From the Eyes of the Pilot
Innate Passion: John “Bordz” Posson’s Path to Flight
John “Bordz” Posson’s father could be credited with leading him toward a life-long interest in aviation. He was a WWII pilot, after all, and also in the Reserves during the 1950s, but Bordz seemingly sparked his own dreams, instinctively. The dream of being a pilot was constantly on his mind. Read more
The Big Blue Sky of Possibility: Dean “Wilbur” Wright’s Path to Lead Pilot of the Patriots Jet Team
Wilbur was a seven year-old boy when he watched the USAF Thunderbirds perform at an air show in Austin for the first time. Read more
Soaring with Love: A Story About Samuel, Our Favorite Future Pilot
By Randy “Howler” Howell
When the 2010 earthquake hit Haiti, young Samuel Wilkins was just over a year old. He was too young to understand the chaos surrounding him, but the world did not. News coverage showed a country in ruins.
Don’t Let Your Fears Clip Your Wings
By Randy “Howler” Howell
Early this week, one of our team members flew from California to New York, and then back again the next day. Total flight time to travel across the country twice was about 12 hours. 100 years ago, just one half of that trip would have taken over a month via the transcontinental railroad, which was the fastest mode of transportation in 1913.
Air Shows: A History
By Randy “Howler” Howell
Here in the Hangar of Dreams, our Patriots Jet Team members often discuss their love of flying. It’s not uncommon to hear a team member tell the story of the first airshow they attended. They also tend to remember the first air show they attended as a Patriots Jet Team member after all the rigorous training they received at the team’s Hangar.
A Thing of Beauty: The L-39 Albatros
Once you see our Patriots Jet Team in action, it’s hard not to wonder a little about the amazing aircraft that make it all possible. After all, our pilots’ skills and flying talents would be useless if they didn’t have jets capable of performing these amazing acts.
When he began dreaming about our team, PJT owner Randy Howell knew that he needed to find a jet that was fast, maneuverable, safe and affordable. As a former United Airlines pilot and forever jet enthusiast, Randy has extensive aviation knowledge and began researching jets that would meet all these requirements. Read more