{mosapa album="Planes"}
HIGHLAND LAKES — The Highland Lakes offer a pretty spectacular sight from the ground, but there’s no denying the grandeur of a bird’s-eye view. Fortunately, there’s plenty of ways for visitors to get some air time, whether you prefer model airplanes or something a little larger.
Perhaps the best way to begin your aviation adventure is to get acquainted with a piece of history. There’s no better place than the Commemorative Air Force’s Highland Lakes Squadron hangar, where visitors can get up close and personal with vintage aircraft from World War II and other eras.
The hangar, located at 2802 U.S. 281 in Burnet, features a number of authentic World War II artifacts, according to CAF Col. Chuck Tully.
“We’ve got uniforms, weapons and items related to aviation during and after World War II,” Tully said. One such item is the front-gunner turret from a B-24 bomber, or a cutaway radial engine from a real aircraft of the era.
If you’re interested in planes, be sure to check out the CAF’s C-47 transport, known to locals as the “Bluebonnet Belle.” The Belle was built in 1944, and saw action while flying cargo across Japanese lines — which accounts for the bullet holes any CAF member will be happy to show you.
Don’t miss the group’s annual Bluebonnet AirShow, set this year for April 11 at the Burnet Municipal Airport, located right outside the CAF hanger.
The museum and hangar are open daily. Check out www.bluebonnetairshow.com or call (512) 756-2226.
Now that you’ve seen the planes for yourself, why not hop in the cockpit?
A number of local pilots offer flying lessons. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to own an airplane to be a pilot. Many cities offer airplane-rental services, and some pilots band together to purchase a plane for all to use.
But before you can fly a plane, you’ve got to hit the books.
Ken Wittikiend owns Burnet-based ProMark Aviation Services, one of several flight schools located in Central Texas.
He said pilots come from all walks of life.
“Of course we have the people who are completely new to flying, but I also see people who haven’t flown for a lot of years and want to come back,” he said. “I’m working with one fellow who hasn’t flown in 20 years, and now that he has the time to devote to it, he wants to take it up again.”
If you decide to take up piloting, be prepared — many instructors have their students take the wheel during the very first flight.
If that sounds good to you, you can learn more about general aviation by visiting www.aopa.org.
But maybe you’re not comfortable behind the wheel of a full-sized airplane. Fear not — there’s plenty of room for smaller models, too.
The Highland Lakes Flyers RC Airplane Club meets regularly at its airfield off RR 2545 near Kingsland, where the group’s 45 members fly — and occasionally crash — their radio-controlled craft.
If you’re a new pilot worried about crashing that model airplane, don’t worry — you’ll be in good company.
“Well tell all of our members their planes have expiration dates on them,” club president Mike McDougall said. “Some pilots’ planes just expire faster than others.”
McDougall said RC enthusiasts are always welcome at the club’s airfield during their regular morning get-togethers.
For information on the club, log on to www.zuel.com/highland_lakes_flyers.
