August 2011
5 posts
WatchHere is a short clip from the “Spirit of Tuskegee” as it arrived at Andrews Air Force Base, near to Washington, D.C.
Andrews Air Force Base Visit
The “Spirit of Tuskegee” landed safely at Andrews Air Force Base, MD on August 2, 2011 after a month long, cross-country journey from Beale Air Force Base, CA.
Since then the plane has been taken to the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center where it will be restored closer to its original 1944 construction by Smithsonian collections specialists. The plane will go on...
WatchHear Captain Matt Quy talk about his plane the “Spirit of Tuskegee”, it’s incredible history and his current trip with the plane across America on his way to Washington, D.C.!
July 2011
19 posts
Day Thirteen- July 21, 2011
Today we held an Open House at the local airport for the residents in the Lake City and Red Wing, Minnesota community. It was a beautiful flight down the river to the airport. In our years of having the Stearman flying, we have flown over some gorgeous scenery, but our favorite place to fly is still over the lush green fields and winding rivers in Minnesota. Matt and I stopped into the Stanton...
Day Twelve- July 20th, 2011
Today is the first day I haven’t been out to the plane since we left California 12 days ago. It wasn’t a quiet day though. Tina flew into Minnesota on the Red Eye and arrived at 6am. We came back to my parents’ place where the phone calls and emails started to roll in. The good thing is we were able to coordinate many of the details for the rest of the trip to D.C.
Today...
Day Eleven- July 19, 2011
Today I had a great time sharing the plane with members of the local Boy Scout Troop. It was fun to teach them about the Tuskegee Airmen and about aviation in general. Our local Saint Joseph’s Troop members were surprised when the priest showed up. I made him promise he would include the Tuskegee Airmen into one of his next sermons.
I think I brought Father Paul a bit closer to God. I just hope...
Day Ten- July 18, 2011
“Isn’t aviation romantic,” I thought as bright blue 100 octane fuel was running down my hand, staining my sleeve, and trickling down my shirt!
My nice slow day to relax and document the trip and have a friend do some laser imaging of the plane was not going as planned. I decided to get a few things done around the hangar and had just tested the fuel. The fuel tank has two fuel drains, one on each...
Day Nine- July 17, 2011
It was fun to fly out of the Minneapolis Saint Paul International today. I had five airliners sitting in line behind me for takeoff. I am sure the pilots and passengers were all wishing they were flying my plane instead. The Minneapolis departure was giving me headings and altitudes to fly. I wonder if they figured out that I was flying off an old whisky compass? I quickly found my destination,...
Day Eight- July 16, 2011
It was an exciting day to be a hometown Minnesota boy at the 133rd Airlift Squadron, MN Air National Guard. The unit celebrated its 90th anniversary with an open house at the Minneapolis St Paul International Airport. We had a good crowd that was enthusiastic about their local military unit. The day was especially fun for me since many old friends including a few that I hadn’t seen in over 15...
Day Seven- July 15, 2011
Today was supposed to be my first day to relax a bit after a long week. We were expecting storms overnight and the Minnesota National Guard was great about letting me put the plane into their hangar. The Stearman was nestled up against the olive drab UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters at 07:00AM when we arrived at the field. A two-star General was due in to inspect his facilities and I guess the bright...
Day Six- July 14, 2011
Morning seems to come way too early while flying the Stearman cross-country. One of the most taxing things about flying it is the wind beating the pilot on the left side of your head. It isn’t too bad sitting in the front seat. Sometimes I think my passengers think I am just complaining. The problem is the air spills off the top wing where there is a cutout for visibility on top. The air falls...
Day Five- July 13, 2011
The Academy airfield opens about half an hour before sunrise. Captain Nick “Hammer” Helms and I prepared for an early morning departure. We met at the airport at 06:30AM and prepared to depart. The weather to the East was looking pretty sketchy with ceilings of 700 feet overcast with low visibility. We took our time preparing the plane and decided to make a short hop to an airport on the east side...
Day Four- July 12, 2011
Today was our first big event in our 31 day trip to Washington D.C. I was excited just thinking about the impact our eight Tuskegee Airmen and the plane could have on the Cadets. I wanted to bring the plane out to the Academy because it is so important for our future military leaders to understand the important role the Tuskegee Airmen had on our country. Fleur Paysour, the director of media...
Day Three- July 11, 2011
I really didn’t want to get out of bed today. I was completely exhausted from flying the last 2 days. Fortunately our only ride to the airport in the courtesy car was leaving at 05:30 AM so we were forced to wake up. I will catch up on sleep when we get to Colorado.
We departed Laramie, WY by 06:30AM. We needed to make it to the U.S. Air Force Academy by 09:30AM so we wouldn’t keep our reception...
Education, Motivation and Preservation! →
This is the homepage that provides information about the Quy’s three main goals (Education, Motivation and Preservation) for the “Spirit of Tuskgee” Stearman bi-plane they own. Truly inspirational!
A New York Times article about the "Spirit of... →
Attached is the article written by the New York Times author Kate Taylor about Captain Quy and his plane’s incredible history. She explores some of the background of the Tuskegee Airmen as well as the plane’s specific role in the Airmen’s history…read on to find out about the plane’s job and how the Quy’s decided to donate it to the National Museum of African...
Day Two- July 10, 2011
Morning came very early today. I would have gladly gone back to sleep from the exhaustion of flying the first day. People often ask about flying in an open cockpit plane. I tell them when it is hot you are hot. When it is cold you are cold. You are always subject to vibration, a cramped cockpit, and the smell of fuel, oil, and exhaust. On the other hand, it is the most beautiful way to travel. No...
Day One- July 9, 2011
Saturday morning greeted us with bright blue skies and calm winds out of the Southwest at our hometown airport in Lincoln CA. Our month long journey to the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. was about to begin. I have been looking forward to the trip and all our stops along the way for a long time. Our plan is to stop at the USAF Academy where we will meet up with 8 Tuskegee Airmen. Then on to MN for...
