Comptroller Airman flies T-6

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Victor J. Caputo
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BAS, Kan. --  Not too many people can say they flew in an aerobatic plane. Even fewer can say that they performed the maneuvers themselves.

Airman 1st Class Lindsay Allen, 22nd Comptroller Squadron budgetary analyst, can.

Allen was chosen to fly in a North American T-6 Texan in recognition for being the 2011 Honor Guard Airman of the Year at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. The flight was just two days before the Wings Over McConnell Air Show and Open House where Michael Rambo, Hawker Beechcraft lead T-6C Texan demonstration pilot, was scheduled to fly.

"When I first found out about the flight, I was shocked, nervous and excited all at the same time," said Allen. "I knew it would be an experience that I would never forget."

During the flight, Rambo showed Allen various aerobatic maneuvers, including dives, rolls, stalls and low-altitude passes. He also handed controls over to her at one point in the flight.

"The best part about the flight was when the pilot let me take over the controls to do some aerobatics," she said.

While Allen was preparing for her flight, the T-6 took off with Nate Christner, KAKE News photojournalist, in the passenger seat.

"This flight was easily one of the coolest things I've ever done and something that will stick with me for the rest of my life," said Christner.

While Michael Rambo, Hawker Beechcraft lead T-6C Texan demonstration pilot, flew Christner around the Wichita area, Allen was eagerly awaiting her great opportunity.

"The pilot definitely made it fun and taught me more than I thought I would ever know about the T-6," she said.

At the same time Allen was flying around Wichita, Tim Hamblin, Derby High School principal, was riding in the passenger seat of another T-6 modified to look like a World War II Mitsubishi Zero.

Hamblin, who took his wife and two young boys to watch him fly, received this opportunity in recognition of his efforts and achievements as principal of Derby's only high school.

One aspect of the air show was to gather and enhance the positive community relations between McConnell and the surrounding communities, and this flight was just a small part of that.