Mon, Feb 09, 2009
Relaxed Family Atmosphere Ideal For Sharing The Love Of
Flying
Assistant Airport Director Todd Scher guided airplane
enthusiasts and sightseers around the 50-plus military and civilian
aircraft displayed on the tarmac Saturday at Vero Beach Municipal
Airport's Seventh Annual Aviation Day, sponsored by the
Experimental Aircraft Association.
"It's a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere," Scher told the
Treasure Coast Palm, conducive to up-close inspection of airplanes
and helicopters on display for the day. "Pilots like to share their
enthusiasm for flying with others, and Aviation Day is a great way
to do that."
Future pilot Zack Betancourt, 10, plied the controls of a Cessna
172 simulator as his dad Chris looked on. "It's harder than doing
this on my video games at home," said Zack. "You just have to turn
the wheel very slightly and it responds."
Others shared their love of service to others in need through
aviation. US Coast Guard Lieutenant Kent Reinhold, a two-year
veteran of search and rescue, flew his Dauphin helicopter in for
the day from its base in Miami.
"We have numerous helicopters in the fleet similar to this one,"
said Lt. Reinhold. "It's called a mid-range helicopter because we
don't go as far offshore as some, but we get there a lot
faster."
Reinhold recalled the recent dramatic rescue of a family of
three stranded in a boat for 22 hours. "It's a great job," he said.
"You get to help people and develop a real sense of purpose."
When asked what it is that causes people to get bitten by the
aviation bug, Scher said, "I've been an airplane guy all my life
and I'm still not sure. Some people have a passion for boats or
muscle cars; mine is for anything that flies. I guess it's just a
personal thing."
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