My SNJ-6 Checkout at American Dream SkyRanch
My SNJ-6 Checkout at American Dream SkyRanch- By Charles Scott Williams
(March 10, 2025) –Some dreams take time to realize, and for me, getting checked out in the SNJ/AT-6 was one of them. After years of anticipation, I found myself at the American Dream SkyRanch in Ninety Six, South Carolina, under the guidance of check pilot Thom Richard, one of the most experienced warbird instructors in the world.
Meeting the Legend Thom’s resume speaks for itself—9,000 flight hours in the SNJ/AT-6, an Airframe & Powerplant license, and decades of experience flying everything from highly modified Reno Air Racers to jet warbirds. But beyond his accolades, what truly sets him apart is his passion for teaching and making the aviation world safer.
Originally from Sweden, Thom arrived in the U.S. at 17 with little more than a dream and a love of flying. Today, he owns Warbird Adventures, operating out of The American Dream SkyRanch—a hidden gem featuring a lighted grass runway, a bed & breakfast, and unrestricted aerobatic airspace.
Upside Down in the SNJ-6 Before I arrived, Thom sent me reading materials—the SNJ-6/AT-6 flight manual, aerobatic maneuvering techniques, and traffic pattern procedures. I’d spent nearly four decades in commercial aviation, flying mostly straight and level in airliners, but this training would be something entirely different.
From the moment I touched down at The American Dream SkyRanch, it was time to fly. My first lesson? A loop. I’d never attempted one in my life, and as we pulled into the maneuver, my world turned upside down—literally. Years of muscle memory in commercial cockpits didn’t prepare me for high-G aerobatics. My body protested with motion sickness, a familiar but unwelcome visitor. Thom reassured me: “You’ll get your aerobatic sea legs.” I wasn’t convinced—yet.
Finding Confidence in the Air
By Day 3, something changed. We moved on to Immelmanns, Split S’s, and Cloverleaf maneuvers, pulling substantial G’s while I practiced the strain technique to keep the blood in my head where it belonged. And it worked. Motion sickness faded, confidence grew, and suddenly, I was flying aerobatics—not just enduring them. More importantly, I was learning to trust the SNJ-6, a machine built for this type of flying. We rounded out the training with Cuban 8s, slow flight, stalls, and emergency procedures, focusing on everything from propeller management to tailwheel taxi techniques.
The Check Ride On the final day, it was time for my check ride. The traffic pattern in the SNJ-6 is a choreographed dance—manifold pressure, prop RPM, airspeeds, and landing checks executed in perfect sequence. For my last circuit, Thom simply said, “I’m going to be quiet on this one.” As I completed my landing, I heard his voice again, this time with a smile: “Nice job.” Shutting down the engine and sitting in the cockpit of the legendary “Pilot Maker,” I took a moment to reflect. This wasn’t just a checkout—it was a transformation. Thanks to Thom Richard, I had grown as a pilot in ways I never expected.
Want to Fly? For world-class instruction in the SNJ-6, reach out to Thom Richard at (407) 870-7366. Visit American Dream SkyRanch to experience it for yourself.
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