Hit new heights with Navy Flying Club

Published 8:26 am Friday, May 20, 2011

John Humphries, manager of the Navy Flying Club on NAS Whidbey, stands before a T-34B Mentor, one of several aircraft available for rent at the club. Dennis Connolly/Whidbey Crosswind

Neil Krueger spent a lot of time flying when he was younger with his dad and grandfather, who were both licensed pilots. Now he wants to get licensed to fly.

Judson Hartley is a third class air-traffic controller on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island who wants to fly and also have a clearer understanding of the pilots he talks to at work.

Both men who wish to be airborne were at the NAS Whidbey Flying Club and Fraser School of Flight for the National Learn-to-Fly Day last Friday.

They, along with other sailors and civilians, got to tour the facility and its aircraft, meet with flight instructors and try their skills on the new flight simulator.

AC3 Judson Hartley, right, helps AD2 Trae Dewdese navigate the flight simulator at the Navy Flying Club. Dennis Connolly/ Whidbey Crosswind

Tucked into the northwest section of the base, the Flying Club offers several airplanes, including three Piper Cherokee 140’s, a Cessna 172, a Piper Arrow 200 and a T-34B Mentor for rent and instruction for Navy personnel and civilians alike.

They offer instruction for private, commercial (single), instrument rating, certified flight instructor and tail wheel endorsement.

Krueger works on the base and finds himself at the flying club from time to time.
He says the flying club is less expensive than other facilities.

In fact, John Humphries, manager of the flight club, said a person who can put in one to two days a week can get his private pilot’s license in six-to-nine months for $5,000 to $6,000.

Humphries, who flew P-3’s in the Navy as a commander, said the open house is centered around National Learn-to-Fly Month.

“If we get somebody in here and they are interested in flying, we’re showing them the services we provide. It’s open to sailors as well as the public,” he said.

In addition, the members of Whidbey Island Navy Flying Club are also sponsoring two scholarships that will cover up to $1,500 toward flight lessons. Winners will be identified June 17. Scholarships will assist with training in a private aircraft, going toward earning first solo flight certification, a significant step towards earning a private pilot’s license. The scholarships will be awarded to two active duty, enlisted individuals, E-1 to E-6.

Besides offering aircraft instruction, the Flying Club offers memberships that offer aircraft rental, an online scheduler, overnight rentals, parking for personal aircraft, flight and ground instruction and FAA certified test site (CATS). They have over 200 members now and membership keeps the door open.

The Flying Club has a lot of people who help out and Humphries said guys come in for lunch to talk about and share their passion for flying and to network. He said it’s a good time to discuss hot topics on the aviation theme. The surroundings are nice, the airplanes are cool looking and the Flying Club is right near the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Humphries is told by a guest that the Flying Club is a good deal and he agrees, noting that it is becoming more rare as time goes on.

“There used to be 24 flying clubs on bases around America. Now it’s down to three,” he said.

Meanwhile, guys like Krueger and Hartley are aiming to fly and to keep the NAS Whidbey Flying Club open a while longer.

Flying Club Classes for Youth 13 to 18

Basic Youth Flight Course is a four-day camp which teaches the fundamentals of flight, planning, navigation and communications, ending with an instructional flight where kids get to experience being the pilot in command.
Camp runs from 9:30 a.m. to noon each day.
Camps will be offered on the following dates, and those interested must be registered at least seven days in advance:
June 20-23
June 27-30
July 18-21
Aug. 8-11

An Advanced Flight Course is also offered for those youth who are interested in pursuing aviation as a career.
The course includes in-depth ground instruction, 12 hours of classroom instruction and a three-hour cross-country flight which emphasizes aeronautical navigation, communications and flight skills.
The course meets from 9:30 a.m. to noon each day, and registration should be completed at least a week prior.
The advanced course will be offered:
July 11-15
Aug. 1-5
Aug. 15-19

Courses are open to both military and the public. Call 679-IFLY or go to www.winfc.com for information.