Stuart K. Holmes: Kept 'em flyin' for 60 + years

One man stands out in my memory as an honest, hard-working, promoter of aviation. He did so in his own quiet sort of way. He wore khaki clothes and kept a serious face. A simple man of few words, Stuart K. "Stu" Holmes touched the lives of many as he lived his lifetime keeping old airplanes flying. Well... when he started, the airplanes weren't all that old. He just grew old with them.


Holmes (left) discusses aircraft restoration with John Bowden, circa 1974.

The following is a piece first researched and printed by Mr. Jerry Ferrel of Temple Texas. In some places, I have added a little more I have learned about Stu.

His Story began in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas where Stu Graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1927. His family was returning to Michigan as hard times had come to the south Texas valley. But, Stu decided to stay in Texas... a very young man now on his own.

Around that time, another young man, Frank Ray, came to the Valley. Frank had finished Army Air Corps Flying School at Kelley Field (San Antonio) in the Spring of 1927 and came to Harlengen with a new OX-powered Waco 10 to begin his business called "Valley Airways". Stu recalled about his days with Valley Airways, "Frank gave me a place to stay and in return, I helped with the ground handling of the airplane and passengers." Unfortunately after only a short time, a tragic accident brought an end to Mr. Ray's life and to Valley Airways.

So, in 1928, Stu left Harlengen with the road construction crew. He helped build some of the very first concrete highways in Texas over the next three years. Then his travels brought him back to the valley in 1931. Before long, Stu met Mr. C.W. Blackwell who had brought two Travel Air biplanes to Harlengen. Blackwell hired Stuart in October 1931 to work as a mechanic in exchange for flying time and groceries. Stu got training in a Travel Air, a Kreider Reisner KR-21, and a Curtiss Robin. By May of 1932, he had soloed a Travel Air and had earned his airframe and engine (A&E) license # 11701.

So-began Stu's long association with flying and airplane mechanic work. Through the depression years, the bachelor Holmes worked his way from the valley to Central Texas. Work was found in Corpus Christi, Palestine, and Taylor Texas working on Wacos, a Travel Air 6000, and converting Travel Air biplanes to dusters.

Left, Stu servicing a Curtiss Robin with oil.

For a time, Stu owned and flew his own airplane, a Salmson powered American Eaglet. Stu later related that the 9-cylinder French engine had trouble with carburetor ice. After several forced landings and other bouts of bad luck with the airplane, Stu ended his airplane ownership. In 1939, Stuart landed a steady job in Austin with Mr. Harry Hammel working at the Austin municipal airport maintaining Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) airplanes, including a Waco F, Fleet, and Piper J-3 Cubs.

Then in 1941, Holmes was transferred to Coleman Texas to serve as Line Chief for the U.S. Army Primary Training Program, working on Fairchild PT-19's. While in Coleman, he met Estel Doggett and they were married in 1942. The Coleman operations closed in 1943, so Stu and Estel, now expecting a child, moved back to Austin. Stuart got hired by Ragsdale Aviation, where he spent the next several years maintaining Cubs, Taylorcrafts, N3N's and other airplanes for the University of Texas' ROTC program. Stu and Estel's children were born during those years; daughter Gail first in 1943, son Kenneth in 1946, and daughter Kay in 1947.

As the war ended, Stu worked in several locations rebuilding airplanes and doing free-lance mechanic work. For more steady income, Stuart joined Industrial Generating Corp of Rockdale TX to work as a powerplant mechanic. He continued doing part time A&P work and in 1956, he and Estel became the fixed base operator and manager of the Taylor Municipal airport, Taylor TX. This became their home until 1980.

Curtiss Robin and Cessna 150 on the tarmac
Taylor Municipal Airport, Circa 1974

During those years, the Taylor Airport became a favorite spot for air travelers passing through Central Texas. An ice-cold Coca-Cola was always available, as was some fine hospitality by Stu and Estel. Many earned their private pilot's license in Stu's 1956 Champion 7EC under the flight instruction of Stuart. This included his three children. Both of their girls have their pilot's license and son Kenneth stayed in the business to become flight operations director of the Aviation Department of Texas Utilities. Just as he taught many to fly, Stuart also mentored several folks in the art of aircraft restoration. This included my dad, who has the utmost respect for this man. Stu retired from his job at the power plant in 1970 and was able to continue his passion of airplane work in Taylor for several more years. The following is a partial list of award winning antique airplanes that Stuart restored while working in Taylor.

• Luscombe 8E, owner Dave "Doc" Connolly
  
• Ryan SCW, owner Dave "Doc" Connolly
• Stinson 108-3, owner John Bowden
• Curtiss Robin C-1, owner John Bowden
• Fairchild 24G, owner Stuart and Estel Holmes

N16866 "My Fair Child", owned and restored by Stuart Holmes circa 1976

Stuart enjoyed flying his pristine Fairchild to area fly-ins. Stu enjoyed telling the story of his airplane (NC16866) which was the first 4-place built at the Fairchild factory. Many came to know Stu as a master restorer and expert in radial engines. In 1980, Stu and Estel "retired" from the Taylor FBO and moved to Burnet Texas. There Stu continued his passion and restored many radial engines in his backyard shop. He also restored two more J-3 Cubs, a Monocoupe 90A (N11767 owner, Jerry Ferrel) and completed a full-scale replica of the Williams-Texas "Temple" Monoplane (owner, Jerry Ferrel).

In the Summer of 1991, Stu became the first (or one of the first) person in the state of Texas to receive the prestigious FAA Charles Taylor - Master Mechanic's Award for serving more than 50 years as an A&E/A&P mechanic. Many of Stu's friends and colleagues joined his family to celebrate this momentous event.


Sadly, within a short time, Stu became ill and passed on from this life. A solid man of passion for flying, we know Stu is looking down on us from Heaven with a serious smile on his face and his favorite screwdriver in his hand.

- End -

The Hopgrasser

I mentioned before about the little Aeronca 7AC Champ that my Dad and I restored from 1976 to 1979.


As a High Schooler during those years, I think my friends must have thought of me as a strange kid because I spent a lot of hours working on this project rather than goofing off with them. But what a rewarding endeavor! I learned how to strip paint, fabricate wood and sheet metal parts, repair ribs, varnish spars, sandblast steel tubing, make new control cables, rivet cowlings, cut out interior patterns, balance propellers, replace bushings, apply dope and fabric, install windows, and detail instruments. There are too many things to mention them all. But the most important part of it all was the time I spent with my Dad.













Together we ordered parts, selected paint colors, and made many decisions.


1976 - Dad found out about this airplane stored for several years in a goat shed in Burnet county just a few miles from our home-base.
















When it came time to name the airplane, we had tossed around a few ideas until one day my nephew Nat came up with a catchy name... I think he was about 6-yrs old. He wasn't thinking of the airplane, but rather playing with a coffee can and bugs in the back yard of my sister's house. He called me over to show me his prize catch of the day and said... "Look Uncle Terry, Its a HOPGRASSER". Well that name stuck and my dad hired a friend to design and paint the creature on the tail. From then on, our little Champ was affectionately known by this name. The first flight after restoration was made by Dad (and me in the back seat) in the Fall of 1979. Thas was a surprize too... because I was under the impression we were doing a Taxi test only... I am sure I had a large grin when Dad lifted her off the runway.

My very first solo was in this airplane... and later after earning my license, I enjoyed taking all the family and many friends up for buddy rides. I wish now that I had logged all of my passengers and noted those for whom it was their very first airplane ride. I know there were many and what a joy it was to share the simple days of flying with them.

The Champ was sold in 1988 and my dad bought another Champ... a more modern one with starter and electrical system. I often think back about the memories we made with that little bird. We have not been in touch with the current owner. But a few months ago, I was surprized to find a photo posted on the internet (here) from last year's fly-in at Recklaw TX. I would say that Hopgrasser has weathered the 18 years quite well.

Good ol' Jack Greiner.

One of the things I want to do with this blog is to acknowledge some of the good people I have met in this world of old airplanes. I have a story to share about a man named Jack Greiner.

It occurred in 1978 at the Antique Airplane Association fly-in, Blakesburg Iowa. I was 14 yrs-old. I knew Jack from seeing his beautiful Stearman C-3. And even though I had hung around bugging him and others for a biplane ride in exchange for my helping wipe down his plane, I didn't really think Jack knew me. Why would he care about a nerdy kid anyway?

To my surprize one morning at the breakfast tent, Jack came and sat down across from me. I assumed he would have preferred engaging in the morning flying stories with my dad and the other pilots around. But, instead, Jack sat down and struck up a conversation with me. We talked about school and the other things I did back in Texas. He was asking if I fly with my dad and I talked about having learned with my dad in the Tcraft. He was interested in me and this was a change for me. Most adults don't give kids much attention. I'd say he was half-way thru his plate of scrambled eggs and sausage when he asked me the question. "So how many hours do you have logged by now?" I replied... "Well, none. I don't have a logbook." And suddenly Jack stopped everything. He said... "WHAT?" Then he said... "How are you going to be a pilot without a logbook?" He pushed his chair away from the table, his breakfast remained half-eaten, and declared... "C'mon we need to go find us an airplane!" The next thing I knew, we were headed to find a J-3 cub. He borrowed one from somebody. I'm not even sure who. I wish I knew.

Over the next two days, we flew for 1.8 hours. To this day, I remember S-turning in the traffic pattern to let the planes ahead get landed. Also I learned about turns-about-a-point first from Jack. At the end of our flying, Jack wrote down his address on a piece of paper, handed it to me, and told me that when I get home, I should go buy myself a logbook and mail it to him. I did and he made the very first two entries, signed it, and mailed it back.

Now THAT's a memory I will never forget. I will always respect Jack for being a good man. Not only for what he did for my pilot training, but for caring enough to give a kid the time of day. And for giving a kid some inspiration. It's an example that many of us adults should practice. Jack is a true gentleman and exhibits the true heart of a barnstormer.

Last summer, I saw Jack again at Blakesburg. The picture at the beginning of this post is from that visit. It had been 29 years since that day and 19 years since I last saw Jack. I told him the story and he was surprized that I remembered, because he hadn't. He just smiled and said "I am glad to have made an impression." Jack - Thanks for your selfless act.

Jack has been featured in a book called Vagabonds of the Sky, by Bruce McAllister. Click Here to preview the book.

http://www.wingsalcan.com/html/about_vagabonds.html


It's the people like Jack who embody the mystique of aviation for all it is... TLB

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UPDATE: 04/26/2010 - THE FOLLOWING LINK WAS POSTED TODAY ON ANN.

Aero-TV:Aero-TV: Profiles in Aviation – Jack Greiner, A Lifetime of Flight

Another family treasure, Taylorcraft BC12-D

I heard a quote once that goes something like this... "People don't 'own' airplanes, but if we are lucky, we get to care for one for a while". I thought this was a great attitude and a good way to look at any of our earthly treasures. It all belongs to God, anyways.
Taylorcraft BC12-D (N95598) is the plane I currently am blessed to care for. Like the Robin, the Tcraft has been in my heart for years. This is the plane my dad instructed me to fly from the time I was 14 yrs old until the fabric was about to fall off. I actually didn't do my first solo in this airplane, but all my learning follies happened in this bird. When I was in my late teens and early 20's, I helped my dad restore the Tcraft and it flew again in 1984. Dad sold it to Lee Eyeler in '85 and I never expected to see it again. Lo and behold in 2005, Lee gave me a call and offered me the chance to buy it back. In the grand scheme, I had no business doing so, but with my wife's blessing, I scraped up the money. Thanks Lee!