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The KIAD (Denver, CO) area was part of my flyin' life for almost 20 years and I've done some photo and graphics work for the "Wings Over the Rockies" museum.

I was flyin' over the first runway shown before it was built and a hanger mate was the first aircraft to land on any KIAD runway before the airport opened -- in an old Mooney when an engine quit.

Flying in the Rockies is a thrill every time you get airborne and flyin' in the outback is fantastic.

If you're ever in Denver make time to visit the "Wings Over the Rockies" museum on the old Lowry AFB site. It's well worth the effort.

Vimeo

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Hmmm . . . try this link then

Wings Over The Rockies on Vimeo

And a search on "wings over the rockies" will lead to some interesting things too.

Great short film to inspire people to fly!

I believe people are BORN wanting to fly - or not. They're only inspired to actually do it, sometimes with a little help.

A few weeks ago I flew four youngsters - ages 10 to 14 - in a two-seat taildragger (a Citabria). Watching their faces in the mirror when they took the controls and the grin on their faces after they land you can tell which ones were born to fly - whether they actually pursue it or not. Two of them joined our Civil Air Patrol (CAP) junior squadron that day. Two others might be able to learn to drive a flying machine but they would never become 'aviators'.

If you've ever driven your car down a gentle slope and began to climb the next hill and had the urge to pull back on the stick . . . er, the steering wheel . . . and fly away you understand what I'm sayin'.

I agree - what a great experience you gave those kids! I should have chased the dream harder when I finished high school. Unfortunately I got stuck on the idea of having a "safe" job (in terms of being unlikely to lose it, nothing to do with the risk of the work).

Loved the landing on the dirt/grass strip! Makes me want to go to Colorado. Thanks for sharing the video.

Rob I know more people than you might imagine that kept that tiny flame alive until they were older/retired and had disposable income to stoke the fire. They seem to appreciate the experience even more than most of the youngsters. Their grins are as big as the kid's. Just go for it an' see what comes of it.


(I was shootin' T&G's on the grass beside the paved runway at KPHT an hour ago - not as fine as playin' in the outback in the western US as I used to do but the 50 hr private student I took along this afternoon thought it was a new and daring adventure. )

It was certainly a fantastic experience getting my hands on the controls of a jet for my birthday this year.

Wish I could drop by for some lessons myself, but it's a long trip! I was thinking of a short trip to the USA next year...

Boy, you've REALLY got to know where that strip is - hardly visible and looks REALLY narrow!! What fun, tho!!

Wow! Amazing flying!

I was taken up for some aerial photos in a Sportstar ultralight from a strip in Queensland which was possibly about the same width as that, but no trees anywhere close to it, and not in a valley. Wouldn't want to try Simonds strip in any sort of wind!

AV-8: Just another day in Margaritaville - afloat. Jeez, even Marines can DO IT.

Incredible Jet Landing on an Aircraft Carrier

The Harrier's incredibly lucky with regard to gear up landings - in 1979 I watched one (unintentionally) land gear up in front of the Operations Bldg at ITAF Sigonella, IT - much to the embarrassment of the pilot.

They jacked it up, lowered the gear, inspected it and flew it back aboard the LHA that afternoon.

Impressive flying - great that they had the cradle, and the aircraft was capable of using it! You reminded me of an incident where an Australian F111 landed using the tail hook because when they took off, one of the main wheels actually fell off. I understand that the aircraft was repaired and flew again.