LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --
The T-6 Texan's great grandfather, the Ryan PT-22 Recruit, paid a visit to Laughlin Thursday and visited 102 of its T-6 grandchildren.
The PT-22 was one of the original trainers for the Army Air Corps, first rolling off the assembly line in 1941.
The PT-22 is owned and flown here by Dick Keyt, who is an aviation buff, founder of Dennis Polen Education Foundation, which 2nd Lt. Andy Jaskie, member of the 47th Student Squadron and soon to be member of the Wisconsin Air National Guard, went through the foundation 6 years ago.
Keyt, also known as The Renaissance Man, is an airline pilot, former Air Force pilot, certified flight instructor, licensed aircraft mechanic and machinist who holds a bachelor of science degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
The foundation stimulates innovation and strengthens work habits with practical, one-on-one training for young people in the field of aviation.
"I learned a lot about engineering and flying," said Jaskie, who graduates Sept. 11 with class 15-14. "A lot of it I was able to use here."
Keyt said that when Jaskie was accepted into pilot training he told him he'd be at his graduation. "He had to do the hard part - complete pilot training," Keyt said.
It took Keyt three hours to fly the 75-year-old airplane here from Fort Worth. "It can go 2 hours on a tank of gas so I try to stop every hour and a half," he said. Keyt's PT-22 can fly about 110 miles per hour and like all trainers, has a seat for student and instructor.
Lt. Col. Britt Warren, 47th Operations Support Squadron Director of Operations, is excited to have this piece of Air Force history on the ramp.
"This is great! Team XL graduates the world's best pilots. Here is our history and our legacy, which the students, instructor pilots, air traffic controllers and all Airmen can see firsthand. Usually, this is only possible at airshows or museums," said Warren.
Keyt, who flew the F-4 Phantom and OV-10 while in the Air Force in the early 70's, said it had been awhile since he'd landed on an air force base.
"It feels good to be back," he said, with a smile.