Cooperative Living August 2021 - 24

BuildingCommunity | by Steven Johnson, Staff Writer
A Master Pilot
Aviation, conservation achievements earn
Unsung Virginian Award for Lanier Frantz
L
anier Frantz says he was " born "
into aviation. His father, however,
had a different view of matters
and that presented an issue.
In fact, Frantz recalls general
aviation was verboten until one day
when his father needed to make a
quick business trip from Salem, Va., to
Baltimore, and the only transportation
option was a friend's light aircraft.
" He had a great flight and he
decided that aviation was OK. That's
what brought him around, " Frantz
recalls.
The son wasted no time pursuing
his passion. In the six decades since,
with a mix of both Wright Brothers
and maybe a dash of Chuck Yeager,
Frantz has developed a small landing
strip on family property in New Castle,
Va., into one of the premier soaring
and sailplane spots anywhere.
Coupled with his land conservation
efforts, Frantz is the recipient of the
2021 Unsung Virginian Award,
presented annually by the Virginia,
Maryland & Delaware Association
of Electric Cooperatives.
" Through his drive and
determination, Lanier Frantz has truly
made a difference in the lives of those
in Craig County and beyond. Lanier
epitomizes the Seventh Cooperative
Principle of Concern for Community,
and his efforts carry on the tradition
of the Unsung Virginian Award, " says
Jeff Ahearn, CEO of Craig-Botetourt
Electric Cooperative.
Representatives of the VMD
Association and Craig-Botetourt
Electric Cooperative presented a
certificate of honor to Frantz,
accompanied by his wife, Thecla.
" I'm totally overwhelmed, " Frantz
says. " I never expected anything
like this. "
NEW CASTLE INTERNATIONAL
You won't find New Castle
International Airport on the list of
the world's great flying hubs. But to
the men and women who first learned
aviation at the site - named for its
bevy of international visitors, not its
destinations - it's as important as
Heathrow or Dulles, as home base
for the Blue Ridge Soaring Society.
" The life lessons that this place
has provided go well beyond the love
of all things related to aviation, " says
Dirk Elber of Christiansburg, Va. " To
Lanier and Thecla, I will always be so
appreciative for creating not only one
of the greatest gliderports in the world,
but also fostering a culture that has
allowed so many generations to grow
up out there to live out their dreams. "
Frantz has been there every step
of the way, flying gliders, teaching
students and towing gliders in the
club's tow planes. According to his
daughter Cole Frantz's count, he has
soloed more than 50 students in
gliders. No wonder he was inducted
into the Soaring Hall of Fame in 1986.
The planes are more modern now,
but unchanged is the positive effect
soaring has had on students who have
moved into aviation careers.
" To be part of a process where
young people are introduced to aviation
and find that's their calling; that's just
extremely satisfying, " he says.
CONSERVATION EFFORTS
Frantz has made his mark on the
ground, as well. He and Thecla have
donated more than 1,100 acres in
conservation easements in southwest
Virginia. In 2000, the Virginia General
Assembly approved a resolution
commending the Frantz family for
its participation in natural resource
programs.
At 94, Frantz is not flying solo
anymore, but he still loves the view
from above and the spirit of soaring.
" We've had a lot of people come
through here from all different walks
of life and once they experience it,
I hope they take to it as much as
I have. " 
Above, the glider hangar at
New Castle International Airport.
Left, Lanier Frantz is flanked by Mary
Ann Gober, manager of executive
services and human resources at
Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative
and CBEC CEO Jeff Ahearn.
22 | Cooperative Living | August 2021
co-opliving.com
PHOTOS BY JIM ROBERTSON
http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living August 2021

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