Friday, October 28, 2011

Brooks Field Airport (KRMY) manager starts flying school in Marshall, Michigan.

John Riske, flight instructor and airport manager at Marshall's Brooks Field, comes in for a landing on Tuesday.
Photo Credit: John Grap/The Enquirer

John Riske does a pre-flight inspection of the aircraft at Brooks Field. 
Photo Credit:  John Grap/The Enquirer

MARSHALL -- John Riske was not worried as the engine roared and the tires raced forward on the runway. Sitting next to him in a co-pilot's seat, an Enquirer reporter couldn't have been more petrified. It was the reporter's first lesson in flying an airplane, and Riske had seen fit to let the newcomer handle the takeoff.

The small aircraft, a 1982 Piper Warrior, tilted back as the reporter slowly pulled back on the yoke -- the airplane's control, which is similar to a car's steering wheel. Riske, a licensed commercial pilot and instructor, had an identical yoke in front of him, but his hands had strayed distressingly far from it.

As the novice pilot gripped her yoke with an iron fist, steering the plane up toward the horizon, Riske glanced out the window, remarking on the beautiful color the trees were showing. The reporter wondered how much color was showing in her face.

This reporter's reaction to a first flight lesson was typical for first-timers, Riske said. The airport manager at the Marshall Brooks Field airport, Riske is trying to bring newcomers to the aiport with his new business, Marshall Flying Service L.L.C.

He decided not to use his own last name and call it Riske Flying Service, he said. Pronounced "risky," that would hardly inspire confidence in new clients who may be a little wary about handling a plane for the first time.

"A lot of people are scared," he said. "You get to see the white knuckles...but by the time we get back, they're excited about it."

Once the flying bug bites you, a love of the sky tends to get in your blood, Riske said. For some, one lesson may be all it takes to get hooked, he said. In the sample lesson Riske gave Tuesday morning, he took some of the mystery out of an intimidating line of gadgetry on the plane's instrument panel.

The instrument panel provides the pilot crucial information such as the airplane's speed, remaining fuel and position relative to the horizon.

Meanwhile, the reporter, eyes fixed to the horizon, attempted to take in some of the information.

Riske, who has clocked more than 400 hours of instruction time, probably could have given the spiel in his sleep. He has been flying since he was 5 years old.

When you're that age, there's only so much you can retain, Riske said. He just remembered one simple nugget: If you push forward on the yoke, the trees get bigger. If you pull back, the trees get smaller again.

The trees got bigger Tuesday as the plane approached the runway and Riske expertly aligned the little warrior for landing. The Piper Warrior is the only aircraft his business has right now until business takes off, Riske said.

The plane can be rented for $110 per hour and Riske is available for instruction at $40 an hour. Western Michigan University College of Aviation students who don't want to graduate with thousands of dollars in student loan debt should consider getting some flight time in Marshall, Riske said.

He's also hoping to attract some new students who are interested in becoming private pilots as a hobby. That hobby isn't as expensive as might be expected, he said. It could cost roughly $6,500 to $10,000 to get a private pilot's license, and many people who can't afford to buy a plane rent one or purchase a share of a plane.

"Aviation is an incredibly exclusive club that we want everyone to be a part of," he said.

Skidding to a stop on the runway, Riske and the frazzled reporter ducked out of the parked plane. Along with frequent in-air lessons, Riske recommended that new students take classes to learn the basics. He is offering a nine-week ground course starting Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. That course is $400, including books, Riske said.

Meanwhile, another entrepreneur is considering starting an airplane repair business at the Marshall airport, Riske said. The person considering that business asked to remain anonymous and said his plans were too preliminary to discuss publicly.

"Being able to have maintenance here and instruction helps bring this airport back to where it needs to be," Riske said.

He also wants to bring more events to the airport and attract private pilots to visit Marshall, he said.

As a live-in manager at the airport, Riske is bringing an element to the airport that hasn't been there for years, said Mike Hindenach, Marshall's city manager liaison to the city's Airport Board.

"John bringing those businesses to the airport will certainly make the airport healthier," Hindenach said.

Original article and photos: http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com

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