AFFORDABLE FLYING, REALLY!
The Toledo Buzzards Light-Sport Aircraft
Club Inc. (TBLSACI) illustrates how Pietenpols
continue to help introduce people to flying.
Formed recently by Bill David, a certificated
flight instructor and newsletter editor for EAA
Chapter 582, the club’s mission is to provide
a;ordable flying for those who otherwise may
not have the opportunity to fly. Its eight
active members are flying a Pietenpol, which
qualifies as a light-sport aircraft and may be
flown by sport pilots.
Bill explained, “TBLSACI (pronounced
“table-sackey”) is based at Metcalf Field
Airport (TDZ), Millbury, Ohio. We have a hangar
and a shop. A lot of people come to the
‘Hangin’ at the Hangar’ cookout/hangar flying
session every Friday night. So I decided to form
this flying club, separate from the chapter, but
you have to be a member of 582 to join
TBLSACI. We rent hangar space from the chapter
to help their expenses. (The planes) have no
EFIS, no electrical system; one of the first things
students learn is how to safely prop the
Pietenpol. It’s just basic flying.”
Bill and three TBLSACI students—Andy Abreu,
Jacob Deaton, and Nick Rau—shared an odyssey
to AirVenture 2009, via auto and the Continental
A-65-8-powered Pietenpol (built in 1993 by the
late George Skistimas). They made seven land-
ings during the two-day journey, allowing
everyone a chance to fly. The students described
how TBLSACI has enhanced their aviation skills.
G1000,” said Nick. “But I’ve learned more just by
hangin’ at the hangar. I’ve learned how to prop
a plane and a lot more about flying by sitting in
the Pietenpol versus a state-of-the-art cockpit.”
“The number one TBLSACI rule,” Bill contin-
ued, “is that you have to work to keep the
airplanes running and take care of them. We
each pay $250 a year and $10 an hour for the
Pietenpol, plus the fuel cost. That puts a little bit
of money in the kitty, and at the end of the year,
maybe we can buy a handheld radio.” -Now
that’s a;ordable flying!
