A Note of Thanks:

Yankee Stinson Reliant-N43YFT
My Dad, Norm Stinson at the Controls.
My Dad and Ray Hunter
Pictures Courtesy of Anita Letkemann

Norm Stinson's Daughter, Anita Letkemann, Offers Her Thanks to NTL for Helping Her Father Fly Again

Thursday, September 7, 2006

Dear Bob:

I am sure that my Father, Norman Stinson thought he would never fly again.  He used to pilot a 1946 Stinson Voyager 108-1 back in the early 60's.  We are related to the aviator who's company designed the aircraft. 

The Stinson Aircraft Company was founded in Dayton, Ohio, in 1920 by aviator Edward “Eddie” Stinson - nine years after he learned to fly with the Wright Brothers. 

In 1925 Stinson would make Detroit, Michigan the base of operations for his company. Over the next three decades, more than 13,000 aircraft would carry the Stinson brand. 

My Dad, Norm, 76 years old, was elated to hear that once again he would go up in a Stinson, thanks to "Never Too Late."  The airport that housed the old plane was the Yankee Air Museum, in Belleville, Michigan; just a few miles from where he has lived for almost 40 years. 

My Dad was able to talk with the pilot, Ray Hunter as he prepared the craft for flight. After a flawless take-off, we cruised over the country west of Detroit for an hour, passing over many small airports, lakes, farms and cities. At one point in the flight, Ray Hunter asked my Father if he would like to fly it for a while. He was so thrilled to be able to fly once more, an aircraft that carried the family name.

I can't thank Never Too Late enough for the experience you gave my Dad.  It will never be forgotten.

Anita Letkemann

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