Express intern enjoys first flight; talks to pilot about aviation
PHOTO BY MARION LOVE Dan Wilkins is pictured with his WACO UPF-7 plane, which he used to give free airplanes rides during the Fly-In.
CALE BLAKELY/FOR THE EXPRESS This aerial view of the 37th Annual Sentimental Journey Fly-In at the William T. Piper Memorial Airport was taken by The Express’s summer intern during his first flight in a small airplane.
A view from WACO UPF-7 plane shows a portion of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River to the left. The photo was taken by The Express’s intern during his first flight in a small plane. CALE BLAKELY/FOR THE EXPRESS
PHOTO BY MARION LOVE Dan Wilkins is pictured with his WACO UPF-7 plane, which he used to give free airplanes rides during the Fly-In.
CALE BLAKELY/FOR THE EXPRESS This aerial view of the 37th Annual Sentimental Journey Fly-In at the William T. Piper Memorial Airport was taken by The Express’s summer intern during his first flight in a small airplane.
A view from WACO UPF-7 plane shows a portion of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River to the left. The photo was taken by The Express’s intern during his first flight in a small plane. CALE BLAKELY/FOR THE EXPRESS
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LOCK HAVEN -- The spirit of generosity reigns supreme at the 37th Annual Sentimental Journey Fly-In, with pilot Dan Wilkins giving out free rides to those who never had the chance to fly.
Wilkins is a science teacher from Stroudsburg, Pa. and owns a WACO UPF-7, an antique biplane produced in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
He's always wanted to own a biplane throughout his life and finally got the chance in his 60s, acquiring his aircraft from the seller Rare Aircraft.
Wilkins realizes how unlikely it is to have a chance to fly in a vehicle like his, which is why he so freely gives out rides to those who may never have gotten to.
"I know what it's like to be on the other side of the fence," said Wilkins, in regards to flying.
He's given out rides all over the country at various air shows, with his short-term passengers numbering in the 100s.
I got the chance to ride in Wilkin's aircraft myself and I really appreciate the opportunity that was provided to me.
It was quite beautiful to see the same area I've lived in all my life from an aerial view, something I may never have the opportunity to see again.
The mountains especially were gorgeous, with the lush green landscape highlighting the clear blue sky behind it.
For that, I'd really like to thank Wilkins for providing myself and many others a similar experience.
Unfortunately though, the possibility of flying is getting slimmer and slimmer due to a twofold issue in the aviation community.
Firstly, insurance premiums are being raised on older pilots or not being offered to them at all, due to their age supposedly making them a greater flight risk, without considering their level of experience or current health, according to Wilkins.
This ends up making flights a greater risk to those pilots, lowering their willingness to go out on these excursions.
That issue is being compounded on by the fact that it's getting harder to introduce younger generations to the hobby from a lack of representation.
Wilkins remembers many of the icons from his youth in comic books and general media being pilots, which is part of what inspired him to become a pilot.
Less and less pilots are being prominently displayed to the general public, leading to a lack of younger pilots who aren't already exposed to aviation through their families.
One of the last few avenues to introduce people to flying is through Fly-Ins like we have here in Lock Haven, and Wilkins hopes that through his kindness, more people can be involved in the hobby he loves so much.
"It's my mission to share my airplane, to share aviation," said Wilkins.
The Fly-In is full of similar souls to Wilkins, who just want to see their favorite pastime expand and grow along with many more generations to come.
So although the Fly-In is coming to an end this year, make sure to come around next year to experience what the pilots of PA and the world have to offer.
Maybe you'll come out of the other side touched by the joys of flying as they once were.
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Cale Blakely is a summer intern for the Editorial Department of The Express.