Retired Airline Captain Flies To All South Carolina Airports

Ron Schreck is a 62-year-old retired airline captain and now-part-time contract pilot. He spent last year's Fourth of July holiday visiting all 109 public-use airports in his home state of North Carolina.

Flying his Vans RV-8 homebuilt, with its Lycoming O-360 and constant-speed prop, he made the entire circuit in under 20 hours, thanks in large measure to his plane's speed and capabilities, and a computer routing calculated by William Cook, a professor of mathematics at Georgia Tech.

So, how did Ron celebrate the 4th this year? By flying his RV to all 68 public-use airports in the neighboring state of South Carolina.

With fewer airports, Ron says he didn't even have to do any night flying... completing the computer-optimized route of 1,052 miles in just under 11 hours. In fact, he made it home in time for the Independence Day cookout at his home on the Gold Hill residential airpark, where hangar talk with buddies started the idea that led to last year's flight.

So, what's next? Ron jokes, "Only 48 states to go!" He says he'll probably try Virginia next, although he admits making quick stops at the airports covered by the Washington DC ADIZ will be a unique challenge.

Ron says one of his goals is to make small communities aware of the value of their small airports, in a time when many cash-strapped municipalities see a chance for a quick buck selling off to developers.

"If news of my flight... can make just one city or county official vote to keep their local airport, then I guess the effort is worth it."

As for actually replicating the feat in all 50 states, Ron isn't making any solid promises. "Texas alone has 392 public use airports. I'm tempted to leave that to someone who's younger and more ambitious than me."

Then again, if he hasn't thought about it... how would he know how many public use airports there are in Texas?

(Note: Ron will be Paul Plack's guest next week for the July 15 edition of the Aero-News Special Feature Aero-Cast, during which he'll talk in detail about his flights.)

FMI: Map Of SC Airports