Still Flying at 84!
Many pilots catch the flying bug early in life. This was so with
James K. Kunkle, 84, a Valley resident since 1975,
who began flying at the Grand Central Air Terminal in
In order to continue flying, it was suggested by an acquaintance, Irv Moler who was a racing
aircraft engine salesman and an All-American at USC, that he join
the California Air National Guard. Following this advice, Kunkle
joined the 115th Observation Squadron and soon found himself flying 0-38 biplanes built by Douglas Aircraft, O-47s
from North American and then BC1As that were the forerunner of the famous T-6s
that trained thousands of American, Canadian and British pilots.
In September of 1940, Kunkle’s squadron
was federalized as the war in
The new 2nd Lt. Kunkle was shipped to
Barely three months later on Sept. 16, 1944 while flying as the
rear man in a squadron on an armed reconnaissance mission, Kunkle
noticed that his squadron was about to be surprised by a vastly superior force
of German ME-190s. Finding that he had a radio problem and was unable to notify
the rest of his squadron, Kunkle turned into the
enemy formation and fearlessly engaged the German aircraft.
Air combat is a hugely confusing time for a pilot. Keeping an eye
on the enemy aircraft, keeping your own aircraft in a position to attack and
keeping your own aircraft under control occupies a
pilot’s attention. Most air engagements last from only a few seconds to a
minute or two. Kunkle, during his engagement with the
German fighters, shot down one ME-190 immediately, and then after receiving
battle damage to his P-38, shot down a second fighter as well as damaging one
or two others. Amazingly Kunkle’s engagement with the
German fighters lasted six minutes.
Finally, Kunkle watched as another
attacking fighter walked 20mm shells across his left wing, blowing holes in the
fuel tank between the left engine and the cockpit. On fire and losing control
of his aircraft, Kunkle knew that he had only seconds
to react. On fire and badly burned on his hands and face, Kunkle
bailed out of his crippled P-38 and parachuted into what he thought were enemy
lines.
Fortunately, on that day American forces of the 1st
Infantry Division on the ground watched the air battle and were in a position
to rescue Kunkle after he safely landed by parachute.
For his heroic actions on that September day Kunkle
was awarded our nation’s second highest military decoration, the Distinguished
Service Cross.
Kunkle, after recuperating from his injuries
in
Kunkle retired from active military service
in 1948 after flying the latest model of the P-51, the H model, the early
military jets including the P-59 (Air comet), P-80 (Shooting Star), and the
Republic P-84 (Thunderjet).
After the war, Kunkle remained active in
aviation, developing fixed base operations (FBOs) at
Van Nuys,
Kunkle is still active in the industry and
consults as a developer of airport properties around the world.
One of Kunkle’s proudest achievements is
his involvement with the Legion of Valor. The organization, headquartered in
Kunkle still aviates and owns and operates
seven airplanes out of Santa Ynez Airport. Kunkle’s favorite plane is his Piper Super Cub that cruises
at right around 100 mph. When asked what was his most
favorite plane, his response was, “I never met an airplane I didn’t
like.”
Fly Safe,
Robert "Captain Bob" Perry
Titan Tornado II SS N899HC
Pilot Certificates
Initially pilots are
required to obtain a student pilot certificate prior to their first solo flight
in an aircraft. This certificate is part of a class III physical obtained from
a designated medical examiner authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The student pilot must attest to his or her general health, use of various drugs
and alcohol, existing heart problems, diabetes, and mental health. The
medical examiner will examine the applicant for the student-pilot class III certificate
and issue that certificate provided the applicant has no existing conditions
precluding the issuance of the certificate.
The class III medical
certificate is valid for a period of two calendar years and must be renewed in
order for the pilot to continue to exercise the privileges under a student or
private-pilot certificate. A student pilot cannot carry passengers except for a
certified flight instructor or flight examiner.
The next rating that can be obtained is the private-pilot
certificate. Federal Aviation Regulation Part 61 outlines the necessary
aeronautical experience and knowledge required to obtain a private-pilot
certificate. Generally, the student pilot must log a specified amount of time
in an aircraft with a certified flight instructor. The student must log a
specified amount of solo time in the aircraft, must perform both dual and solo
cross country flights, must become proficient in emergency procedures, must
demonstrate through a written test the required aeronautical knowledge for a
private certificate, and finally must demonstrate to a flight examiner the
required maneuvers applicable for the private pilot certificate.
A private pilot cannot
charge for his time as pilot in command of an aircraft; he may however share
the expenses of a flight with his passengers. Private pilots may fly during the
day or night, providing the pilot has received at least three hours of night
instruction, and in clear visual conditions. The private pilot may upgrade his
certificate to allow flight in clouds (instrument meteorological conditions)
with the addition of an instrument rating by receiving 40 hours of dual-flight
instruction with an instrument flight instructor. The private pilot may act as
pilot in command of an aircraft in the furtherance of his or her business. Private
pilots with over 200 hours of experience may act as aircraft salespersons and
demonstrate aircraft to customers.
Note* The Santa Ynez Valley Airport
Authority will be meeting at