22 Oct 2017 ‘We have a flying piece of a museum’

by Sonja J. Keith

Bill Hooten of Greenbrier has a love of aircraft – from building and flying them to helping others who work in aviation. The location of his home is even on an airport, providing easy access for an occasional flight in one of his airplanes. That affection has led to a unique opportunity with a World War II era B-17.

It could be said that a love of aviation runs in the family. Bill’s dad, that late Lt. Col. (Ret.) William Thorn Hooten Sr., served as an Army aviator, flying helicopters during two tours during the Vietnam War. He was a highly decorated pilot, receiving the Bronze Star and Distinguished Flying Cross.

“I was the kid that when an airplane went over, I looked up at it,” Bill said. “It was a passion for me from Day 1.”

Bill flew an airplane for the first time at age 38. “It’s all Tim Tyler’s fault,” Bill said with a smile. He explained that Tim offered to provide training for him if he would work for Tim and his survey business upon retirement. Bill worked 28 years as the maintenance director at the Conway Human Development Center before joining Tim Tyler in doing aerial surveys for six years.

In 2008, Bill embarked on his own business, Hooten Aviation Services. He is a Designated Mechanic Examiner for the FAA – the only one in Arkansas.

The year he retired, he also built his home at the Arkavalley Airpark south of Greenbrier, where he lives with his wife, Kathy. “This has always been a dream too,” he said, adding that he has felt fortunate to be a pilot and aircraft mechanic. “Aviation is a massive industry. It just opened a lot of doors for me, like the B-17.”

Bill was in Oshkosh, Wis., when the B-17 opportunity presented itself. He was asked if he would like to join the crew for the Experimental Aircraft Association’s plane, named Aluminum Overcast. It took him about 30 seconds to decide to take advantage of the offer.

“It’s turned in to an extremely enjoyable time,” Bill said, adding that he has been on 500-plus missions with the B-17, traveling all over the country. He has met many aviation enthusiasts and veterans along the way. “I’m No. 3 in seniority (with the crew). I climbed the ladder and had an extremely good time doing it.”

Maintaining a World War II era airplane isn’t without its challenges and sometimes the weather conditions can be difficult. “It’s been an unbelievable opportunity,” he said, adding that he tries to imagine what the men who served aboard B-17s during wartime must have thought and experienced. Closing his eyes, Bill tries to imagine the 19- and 20-year-olds on board B-17s who wondered if they would live or die. He said their odds of returning home alive were not great. 

“I can’t imagine what it was like to be shot at.”

While Aluminum Overcast has been displayed in North Little Rock, this is the first time it will make a stop at Cantrell Field near Conway. He hopes that Conway and the surrounding area will support the event. “We have a flying museum, a piece of aviation history.”

Bill said it is important to educate young people about history and the significant role that the B-17 played in World War II. “It is why we speak English and not German, because of the air battles fought and the B-17 and the impact it had on the war,” he said. 

Along the tour, veterans often re-live and share those moments when they served. “The stories these veterans have are amazing.” For others, seeing the plane up close gives them a better idea of the historical significance. “Its history and the opportunity to see it flying is going away fast.”

Aluminum Overcast has the same engines as when it was built. The airframe and most parts are also original. While the crew has an extensive inventory of parts, Bill said as time goes on, the challenge with continued maintenance will be securing parts because some are no longer manufactured. Once the parts are exhausted, Bill anticipates the plane will make its way to a museum.

A special invitation will be extended to aviation schools to view the B-17 while in Central Arkansas, according to Bill. “That generation doesn’t understand what aviation meant to our freedom,” he said. “It’s what stopped Hitler.”

Of the more than 12,000 B-17s built, there are only five or six that are still being flown. Bill noted that nearly half were lost during wartime. “Most (that remain) have been put in a museum,” he said. “We are traveling the country, re-living this piece of history in living color.”

Being involved with the B-17, Bill has traveled all over the U.S. and made friends from coast to coast. “I’ve just had a great opportunity. It’s pretty cool. I’m just a kid from Greenbrier.” He said the plane represents an important chapter in aviation history and few individuals have an opportunity to work on one or fly in one. “I think I’ll do it for another 10 to 12 years, or try to.”

Bill said aviation has opened many doors and provided unique opportunities and experiences. “The B-17 has just been a blessing. It’s an opportunity most won’t get.” He also never dreamed he would own three aircraft of his own. “I pursued a dream. It was something. I always wanted to fly and be around airplanes.”