by Penny Hamilton
jumped at the chance to sit in the cockpit of EAA Chapter 1267 pilot Dick
Sunderland’s RV-7, after the Cub Scouts had the same experience recently
at “Explore Aviation at Emily Warner Field.”
Emily Warner Field Aviation Museum Coordinator Recently, our aviation community invited our local Cub Scout Den to “Explore Aviation at Emily Warner Field” in Granby/Grand County Colorado (KGNB). We invited leaders, scouts, and parents to visit their local airport and aviation museum.
We first wanted them to see, touch, and actually sit in a “real” airplane in its hangar. We knew this would be an attraction to the scouts. But, we were overwhelmed with the many leaders and parents who wanted to experience the feel and see the modern panel with lighted navigation and radio gear. EAA Chapter member, Dick Sunderland, opened his hangar and his gorgeous RV-7 to all of them.
Sometimes pilots forget how exciting aviation and flying is. Just looking at the faces and smiles of the leaders, who have never before been “invited” to their community airport, let alone to sit in a plane actually built to perfection by the pilot.Our local EAA Chapter 1267 is blessed with skilled builders. But, more importantly, these pilots are willing to let “mere earthling non-pilots,” especially children, see, touch, and take the yoke of these special airplanes which might have been years in the building. It always amazes me how these usually laid-back guys will patiently answer endless questions about their airplanes and flying. Our plan worked perfectly because the enthusiastic Cubs and adults joined us in our aviation museum (see www. grandcountyhistory.org ).
One of our Fantasy of Flight room volunteers, Rich Cimino, was available to share about the new resources available for scouts to pursue their badge requirements and encourage them to return often. The homemade cookies made by museum volunteer, Ann Stricklin, was a great way to send the Cubs home to enjoy their future pilot wings, aviation education connect-the-dot activity, and their “tickets” to return to the Grand County Historical Association Emily Warner Field Aviation Museum. Friday, March 17, 2017 from 11am to 2pm aviation museum volunteers will again greet visitors to celebrate Granby’s own Irish-American Emily Hanrahan Warner and the unveiling of the new display of a replica Captain Warner 1976 Frontier Airlines uniform when she became America’s very first female airline captain. Hope to see you then.
Do spread the word.
