Touring Kansas by air

After spending years directing air traffic, Nancy Cullen decided to learn how to fly.
Cullen, who worked as an air traffic controller in Denver and Los Angeles before moving to Wichita, earned her pilot's license in 1992.
“When I moved to Wichita I finally had the time and money to pursue flying, plus Denver and LA weren't any fun to fly in,” Cullen, who was one of approximately 30 pilots who landed their aircraft at Blosser Municipal Airport Thursday afternoon as part of the 6th Annual Fly Kansas Air Tour, sponsored by the Kansas Department of Transportation Aviation Department.
Over 40 pilots signed up to fly the Kansas Air Tour.
Participants will visit 11 communities across Kansas during the three-day tour.
Pilots flew to Wellington, Pittsburg and Garnett on Thursday, before making their way to Concordia.
The pilots spent the night in Concordia, and were treated to a showing of the movie “The Aviator” at the Broadway Plaza Thursday night.
“This air tour is a lot of fun,” Cullen said, “We went to Pittsburg and Garnett. I had never even heard of Garnett. It gets you to places you wouldn't necessarily go. You have to manage your pilot skills.”
Cullen piloted her 1961 Forney Aircoupe for several hours during the air tour on Thursday before landing in Concordia.
The Aircoupe, which was manufactured in Carlsbad, N.M., had belonged to Cullen's father.
“It has been in the family since the mid 60s. It is just my size,” Cullen said.
The 90-horsepower engine powering the Aircoupe has a top speed of about 105 knots.
“I did about 108 (knots) here because we had a tailwind,” Cullen said.
Cullen said that the Aircoupe is a great design, and it is very difficult to stall.
“It is a very safe airplane,” Cullen said.
Along with the pilot, the Aircoupe will carry up to 75 pounds of baggage or one passenger.
“Actually you can have both, but the passenger can't be very big,” Cullen said, “It is a fun little airplane.”
Cullen is participating in the air tour for the second straight year.
While most of the pilots took off for Rooks County, Goodland, Hays and Kingman on Friday morning, Cullen was heading back to Wichita.
“The tour ends up in Wichita with a fly-in, and that morning I am going to fly kids,” Cullen said.
The air tour has planned stops in Benton and Abilene on Saturday before finishing up in Wichita.
The Kansas Department of Transportation partnered with the Kansas Commission on Aerospace Education to promote aviation and economic growth through the air tour.
The tour focuses on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. Highlights will include opportunities for students to learn from pilots, tour aviation museums and local business fairs and view historic aircraft participating in the tour and on static display.