History of Aviators Continues...

Last week's Friday Flyer was Hannah Hunhoff, a pilot in the making who is flying in a long line of aviators. Their history is incredible.

Hannah Hunhoff, "Cleared for Takeoff!"

ELMER SCHWANKL

Hannah's great great uncle

Elmer Schwankl of the 390th

Elmer flew as a First Officer on the B-17, was a Pub Pete/Dinah Might member of the 390th in the 568th bomb squadron. He was killed in action is Heuringhem France, 1/21/44. His plane was knocked out by flak. The Liberty Belle, that Hannah flew in last week, has ties to the 390th. That plane regularly flies the veterans groups from the 390th and is involved with various functions of the 390th Memorial Museum.

WILFRED SCHWANKL

Hannah's great great uncle

Wilfred Schwankl of the 491st

Wilfred was a pilot with the 491st during WWII. He flew B-24's and survived the war. He lived until 1999 and had a full life. His wife is still alive and lives in the Palm Springs area.

Wilfred Schwankl and Crew

BRIGADIER GENERAL GERALD C. SCHWANKL Airforce
Hannah's Grandmother's cousin

BRIGADIER GENERAL GERALD C.

General Schwankl flew with the 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 49th Tactical Fighter Wing, Etain Air Base, France. From 1956 to 1959, while in France, General Schwankl flew F-86s and F-100s. After completing combat crew training in A-1E's at Hurlburt Field, Florida in 1966, General Schwankl remained there as an A-1-E gunnery instructor for American and Vietnamese pilots.

In January 1968 he was assigned with Project Tropic Moon to the 56th Special Operations Wing, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. While there he flew 15 night combat missions in A-1s from Nakhon Phanom and Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, where he served as assistant to, and operations officer.

He currently lives on Lopez Island.

GLEN MAINS

Hannah's great grandfather

Glen frst flew airplanes in 1929 and trained pilots for WWII. He instructed out of Olympia Air Transport Washington Air College. The airplanes they used for instruction were the Interstate Cadet, the Monocoupe, a Stinson and an Aerocraft Secondary Trainer. One of his more notable landings, allowed him some column inches in the newspaper. Letting everyone know who had landed the biplane on a tree located near the airport.

FRANK HOLGAN

Hannah's Grandfather

Frank Holgan August 1968

Frank's obsession with flying resulted from his interest in hunting and trapping in Alaska. Living in Talkeetna he regularly associated  with the bush pilot legends such as Don Sheldon, Kenny Holland, and Cliff Hudson.

He drove 114 miles one way for flying lessons under the GI bill which he earned after serving a four-year tour of duty in the army with the bulk of his service in Korea.

When he acquired his private pilot's license, he was hooked on flying and transferred to Anchorage to pursue a flying career. He earned a commercial license, a multi-engine rating, and instructed on floats for Barton Air Service out of Lake Hood.

His aviation experience, government service in the military and with the Alaska Railroad enabled him to get a job with the FAA. He attended training at Oklahoma City and his first assignment was an Air Traffic Controller in Cold Bay. Frank Holgan was lost in his plane around Port Moller AK in 1971.

LARRY HUNHOFF

Hannah's grandfather

Larry Hunhoff and Barbara Hunhoff (Joe's mom and dad) Joe, Cynthia and Hannah

Navy Airwing. Larry flew in S2F sub-hunters. I'm not sure about you, but I can see the pride in his eyes as he stands beside his son and family, with his beautiful wife, Barbara, to watch his grandaugher, Hannah, take flight in the Liberty Bell. Cynthia, standing behind Hannah, is most definitely the wind behind her family's wings. Barbara thank you for the warmth of your hands, and heart.

CHRIS HUNHOFF

Hannah's uncle

Hannah and uncle Chris

Navy Airwing. Chris flew in P3 Orions hunting for subs. He is currently the Chief Pilot for Galvin Flying at Boeing Field. Chris is also Hannah's mentor. Not often professional pilots, who teach and inspire others, get to see the result of their effort. The many pilots they touch fly off into the world and they never see them again. Chris is gifted with the Hannah example of how important his life work is.  She is just one of many he's inspired.

JOE HUNHOFF

Hannah's father

Joe and Hannah

Navy Airwing. Joe worked in the E2C Hawkeye as an Aviation Electronics Technician. He is currently working his 19th year at Boeing on Everett's flight line and delivery center. His passion of aviation is fueled by his enjoyment of watching Hannah's eyes sparkle when she sees a plane. I met them both at a Renton Airport flying event, and still smile at the image of a young girl dragging her dad behind, with a smile on his face, while she runs to fly a plane.

HANNAH HUNHOFF

12 year old extraordinaire

Hannah and the Liberty Bell

• Hannah attended EAA in July 2010, Osh Kosh, Wisconsin. 
• A member of the museum of flight. 
• A member of the Historical Flight Foundation at Paine Field.

Hannah is looking forward to volunteering, and would love to help restore aircraft with the Historical Flight Foundation. Last fall she attended their fly-in. She said, "WWI, WWII, Korean War and private aviation aircraft came, like my favorite yellow Piper Cub. What a cool day! It's on the family calendar for this year too!" 

She attended my talk at Out of the Blue Aviation last winter, and she say's, "It was nice hearing her stories about women in Aviation and the stories about her working her way to becoming a rared woman pilot."

She took a day off of school to attend the Women in Aviation Seminar at the Museum of Flight. Following that seminar, she went to Galvin Flying to visit her Uncle Chris, who gave her a private tour of some of their airplanes and hangars. Then she flew the Diamond Flight Training device. They simulated flying from Boeing Field to SeaTac.

Hannah said, "I took the scenic route and it took me about 45 minutes. I have confidence that I can fly the same route with out an instructor next to me. But I'll keep practicing. I'm proud of the people in my flamy, their service and that they loved to fly, I DO TOO!!!"

It's time to fly!

Hannah, you have a spectacular family! I know they are all proud of you. To read more about Hannah, click HERE

Enjoy the Journey!

~ Karlene

Monday Motivation

 "Failure is Success if we learn from it"

Malcom S. Forbes

Enjoy the Journey!

~ Karlene

Hannah Hunhoff

Friday's Fabulous Flyer!

Hanna Hunhoff

With beauty, brains, and the love of flight, Hannah Hunhoff has been bitten by the aviation bug. When I meet young people like Hannah, with a history of aviation in her family, I have to wonder if this passion is more than a bite, but flowing in their blood. 

Hannah's great uncle flew as a co-pilot on the P-17. Another great uncle was a pilot for the 491st during WWII. Her grandmother's cousin was a Brigadier General. Her grandfather was a bush pilot in Alaska with incredible stories to share. Her great grandfather flew in 1929 and trained pilots for WWII. Her dad is ex-Navy Airwing and currently works for Boeing. Her uncle, Navy Airwing, once flew P3 Orions is the Chief Pilot at Galvin Flying Service

 

I first met Hannah at Renton Airport at a Fly It Forward event with her Dad, Joe. 

Joe and Hanna

Hannah's dad say's, "She certainly has all the resources surrounding her, but most notably the inclination and the following drive to be a pilot. We recently took a day off of school when I took her down to the Museum of Flight where she attended the "Women Fly" conference by herself for the day. Following that, I took her to see her uncle at Galvin where we got an up close tour of the airplanes. He finished up with giving her a nice pep talk, instruction and an hour of flying time in Galvin's Diamond DA42 simulator... successful at everything - first time around! It was a wide eyed day." 

To date, she has 1.5 hours of stick time, logged in her very own logbook, thanks to Cathy Mighell's  Out of the Blue Aviation Summer Camps. I had the opportunity to meet Cathy one evening when I drove up to Arlington to speak to a group of aviation enthusiasts at Out of the Blue about my career as a pilot. Who should be there but my friend Hannah.

Go Dawgs!

Joe had told me that the B17 was Hannah's favorite plane since she took a look at it several years ago. Hannah says: 

“That’s not entirely true. I wouldn’t expect him to know what happened exactly because I don’t tell very many people how it happened in detail. On a random day, we decided to go to the Museum of Flight. We went out to go see the Concorde out in the airpark. I thought “Wow! What an interesting plane! I would love to study it!” So I did. 

Learning about the Concorde inspired me to aviation. I again thought “Hmm. If this plane is very interesting, I’m sure there are more cool planes out there!” So I looked at many others. I learned more and more about planes and I thought they were very cool so I was an aviator. My uncle Chris Hunhoff is the chief pilot at Galvin Flying near the museum. He inspired me to be a pilot. When I took a flight with him when I was four, It was pretty fun. I remembered it was very fun! I wanted to fly planes myself.

When I saw the Concorde was January 02, 2010. How I remember this is I took a few pictures and they had the date on when they were taken. Otherwise, I would have never known when this happened. Moving along to the B-17, I first saw it on memorial day 2010. Can’t remember exactly what day of the month that was. But I got to look around inside the aircraft. Strangely, I don’t really remember much of it. Only that it was raining, haha! But soon, I’ll get to see it again and I’ll engrave the memories into my brain. 

My dad told me about the movie “Memphis Belle." If you haven’t watched it, It’s a truly amazing movie! I recommend it! And it sounded interesting. The plane starring in it was a B-17. That movie gave me an idea on how they were used in war. I found it interesting. From the Wright brother’s first flight, all the way to tomorrows advanced designs, I’d say my favorite era of aircraft is from the 1939’s to the 45’s. I am interested in WWII Aviation the most. Not so much on modern. I love how the planes sound, look and more! The P-40 and the B-17 are my 2 top favorites. I like many more but those two are my absolute favorites." 

Hannah and the Liberty Bell

A few years ago Joe and Hanna happened to be at the Museum and the B17 was offering tours and flights on that day. They only managed a tour for Hanna that day, but watched the schedule and learned that the Liberty Bell would be back again, and when the crew heard Hannah's story they were sure to put her on the first flight of the day and give her an opportunity in the cockpit too. 

Captain Christine, Captain Hanna, and First Officer Karlene

Last weekend I drove down to Boeing Field, at the Seattle Museum of Flight, to watch Hanna take to the sky in the Liberty Belle! She was one of the first nine guests to take a morning flight. Christine is currently working on her instructor's license, too. I have no doubt she and Hannah will one day fly together. And I'm looking forward to the day the above picture will be taken again when all three of us are flying a line flight, together.

Grandpa Larry, Grandma Barbara, Dad Joe, Mom Cynthia, and Hanna

Hannah's aviation journey is definitely a family affair. One day she'll look back and realize how fortunate she was to have the support and encouragement of her family, sharing a passion together. Sharing her passion. Hannah is flying forward at fully speed. 

Keep that passion alive Hannah. All your dreams are coming true. Join me here next Tuesday to meet details and photos of her aviation family. Aviation History at its best!


Enjoy the Journey!

~ Karlene

Happy Cino De Mayo

"Most people don't know that back in 1912, Hellmann's mayonnaise was manufactured in England. In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after its stop in New York.This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico. But as we know, the great ship did not make it to New York.

The ship hit an iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost. The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise, and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss. Their anguish was so great, that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observe to this day. The National Day of Mourning occurs each year on May 5th and is known, of course, as Sinko de Mayo. "

I don't make this stuff up, I just report!

Pomegranate Margaritas

Happy Cinco De Mayo 

Happy Birthday Darby!

 Enjoy the Journey!

~ Karlene

Kimberly Weis: Why I Want to Fly

Why I want to Fly

"I am just a normal person. I grew up in a suburb, graduated from college, got married, bought a home and had kids. I have the cookie cutter life, groomed to achieve the American dream by my hard working parents. Is it wrong to want more? To achieve something amazing that isn’t in the normal plans of regular people, a regular girl, and especially not in the plans of a regular mom? 

Maybe it was when I saw the Woman in Flight exhibit at the Museum of Flight. I saw those women taking on the roles of men because the men were fighting in wars. I saw the pictures and I wondered what it would be like to be alive back then, and if I would’ve been one of the ones who were selected to take to the air to help my country? How lucky they were to be able to achieve the challenge of flight. I was jealous of them. 

In my mind flying is something that rich young boys get to do, and the girls that do it must not have had brothers. To me becoming a pilot seems like something that you get to do if your father did it. I want my children to be interested in amazing things because their mom did it. My grandchildren can talk about their grandmother with great words and maybe I will be the topics of their school reports.

My education says I am a geographer, my business card says I am an on call computer technician. My husband is a teacher and his “teacher salary” is still the bread winner of the household. We’ve come to realize that our time is more valuable than dollars and learning new things is more valuable than acquiring new things. So we believe that we can fulfill our aspirations, but the high costs of raising young children with a modest income doesn’t allow for such costly goals without sacrifice. 

So I plan on putting off the challenge of flight till another time. But on a clear day I start doing the math and looking up the tuition costs and just daydream. I look up at the skies and wonder what the ground looks like. Rather than clouds I see holes in the sky. I can almost hear the whirl of the engine and imagine the smell of jet fuel. I realize that it’s up to me to fulfill my dreams. 

My husband supports and pushes me into the challenges that I present out loud which scares me. Usually my words are just thoughts, or subliminal suggestions that he’ll want to do so we can do it together. Girls usually take on the hobbies of their men, but I need to stop waiting for my husband to want to do something that I am interested in. I need to stop waiting around for a guy. I need to Fly."

Kimberly, call Galvin and schedule your free flight. Set an example for those kids! Their mom can do more than bring home the bacon and cook it up in the pan, she can fly! In a few days we will celebrate Mother's Day... do this for yourself.

Enjoy the Journey! 

~Karlene

Brooke Regier

Brooke, an Aviation High School student, was tasked with writing an essay to help bring the Space Shuttle to The Seattle's Museum of Flight. Brooke's essay is one of many that received an award at the Seattle Chapter 99 meeting. While we all know that The Museum of Flight did not get the shuttle, we also know we got something much better: The simulator!

Every astronaut that has flown the Shuttle, had first trained in this simulator. Once it's on display, we get to climb inside and touch it! A much better gift.

We may not always get what we want, 

but we always get what we need!

Brooke, Thank You for a fantastic essay!

Brooke Regier

Space Shuttle, Mission: Seattle 

NASA has been America’s gateway into the great mystery of outer space. Their shuttle program was probably the most successful programs in NASA’s history. Atlantis, Endeavor, Discovery—such grand names for such grand spacecrafts. These three space shuttles, built by NASA, served their purposes well, flying brave astronauts into the outskirts of the unknown of interplanetary space. Even though they have had their days of glory, it is now time for them to find a home in which they will further rest. But which home would be deserving, let alone big enough to house the six-story high shuttle? Out of all of the extraordinary aerospace museums this country has to offer, The Museum of Flight certainly deserves the privilege of housing one of the retired NASA space shuttles.

To start off, the Museum of Flight is worthy of one of these historic spacecrafts because this specific museum has the best objective of all of the other twenty museums vying for one of the shuttles. Other space venues such as the Kennedy Space Flight Center (Florida), the Johnson Space Center (Houston), and the Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, Alabama) have all justified themselves of being ideal locations for the shuttles because of their full devotion to aerospace study and teaching. They all have been key places for NASA’s shuttle program.

Unlike the other museums, The Museum of Flight is specifically designed for the purpose of education and informing the public in the context of aviation and aerospace. Its eight different and unique permanent exhibits give each viewer a taste of aviation of all eras. This includes space. The Museum of Flight is already looking to further expand their space exhibit, and what better addition than an actual shuttle? Venues such as the Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama and the Johnson Space Center in Houston are not only museums and learning centers, but they are also workplaces and research centers. This does not make for the best place for one of the shuttles if only a portion of the facility is for the public’s sake. The public are also already very informed of the space program and all that it has done thanks to what strong programs these other space centers already have to offer.

This is a fantastic opportunity to enlighten the Seattle community of NASA’s immense accomplishments in a most stimulating way. The Museum of Flight isn’t a workplace like so many of the other space centers. The entire site is dedicated to being a museum, unlike so many of the other competitors. This sets The Museum of Flight apart from all the others making it the most excellent candidate for being the home of one of the retiring spacecrafts. In addition to having the best purpose, The Museum of Flight is also in the perfect location. The Kennedy Space Center in Florida is centrally located, and even on “Space Coast”.

A site like this would certainly have its benefits for the shuttles attraction factor. Even though this is true, The Museum of Flight still has the best location nationally and regionally. As well as being located on Space Coast, this likely means that many people have already seen the shuttles in full action.

Why would the people that get to see the blast-off want to see it in dormant condition?  Nationally, The Museum of Flight is in one of the most ideal settings for them to encompass a shuttle. One of the shuttles is already planned to be housed in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. The Kennedy Space Center is just a venture down the coastline, while The Museum of Flight is on the entire other side of the country. Spreading the shuttles out amongst the country would benefit the amount of people that would get a chance to see it. Let’s give the North Westerners a chance to be part of this national experience! On top of it being perfectly located nationally, it is the same for being regionally located. This is because this museum is in such easy-access of so many key places.

The Seattle Pacific Science Center, a major part of the Seattle education and tourist attractions is just a quick jump in the car. Boeing Field is directly behind The Museum of Flight which easily solves the problem of how to get the shuttle to its desired location. SeaTac International Airport is, as well, a short drive from the museum. I-5 is located right there too. Being in such a central location really gives this museum a running chance in this massive decision.

 

On top of being in such a convenient location, the museum and its surrounding community are committed to and extremely excited about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education. The Marshall Space Flight Center in Houston, Texas, is the very original home of NASA. Even though this seems like an idyllic location for one of the three shuttles, The Museum of Flight is completely gung-ho and thrilled about this potential opportunity.

STEM education is a huge part of what The Museum of Flight is all about. There are limitless learning opportunities at The Museum of Flight anywhere from fifth grade field trips to their Aerospace Camp Experience, to their Washington Aerospace Scholars program. One can definitely be assured that the shuttle will dutifully be put to good use in the aspirations of educating the public. As well as being excited about an impending new space addition in their museum, they are also thrilled about another add-on that makes the museum all the more qualified to house the shuttle. Aviation High School is planning on making their future home practically on the museum’s grounds. This unique high school is all about STEM education, and will strengthen the aviation community in this area all the more. This means that the shuttle being located in Seattle will be all the more beneficial to the students seeking education. It will, guaranteed, reach its full teaching potential with so many students right at hand.

Plans for how the shuttle is to be housed are already being created at the museum’s site making their excitement and anticipation all the more. The other potential aerospace museums are very great in size, and are likely to also have a place that is most ideal for the shuttle to be displayed. Although they have so much room, The Museum of Flight has already anticipated the perfect spot for such a prize. They are planning on building an addition to the museum by constructing a space gallery that will be the home of all of their fascinating space artifacts. This structure will be located on the Air Part exhibit grounds where all of the museum’s actual airplanes are kept for the fascination of the public. What better location for one of the retiring shuttles?

Because The Museum of Flight has a fair amount of aircraft in their back yard located in the Air Park, this obviously means that they had to get there somehow, meaning that there shouldn’t be much trouble in attaining the space shuttle to Seattle. The museum has even gone as far as posting a petition on their website for the Seattle community to partner with them in fighting for the spacecraft. There is no backing down when it comes to Seattle’s persistence. 

The Museum of Flight ultimately deserves one of the retiring NASA space shuttles because of their motives, location, and overall dedication and commitment to the aviation community and STEM education system. With the addition of a larger, grander aerospace exploration exhibit, this museum is fully capable of taking on such a project as this. The North Western tourists and public are sure to love this once-in-a-lifetime edition to one of their favorite and most well-supported museums. The Seattle community is not likely to give up that easily.

The Museum of Flight is ready to beckon one of these three shuttles—Atlantis, Endeavor, or Discovery—home. 

Enjoy the Journey!
~ Karlene

Monday Motivation: Measurement of Success

787 Departing Boeing Field April 30th

  

"I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has had to overcome while trying to succeed." 

Booker T. Washington

Enjoy the Journey! 

~Karlene