You’ve had an amazing career, so far, Roy. Tell us about your flying history.
I have been actively employed for over 50 years as a Charter Pilot, First Officer, Captain, Corporate Pilot, Flight Operations Technical Specialist, ATC Systems Specialist, Flight Instructor, Ground School Instructor, Flight Test Pilot, Experimental Test Pilot, Check Pilot, and Test Engineer.
Some of the companies I have worked for include: Dispatch Services, Regina Airlines, Midet Airlines, National Airlines, Northeast Airlines, American Telephone & Telegraph, Pan American World Airways, United Airlines, Pratt & Whitney, Pan American International Flight Academy, and SimCenter.
What airplanes have you flown and instructed in?
C-82, Lockheed Lodestar, C-46 Commando, DC-3, Convair 340-440, DC-6,7,and 8, Lockheed Constellation, and DC10, Lockheed Electra, Boeing B727, B747, Citabria, Decathlon, Starduster Too, Extra 300, and most light planes, and my present Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser in which I soloed close to my 16th Birthday.
What other interests do you have?
I play the trumpet. I have played with a number of bands and orchestras including the Old Cutler Orchestra, Buffalo Niagara Concert Band, German American Musicians Association, Salvation Army Band, Experimental Aircraft Association Concert Band & Dixieland Band, and the Brothers in Jazz Band which will be performing at the Olean contest.
For the US Canada Aerobatic Challenge in Olean, NY I have been the contest bugler each year, opening the contest with the US and Canadian National anthems. It’s a unique feature of this contest and we also celebrate the friendship between the two countries by flying both flags on the ramp.
Flags on the ramp at Olean, NY
I would like to learn to play both piano and guitar. I would also like to concentrate on writing music. I am working on a commemorative classical composition on the Terrorist Bombing of Pan Am flight 103, having committed to do so at the funeral services at Lockerbie Scotland.
Editor’s Note: When weather caused an interruption in our flying, Roy and competitor Ed Ruhl made some beautiful, impromptu music together.
Ed Ruhl, Roy Berube, and Lorrie Penner at the 2011 U.S. Canada Aerobatic Challenge
What do you enjoy about flying and aerobatics?
I love the beauty and fun of flying. I love being aloft in God's beautiful blue sky, as a pilot and teacher, and having a student succeed through training and effective teaching.
Roy getting ready for a flight in Mark Bayley's S2B
What are your plans for the future? After such as impressive, jam packed career, do you plan to retire?
Retire? Never! God willing, I plan on continuing to fly. I am attending Aircraft and Powerplant (A&P) Maintenance Classes and I maintain my own airplane with the help of my IA mechanic. I perform vocal and instrumental music, where needed at church, in orchestras, multiple bands and for the fun and enjoyment of others, everywhere and anywhere I can.
Editor’s Note #2: Roy’s wonderful wife, Sharon, is an indispensable volunteer at our Olean contest. She generously sits inside and inputs all the scoring while the rest of us are enjoying the contest flying and the June weather.
Sharon and Roy, working hard at the U.S. Canada Aerobatic Challenge
Next is our intrepid founder, president, and all round 'get it done' guy, Patrick Barrett. A short interview with Pat revealed the following:
You managed to get a number of Buffalo area aerobatic enthusiasts together to start IAC Chapter 126 in a very short time, and put on a successful contest in Olean, NY last year within months of starting a new chapter. How did you manage to do that?
Our goal is to fly and to enjoy it at the least cost we can - no 'clean the hangar' nights, work parties, or dues payments.
In 1974 I went into the Army and was selected for flight training. I did not want to spend 40 weeks at training so I chose to learn after I got out and pay for it all myself. I knew better!!
Tell us about your Pitts.
My Pitts is a very unusual factory built experimental S-1S. It also has a factory Lycoming O-360 A4A with a Bendix "Special" pressure carburator manufactured specifically for the Pitts Special and matched to the engine installed. It has the original fabric and paint design from when it was built in 1973 with 780 TTAF/E. It is serial #0001!
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| Pat's gorgeous factory built S-1S serial number 0001! |
What got you started in aerobatics?
It was when I saw my first Pitts S-1 in 1980. I knew some day I had to have one.
What do you like about aerobatic flying?
I like the challenge, precision, and accuracy.
Do you have a favorite maneuver?
Torque Rolls!
What's your favorite meal before aerobatics?
Actually ....I dont eat very much prior to aerobatics....but I do like fresh, hot black coffee.
What other airplanes have you flown?
Cessna 150, 152, 152A, 172, 182, J-3 Cub, Citabria, Super Decathlon, Pitts S1, S2A, S2B, S2C, Taylorcraft L-2, T-6, Extra,Schweizer 2-33 Glider
Do you have an especially memorable flying incident?
I met Arnold Palmer on the ramp at a contest in Florida. He flew in the left seat of a Citation. I walked up to him as he got off and asked if it was all right to take his picture. He said, "You know, no one ever asks. Jim, take a picture of me and Pat together." So I gave him my camera and he did. It turned out to be a great photo of me and Arnold Palmer. He said, "There is a contest here today." I said, "Yes, I know. we're flying in it."
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| Arnold Palmer (left) and Pat Barrett |
What are your goals/plans/trips for the future?
I'd like to fly in the Nationals and win.
What advice would you give pilots looking to get started in aerobatics?
Go slow, then after a while ... go slower.
Any last words or thoughts?
Flying is about friendship. It's about you - each of you, our friendship and what we do together. You and me.
