Aero-TV Profiles A 'Mammoth of A Miniature'

Dan Gryder's Herpa DC-3 Dan Gryder may just be the luckiest guy in aviation... as he gets paid to fly a spotless, pristinely-maintained Douglas DC-3 throughout the country, and even offers interested pilots the chance to earn the ONLY DC-3 type rating available today. ANN's Paul Plack talked with Dan, who brought the Herpa DC-3 to Florida this past spring, about the plane's history, and what it can do. When Dan Gryder isn't flying passengers around the world in 757s and 767s for a major airline, he can be found providing DC-3 flight instruction at his training center or shaking hands and offering DC-3 tours at air shows. He has over 11,000 flight hours and type ratings in numerous large aircraft. He's been a flight instructor for more than 25 years and holds the FAA designations of GOLD SEAL CFI, CFII, MEI, ATP and AGI. Dan and his team of DC-3 experts operate what appears to be the only remaining DC-3 flight training schools, based near Atlanta. If you're looking for more than just an introductory lesson or two, Dan and his team provide complete pilot in command and second in command training -- all the way through the actual type rating. The 'Gooney' is no stranger to World War II veterans and historians who will remember the DC-3 as the C-47 Skytrain. The military version of this remarkable flying machine aircraft was used by Allied Forces to transport troops and supplies around the world. The plane was nicknamed "the Gooney Bird" as it swiftly earned a rep as a sturdy (even forgiving) and reliable workhorse -- capable of flying nearly anywhere in almost any weather. The US Navy referred to a modified version of the plane as the R4D and the British called her the Dakota. Still others called her the Skytrooper. No matter what you call her, she's a piece of aviation history to be treasured. Come Along With Aero-TV and Take A Trip Through History Aboard The Herpa DC-3 FMI: www.thedc-3network.com, www.herpa.de Copyright 2008, Aero-News Network, Inc., ALL Rights Reserved.