Flabob Airport and the Tom Wathen Center

In Stan’s own words

Flabob Airport, recently celebrated its 100 year of constant use. It has become a bit of an icon to the aviation world for its rich assortment of vintage airplanes. The vast majority of these are airworthy and well cared for.

I have known and visited Flabob for most of my life. Well over a decade ago, I was asked to really get involved and to help bring the little airport into the future. The two people who had asked for my involvement were Jon Goldenbaum and John Lyon. Over the next few years, I would get to know both men as stellar individuals!

John Lyon would be the mastermind behind several of my larger art project at Flabob. His mind was packed with aeronautical history. When I need some obscure historical fact, I would ask John and he would inevitably have the answer.

Jon Goldenbaum is the person who is the one in most in charge at the Tom Wathen Center. He is exceptionally good at managing people and getting the best out of all of them. Jon, whenever he is able, leads by example. He is a true leader!

Jon flew Douglas A-1 Skyraiders in combat over Vietnam. After Vietnam, he flew the F-111, F-5E Tiger II as an aggressor pilot, and F-15C Eagles. He then flew Boeing 737s for Delta. Finding the life of an airline pilot rather boring, he purchased a couple of vintage aircraft supply companies.

Both Jon and John have a fabulous group of people who have made Flabob Airport a marvelous place to be involved with!