With the pandemic sweeping our nation and our world, we wanted to turn our attention to the thing that brings us all here to begin with, our community and our airplanes.
You’ll notice that very little of our issue covers the effects of the coronavirus on aviation, though that remains overwhelmingly the biggest story in the world and in our little aviation niche, too.
When we announced last month that we would be putting together special features dedicated in part to the strength of the people like you and me who fly small planes, the response was enormous. The idea, which resonated strongly with our readers, was not so much to document the effects of the novel coronavirus but to highlight the resilience of the people who fly small planes in the face of that virus. So we wanted to share with you the faces, the stories and the strength (and, okay, the planes) of our readers. We think that you will find them as moving and inspirational as we have. (SCROLL DOWN TO MEET OUR READERS AND READ THEIR STORIES)
Plane-Strong Pilot-Strong Sales To Benefit Sun ‘n Fun
Allison Leeward
Allison Leeward is a fourth-generation pilot who grew up in a large fly-in community. She has been flying her entire life.
Her Plane: Cessna 120 Partnership
Ratings: Private Pilot (working on Instrument Rating)
Favorite Plane: âA shiny P-51 Mustang.â
Home Airport: KCRG (Jacksonville Executive at Craig)
Favorite Destination: St. Simons Island or Key West
Her Story: âIâm a fourth-generation pilot, grew up in a fly-in community...really wish I was still there right now during all this COVID-19 madness! It would be nice to walk outside and fly my plane out of the backyard!â
Flying In Pandemic Times: The pandemic hasnât, she wrote, affected her flying yet. âWe live in a military area, so if they restrict our airspace or travel, I wonât be able to fly.â
