Sergeant's obsession is 'plane' fun

FAA examiner Arlin Miller, right, presents Staff Sgt. Justin Splain with his private pilot's license, fulfilling the sergeant's long-held dream.

As a child, the idea of flying an aircraft fascinated Justin Splain. He spent countess hours watching military aviation movies with his father, an avid World War II history buff.

In time, Splain fueled that obsession through video games that allowed him to take the helm of various military jets or civilian airliners. It just never dawned on him that his love of flying would actually put him in the cockpit of an actual aircraft.

But after months of classroom and hands-on training, the staff sergeant at Mountain Home Air Force Base achieved what at one time seemed an unreachable goal. During an informal ceremony held recently at the Mountain Home Airport, the sergeant was presented his private pilot's license.

For the full story, pick up a copy of the Feb. 6 edition of the Mountain Home Patriot.