Deep in the heart of Texas lies the historic town of Fredericksburg, a tourist
destination for folks from Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and Houston seeking
good German food, shopping and a little peace and quiet from the rat race
of the big city. But, one spring weekend a year Fredericksburg wakes up
to the sound of radials rumbling over the city. Many of the town folk and
tourists make their way to the local airport wondering if an air show is
underway that they haven’t heard about. What they find is a scene remi-
niscent of a busy World War II training airbase. Twenty some-odd vintage
T-6 Texan variants being readied for flight, props turning through, aircraft
taxiing out and four ship groups launching from the 5000 x 75 feet of pristine
concrete of Gillespie County Airport (T82). What they are witnessing is the
annual Texan Roundup; a gathering of pilots, and their Texans, spending
a weekend sharpening their formation flying skills, talking airplanes
ad nauseam, and enjoying great food with good friends at this perfect
aviation venue.
Gordon Richardson is responsible for riding herd on the Texan Roundup. He
and his father, Gordon Sr., and brother Randall, are long time T-6 owners.
The concept of a formation-flying clinic for Texan owners began in 2007.
These vintage warbirds are constantly requested to fly at airshows,
Memorial and Veteran’s Day flyovers, and special events. Texan owners
also enjoy keeping the history of these aircraft alive with younger
generations. The best way to show the aircraft is to fly the aircraft, and
even better, fly the aircraft in formation flights. So, the importance of being
rated to fly formations and fly safe formations is paramount. Gordon, along
with other Texan owners, realized there was not a venue for ‘weekend’
formation-flight training to provide recurrent training for a wingman or
leader, or to produce a new formation rated wingman. And, Texan owners
also have an added incentive to be formation rated. They have an
abundance of like aircraft to fly formation with. For example, it’s difficult
and very expensive to get a formation of ‘51’s together. But, there are
many T-6’s that can gather for events and being formation-rated makes
the experience for the pilots, and spectators, that much more special.
Gordon knew the town of Fredericksburg through family connections.
With its exceptional airport and expansive surroundings, Gordon felt the
town would be an optimum location for a formation-flying clinic. Gillespie
County Airport, on the southwestern edge of town, has a large tarmac
to handle many aircraft, a long and wide runway to practice two ship
takeoffs, and is just mere minutes from wide open and gorgeous Texas
hill country landscape to carve out a space in the sky over and practice
until they ‘get it right and get it tight.’ Plus, the Hangar Hotel and Airport
Diner are on the airport property and are a pilot’s dream with impressive
AND FLY TIGHT!
