Pamlico County By Air - Aerial Photography

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PAMLICO COUNTY BY AIR

On Saturday November 16th, 1996 Pamlico-NC was treated to a birds-eye view of Pamlico County. Warren Bruce, one of the county’s newest commissioners, was kind enough to take us on a tour from the airport in New Bern.

The weather could not have been better. A cool ten to twelve knot northeasterly breeze brought clear skies and visibility of twenty miles.

Warren instills great confidence in his passengers as he is a certified flight instructor and patiently explains every step of the flight. He planned our basic flight path before going out to the aircraft, a Cessna 150 Commuter. The preflight check of the plane included scouring every part for wear and tear or signs of fatigue. Drawing a sample from the gas tanks to check for water or signs of contamination was also part of the inspection. Once satisfied with the outside we climbed inside to run down a check list of items prior to starting the engine.

Warrens love of flying was visible from the beginning of our flight and dates back to his high school days. He started by hanging around a grass air strip in St. Louis, MO where he would wash aircraft in his spare time. His interest continued through college and into the Navy where he spent five years as a flight officer. Another twenty years in the Navy Reserve allowed him to keep flying and retire with the rank of Captain. It was during his naval experience that his love of flying merged with his interest in Pamlico County. Warren flew into Cherry Point and during a visit to the fleet boat landing was offered a chance to see the Neuse River and Pamlico County by boat. He kept returning every chance he could until he finally got a chance to move here four years ago.

We took off around 1:00 PM and started out over the Neuse River. The work on the new bridge between New Bern and Bridgeton took on a new perspective as we looked down from 1100 feet. As we headed west down the Neuse we could see Pamlico County jutting out toward Pamlico Sound. When we reached Minnesott and Arapahoe we circled a few times to get a look at Camp Seafarer, Camp Sea Gull and the Minnesott ferry landing.

The Neuse River was speckled with the white shapes of DacronŽ sails pulling boats along at a good clip. Warren was no stranger to the fabrics we saw below as he was involved with synthetic fiber research and development at Dupont. DacronŽ, KevlarŽ and LycraŽ are just a few of the fabrics he was involved with.

Our next circle was over Oriental and then on past Pierce Creek and up Broad Creek. Whortonsville popped into view as we flew up Browns Creek. From Whortonsville we headed across the Bay River to take a look at the new bridge under construction over the Intra Coastal Waterway at Hobucken. When construction is completed sailboats passing through Goose Creek will not be delayed waiting for a swing bridge.

Heading back up the Bay River we flew past Vandemere and on to Bayboro where we landed at the airport there. Warren used the opportunity to explain that some people are concerned that the county is spending money on this small field. He felt the greater concern is the cost of losing the certified airstrip. Current estimates for opening a new field run in the neighborhood of $50,000.

Back in the air and headed for New Bern again Warren turned on his instructor mode. He patiently explained what was keeping us airborne and how to keep us that way. We made a few gentle banking turns, climbs and dives and wrapped up the flight with a touch-and-go landing before returning the aircraft.

We have posted some of the pictures from our flight in this issue. Our hope is to get back in the air in the near future to get more aerial views of Pamlico County. We look forward to your suggestions and input. Let us know what you would like to see.

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