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Spruce Creek, Fla. – August 26, 2005 – Completing his ‘Four Corners’ flight around the United States, EAA Member Steve Wood and his GlaStar, N600FY GOOFY safely landed back where they began in Spruce Creek, Florida.
On July 10, Wood intended to begin his 10,000 mile flight around the country, but had to postpone takeoff until July 14, due to Hurricane Dennis arriving in full force. He waited until the forecast was clear enough for takeoff though he described it as “not smooth and fast as the weather briefer indicated, instead it was rough, stormy and slow.” Because of this, Wood performed his first serious IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) flight, meaning that he had to rely solely on instruments for navigation because he could not see out GOOFY’s windows!
Once the flight was underway, Wood was able to accomplish the things he had set out to do – promote the EAA Young Eagles and Flying Scholarships for Disabled programs.
With the generosity of EAA members along the way, Wood enjoyed staying overnight in six of the cities where he also provided Young Eagle flights for local young people.
On his route around the country, Wood made several stops that he had been anxiously anticipating. First, he attended EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh to compete in the 2005 AirVenture Cup “Speed Dash” . He unfortunately had to leave during the first day of AirVenture due to approaching weather if he was going to make it to his next destination.
This next stop was at First Flight Airport at Kitty Hawk. This was especially important to Wood because it was on the 100th anniversary of powered flight (December 17, 2003) that GOOFY was completed and received its airworthiness certificate.
The highlight of Wood’s trip however was flying Young Eagles. He said, “The joy on their faces made the long, long flight so worthwhile.” He even finished his run of Young Eagle flights with a first officer bearing the same last name.
The Four Corners flight is not the only one Wood has plans for however. It is merely an introduction to a series of challenging flights in his upcoming “Adventure of Flight” experience. Beginning in 2006, Wood will be accomplishing many amazing feats. He will travel all over the world, and attempt to set several new “world firsts” for his class of aircraft, among other things.
Steve Wood at a glance
• He started flying in 1993, qualifying for a FAA license in just over two weeks.
• He didn't fly for five years when business demanded all of his time.
• He started flying again in 1999, and now has more than 600 hours of flight time in more than 40 different types of aircraft. He is IFR rated.
• In 1991, he successfully persuaded the UK government and ambulance services into establishing a Helicopter Emergency Medial Services system throughout the United Kingdom.
• In 1998, he financed and organized GreenHawk Trust, a UK Charitable Trust with the aim of providing Young Eagle flights to disabled, disadvantaged and life-limited children. More than 1,000 children have been flown.
• He founded EAA Chapter 1169 in the UK and was president for the first two years. Since 1992, he has been the Young Eagles coordinator at EAA Chapter 288 at Daytona Beach, Fla.
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Pilot and Builder Steve Wood
First Officer “Jared” Wood, Marathon, Fla., holding the Goofy mascot poses next to Captain “Steve” Wood as he prepares for his Young Eagles flight.
Jared Wood takes the controls as they fly over Marathon.
For More Information:
Four Corners Flight
Adventure of Flight
EAA AirVenture
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