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Zlin Meister
By David Brown
Proud Owner Jeff Koehler with Zlin N242DC in its present paint scheme. (David Brown)Twenty years ago former F-15 pilot and Air Force Academy graduate, Jeff Koehler, worked for Northrop Grumman on the B2 program, but still yearned to return to the skies. Initially he used a Cherokee 140 to commute to Los Angeles from his home in Camarillo, but eventually he realized that he wanted more from his flying. What he really hungered for was an aerobatic aircraft, so took his time looking at all the possible contenders, ranging from the Pitts Special to the CAP 10. One consideration was cockpit room, as Jeff is over six feet tall. This ruled out a number of contenders with cramped cockpits.
Working in Melbourne, Fla. by this time, Jeff had an opportunity to fly the Moravan Zlin 242, which was a Lycoming-powered variant of the Czech Zlin 241 of famed aerobatic lineage (Zlin 526 and Zlin 50) and was at that time relatively cheap for a new aircraft ($125,000). Also, the cockpit was of ample size.
Kokomo, Indiana’s Fifth Annual Wings and Wheels Air and Car Show
By Mike Heilman & Ed Wells
Cliff Robinson races a motorcycle down the runway in his modified PT-17 Stearman. Robinson, an airshow veteran, has appeared in more than 300 airshows during his career. (Mike Heilman)It was the little show that could. The 5th annual Wings and Wheels Air and Car show was held June 8 at the Kokomo Indiana Municipal Airport (OKK). The one-day event was billed as the largest airshow in the state of Indiana in 2013. Kokomo can make that claim since the Indianapolis and Gary airshows cancelled due the Congressional sequester. The event drew an estimated 4,000 people.
The annual event is used as a fundraiser with proceeds from food sales and VIP seating going to local charities. The Event Coordinator, Pam Wild, explains “Our show is completely free, no admission at all. The pilots are not monetarily compensated in any way. All they get is a T-shirt and breakfast and lunch. They get gas for the show and the trip to get here. It is an all-volunteer show. We have the support of the City of Kokomo and they are our biggest sponsor.”
New to Flying?
By Ed Downs
Let’s assume the reader of this month’s column is not an aviator, but would like to be. Perhaps you are a pilot and know of a friend who would like to learn to fly, but just can’t afford it. Is a Sport Pilot certificate really worth looking into? Would it be better to simply wait until you can get into private pilot training and be a “real pilot?” You have a lot of company if those questions are floating around your enthusiastic, but confused head.