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Pennsylvania Flag Bearer

David Pekala

Piper Arrow - I'm the handsome guy on the wing!

Introduction

Greetings to all,

My name is David Pekala, and I have been selected by Flight Across America to represent the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I am a life-long resident of the Commonwealth, graduated from West Hazleton High School, and received my advanced education from Wilkes College (BS) and Shippensburg University (MS).

I am currently a development scientist employed by Aventis Pasteur, and was previously employed by The Salk Institute. At The Salk Institute, I spent over nine years developing and manufacturing vaccines for the Department of Defense, specifically the Army. Recently Aventis Pasteur donated over 70 million doses of smallpox vaccine to the Federal Government, and I was fortunate to put my previous DoD experience to use as a manager for this project.

My scientific contributions notwithstanding, I have been a pilot since 1996, now hold a commercial pilot's license, and now am a proud owner of a 1969 Piper Arrow, N524P. My plane is based at Tech Aviation located at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP). My wife and I have used our "magic flying carpet" to vacation in the USA, and have logged landings throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Florida, and Louisiana.

We have also used our airplane on several occasions to sightsee down the Hudson River, and we never thought that the Manhattan skyline would be changed in such a drastic and horrible manner. In fact, I flew the Hudson River on a night flight about 2 weeks before September 11th, and remember briefly glancing at the World Trade Center on the way to the Statue of Liberty. I never thought that would be the last time I saw those twin towers gracing the Manhattan skyline.

I am humbled and honored to be chosen as the official flag bearer for Pennsylvania. My flight from PA to NY will not only have myself and my wife in the cockpit, but also every citizen of Pennsylvania. I feel that I am their messenger, and the message to be delivered is one of peace, prayer, unity, and hope.

My plans are to be at the Somerset event on September 5th, the Pentagon event on September 6th, and arrive Essex County on September 7th. I eagerly anticipate meeting the other pilots associated with this great cause, and hope in the end to reaffirm the freedom of flight in the United States.

Last Updated: 08/09/02. Copyright © 2002 Flight Across America