Soaring with the clouds
Matthew McConkeyDaily Egyptian
Josh Thompson nervously shifts his weight from one leg to the other as he eyes the small airplane in front of him Saturday morning. In less than five minutes, Thompson, like many other children who made it to the Southern Illinois Airport Saturday, will be flying for the first time. Once in the plane, the 11-year-old buckles his seatbelt. Then the pilot informs Thompson that he will get the opportunity to fly the plane as well. The event is a charity fly-in and pancake breakfast, which was sponsored by six SIUC Registered Student Organizations. A breakfast of pancakes, sausage and eggs were provided for a donation of any amount.
The event raised $1,680, with some money still coming in as late as Sunday afternoon. Jeff Pelch, coordinator of the event, said the money will be donated to a tsunami relief fund. Pelch, a senior from Belleville studying aviation management, said he crafted the idea a month ago and desired to have the aviation program help out with the relief fund. "We wanted to get the students, faculty and community involved and have a great time, too," Pelch said. Back in the airplane, Thompson and his co-pilot, Charley Rodriguez, an associate professor in aviation technology, wait for the go-ahead from the control tower.
"Juliet, you are clear for departure," a voice crackles over the radio, and the four-seater plane shot like a rocket down the empty runway. Saturday was also Young Eagles Day at the airport. Children between the ages of 8 and 17 were able to fly in a plane - as a co-pilot, of course - check out southern Illinois and make a donation to the relief fund. Pelch said they borrowed three planes from the University and five other men from the area donated their planes and time to take the children out and show them a good time.
After the plane reached 2,000 feet, Rodriguez, owner of one of the planes, handed the controls over to Thompson. Thompson tries his best to keep the plane steady through the crystal blue skies, but is only marginally successful. Despite the shakiness of the plane, Thompson glances out the window like an old pro. The plane takes a steady course southwest. After 20 minutes, the plane has reached the Mississippi, and Rodriguez takes the controls back as they cross the river into Missouri.
Once the plane, which is traveling at 130 mph, is above Murphysboro, Rodriguez lets Thompson take over again. Thompson will be flying over his middle school and home in Murphysboro. After a 30-minute flight over the region, the plane makes its descent back to earth. Thompson said he is happy to be back on level ground but that the ride was very exciting. Rodriguez said he enjoys getting the opportunity to take children up in the sky. "I love to share my industry of aviation with youngsters," said Rodriguez, who was recently inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame.
Rodriguez said the opportunity is unique for children because flying is more complicated than getting in a car or on a motorcycle. Rodriguez said having the children at the airport and getting them use to airplanes is essential. Television often portrays airplanes as unsafe machines, especially the smaller aircrafts, Rodriguez said. But once the children get into the airplane, their expressions of worry turn into smiles, Rodriguez said. "You can see that magic start to take over," Rodriguez said.
Last update: Monday, February 28, 2005 at 4:16:50 AM
Copyright 2009 Daily Egyptian Spring 05