Photos by Kelly Sue Photography
Mankind overcomes superstitions and defies his fear of death and gravity. First by subduing the earth, then breaking free of its bonds to soar the heavens above it. Huntsville, a micropolis with aspirations to achieve greater levels of consequence, is blessed with the foresight for flight.
The Bruce Brothers Regional Airport brings those dreams closer to fruition. This 180 acre facility, set at an elevation of more than 360 feet above sea level, can boast of a new asphalt surfaced runway measuring more than 5000 feet long and 100 feet wide.
What may surprise many is this small, yet versatile facility located in the Piney Woods of east Texas serves as many as 20,000 aircraft operations per year. The range spans from general aviation to military operations, single/multi engine aircraft, maintenance and avionics repair, jets and even helicopters.
Bruce Brothers is also home for two of the most sought after flight instructors in the region – Wayne Hammond and legendary, award-winning pilot Mitch Inman. Both men work tirelessly, opening doors to the wonder of soaring the skies.
Pilot and Huntsville Aviation manager Wade Gillespie runs a tight ship seemingly effortlessly. His attitude is as if he just won the largest sweepstakes lottery of the most fun one can have in his chosen occupation. His smile seems as large as Texas.
8:30 a.m. – The skies are unusually overcast on this summer morning. Temperatures are expected to rise above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Gillespie has been on site for well over an hour, ensuring operations are at a high state of readiness. At this point, a large fuel truck is refilling the various types of fuel needed for the day’s operations.
The sounds of country music fill this airport’s Fixed Base Operation Center (FBOC), providing a feeling of wistful sentimental longing for flight to some joyful place. Gillespie informs all concerned persons that the overcast has a low ceiling currently below 14,000 feet, but fully expects the cloud cover to burn off given the expected forecast of high temperatures. After making all safety inspections and assisting the fuel tanker, Gillespie signs off for the airport’s fuel allotment.
“We’ve recently completed upgrades to our runway, allowing for larger and heaver aircraft and jets,” Gillespie said. “In addition to improvements in our instrumentation system, we’ve had as many as 12 jet aircraft use this facility in one day, and we’re expecting at least close to 300 jet flights in the coming year. Not to mention our ‘fly-ins’ for the October Fair on the Square.”
10 a.m. – Mitch Inman arrives and begins to instruct on the flight training instrumentation device. “We use this to teach pilots how to fly primarily through the clouds,” he said. “This type of training simulates using low and high frequency radios, as well as global positioning.”
Two students are scheduled to arrive for solo flights. Aimee Montgomery, one of Inman’s students, arrives at the airport, along with her two children, Cameron and Anna. She brings a special lunch for Inman as thanks for “being such a special instructor instilling in her the confidence to fly.”
11 a.m. – Instruction continues on the airport’s flight training device, with special emphasis to problems that may occur while in flight. “At this point, the engine stalls,” Inman said. “Here is where we can use this as teaching moments.”
Noon – As most of the airport crew breaks for lunch, Inman is still instructing flight instruments training. He instructs from the classic golden age of flight towards today’s more automated systems. “In the past, it took at best an hour to work out a flight plan and make all required essential preflight checks,” Inman continued. “Today, we can get up to the minute weather information as well as preflight weight requirements with the touch of a button.”
3 p.m. – Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s aircraft lands, soon after other aircraft land from Wyoming and Fort Worth, Texas. Ground crews scramble to clean and refuel the aircraft. Soon after, additional flights land from Cox Field in Paris, Texas and Northwest Regional Airport in Roanoke, Texas. “Sometimes, the flights come in back-to-back like that, and it can get really busy in a hurry,” said Rodriguez.
At this particular time, Pothier has a section of wing he has just completed refashioning. “Even with some of the newer electronic systems used on aircraft, we are still able to do most of the work here,” he said.
5 p.m. – As the day moves inevitably towards its close, Gillespie makes his final safety checks. This day is not complete until he schedules annual aircraft inspections and orders replacement parts for the maintenance crew. Every facet of Huntsville Aviation is geared toward the aircraft, because it was born in man’s dream for conquering time and space made of steel and power—yet its soul is the men who fly them—they are their islands in the sky.
1000 Airport Dr.
Huntsville, TX 77320
(936) 295-8136