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
Bobby Lee Patterson Jr.
A lifelong aviation enthusiast and grandfather of four, Bobby Lee Patterson Jr. has been a pilot on and off for over two decades.
His Plane: Grumman AA1C T Cat.
Ratings: Private Pilot
Favorite Plane: G550
Home Airport: KFDW (Fairfield County)
Favorite Destination: St. Simons Island
His Story: âRetired military veteran (Air Force and Army), career government financial manager, first-generation pilot, native of Birmingham, Alabama. Resident of Blythewood, South Carolina.â
Flying In Pandemic Times: Patterson, like many pilots, is sticking to the ground these days: âMy flying has been reduced by 75%.â
