Coast to Coast

Who are the UFO's? They are the United Flying Octogenarians; an international group of men and women who piloted an aircraft within the required regulations as a pilot in command on or after their 80th birthday. Your's truly joined this elite group last April and I was surprised with a wonderful gathering of family and friends last summer to celebrate the event

. I hosted the first Plum Island get together of UFO members from the region and we had a great time hearing some WWII experiences from that great generation. We have planned the second gathering on June 15 and it was posted on the UFO website (ufopilots.org/) and one of our members from California (Howard N. LaPierre) noticed it and sent me an e-mail with the following story. Enjoy 2B2:


I am a UFO (85) in So California and was looking at the UFO events list and noticed the announcment of the Plum Island Gathering on 6/15/2013.  I would love to attend, but I live in out here and it's a bit far for a one day event.  Back in 1945, I lived in Kittery Point ME and I worked nights at the Portsmouth Navy Yard and had a string of lobster traps.(Sold em for $.25 per lb)
 Just thought I would mention that I learned to fly at Plum Island airport. Checked my #1 logbook (I have 6 now) and found that my first flight was on April 28, 1945 in an Aeronca TC-65. NC34462, First solo on May 25, 1945 in TC-65, NC29470.  My instructors were Dave Clemons and R Seaver.  Good old grass airport. NO cross wind landings in those days.  Just land into the wind. Then I went into the Army Air Corps and got most of my pre-private flying in Amarillo Texas and got my private ticket in Belfast Maine, in a T Craft on Jan 6, 1946. Then I went to Germany for a year and got to fly all kinds of planes, including some left seat time in a B-17G and some time in P-51s, C-47s, C-45s, T-6s and L-5s.  Did all of that as a PFC.  The Officers knew I had a pilot's license, so they let me do most of the flying.  Just wouldn't let me land, as if I busted it, they would have been in deep Doo Doo. It was a great experience and I didn't have to worry about the Jerries or the anti aircraft 88s.  I had my last 182 for 26 years and sold it about 10 years ago.  I am still flying 182s and 206s for Civil Air Patrol here in CA.  Just a bit (LOT) more expensive now. Anyway, it all started at Plum Island  Have a nice party.  Wish I could join you.