Young Eagles Pilot Information

 

Dick Bradshaw

My first experience in a light aircraft was while stationed in western France in 1954, when I was invited to accompany the pilot on a “training flight” (sightseeing) in an L-19 Army observation aircraft. The L-19 was built by Cessna and is a two place tandem seated high wing aircraft similar in many respects to a Cessna 170. The flight took us over the medieval city of La Rochelle, a picturesque walled city with a small harbor inside the walls and adjacent to the port of La Palice where the German navy home ported their Atlantic submarine fleet during WW-2. That flight was spectacular and planted the seed for a future in light aircraft; however that activity had to wait until 1968 to resume.

After being discharged from the Army, I went to work in the Fire Sprinkler industry and in 1968 was sent to San Diego to open an office with responsibility for company operations in California south of Orange County plus all of Arizona and Southern Nevada.

With that large an area to cover I decided to look into learning to fly and joined the Armed Forces Aero Club at Montgomery Field, San Diego where I obtained my Private Pilots License. Then I was able to apply the unused portion of the GI bill to obtain my Commercial License, Instrument and Multi -engine ratings.

I was able to use the Club aircraft for business and pleasure for several years and later was fortunate to become a partner in a Mooney. My partner was subsequently transferred and I became sole owner of that aircraft. In 1975 my SD office was closed and I was sent to work in the Los Angeles Area, but did not want to move. I sold the Mooney (which had payments) and purchased the 1951 Cessna 170 that I still have and commuted daily between Montgomery Field and Long Beach, California.

In 1977 I left the company and started my own business in San Diego; and still used the aircraft to conduct business in the desert communities of Blythe, Needles and the Imperial Valley.

In 1980 I modified the aircraft by installing a 180 HP fuel injected Lycoming engine with controllable pitch propeller, new instrument panel and completely rewired the aircraft; and did a 3-week test flight to Fairbanks, Alaska. On return, I modified the wings to increase the fuel capacity and subsequently obtained my Airframe and Power plant Mechanics License.

In 1983 I joined the Civil Air Patrol - U.S. Air Force Auxiliary where I used the Cessna as a search and rescue aircraft; and was fortunate to locate two downed aircraft.

There was a need for instructor and check pilots in CAP so I obtained my Flight Instructor Certificate - Airplane and Instruments, and later became Chief Check Pilot for CAP in the San Diego area.

In 1989 my company purchased a 1978 Beech Baron that we used for projects as far away as Wichita, Kansas, and in order to maintain maximum proficiency, obtained my Multi - engine Instructor Certificate. Later, in order to improve and maintain proficiency, I obtained my Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.

I have flown across the United States; and to Alaska and Mexico several times in both the Cessna and the Beech Baron. In 2002 my wife and I toured Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa in a rented Cessna 182 after I obtained South African Pilot privileges. I have approximately 5000 flight hours and have thoroughly enjoyed every hour.

Several years ago I began flying the Young Eagles and have found sharing the experience of flight with young and enthusiastic “wanna be” pilots keeps me young and enthusiastic. The challenges experienced in learning to fly provide a basis to develop sound judgment and maturity in anyone regardless of age. I hope that some of the Young Eagles will find the enjoyment that I have in experiencing the freedom of flight.