Saturday, April 14, 2012

First Open Cockpit Day of the season

Visitors get a close-up look at the Douglas TA-4J.

The weather was perfect and nearly a hundred people of all ages enjoyed the first Open Cockpit Day of 2012 on Saturday at the Strawberry Point flight line.

The public had a chance to experience the first-class travel that passengers enjoyed aboard the Martin 4-0-4 airliner. Most commented on the roominess of the cabin and the legroom not enjoyed in the jet age.

Kids enjoyed sitting in the cockpit of the Douglas TA-4J trainer. Volunteer Richard Steinert went over the controls with the would-be pilots.  The engine had been taken out when the plane was delivered, so no flight plan needed to be filed.  This plane was used in Top Gun school as an "aggressor" aircraft. Rumor has it that the plane appeared in the film "Top Gun," but was not flown by Tom Cruise.

People were surprised by the tight quarters of the Martin RB-57A Canberra that was open to the public for the day.  The younger and more lithe visitors squeezed into the pilot's seat and the cramped navigator's space.  Although originally designed as a bomber, the plane saw more duty in a reconnaissance role.

The next Open Cockpit Day is Saturday, May 12 from 11 AM to 2 PM.  Bring your mom for an early Mother's Day treat.



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