Debrief

Sam Graves grew up at Gould Peterson Municipal Airport in Tarkio, Missouri. The former state legislator was elected in 2000 to represent Missouri’s Sixth Congressional District. Graves serves on the House Transportation Committee and chairs the Small Business Committee. He enjoys flying restored former military training aircraft from the World War II era.

Started in aviation…The local airport sits in the middle of our farm, across the street from the house where I grew up. I grew up hanging out at the airport, literally doing whatever I could to mooch a ride or a lesson—pumping gas, washing airplanes, collecting cans.

Thoughts on training…For me the biggest thing would be going into controlled airspace and talking to the tower. When you learn to fly in very rural areas, that’s very intimidating. The more I learn when it comes to flying, the more I realize I need to learn. I seek out as many folks as I can when it comes to training, because everyone offers something else to learn. I learn from everyone I climb into an airplane with.

favorite kind of flying…I love doing the backcountry mountain flying in Idaho, but then again, I got my floatplane rating a little while back. I love doing that in Minnesota. But I also like highly complex warbirds—I’m flying a lot of T-6s now. By far, my favorite is going to the shows and seeing the people, talking to friends, and [when flying a warbird] talking with veterans who flew the plane.

Favorite aircraft…It depends on the activity. I love to be in a Husky, or a Husky on floats—it’s the perfect bush plane or float plane. If I go to a show I love flying in a T-6. If I’m putting around the farm I love to be in my Cub.

Advice for students…Stick with it. It’s easy to get discouraged, and it feels like you’re never going to figure it out—don’t give up. If you stick with it, it’s just going to click—then you’ll feel good about it, and you’ll get better and better. You have to be comfortable with your instructor. Find one you’re comfortable with and stick with them.