N6512G

While attending Fort Steilacoom Community College(now called Pierce College) in Tacoma WA in 1971 She was a Brand new bird in those days. I had the pleasure of using this particular Airplane to learn to fly. N6512G belonged to the College Flying Club and I was a Teaching Assistant in the Accounting Department. Gene Pitts was the Department Head and also had headed the Flying Club. I was Genes’ Assistant and I kept the books for the Flying Club and kept the books for my Instructor(I have forgotten his name) and “Traded” my flying time by also doing some of the repairs to the Clubs’ aircraft – including N6512G..

The Club aircraft, including N6512G, which was a Cessna 150L that had been equipped with a 172 Continental engine, were housed at the Spanaway Airport along with the Cessna Cardinal(FG) that belonged to Gene.

Gene got me “hooked” on flying by taking me up several times in his Cardinal which he was part owner in. Gene was a WW-II veteran, a Realtor and a College Professor. I had just returned from service in Viet Nam where I had logged many hours in Rotary Winged Aircraft, even though I was a Small Arms Repair Specialist for the US Army.

Many mornings before Class Gene and I would meet for breakfast before dawn and then head for Spanaway. More than once, since this was in the Fall, we would have to heat up the engine compartment using the exhaust from his or my car before attempting to start the Cardinal. The Hangers weren’t heated.

I did my Ground School and began logging flight hours with my Instructor. I had Soloed and had completed my Second Cross Country. I had my Third planned and I guess the Accountant in me finally told me that I just wasn’t in any position to be paying for an Airplane and the flying time costs etc. Keeping the “Books” for both the Club and my Instructor gave me a great insight in what these “Holes in the Sky into Which you ‘Poor’ Money” could really cost. I was a Veteran and could have had a large amount of the Costs covered by the VA but I have never been one not to realize the “real” costs of playing the Flying Game.

I have long wondered just what happened to this Great old B1RD and now I know! I'm truly glad she is still flying and giving people the Pleasure of Soaring through the Skies. I loved this old bird. And, I guess I still do. I'll remember 12Golf forever if I'm Lucky!!! MK

:) 8) :