Local nonprofit Legacy Airbase honored five area veterans with a free Legacy Flight Sunday in a T-6 aircraft at Carson City Airport.
A legacy flight takes veterans soaring in a T-6 aircraft, a single-engine, two-seat advanced trainer aircraft, known for its role in training pilots during World War II and beyond, and for its enduring legacy as a warbird.
Legacy Airbase, a nonprofit organization, is building a replica airbase at Dayton Valley Airpark. It has provided “Dream Flights” to veterans who are in nursing homes, assisted living and retirement communities.
Its mission is “honoring veterans, sharing history and giving back,” said Darryl Fisher, a local aviator, business leader and founder of Legacy Airbase.
Thus far, the 10-year-old organization has given 7,400 flights, across country. This week Legacy Airbase will be in California and North Carolina to provide flights to veterans.
The T-6 was known as “the pilot maker” because of its important role in preparing pilots for combat. It was designed as a versatile military trainer, known for its reliability, maneuverability and ease of operation.
It played a crucial role in training pilots for various Allied air forces during World War II and saw service in combat zones, notably during the Korean War.
Sunday’s gathering also brought members from Carson High School’s NJROTC.
Legacy Flight Recipients
A career military pilot with the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard Reno, Ben Thomas, 80, of Carson City had flown 7,000 hours, none of them, however, was on a T-6, which had been retired as a training aircraft before he started his military career.
Daughter Rachel Maiello brought her daughters to watch their grandfather at the event, a part of his 80th birthday celebrated earlier this month. She explained the idea was to bring the family together for the flight event as part of his birthday, which had been schedule for March 30. The flight was postponed due to weather.
Maiello noted that her mother, Brigadier General Carol Thomas, a US Air Force veteran, pilot and the first female to hold such a high rank in the Nevada Air National Guard, was to fly Sunday, but had to attend to a family matter. She said she hopes her mother will be able to fly another time through Legacy Airbase.
Ben Thomas said Sunday’s ride was a bit bumpy, likely due to the weather, which was calm but cloudy. The video below shows the T-6 with Thomas aboard during takeoff.
“There’s a lot of room in the back seat when compared to the F-4,” he said, noting that he flew the Phantom RF-4 for 16 years in the Air Guard. “It was a good flight.”
Retired USAF Master Sgt. Stoney Faubus, 78, of Spanish Springs USAF, served as a C-7A Caribou crew chief/flight mechanic 1968-1969, T-29/C-131 flight mechanic 1970-1975, C-130 flight engineer 1975-1985.
He had been on a T-6 before, within the past two years with the Commemorative Air Force out of Stead. Sunday’s flight was another air experience he did not want to pass up.
“If there’s a flight, I’m there,” he said.
Retired US Air Force Staff Sgt. Tex Tankersley, of Carson City didn’t fly during his time in the military but took up flying later receiving his private pilot license in 1979 and has since flown close to 2,000 hours.
“I got an invitation to take this flight, and I said hell yes,” he said.
Having done a lot of volunteer work with veteran organizations, Edward Bindert, 67, was in the US Army in Engineering and lives in Sparks. He said his years in the service led to a career in construction which “helped me tremendously” and is now actively involved with the Patriot Guard, and recently was recognized for his team having raised $7,500 for Honor Flight.
Marty Brenner, 86, of Reno is a US Air Force Reservist from 1957 to 1962 was a medic at March Air Reserve Base. His daughter Cindy Brenner takes him to air shows, the last being at Minden-Tahoe Airport.
“The last warbird I flew in was a P-51 in Minden,” he said. Though not a pilot himself, he had flown in a T-6 one time before at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro.
“It is a WW II trainer and it trained the guys that kept me free. Look at it. It is beautiful,” said Brenner, looking at the plane before boarding.
Also taking flight was Charles Diez, 83, who retired from the US Navy as a radio man and did sky patrol for 15 years. He resides in Carson City.
Carson City-based nonprofit Legacy Airbase was founded by local aviator and business leader Darryl Fisher.
“We believe in the power of flight to inspire, heal, and bring joy to those who have served our country,” he said.
