Gotta grandson who just got stationed at McCord AFB. He's a few hours (and realistically more than a few) shy of his private. He was learning in Georgia prior to enlisting, and never got finished before reporting.

He got a good taste of flying in NV with Grandpa, yours truly, and once I showed him what his damn feet were for, he seems to have got the bug. He needs to unlearn the plastic airplane crap, and get the basics down. He's a bright kid, and he'll work hard and do well.

Anyways... You local guys up there got CFI and tailwheel rental you can suggest I send him to? Post or PM, I'd appreciate!

Thanks,

Gump

Gene Endsley. Good guy, low key, old school and flies out of KPLU, which about 6 miles East of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. He owns a C-140, a Pacer and had access to a J-3. Helped me last year transition to a C180. 206-300-1197.

Thank you Sir. I'll pass it on tonight.

Gump

Just spoke w/Gene on the phone and he'd be glad to help out you grandson.

Keep it in-house....Stearmann4 on this site does t/w instruction & is located nearby. Owns a J3 & a Stearman. He's on the "tailwheel instructors list" in the "community" forum. He's based at Cougar Mountain but also operates at Olympia as well as at Thun Field in Puyallup (just east of McChord). I've never flown with him, but have seen him fly-- he's a real nice guy & well-qualified.
Mike Rutledge, Silver Wings Aviation
www.silverwingsflying.com
[email protected]

Gump,

I'd love to help, I'm a 24 year AD Army Test Pilot at Ft Lewis (next to McChord), and the planes are based at a 3,000' x 50' grass strip.

I'm still on deploying status, so if I'm not available, I have two other CFIs working for me that are always available. One flies an Air Tactor 802U, P-51, F8F Bearcat, P-47, etc, and the other a DC-3, Howard DGA, and his own C-195. All military veterans, and we'd love to get your grandson addicted to grass runways and fabric tailwheel airplanes!

Mike-

Thanks Guys!!!

All info forwarded, and the youngster went out yesterday and got some time in a C120/140. Gotta love this site for the wealth of info and experience out there.

Gump