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More than a few words … from “Mr. Bill” (2007)
Back in 1970, a glider ride was
$10
for a single-passenger ride;
$15
for two-passengers going together. Flights were 30-minutes
long. Sam Bleadon (still around, but mostly-retired) and Bill
Star (that’s me)(still around on a regular basis) [also from
the mid-1980’s on, known as “Mr. Bill” ] were the two guys
from California who came over to see if this “idea” of a
glider business (borne of Sam’s brother Bob, and funded by
Sam’s dad) would work.
For the first year or so, business was pretty slim. We were
(at times) surviving on “care packages” from Sam’s folks, and
the generosity of some local residents, here in Mokuleia,
where we found “affordable” lodging.
Prices today reflect the current costs of doing business here
in paradise. Insurance, fuel, personnel, maintenance,
advertising, cost of diapers (oh yes, diapers) (to keep the
bubble-top canopies clean ! ).
So here we are, 37 years later;
An international
reputation as a “quality” activity; a “must-do” aviation
experience (and the scenery ain’t too shabby, either).
Location - we had no choice.
Dillingham Airfield
and Honolulu International Airport and Kalaeloa (Barbers
Point) Airfield are the only airports for general aviation
activity on this island; and
Dillingham Airfield
is the ONLY place for glider activity.
In 2001 we added aerobatic glider flights to our
bill-of-fare. Our Aloha Spirit K-21 is what we
use for demonstrating loops, rolls, inverted flight , and
other such aerobatics in the glider (sailplane). So now we
can give interested single- passengers some added “zing”
!
And as of March-2007, we have added another dimension to our
Airborne activities by offering TOP GUN aerobatic flights in
the Pitts
S-2B Sport acro bi-plane. That means we go the gammit
from serene scenic flights to knock-your-sox-off …WOW…
flights; …. and all’s right with the World !
IN THE BEGINNING …
So there we were in 1970, Sam and Bill . . . .
and PART of the reason for this longevity is good product,
GREAT location (even if it is 8-miles off the “beaten-track”),
enthusiastic and dedicated glider-guider pilots, and people-
telling-people that there’s quality adventure going on at
Dillingham Airfield on Oahu’s North Shore.
Since the beginning, this has been a 7-day-a-week operation.
After a few years in business, we were “forced” to start
offering instruction to some of those visitors (and some local
patrons, too) who got “hooked” by the flying bug. So if you
get the hankering to get some glider-flight-instruction in
flying our North Shore skies, we can accommodate !!
I know we have ‘made a difference’ in our own little way, in
some of the lives of patrons of the ‘past’, because we
continue to get feedback from visiting pilots who either got
their first “taste” of flying here, and went on to careers in
aviation, or who have come back years later to re-experience
the pleasures they remember from their last visit; or to just
say ‘hello’.
But
BY FAR,
it is the return of non-flying-oriented people who come back
again and again, or who merely ‘pass-the-word’ that this is a
“MUST-DO” activity, or bring friends with them to experience
this ‘joy of soaring’ in PARADISE. And it IS paradise
!
And as the guide-books say: “… it is well worth seeking-out
“Mr.Bill and the ORIGINAL Glider Rides ….” “ ….
Absolutely Fantastic ! ”
This is year # 37 for me. It NEVER gets “old”.
My special thanks to those people who have taken the time to
“remember” WHERE they had an experience of a
life-time.
If you have any comments, concerns, or remembrances, color me
‘interested’. My e-mail is:
mrbill@hawaii.rr.com
If you have general questions e-mail at:
gliderrides@aol.com
Bill Star, co-owner & V.P. ( …. since 1970 )
P.O. Box 626
Waialua, HI 96791 |
