“The 16th birthday was the big one,” he said.įollow Jack Minch at /jackminch. Vinal must log more solo flight time, including some cross-country flights and some night flights before earning his license, Coolidge said. “This is like the first big step,” Coolidge said. Vinal must be 17 years old before he can get his pilot’s license. He hopes to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with plans to be an air-traffic controller. It’s not something everybody my age is doing, and I’ve never been a jock, so it’s something I can identify with,” he said after landing. The youngest Vinal fell in love with flying the very first time he took off. Vinal’s grandfather is a pilot and his father is an aerial photographer. “It doesn’t matter who it is, but they always remember their first solo,” he said. Valera was concerned about the wind but happy to see Vinal make his solo. The program offers introductory flights in helicopters and airplanes to children 8 to 17 years old to stir interest in flying, Valera said. Vinal got his introduction to flying about three years ago as part of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program, sponsored by the Fitchburg Pilots Association. Those landings looked textbook,” he said. “It’s just a long life of worrying now.”Ĭoolidge congratulated the young pilot when the plane stopped. “I feel really happy for him,” Kristy Vinal said from the edge of the runway. Vinal made his final landing of the day in a strong, cold wind at 11:03 a.m.Īs he drove past the airport tower, about a dozen family members did the wave, normally reserved for sporting events. He had to take off, land and come to a complete stop three times as part of his solo flight exam. Vinal, wearing a Cheshire grin, dropped off Coolidge and taxied back to the runway in the 110-horespower two-seater. The wind was blowing hard during the first three laps and there was concern among a small crowd of pilots who gathered to watch whether Coolidge would let Vinal fly solo.Ĭoolidge was aware of the wind and said he watched Vinal on the three laps, looking for any reason not to let the young pilot make his solo flight. The flight plan called for three laps around the airport at 1,000 feet with Coolidge in the passenger seat and then three solo flights around the field. In memory of Ken Vinal, please visit our floral store.Vinal passed the exam and arrived at the airport’s FCA Flight Center, where instructor Peter Coolidge was waiting at about 9:50 a.m.Ĭlouds were not a problem but the wind was picking up, with gusts forecast to 27 knots, a lot to handle for a new flyer, said Charley Valera, owner of FCA. Lowe, 57, formerly of Leominster, born on July 25, 1950, son of Norman and Verna (Buck) Lowe, passed away on Saturday, April 19. Condolences, and messages for his family, may be expressed by visiting: To send flowers As Receiver for Broadviewfederal Savings Bank, Sentinel Communities. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ken’s memory can be made to Cove’s Edge Activities, 26 Schooner Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543.Īrrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.Ī celebration of life will be held on Saturday Janufrom 2:00-4:00pm, at the 1812 Farm, 1297 Bristol Road, Bristol, ME. Ken lived his life by the motto, “He would rather be in a boat with a drink on the rocks, than in the drink with a boat on the rocks.” Water ran deep through his veins, he grew up on the North River where he developed a love of boating and fishing that lasted through his life. Ken hung up his hammer, retiring from carpentry and used his knowledge to become the Code Enforcement Officer for the towns of Edgecomb, Jefferson, and Newcastle. He was very involved in the community, dedicating his time to the Volunteer Bremen Fire Department, eventually serving as a Captain. He was a commercial lobsterman in Massachusetts and moved to Bremen, ME with his family in 1997, where he picked up carpentry and established Bayview Builders. Ken was raised in Norwell, MA by parents Arthur “Bus” Vinal (deceased) and Olive “Beth” Vinal (deceased). He had 6 nephews, 2 nieces and 3 grand-nephews. Ken was predeceased by his brother Arthur “Cap” Vinal and is survived by brothers Stevens Vinal and Clifton Vinal. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Effie, Sammy and Etta as well as mother-in-law Daisey and her husband Bob Petti. Ken leaves behind his three children, daughter Katie Thomas and her husband Steve son Paton and his wife Laura and daughter Alexandra. KENNETH CRITTENDEN VINAL, 65, husband of Abbey Vinal for 38 years, passed away in his home on December 30th, 2021 in Bremen, ME, surrounded by family.
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