Magyar News, 1993. szeptember-1994. augusztus (4. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1994-05-01 / 9. szám

FOLLOW THE DREAMS AND END UP IN THE SKY

Hungary wasn’t known for being a forerunner in aviation. As a matter of fact, the world didn’t know much for all the contributions that Hungarians made in the industry. This doesn’t mean that somebody leisurely sitting on the embankment of the Danube didn’t have his eyes on the sky searching for a dream. Searching for a way to fly in the great wonder of blue ana cut through the many formations of clouds.

Well there was a young man in Budafok. His name is András Pothánszky. He really had a choice to wander amongst interesting things. In the quarries huge saws were cutting out large slabs of rocks for buildings. Inside the mountain, like many caves, were the wine cellars. Mixed in between the cellars were the underground mushroom farms. Outside, basking in the sun, the most delicious, juicy peaches were ripening on the trees. And then there was, among others, a manufacturing company that made centrifuge separators. Its name was Alpha Separators. By chance this is where András picked up his mechanical skills and knowledge. From here he went on to become a

Pothánszky with his wife purchased two planes in 1978. He is shaking hands on the

tool and die maker. Then the sky opened up for him.

He started doing his military service in an air-defense unit, in the lovely town of Vac. He had to scan the sky with his eyes and had to learn about flying and airplanes. Somehow he was destined to be involved in flying.

When serving his last month in the military, the 1956 Revolution broke out, the borders to the West showed large gaps and thcPothánszky children, András, his brother and sister walked to Austria on the frozen Lake Fertő. In no time they were in Camp Kilmer, and then at their sponsor, at grandmother’s sister.

With his skills, he immediately found work at a helicopter parts factory and for his knowledge he went to school to learn the English part of his profession. Having a venturing drive he joined with a friend and started a tool and die business. He gave it the name Alpha Tool and Mfg. Corp., a contribution to the company where he started as an apprentice. Settled and successful, András’ dream came back. His

deal with the president of Piper Corporation.

eyes were scanning the sky again. Hcjoined the Civil Airpatrol, then formed a flying club and purchased a small airplane. His hobby became the plane and flying. András expanded his interest of the hobby and established it as a second business. Today this is all he does.

I went to see András at the Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford. Right at the entrance, as I drove in, there were two huge blue hangars. The sign read Three Wings. 1 forgot to ask why he chose this name be-: cause I was so impressed with the whole operation. He calls it a fix base, meaning that one could buy aviation gas, have rei pairs made, fix instruments, rent or buy t plane, learn to fly and the list goes on. As we found out, 75% of the aviation business is handled by companies like the Three W ings. I didn’t count the scores of planes silting on the tarmac, there were enough in the hangars to hold my attention. One of the planes was refitted with a brand new engine at the cost of thousands of dollars. This immediately aroused my curiosity. I found out, not that I should be interested in it, that a new little plane could be purchased for a half-amillion dollars, but a rebuilt one is only one-fifth of the price. It is as good as a new one. The planes are different from the cars, therefore the life expectancy of a plane is indefinite—just have to take care of it.

For the price of a Mercedes, one could have an airplane and could avoid traffic jams, fumes, bad roads and could save a lot of time getting from one place to the other. Besides there is something very exciting in flying. Some peopledo it just for fun. If you have visitors and you would like to show them the area, why not give them a lift. For $54.00 you can have three people for a halfhour flying time enjoy the scenery. The person sitting next to the pilot would also have a training as a co-pilot. In Three Wing’s Flying Club you could become a certified pilot and for the same money you could show them around for an hour.

The nucleus of Polhánszky’s operation is the Flying Club with 200 members, plus