Defying gravity

KateLynn Slaamot
NLJ Correspondent 
 
Food, entertainment and the opportunity to watch an airplane tumble end-over-end in the sky are among the attractions that will be offered at the Mondell Field Airport during its Fly In and Air Show on June 15. 
First up on the list of the day’s events is a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m., which will be free to the public. The first air show, boasting Wyoming’s own Dick Fennell, will begin at 11 a.m., and the second one will start at 12:30 p.m. A lunch will also be provided by Myra Gunnink and her food bus, Myra’s Shaved Ice Wagon, about noon. There will also be remote-controlled aircraft performances and more. 
“I just hope we get a good turnout from
the community,” airport manager Tuff Streeter said. 
The event is a good opportunity for those who enjoy flying to meet together, he said, and it also allows the community to get a taste of aviation. Streeter also said that although this event is free, donations will be accepted to help cover costs. 
Dick Fennell, the aerobatics pilot who will perform at the event, started flying in 1978 after retiring from motorcycle racing. Fennell put an end to his motorcycle racing career because it was quite dangerous, he said, and flying is actually the “safest motorsport in the world.” 
“I originally taught myself,” Fennell said. The pilot said that he read a book on flying and then decided to just go for it and try flying for himself.
“I would not advise that for anyone,” he said. 
Although Fennell started out flying a hang glider, he eventually pursued conventional training to receive his pilot’s license in 1980. He then started aerobatics in 1981, which is defined as “feats of spectacular flying performed in one or more aircraft to entertain an audience on the ground.” 
In addition to aerobatics, Fennell also began flying competitively about six years ago, he said, and is pursuing entrance onto a national team.
“My airplane is a very sophisticated aerobatic airplane,” Fennell said. His aircraft has amazing capabilities, he said, and it’s one that he has to rein in and learn to hold back. His aerobatics performance starts with a vertical climb starting out at 304 miles per hour, before he maneuvers the plane to “tumble end-over-end.” 
This feat, according to Fennell, was once more difficult. Fennell said that only a couple of tumbles were possible in earlier airplanes. But planes have come a long way. Now, he said, getting 10-12 tumbles is not difficult. The drive of the engines has also changed, and Fennell said that 150 horsepower was once considered enormous. His current plane is 400 horsepower. 
One thing that Fennell finds to be an obstacle in his passion for flying is the amount of time required for practice. Fennell said that the level he desires and expects himself to be at requires an immeasurable amount of time – something that can be difficult to come by. 
In spite of the changes and the challenges, Fennell said, he has a deep-rooted passion for flying. From the “fellowship of other aviation enthusiasts” to the “continual challenge” that flying presents, Fennell said, he takes great pride in his skill. 
“When I sit in airplanes, it all makes sense,” Fennell said. 
Beyond the personal gratification of flying, Fennell said, he hopes to inspire people to be bold and confident that they can do anything they set their minds to. He also wants to promote aviation, he said, because the number of those involved in the field is on the decline. 
Fennell’s desire to share his talent with others stems from his life’s motto, which he said is based off of a quote from the artist Pablo Picasso: “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” 
Such a desire is one reason Fennell performs at events like the one to be held in Newcastle, he said.