WARBIRDS NORTH AMERICAN B-25 MITCHELL
48 FLYPAST March 2018
WARBIRDS NORTH AMERICAN B-25 MITCHELL
“The programme we’ve put
together has several levels,
[intended] to suit those who want to
know more about the groundcrew
role, second pilot or pilot in
command. Stage one, an eight hour-
plus ground school programme, is
open to everyone, you don’t have
to be a pilot. The first day’s syllabus
is a mix of ‘hands on’ training on
the various systems in the aircraft
and cutaways, backed up with
classroom time covering such
subjects as weight and balance and
performance calculations. The day
ends with an exam – those who are
intending to fly the aircraft in stage
two have to achieve a high pass rate
to progress; there are no exceptions.”
Stage two is for those studying for
the second pilot rating and involves
the student flying with an instructor
pilot and a check airman. The team
insists on having two experienced
B-25 pilots with the student in case
of any in-flight emergencies. If a
problem did occur in the air, the
student would step aside and let the
instructors take over.
“We cover all aspects during the
flight training – taking off, steep
turns, manoeuvres, stalls, emergency
procedures and landing – and if you
accomplish those to the examiner’s
satisfaction, then you are awarded
your second-in-command type
rating. You don’t need to go to the
FAA to get your certificate redeemed- we are completely self-contained
with instructors and designated
examiners on the B-25.
“Full type ratings take at least a
week of intensive training. It can
be a little frustrating to some, but
if you came to our flight school
not really wanting to put the
effort in, you’ll
have come to the wrong place. If you
really want to learn how to fly and
operate the B-25 safely, you’ve come
to the right place. There’s no such
thing as going easy on someone,
because that would just be cheating
the student and it could end up with
someone getting hurt.”Helping hands
Operating a warbird such as a B-25
takes an incredible amount of time
and dedication, not to mention a lot
of cash. Around 200 maintenance
hours are needed on average for
every hour the aircraft flies. For
2017 that total for Panchito was
significantly higher, as all the
control cables and pulleys on the
aircraft were changed, along with
the associated bearings. Larry – now
also a qualified aero engineer – is no
stranger to hard work and puts in
countless workshop hours to keep
the Mitchell in top condition.
He’s assisted by an enthusiastic
group of volunteers, and is quick to
acknowledge the massive amount
of work they put in: “We have a
dedicated group of people who all
have the same desire to preserve
these aircraft – icons in our history.
The volunteers are vital in keeping
these airplanes going.
“I’ve had some great mentors who
have helped me with the B-25. Syd
Jones, for example, has been such a
good role model; I’ve learned a lot
about dealing with people from Syd,
and he’s helped so much in other
ways too. KT Budde-Jones [Syd’s
wife] is also an inspiration. I’d like
to say a massive thank you to all the
people who have helped me, and
keep Panchito in the air as a living
tribute to the brave airmen of World
War Two.”Above,
left to right
Larry Kelley at
the Doolittle Raid
75th Anniversary
commemorations at
Dayton, Ohio, in 2017
It was the fourth B-25
gathering organised by
Larry. VIA LARRY KELLEYPart of the turret
control system.‘Ammo’ feeding the
guns.Below right
Syd (left) and Larry at
the controls ready to
display at the Sun ‘n
Fun Fly-in 2017.