Commerce Kids - 23June2016

On Thursday, June 23, 2016, the Majors Flying Club (MFC) participated in the Second Annual Commerce Kids day at the Commerce Municipal Airport (2F7). This time last year Mr. Tom Bailey contacted the MFC President Dennis Mathis and asked if the club would be interested in bringing a plane to the Commerce airport to support a program about airplanes and flying for the Boys and Girls Club of Commerce. The club agreed and a good time was had by the five kids who attended.

Mr. Bailey contacted Dennis Mathis again this year about supporting a similar program. This year the kids would be from the Commerce Independent School District "A Step Ahead" summer reading program. The summer program is coordinated by Tina Bronson and the 3rd and 4th grade kids would be from the classes of Latisha Britton and Jessica Duckworth. Mr. Bailey is apparently a pretty fair salesman as the headcount grew from five kids last year to eighteen kids this year! Mr. Bailey provided in-class instruction to the kids focusing on the four forces (thrust, drag, lift, weight) and the control surfaces. Mrs. Bronson prepared a very nice workbook for the kids which included all the material presented by Mr. Bailey. It was a very well done workbook and seemed to be very effective. The kids were well prepared to talk about the four forces and the control surfaces.

With a 1.5 hour window to talk with eighteen kids and show them an airplane, it was quickly decided that two planes would be a really good idea this year. Thankfully MFC member Don Reeder was more than happy to bring his Super Cub to the event. Don flew his Super Cub to Majors (KGVT) and joined up with Denis Rottler in the club Cessna 150. The flight of two departed KGVT around 0815 in order to ensure they would be in the area when the kids arrived by bus at 0845. A low pass was executed by each plane followed by full stop landings to give the kids a chance to witness airplanes in flight.

The City of Commerce and Airport Manager Mike Whitler did a nice job supporting the effort with a nice place to talk with the kids and plenty of bottled water on hand. Don and Denis talked with the kids for a bit about the forces, the control surfaces, the differences between the Cessna and the Super Cub, and some other delightful banter. But really, the trip was all about touching and feeling airplanes so enough talking and off they went to the flight line. Both group of kids got to spend time at both the Cessna and the Super Cub and each kid got to sit in at least one of the airplanes to manipulate the controls. The gentlemen who gassed up his Cirrus at the self service pump had about as much fun as the rest of us. The kids gave him a big cheer when he started up his engine and taxied away. FUN STUFF. The kids were able to stay long enough to see both Don and Denis takeoff.

Thanks to Mr. Bailey, the "A Step Ahead" program, and the Commerce Municipal airport for inviting the Majors Flying Club to participate in this event again this year. We are looking forward to our invitation to next year's event!