Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Why it’s the best membership I ever bought
Early last week, I receive a membership email newsletter from the Wings Over the Rockies Museum in Denver reporting that on the 9,10, 11, & 12th, there would be a special B-17 Flying Fortress event at the Centennial airport near my house. For special display, they were bringing in a B-17 Bomber. Activities would include:
*Flights on a WWII era B-17 Bomber
*Hangar Dance
*Warbird Static Displays
*Youth Activities
*Veterans Corner
*Military Re-enactors & Vehicles
Youth activities would include
A number of volunteer pilots will provide Young Eagles flights free of charge to young people aged 8-17 in their personal aircraft between 9 AM and 12 Noon on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week (June 9-12).
Yes, you read that right, Free flights for the kiddos.
Hubs had scheduled an extended weekend to burn some PTO so we went out to Centennial airport on Thursday even though it was overcast. We checked in right away to see when and if they would be flying. Because of the weather, they did not know but there was a chance the skies would clear.
While we waited we investigated the B-17. Discovered all the fight stations and counted all the machine guns. We debated which was the best and worst to be positioned at.
Although not allowed inside the plane unless you bought a $400 ticket to ride later, we did get to peek inside.
The weather was still overcast so we checked out the other military vehicles and tried out the B-17 flight simulator inside the hangar.
After waiting for an hour with no clearing in sight, we asked if there would be flights or if we should come back the next day. The volunteers told us that our best bet was to come back the next day and that we would be put at the front of the line! Can you believe that?! There wasn’t a huge crowd Thursday but there wasn’t any guarantee that there wouldn’t be on Friday.
Friday we woke to beautiful clear skies and high tailed it back to Centennial airport. The crowd was light as we checked in with the same volunteers from the day before. They remembered us and put us in front. All we had to do was wait for the next pilot to come in.
Now I was very worried about putting my “babies” on such small planes without me. I almost changed my mind on the way to the airport. I was very nervous and was trying to hide it but Princess told me that she could see the worry on my face. Not wanting them to miss this opportunity I tried my best to hide it and remain calm.
The kiddos divided themselves into 2 groups of 2 because they didn’t want to fly by themselves. Peanut and Baby Momo decided to go first. Volunteer Matthew came to get them to walk them out to the plane and I went with them to take pictures.
The pilot, Mark, gave them a thorough walkthrough around the plane. I took pictures and went to kiss them goodbye when Mark asked if I wanted to go too.
Uh, heck yeah!
I asked Matthew the volunteer to please give my camera to my husband who was still in the hangar with The Boy and Princess and to let him know I was going too!
While we waited for a third headset and a thorough going over of the Cessna 172, Hubs showed up with the other two kiddos, he was going with them in their Cessna 182 too! All worries had flown out the window. The day was going to be a blast!
We loaded up into our plane and our pilot Mark explained all the gadgets and dials to us. Then we started to taxi. We stopped for more pre-flight checks and were ready to take off.
What a difference between a commercial plane and a little plane! The takeoff was so much smoother and gentler. Suddenly we were in the air heading southeast. What fun!
Our route took us over our stomping grounds. We were able to recognize all the major buildings and landmarks in our area; the new reservoir being built, churches, and shopping areas. We even flew over our house!
I have no idea why I had been so worried. Mark has been a pilot and instructor for 35 years. Everything went very smoothly. After about 20 minutes it was time to land. The landing too was very smooth and much better than a big plane.
We were all so pleased with ourselves and with Mark. We couldn’t stop smiling and thanking Mark over and over again. Peanut said that the flight had “made her life” because it was so awesome.
We waited for Hubs, Princess and The Boy to come back from their flight. We were so excited and adrenalized that were nearly bursting. When they came in, I asked The Boy how it was. The Boy doesn’t even like glass elevators and I had talked him into coming back for the flights. He said it was alright as long as they didn’t hit any air pockets. I was really happy that he had decided to go.
And that my friends, is why Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum is the best membership I have ever bought. Free small plane flights. I wonder what they’ll plan next!
A special thank you to the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum for this wonderful event. Another big thank you to the volunteers and to pilots Mark Smith and Charles Raber. This is one event my family will always remember.
