Flight Training - July 2021 - 33

The gang, including (left to right) Tory Smith, Eric Jacobs, Pete
Monroe, Bruce Kellum, and Nelson Johnson, who met at Jacobs'
father's flying club in New York, still fly together, organize reunions,
and share memories.
since he was 17. " We hit it off from day
one, " Saari said. " But neither of us had
time for hobbies " as they were both
building their businesses. Saari had
always loved airplanes and with Scott's
support, he too became a private pilot.
He bought a 2000 Cessna Millennium
172SP and the pair began flying together
as often as they could. " He was one of the
first people I took up, " Saari said. " We had
so much fun. "
Fast-forward to 15 years ago-Saari
invested in an office building and sold
his airplane. But his wife, Kay, knew
he missed flying. Not much of an aviation
enthusiast herself, she recognized
the charm of an American Legend Cub
the couple saw at the Lakeland Linder
Airport. " Mom wants us to buy a Cub, "
Saari told Scott. The pair affectionately
calls Kay " mom " and refer to themselves
as " Wally and the Beav " after the 1950s
television show. " He's Wally and I'm the
Beav, " Saari said. " You couldn't ask for a
better friend. We challenge each other;
he's given me more confidence in my
flying. He trusts me, and I trust him. "
Jacobs and his brothers hung out
at the airport and met other kids who
were doing the same-washing airplanes,
begging rides, listening to the older pilots.
" We were a very tight-knit group of adults,
boys, and girls all bound by a love for
aviation, " said Jacobs. " As adventurous
kids going through middle school, high
school, and on to college we shared many,
many, memories-some may be OK for
print, some not. We were very active in the
Civil Air Patrol. The pilots in the group
made sure the kids got to fly on a monthly
basis. We even organized our own ground
school; many of us could fly by ourselves
before we could drive by ourselves. "
The group has been friends for more
than 46 years. " While life has taken us
all in different directions, we still are
connected, " said Jacobs. " We still have
reunions every year/other year. Our
group now spans four generations. We
have celebrated weddings (among us and
with 'outsiders'), births, and shared too
many losses together. I know that many
of us would readily say we are who we are
today because of this group. "
" I had an instructor who told me,
you'll never be a great pilot, but you may
be an adequate pilot. Flight training with
him was work and never comfortable.
Success was elusive, " said Followell.
" Luckily, he recommended Grant Bales,
insurance adjuster by day and CFII
weekday evenings and Saturdays. ConAOPA
You Can Fly Flying Clubs
Find a flying club, improve a club,
or start your own.
youcanfly.aopa.org/flying-clubs
Civil Air Patrol
Connect with fellow pilots while
serving others through the U.S.
Air Force Auxiliary.
gocivilairpatrol.com
EAA Young Eagles Program
Give kids ages 8 to 17 their first
free ride in an airplane.
eaa.org/youngeagles
AOPA.ORG/FT
33
http://youcanfly.aopa.org/flying-clubs http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com http://www.eaa.org/youngeagles http://www.AOPA.ORG/FT
Flight Training - July 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - July 2021
