top of page
Search
Kent Casson

Pilots take to skies above Chenoa


(Planes shown earlier in July at Bill Thacker's air strip near Chenoa)

Planes from as far away as Washington, Arkansas, Kentucky and Ohio landed near Chenoa in mid-July for a summertime tradition on Bill Thacker’s property.


The retired commercial airline pilot and aviation enthusiast hosts a gathering of fellow pilots and others interested in air travel prior to the big show up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin each summer.


“Bill has been kind enough to invite his friends down to this little piece of heaven,” said Bernie Oakley, originally from Ohio who now lives in Arizona.


It is a yearly tradition for those landing at Thacker’s air strip to fly up to the big Wisconsin show together where they spend the week.


“This year is tempered somewhat because we are going to remember Bill’s mother who passed away,” added Oakley.


While everyone enjoys seeing the airplanes, it is like a big family reunion where some have known each other for years and others just met.


“I’m biased but I think we’ve got a special camaraderie that’s different from others.”


Oakley formerly sold semi-truck trailers but has been flying for over 50 years. He even built a plane in his garage.


David Lucas of Ohio flew in to rural Chenoa from the Cleveland area. Years ago, his friend told him he should stop in Chenoa on the way to Oshkosh.


“We’ve made all of these friends since 2003 and we come back every year,” he said.


Lucas arrived in his Cessna 182, the third one he has owned. This particular model has more power and more room which is a great for a family.


Thacker has always looked up to the skies wanting to fly. As a kid, he recalls watching the Apollo launches and jets flying. He eventually became a pilot for United.


“I had a little over 35 years there and I was fortunate to fly so many fun jets to so many fun places all around the country and world,” Thacker recalled.


Thacker is involved with the Experimental Aircraft Association, or EAA, which has a local chapter in Bloomington that gathers each month to talk airplanes. The fly-in at Oshkosh is a weeklong event from the EAA with conventions, air shows, forums, vendors and thousands of planes.


Flying is common if your last name is Thacker.


“That’s a family requirement. If you’re going to be a Thacker, you’ve got to be a pilot,” he joked.


Thacker taught his wife and both of his kids how to fly. His son is a pilot and mechanic while his daughter flies for United.


During his career, Thacker has flown service men and women, pardoned presidential turkeys and sports figures.


“What a fantastic career I got to do,” Thacker concluded.


(David Lucas of Ohio shown near his plane at Bill Thacker's property near Chenoa)

(Retired United pilot Bill Thacker of Chenoa was interviewed in the Route 24 Radio studio last month)

 

 

386 views1 comment

1 Comment


lthecontractor
Aug 05

Good article Dave picture is great

Fame at last !!!!

Like
4D 323 DESIGN TEAM JOINT DISPLAY AD.jpg
bottom of page