The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-23

ousn ue PAST rev days
found the weather clearing con-
siderably-the clouds disappear
ing and the sun shining through
in full force-winds of gale-like
velocity continued to whistle down
the runways and most Of the local
tlrd mems flying was limited to
an easy chair and a broomstick.
Nevertheless, some progress was
evidenced by a few of the home
town stick-jockeys.
Out at the Wilmington Airpark
two more names were added to
the f~ast-growing roster of solo stu
dents. Sam Sweeney and Jack
Preston both checked out on solo
flights earlier in the week. Sam,
a former Navy Commander, is
receiving flight instruction under
the benefits set aside by the CT.
Bill, and is the first member OF
the new class to solo.
Incidentally, speaking Of the
CT. school, Carl Dunn. co-owner
Of the Airpark and Chief Instruc-
tor, has enrolled the first girl
student to sign up for veterans
training. The ex-servicewornan
Mary Land, registered for the
course last week.,
Tommy Orrell, another CT. stu.
dent, qualified for his Private Ii.
cense early in the week.
Carl came across with news Of
a new project that should interest
quite a few of the fishermen
around town. He stated that plans
have been completed to provide
local anglers with ferrying ser.
vice to Baldhead Island. He point.
ed that this was open to the pub.
lie, and that a lodge with accomo.
datlons for 10 and complete with
a kitchen, would be at the anglers
disposal.
Tommy Wrench. 17-year Ole
Airpark grease monkey (unde,
the tutelage of CarD and holder
OF a Private ticket. is hard al
work on his "a and E" rating
This certificate, which requires
two years OF practical experience
under a rated mechanic, qualities
him to work on aircraft anc
engines. Tommy is currently Z
student at New Hanover High
School where he is receiving add
tional training through the courses
in Aeronautics.
Down at Peiffer Field, the Reh
der's are still shuddering at. the
thought of what could have hap
pened last week when a stuffed
chair caught fire in the office
They had closed up for the day
and gone home, when they were
called on the phone and informed
that something in the airpor
building was burning to beat thu
band. However, by the time they
arrived at the field, neighhor.
who had been reused by the origi
nal discoverer of the conflagra
ton, aided - ironically - by Car
Dunn, who was passing by at thu
time, had extinquished the flame.
before they could do any seriou.
damage other than to the chair
Their only explanation for the fire
was that a cigarette had evidently
been left on the arm Of the chail
and had rolled off onto the up
hclstery.
j. D. McMeekin was checked
out by Burk last week for his Pri
vate License. and Charlie Lowri
more, home for spring vacation
from Carolina, is expecting tx
follow suit over the weekend.
The Renders started a fad a few
monthes ago that has drawn com
ment from airmen all over the
state. On a squirt Of inspiration
Rurk contracted Melvin Kester
well known local artist and form
er Army flyer, to paint various
members of the. House Of Disney
on his planes. The idea caught or
and now all of the private plane
owners at Peiffer have had Me-
vim apply the brush to theirs, too
Transient flyers dropping into the
field to gas UP or grab a coke
came, saw, and carried the idea
back to their home-hangars. Nov
many planes throughout the state
bear the coloreul characters or
their f1si1a oes
Penngington Flying Service CAPT
tslized on the infrequent breaks
Afforded by Old Man Weather last
week to check three students out
for private tickets. Andrew
''Punky" Kure, Mark Veuters,
and Bill Williams all qualified for
/ their Licenses.
Bill Hayes, G. I. student work
ing on his Commercial tag, log
led in his 300 mile-minimum
cross : country flight Friday, hop
ping down to Jacksonville,
Florida, a d back. Tommy Sal
mon. another G.. L. student work
ing on a commercial, recently
completed his cross-country. fly
ing down to Brunswick, Georgia,
and back. Both students are we'll
advanced in training, having com
| Melted most of the Commercial