Couple Flies Across The Country In The Same Cub That Did So In 1966

By Maria Morrison

In 1966, two brothers decided to restore a Piper Cub and fly it across the country- a large undertaking. From New Jersey to California, they gained national fame as the went. By the time they reached California, the media was all over them. However, it wasn't until 30 years later that the book Flight of Passage was published, depicting not only their remarkable flight but also a story of coming of age with a dream.

When Rinker and Kern Buck, 15 and 17 years old, decided to buy a cub for $300, they knew their goal. The brothers wanted to be the youngest duo to cross the country in an airplane. They spent a whole winter restoring the cub, then set out across the country. Heading southwest, the boys strengthened ties with their family, friends, and each other. Meanwhile, they became the "feel-good story of '66." The fame eventually died down, and the young men led normal lives, selling their beloved cub.

In 2011, Chris Nesin of New Jersey was looking for a cub on Barnstormers, and he stumbled upon this vintage relic, left to rot away. He "couldn't just let it go," so he bought the wrecked cub and took it home to his wife, April. He began restoring the aircraft, building it up to its former glory. As fans of the book heard about their story, the Nesins began receiving wonderful surprises. "We got so much help from fans of the book...Random people would send me wood for the floorboards. Random people would send me drawings for something that isn't made," says Chris. The help didn't stop there, though. After two years and seven months, the little cub was ready to fly. Chris and April headed down the same route as Rinker and Kern did, and were met at every stop by people who wanted to support them.

Much of the publicity was gained from supercub.org, which host a large community of Piper cub enthusiasts, and the Austin Hatcher foundation, a foundation for children's cancer that the Nesins support. Also, family and friends called ahead to the airport that the cub was stopping at next, and encouraged people to come out and learn about their journey.

Chris hopes to continue bring his airplane to events and spreading the knowledge of this amazing memoir of "adventure and family drama...an affecting look back to the summer of 1966, when the times seemed much less cynical and adventures much more enjoyable."

FMI: www.flightofpassage.com