The speaker at the Sun Lakes Aero Club’s next gathering will be Wayne Marshall who will discuss his around-the-perimeter of the country flight circuit in an Aeroprakt A-32 light-sport aircraft like the one shown here. (Photo by Wayne Marshall)
Gary Vacin
A retired airline captain and military fighter pilot who fulfilled a personal challenge flying a light-sport aircraft will be the speaker at the Sun Lakes Aero Club gathering on Monday, Feb. 17, at the Cottonwood Country Club Lecture Hall. The session begins with camaraderie at 6:30 p.m., followed by the presentation at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Our speaker will be Wayne Marshall who will relate his experience flying a light-sport aircraft around the perimeter of the country in 2024. Used to flying fighter jets and airliners at high altitudes and fast speeds, Marshall said he always wanted a lower and slower view of the countryside. “This experience was always on my bucket list,” he added. Marshall, from Casa Grande, made the flight circuit in an Aeroprakt A-32 light-sport aircraft manufactured in Kiev, Ukraine. He and a friend first saw the aircraft at AirVenture at Oshkosh, Wisc. “Sitting in the aircraft, we were like two kids in an ice cream shop, amazed at the state-of-the-art interior and instrument panel,” he said. He ordered the aircraft built to his specifications and had it delivered to the U.S. The Casa Grande resident took off from Casa Grande on May 16, 2024, and completed his around-the-country circuit on June 25. In between, he logged 102 flight hours while making 27 stops enroute.
The Sun Lakes Aero Club is open to persons interested in any aspect of aviation. Membership is not limited to Sun Lakes residents. Future speakers include USAF Brig. Gen. (ret.) Tom Webster, former A-10 and F-16 pilot, who will discuss the role of close air support in warfare, on March 17.
For additional information on the Aero Club, contact Cannon Hill at 509-539-7857 or Gary Vacin at 480-298-7017.