Local pilots take adventure to new heights.
Looking down from the clouds, you get quite a different view of Jefferson City. What you know as bustling buildings and busy streets becomes a dwindling outline of shapes. For three local pilots, a passion for aviation allows them to see the world from this perspective and take to the air inside and outside of their professions.
Johnny Graham
How long have you been flying?
I’ve been flying for about three years now. With running a business in two states and learning in two different types of airplanes, it took me a little longer than average to get my license.
What inspired you to become a pilot?
Originally, I loved the idea of backcountry access for hunting and fishing adventures. While that is still true, I also love the whole magic carpet idea of going where you want when you want.
What type of plane do you fly?
My plane is a 1969 Citabria. It is certified for aerobatics (Citabria is “airbatic” spelled backwards), and while I don’t yet do aerobatics, I plan to do some training in the near future. It is also a tailwheel, or conventional, landing gear aircraft. While most modern airplanes are designed with tricycle gear (main gear under the wings and one wheel under the nose), my Citabria has main gear under the wings and a small wheel under the tail. While in the air, there is no noticeable difference in handling, though once on the ground, they handle completely differently — so much so that tailwheel aircrafts require the pilot to have an additional endorsement to legally fly them. While more challenging on the ground, they are far better for unpaved airfields. The majority of my primary training was done on a bumpy grass strip on Martha’s Vineyard.
How do you use the plane? Where do you go?
A few months ago I was in the Florida Keys on a fishing trip! Some friends and I rented a house and a boat for a week, and I flew down there to meet up with them. I made several stops to visit others along the way, and had a couple of culinary stops (Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina) on my return trip to Jefferson City. I enjoy exploring small airports in the Midwest. Recently, I flew down to a grass strip at Gaston’s resort on the White River in Arkansas to do some trout fishing with my niece, Stella.
What are you qualified to fly?
Single engine airplanes, 200 horsepower or less, and I have my tailwheel endorsement. I am currently working on my instrument rating and wrapping up my complex aircraft endorsement, which will allow me to fly planes with retractable landing gear, flaps, and a constant speed propeller.
How many clocked hours of flying do you have?
Just under 300.
Jeff Naught
How long have you been flying?
I have been actively flying since my freshman year in college, which is about 20 years now — scary how fast time flies by!
What inspired you to become a pilot?
When I was really young, my dad took me to my first airshow at Whiteman Air Force Base, and that really started my interest in flying. What sealed the deal was when a classic Ford Tri-Motor, built originally in the late 1920s, came to Jefferson City to offer rides. Taking off from Jefferson City and being able to fly around my hometown was what really hooked me.
What type of plane do you fly?
I currently fly the Cirrus SR22. I choose to fly this plane because of its numerous safety features and some of the most modern avionics available.
How do you use the plane? Where do you go?
The most common trip for me is taking my family to see my in-laws. They live in a small town outside of Cape Girardeau. If traveling by car, and if we don’t hit any St. Louis traffic, it is about four hours and 30 minutes. If we fly from Jefferson City to Cape Girardeau, the trip turns into a little less than an hour. It made short trips seeing family a lot more convenient.
What are you qualified to fly?
I am currently qualified as a commercial airplane, single-engine instrument rated land pilot with my high performance complex endorsement. Therefore, I am able to fly a lot of the smaller airplanes with single engines that you see coming in and out of the airport. Jefferson City Flying Service does have a beautiful multi-engine trainer, so I hope to change that single-engine rating into a multi-engine soon.
How many clocked hours of flying do you have?
I currently have a little more than 800 hours. I’m always looking for an excuse to get up in the air.
Shawn Burcham
How long have you been flying?
I got my private and instrument rating in 2006.
What inspired you to become a pilot?
My dad got his private license, but he was diagnosed with a heart issue shortly after he got his license. I did get to fly with him a few times though. My passion to fly started as a young kid, but I really got my pilot’s license due to business and family needs. As my business grew geographically, I wanted to be able to conduct business while also having a family balance.
What type of plane do you fly?
A Cessna Citation M2.
How do you use the plane? Where do you go?
My flights are almost all for business reasons. I literally travel all across the U.S. and have even taken a few international flights.
What are you qualified to fly?
I’ve owned a Bonanza A36, several TBMs, and now the M2. I am type-rated in the Cessna 525 series, so I can fly the M2, CJ2, CJ3, and CJ4 airplanes.
How many clocked hours of flying do you have?
Approximately 2,500 hours.
What does JC Flying service do?
Jefferson City Flying Service is a full service, fixed-base operator, or FBO, that also offers flight training, hangars, aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance, aircraft parts, and avionics. What a lot of people don’t know about is their generosity and customer service to clients. Coffee and Central Dairy Ice Cream are always available, and they also go above and beyond for their military clientele.
How do you become a pilot?
Call JCFS and ask for an introductory flight. After one flight in a small plane, most will realize they either love it or they don’t. If you love it, then they will set up a training plan for you. The private pilot rating will take about 60 or 70 hours on average for flight training. The test consists of a check ride with the Federal Aviation Administration, and there is an oral and written exam you will have to prepare for as well.
