Photos

Photographs are one way that we can show you what adventures lie in wait for anyone entering the sport of Warbird Aviation. More so than the airplanes, the people that we meet, the doors that are opened, and the lessons that are learned are more important than the airplanes that we fly. Some of the photos are of our students. Some are of our friends. Some are of our airplanes. Some are of our family. All are part of the great adventure of flying and being involved with this community. Explore them, enjoy them, and most of all JOIN US so you can be PART OF THE PICTURE!

 


Randon Stewart, of Boeing, and Dave Sutton enjoy the all too rare Seattle sun after Randon aced his February 2005 checkride in the "Boeing" Lockheed T-33. Randon is a retired USAF pilot now flying for the Boeing military aircraft division. Boeing uses the old T-Bird and another sister-ship as a chase plane, target, and research platform. In addition to the T-33, they also operate a T-38 for safety chase of new commercial aircraft. The Boeing T-33's are beautiful, as would be expected, and Randon was the most perfectly prepared candidate that we have worked with. Congratulations!


Jim McKinstry and Dave Sutton celebrate Jim's successful February 2005 checkride in his beautiful Allison powered Yak-3. Jim is a former United Captain, and holds type ratings in the DC-6, DC-7, DC-10, 727, 737, 747, 747-400, 757, 767, 777, and Yak-3! Guess which type rating he's most proud of?

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Becky Luther and Dave Sutton enjoy the sunset as Becky celebrates her new T-28 rating.

This photo was taken after a short "Hop" with Ken in the MiG, the first time he had flown in one since he flew across the Korean border to freedom in his own MiG-15 in 1953.

Andy Michalak, Candidate, Ray Scott, Instructor, and Dave Sutton, Examiner, celebrate Andy's new P-40 rating in front of The Fighter Factory Warhawk.

The 2004 Classic Jet Aircraft Association convention hosts and guests gather in front of the Red Star Aviation MiG-15 after Ken Rowe's short "Hop".

Carl Vernon (on right), one of Red Star Aviations Flight Instructors, suits up and walks out to do another sortie at the US Naval Test Pilots School.

 

Carl Vernon, left, and a student at the US Naval Test Pilot School and member of the Italian Air Force, right, conduct preflight cockpit orientation in the Fouga prior to a flight at Patuxent River NAS.

Another happy student, this time at the US Naval Test Pilot School, sitting in the Red Star Aviation Fouga after a training flight.

Winston Scott, former NASA Astronaut, and Dave Sutton celebrate Mr. Scott's successful L-39 flight test at FIT Aviation, Melbourne Fl. Mr. Scott, in addition to flying the L-39, has made two space flights and has logged three Extra Vehicular Excursions (EVA's) from the Shuttle Orbiter.

Darryl Christian (right) and a group of other happy warbird pilots enjoy the sun during the first annual CJAA Northeast Jet Blast held at Rome AFB in NY. Darryl was checked out as an L-39 instructor at this event, and is one of Red Star Aviations selected Instructors, operating from his home base of Houma, Louisiana.

Dave Sutton, Terry Fregly Sr, Tom "Hog" Hollar, and Terry Fregly Jr stand in front of the L-39 after Terry Jr. was endorsed as an Instructor in the jet and Hog received his Authorization as PIC.

Red Star Aviations excellent Maintenance Officer, Karl Vernon, gives a class on the Turbomeca Marbore jet engine at the Northeast Jet Blast.

Kelly Bruun and Dave Sutton relax after Kelly aced his checkride in the T-28 at Courtesy Aircraft, Rockford IL.

Red Star Aviation operated this Mark 35 Vampire for several years until it was purchased by a collector and returned to Australia, where it was manufactured and where it served in the RAAF.

Dave tries to "Hand Fly" some MiG tactics as used over Korea, as described by Ken Rowe, right, who flew over 170 combat missions in a MiG-15.

Picture yourself here!

This just goes to show that you can teach a Test Pilot almost anything: Tom "Hog" Hollar learns how to fuel a jet "all by himself". Seriously, ex-military pilots need training in lot of non stick-and-rudder subjects when learning to fly classic jets, as in the military, all of these tasks are done by others.

Cadet Terry Fregly, USAF Academy, Major Tom "Hog" Hollar, USAF Test Pilot, and Dave enjoy lunch before Hog and Terry go for a little L-39 hop. That sandwich would come back to haunt Terry-Boy later. Even USAF Cadets get to puke now and then!

Kevin "Hog" Hagenstad and Dave Sutton do a little paperwork after Hog aced his L-39 checkride in Tallahassee. Kevin sure looks happy! Kevin needed to eject two days later from an F/A-18 Hornet at his "Day Job", and survived with a broken leg. Good ejection seats and good training are keys to a long life. Hog, you did good!

Ron Moore, "Gunman", in the back of an L-39 giving formation flying instruction at the Jet Blast. Ron is an old fighter pilot, out of retirement and volunteering his services to the community. Guys like this are the backbone of the Warbird sport. Ron's motto: "A friend will come and bail you out of jail. A true friend will be sitting next to you saying 'Damn, that was fun!'. Ron, we'll fly wing for you anytime.

CJAA Alternate Director Karl Kunze (left) and Dave Sutton check the tip tanks of the Red Star Aviation Fouga at the Northeast Jet Blast. Karl was the prime mover and sponsor of the Jet Blast, and is an all around good guy, operating a pair of CASA Saeta's with his equally friendly brother, George.

 

Friend of Red Star Aviation, John "Huggy" Huggins, exits his U-2 after a long flight over "interesting territory". John is another of the guys who we draw on for expertise and assistance. We thought his purse sort of clashed with his suit, but then again, we don't get to fly the Dragon Lady too often and he does, so his taste counts and ours doesn't.

Bob Davis and Bill Petit share a moment. Bob took his L-39 checkride from Dave Sutton at Red Star Aviations home base, and Bill flies a beautiful L-39 of his own and volunteers his efforts for aviation education. Bill flies C-130's as a "Day Job". Those with sharp eyes will see a kindly looking older gentleman walking behind Bob. That's one of Americas greatest Warriors, Col. Jack Broughton, who wrote "Going Downtown" and Thud Ridge". With all those missions over Hanoi loading flights of F-105's "Up North" it's humbling to stand in his presence.

Fowler "Big Dog" Cary, Vice President of Red Star Aviation, Major Tom "Hog" Hollar, and Squadron Leader Nat Makepeace amuse each other at the 2004 CJAA Convention. Fowler, T-33 pilot and instructor beyond compare, is one of the founders and officers of Red Star Aviation, and along with Dave Van Liere is one of the leading T-33 resources in the USA.

Jack Broughton, Great American Warrior and author of "Thud Ridge" and "Going Downtown" stands in front of a stored MiG-21 F-13 at Davis Monthan AFB with Dave Sutton. Jack said that one of the prettiest airplanes he ever saw was a MiG-21 that went by him opposite direction over Hanoi, bright polished silver gleaming in the sun, with the afterburner lit. Too bad it was trying to kill him! This one isn't as pretty but it's still a MiG-21.

Old Warrior in the sun at David Monthan. But that these jets could talk. One of the things about being involved with Classic Jets is taking part in history, and the access to things like this that very few people ever see.

Every proficient Classic Jet Pilot should do at least one high altitude chamber training flight. They are available for free through a joint USAF/FAA Program, or can be scheduled at reasonable cost at several civilian centers nationwide. Contact us for details on how to schedule this training through your local FAA office.

We teach, and we also learn. Dave on his initial MiG-21 flights with the "Old MiG Master" Dean Martin. Dean was the first really successful operator of the MiG-21 and was Dave's' mentor in Classic Jets starting in 1988. This is a MiG-21UM, ex-Hungary. It's a beautiful airplane, albeit fuel critical from start to landing.

A cold day on the ramp. Siberia perhaps? No, it's in Burlington Vermont, while operating the MiG-21 as a contractor for the International Test Pilots School. This is a MiG-21U, which was purchased from Hungary in the late 1980's.

On a roll, a Corporate Pilot receives unusual attitude instruction in the Fouga.

Kelly Bruun giving the “Thumbs Up” after passing his T-28 checkride with Dave Sutton.

Red Star Aviations' Chief Flight Instructor hard at work at his "Day Job", flight training in a new Falcon.

 

Dave Sutton, and fellow Society of Experimental Test Pilots member Doug Andrews, Chief Test Pilot for Falcon Jet, congratulate each other on receiving FAA Letters of Authorization to fly Falcon Jet's newest model, the then-experimental Falcon 900EX-EASy, at Falcon Jets Little Rock AR Flight Test center.