in Oshkosh.

For those following the “Bring Miss Bonnie Home” fundraising campaign, it is estimated that the engine will be ready by Mid-October for pickup in Alabama followed immediately by a trip back to Oshkosh, WI to reattach the engine and fly the plane back home to Lakeland, FL. “we’re about half-way there on our fundraising campaign” says Mike Z. “but we need to get the plane back (to Lakeland, FL) for the members’ use as soon as possible”.

This was Gibson’s first time flying on a trip along with the Lakeland Aero Club. “The opportunity to fly with the members of the Lakeland Aero Club, especially in our Stearman, and share with them the excitement that I feel when I fly this plane was remarkable” says Gibson. “It was also a reminder why tremendous effort is put into making sure our annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In and Expo is successful. The SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In is the biggest fundraising event for our ACE programs and its scholarships. It was also one of the reasons why we were so pleased to be able to attend the Triple Tree Fly-In and show our support of their programs just as they support ours”.

The members of the club were personally welcomed to Triple Tree by Pat Hartness and his volunteers. The Fly-In was a success and an experience that the club members won’t forget. Although the summer heat extended into September, they enjoyed the fellowship at the evening BBQs and the fun of camping under the wings of their planes. One story that will be retold was that they were schooled how to properly shuck corn by Mr. Pat himself.

SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In and The Lakeland Aero Club co-presented a seminar “The Sky is Just the Beginning” – the Overview of the Aerospace Center for Excellence”

during the Triple Tree Fly-In. Both Gibson and Mike Z. shared how the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) is addressing the critical need for getting young people engaged in aerospace activities that best prepare them for tomorrow’s challenges. They challenged others to make an impact in their own clubs, chapters, and communities. The Lakeland Aero Club members passed out challenge coins to attendees that shared how they would “take the challenge” once they returned home.

There is never a shortage of hands that are raised when there’s an opportunity to take to the skies and attend a Fly-In or aviation event. The club has a number of events on the calendar over the coming months so be on the lookout for their yellow cubs!

ABOUT AEROSPACE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE, INC.: The Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), a 501(c)(3) non-profit, has emerged as a nationally recognized leader in STEM-related and aerospace education through its various learning centers, outreach programs, summer camps and scholarships aimed at preparing students for tomorrow’s aerospace challenges. Located on the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus in Lakeland, Florida, the organization is known for its annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In and Expo fundraising event as well as the Aerospace Discovery Museum which is Florida’s Official Aviation Museum and Education Center. ACE is the world’s leader in producing licensed teenage private pilots and delivers youth programs that engage over 30,000 students a year. For more information, www.ACEedu.aero.

ABOUT THE LAKELAND AERO CLUB: The Lakeland Aero Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit high school flying club that teaches high school and college age students how to fly and restore antique airplanes. Members of the club have the ability to receive hands on experience in any aspect of aviation they so desire. Membership is available to any High School or College student within the ages of fourteen and twenty-four, who express an interest in aviation, are of good moral character, and are academically achieving. Members of the Lakeland Aero Club are primarily responsible for maintaining the club’s aircraft, maintaining the club’s facility, and maintaining the club’s reputation. The Lakeland Aero Club exists to provide an opportunity for local youth to get involved and make a future in aviation. For more information, www.lakelandaeroclub.org.