Inspiring a New Generation?

As the years pass, there seems to be fewer opportunities to light the fire of enthusiasm in aircraft and aviation among youngsters.  Historically, airports and air shows provided aircraft viewing opportunities which captured the imagination of most children and steered many toward a career or lifelong interest in military or civil aeronautics.  As this blog is being written, many airports have become no-watch zones. Air shows seem to be in good health in most parts of the world and particularly so in Europe.  In North America, however, a substantial number of air shows in the United States have succumbed to sequester-related Department of Defense budget cuts which eliminated all support of civilian air shows and led to the nationwide cancelation of military base open houses.  Air shows in Canada, supported in considerable strength over the past 35 years by the US DoD, have been downsized somewhat.

However, there is a new 3D film on the verge of release which may create a new generation of young aviation aficionados.  Planes, a computer-generated story of a crop duster aircraft (aerial application aircraft in today’s terminology) – Dusty – aspiring to become a big league air racer, is The Walt Disney Company’s latest animated offering.  Scheduled for release on 9 August, the cast of characters includes historic air racers, executive types and military aircraft of yesterday and today.

Even the most serious aviation enthusiasts should, at least, find themselves entertained while a welcome new generation of aviation ‘geeks’ may very well be born.

Note: The following images were captured by Krista Swan-Tachauer during arrival/practice day events prior to the Waterloo Air Show held at the Region of Waterloo International Airport, Ontario in June 2013.  Special thanks go out to Diana Spremo, General Manager of Media & Marketing, and the hard-working media support folks for their efforts in making the following photos possible.

(below)  Supporting the advertising effort for Planes, Dusty has been brought to life.  Originating as an Air Tractor AT-301 aerial spray aircraft, Dusty is seen here taking off and taxiing with Rusty Lindeman of Texas-based Rusty’s Flying Service at the controls.  The paint scheme approximates that of the movie’s star but N3159D is not powered by the proven Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial engine which equipped the AT-301.  Instead, Dusty is pulled along by an equally reliable Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turbine engine and is officially known as an AT-400A.  Dusty is scheduled to be at several air shows this year with his final appearance scheduled for the November 2013 Stuart Air Show in Florida.