Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Douglas. Model: A-1. Nickname: Skyraider or SPAD
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Airplane SE Piston
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane SE Land
> Engine Description: Single engine piston
Aircraft Experience
> As of: 6/25/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 1
> Number of Times Flown: 1
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: —
First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 105
> Date First Flown: 6/27/2000
> Location First Flown: Olympia Airport, Olympia, WA (KOLM)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Name redacted, Olympia Flight Museum
Douglas Skyraider (EA1-E) N188BP. Stock photo copyright jetphotos.net, Mike Head
Recollections: By now, you’ve read about the reason for and importance of the “Qual Eval program”. This particular flight, conducted on a student field trip, was lining up to be a total dream come true.
The Skyraider, or SPAD. Gotta be the most beautiful taildragger ever. Ginormous engine, incredible lines…it just LOOKED like it would fly GREAT. I was on the schedule to fly the airplane of my dreams, with a very famous national aviator. In the end, the latter’s attitude and air of superiority ruined my experience with this beautiful design, to the point that the flight is a bad memory. Thankfully, I can count on two fingers the times I’ve had experiences like this in aviation, with a person who was so difficult to get along with as to defy reason. I’m just sorry it happened with this machine, one of my “top 10” designs.
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