Another successful year for Aero Club

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Elmendorf's Aero Club has been a repeated success. For the fifth straight year the club has received an Air Force five-star rating from the headquarters of the Air Force Services for Aero Club from Randolph AFB, Texas.

The rating is based on five areas: facilities, services provided, personnel, operation and safety. With only 22 Aero Clubs in the Air Force, Elmendorf's takes pride in providing their customers top-notch service.

For years the Aero Club, which is a Federal Aviation Administration certified training school, has been providing military members and eligible participants training facilities where they can learn how to fly, expand their skills or qualify themselves in the aviation field for a future job.

"We provide a full range of training and recreational opportunities," said Mr. David Mitson, Aero Club manager, who has been affiliated with the club off and on for the past 38 years.

Mr. Mitson said that not many clubs are as fortunate to have the nice facilities and space that are available here, but he also said this wouldn't be possible if it weren't for the 3rd Wing, which has been very supportive of the program.

With strong wing support, the club is able to house nine aircraft, which includes a float plane. Last year was the first year the club was able to train pilots in the float plane, which brought in a lot of interest from club members.

The float plane is one of the more popular methods of flying in Alaska, along with bush flying, because it allows people to access the harder to reach areas of the wilderness for fishing, hunting or camping.

Training pilots in bush flying is something the club is pushing to get approved. Bush flying is landing the aircraft on some of the tougher landing zones, like sand, dirt or rocky surfaces.

"It would be real nice to train some of the people so they know some of the pitfalls of that sort of operation," said Mr. Mitson.

Knowing the pitfalls, pilots will have a higher success rate of landing their aircraft safely, he also said.

With new programs like the float plane and hopes of a bush flying program has allowed the Aero Club to grow to approximately 185 members. Members of the club are enthusiastic about flying and the opportunities the Aero Club provides for them.

"They're professionalism shows in everything they do from the skilled flight instruction to their bargain-priced and well-maintained aircraft," said Chief Master Sgt. William Holm, club member and Chief of Maintenance for the 517th Aircraft Maintenance Unit and 703rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

The club has also allowed the chief and his family to explore some of Alaska's remote areas, which can only be accessed by plane or boat, to hunt, camp and enjoy some of the great things the state has to offer.

"Their efforts have provided my family and I with constant enjoyment as we explore Alaska's skies," said Chief Holm.

For those who are interested in experiencing the same enjoyment as Chief Holm, the Aero Club will be holding their annual open house May 22, where anyone from the base populace can come out and enjoy a barbecue and get a feel for flying. For more questions about their upcoming event or joining the club, call 753-4167 or 552-5435.