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
Glenn Kinneberg
It has been a full flying life of 73 years for 93-year-old Glenn Kinneberg, who earned his Private Pilot license when he was 20. For him, flying has provided a wonderful, entertaining and educational means to meet people from all over the world.
His Plane: 1947 Piper PA-11, of the Royal Flying Club, formed in 1947. Kinneberg is the remaining owner and charter member.Â
Ratings: Single Engine Land
Favorite Plane: PA-11
Home Airport: KCHU (Houston County Airport)
Favorite Destination: Any fly-in breakfast or Oshkosh.
His Story: Kinneberg is an accomplished pilot, dovetailing his love of flying into his love of farming as a member of the International Flying Farmers. Some more pilot facts about him: âEarned the FAA Master Pilot Award for 50 years of safe flying. Member of International Flying Farmers for 72 years, having served as the Minnesota president of the association and also the Region 5 director. I served as the IFF Minnesota Teen Adviser and also provided 25 first flights for the EAA Young Eagles First Flight program. Was inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame. At Oshkosh in 2012, was one of 185 Cubs in attendance and received Awards for both the oldest pilot flying in and longest ownership of a Cub.â He has also written a book, Flaps Up, with stories from more than 70 years of flying.
Flying In Pandemic Times: Kinneberg reports that there is âno flying at present.â
