Happy Birthday Aurelio

Today is Aurelio's 29th Birthday!!!!!

This is his present from me... But, it comes with a little story.

When Aurelio was 18, he was thinking about signing up for the Airforce, but decided not to go because he knew he wouldn't be able to do what he really wanted to do...which was FLY AN AIRPLANE. His eyesight was nowhere near "pilot ready". Well, I did some research and decided that this was the best gift for him.

About the plane:

The plane above is an AT-6 "Texan". The North American T-6 Texan was one of the most widely used trainer aircraft for Allied pilots who flew in World War II. The Navy referred to it as the SNJ, the British Royal Air Force called it the Harvard, and the Army Air Corps referred to it as the AT-6. The AT-6 (advanced trainer) was designed to train pilots who were transitioning from the basic trainer to first-line tactical aircraft (fighter aircraft). The T-6 was designed to give the pilot the best training for all types of military flying, from ground strafing to aerial dog fighting. It was outfitted with equipment such as bomb racks, cameras, guns,and instruments. The T-6 has been involved in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. The AT-6 Texan is one of the most important aircraft of all time; because of the many roles it has played in our history. A total of 15,495 T-6’s were built in the nine-year production that ran until 1944.

Aurelio will learn to "fly" this exact plane with a pilot helping him in the seat behind his. She will be telling him what to do through headphones. He will also be doing Aerobatics. He'll do loops, barrel rolls, nose dives, spirals, fly upside down.....YIKES!!!

Needless to say, he is so excited about his birthday gift! He won't be flying until late February or early March, so be on the lookout for his personal video and pictures!