FanFormum

December 16, 2008

Rick,

I don't know what's going to happen to the airline industry. Most if not all the heavy maintenance is being done out of the country; much of it at Woo's Laundry and Turbojet Overhaul in Communist China. Meanwhile, our own economy goes down the toilet and everyone wonders why nobody's spending money. I was in a shopping mall yesterday and it was like a ghost town.

It used to be that once you had a job with United Airlines, it was a job you wanted to keep for life. Now, they're having a hard time keeping mechanics; most of them are leaving and finding work in non-aviation industries. Can't blame them really.

I long for aviation yesteryear. My favorite video to watch these days is the movie "Strategic Air Command" with the B-36 -- a real airplane flown by real pilots and flight engineers, and maintained by real mechanics. I'm still hoping for a DVD release of that movie in restored condition. If you fast-forward past the whiney June Allison parts, there's some great flying scenes.

They used to have great airplanes. Wacos, Stinsons, Piper Cubs, etc., all made from genuine steel tubing, wood, and fabric. Now they're made from sheets of heavy aluminum foil. Guess I'm an anachronism.

-- Mike

December 5, 2008

Friends visit the Cockpit of Rick's 72

I am a Pilot
by Colin

I am a pilot, a captain of soaring ships. Steering the vessel behind swirling
propellers. Sailing to islands of clouds, across seas of air.

I am a pilot, a fish swimming through a sea of air. I swim through the blue
sky. I go on rough rapids of white water clouds.

I am a pilot, a star in the night. A pattern of lights on a black velvet
twilight. A warm, nice light shining down from above, a feeling that makes you
feel joy, beauty, and love.

August 28, 2008

"Your new studio is awesome! Pure aviation history, Bro.
Many thanks for the tour and updates! Blue Skies! Pat "

August 25, 2008

Good friend and USAFA 2000 Graduate Mike C. dropped by for a visit. Mike was "Overwhelmed" with the new studio!

August 12, 2008

Sir,

I have to start by saying that I've been prompted to send you this message by a good friend and classmate of mine from the USAFA. I was pretty excited to hear that he'd gotten in touch with you and that you'd expressed the possibility of a Class of 2008 painting if we can demonstrate the necessary interest. I understand the need for some sort of commitment from a good number of grads before you can invest the time and energy into an undertaking like this. I want to emphasize that learning you would not be doing our class painting was one of the single biggest disappointments of my cadet career. While I don't have any family members who are grads, my family has many close friends who as grads proudly display your work in their homes and offices. It has occurred to me that now is the best possible time to explore this possibility of "resurrecting" the class painting, not only because we graduated recently, but also because most members of our class are in close contact with one another at several large training bases. At the moment I'm stationed in Texas with about 50 classmates, and with your permission I'd like to see what sort of interest in the painting there is amongst those of us who are here. I wish you all the best as you develop the painting (and as I understand it, compete) for the class of 2009. I really hope I can hang your USAFA Class of 2008 painting on my wall in the near future,

This is one tradition we need to continue,

Respectfully Yours,

Zach
2dLt, USAF
Class of 2008

August 7, 2008

Sir,

I recently graduated from the Academy with the class of 2008 and was disappointed to see that the class painting was not done by you. I know you have the experience and heritage painting for each individual class and wish the decision had been left up to someone else in our class. I heard a rumor that you had completed a painting for our class and was wondering if that was true and if so if I know several classmates (to include myself) that are wondering if it is available for purchase. Thank you.

Respectfully,

Jonathan

July 16, 2008

There was significant gratitude for your generosity and the winner was delighted!

Matt & Al, Matt won the framed Print in the Alumni Golf Tournament at the Air Force Academy

June 9, 2008

Rick,

I just wanted to tell you all that my painting is absolutely beautiful! I can’t begin to describe how amazing it is especially when I turn the lights off in my room and the backlight on the painting. You really have created something I will treasure for the rest of my life. I am so glad I spent the money to own one of your masterpieces.

Richard
USAFA 2007