Old bird back in the seat

[bruja]

Hello to all,

Real quick about myself, I recently graduated from college as a mechanical engineer and now work in the aviation industry. I have gone back and forth about joining the Nay but so far I have not felt the desire deserves an action. Really it has been a dream of mine to fly and follow my father’s footsteps but I also enjoy the industry I am in and the work I do.

My question to you all, I would really like to get my Dad back in a plane but how? He retired as a Commander in the Peruvian Navy but attended flight school in Pensacola. The dates I am not 100% on but I know it was in the 70's. He flew the T-34 and always tells stories of his beloved plane. He also returned as an Instructor. Have any of you ever heard of anyone getting a "ride along"? It would be mean the world to me and I am sure to him if there was some way to get him back in even for a little bit. I have looked at some other options such as air combat USA but the sentimental value of being back in the T-34 I think would make it an amazing experience. Maybe some one can help me get in contact with an old classmate or someone that may be able to steer me in the right direction. If I am not mistaken his call sign was "bruja" due to the distinct nose the males in our family have been so fortunate in getting. Obviously he’s an older guy, 55 now, but he is still in great shape. I am ashamed to say so but probably in better shape than myself. If any of you remember a big nosed Peruvian from flight school in Pensacola and can some how help out I would be beyond grateful.

I would appreciate any information any of you may have and I understand how wild my request might be but I thought I should try anyway. Like I said air combat USA or someone in line of work may be my best chance but still, I have to try.

 

[MIDNJAC]

He flew the T-34 and always tells stories of his beloved plane

Wow, is this the same T-34C I fly?

There is surely someone more experienced around here who will give you a better answer, but to take a stab, yes the Navy does VIP flights on occasion. Midshipmen on summer training, celebrities, reporters, etc all do ride alongs under this status. I can't speak for more unaffiliated individuals, but when I did middie cruises we had to go through an abbreviated aircrew survival course, and receive an upchit from a flight surgeon stating that we were physically qualified to ride along. As for a good point of contact, or the likelihood of this actually happening, I would defer that to someone much more knowledgeable.

 

[Gatordev]

Wow, is this the same T-34C I fly?

Nope.

Sounds like ACUSA is the way to go, or look for other schools that might have a T-34 available. With zero affiliation, it's not really going to happen.

 

[Schnugg]

Hook up with a Navy Flying Club and buy him a T-34B ride.

Can do that as a civilian.

 

[stalk]

Hook up with a Navy Flying Club and buy him a T-34B ride.

Can do that as a civilian.

That's a good call. P-cola in the 70's, he more than likely flew the T-34B anyway. If I remember correctly the T-34C's were being introduced to VT-2 and VT-3 in the 1980/81 timeframe. VT-6 finally got them in '82 and Corpus was last.

 

[Gatordev]

That's a good call. P-cola in the 70's, he more than likely flew the T-34B anyway. If I remember correctly the T-34C's were being introduced to VT-2 and VT-3 in the 1980/81 timeframe. VT-6 finally got them in '82 and Corpus was last.

Exactly what I was getting at. The older T-34s are 160xxx/161xxx-ish at Whiting. I know 162xxx is 1986, so sounds about right.

 

[Flugelman]

Exactly what I was getting at. The older T-34s are 160xxx/161xxx-ish at Whiting. I know 162xxx is 1982, so sounds about right.

Corpus was still using T-28s in late '82 when I retired there. Don't know if Key West still has a flying club, but I got a lot of T-34B time there in the early 70's.

NAS JAX has a T-34B. http://www.jaxnfc.net/

 

[Gatordev]

Corpus was still using T-28s in late '82 when I retired there. Don't know if Key West still has a flying club, but I got a lot of T-34B time there in the early 70's.

NAS JAX has a T-34B. http://www.jaxnfc.net/

Whoops, typo on my part. That was supposed to say "...162xxx is 1986..." which makes the math better.

 

[bruja]

gentleman

thank you all for the information. I have contacted the Navy club in Jax and they are going to get back to me if it is possible. I really appreciate the help. Hopefully everything works out. Im looking forward to seeing a priceless smile on the old mans face. Plus i may just sneak a flight myself, we shall see.

 

[A4sForever]

....he’s an older guy, 55 now....

 

[Fog]

Bruja:
Was/is your father Gustavo Yabar [Buckingham] who trained in Pensacola in 1971?

 

[bruja]

Fog, sorry but no. His first name is Enrique.

I think he would have been in P-cola around 74ish.

And can anyone fill me on on trailer jon's? or trader jons? apperently it was a bar that was a staple of naval aviation. i havnt squeezed any good stories from him an apperently that place held some of them.

 

[Fog]

Bruja:
I was the [Aeronautical] English Instructor & Advisor to Foreign Flight Students in Pensacola from 1970 - 72 and worked with 2 or 3 Peruvian naval officers, but unfortunately not your Dad.
Trader Jon's was a drinking hole in downtown P-cola that is now part of history, but it was very popular with SNA's & officer candidates in the 60's & 70's, at least. Sorry that I didn't know your father, but I was not on active duty at that time.

 

[phrogpilot73]

Trader Jon's was a drinking hole in downtown P-cola that is now part of history, but it was very popular with SNA's & officer candidates in the 60's, 70's, and briefly in the late 90's/early 00's at least.

Fixed it for you. My winging party was at Trader Jon's.

 

[MasterBates]

My winging party was at Trader Jon's.

As was mine.