Windsong (JD's Jet airplane)
DCady
Hi Again Group,
Didn't JD own a Lear Jet named Windsong in the past? Does he still own
it?
Recently I was re-reading one of Emily's monthly newsletters, and there
was mention of JD having a problem with someone over some insurance claim
after his (JD's) propeller driven airplane ran into another plane.
Some history: About 1977-78, my wife and I flew from LA to Lake
Tahoe on an afternoon flight, attended a JD show in one of the casinos at
1am in the morning, grabbed some shut-eye, and were back in LA by 1pm the
next (same?) day. As we were leaving the airport, I saw a Lear Jet parked
on the apron - it had three different colored stripes painted along the
length - I took a picture of it (and now can't find the picture). Anyway,
somewhere in this house (can't find this picture at the moment either) is
also a picture of me standing under the casino sign which says JOHN DENVER
LIVE. In smaller letters underneath those words are the words (more or
less) also Jay Leno.
I've believed since that time, that the plane I saw was JD's, and
somehow during the years since, believed he called the plane "Windsong".
Anybody know if my memory is correct?
Later,
Dewey
PS: I was just thinking. Does John talk about the plane in his
autobiography? I've got a copy of the book waiting for me at our
daughter's house in the States, but we won't be leaving for a couple of
weeks to visit. I've also got a copy of Pete Huttlinger's "Catch and
Release" waiting for me...can't wait to hear it.
Pamela Beasley
Yes, John still has his jet. He calls it the Windstar. And you are
right about seeing it. It has three very prominent stripes--black,
orange, and blue-- on the body and the tail. I have a photo of it in
flight. I have a friend who once worked with one of John's uncles. He
loaned her a negative of the picture to make a copy and she made me a
copy, too.
DCady
Hi Pam:
Thanks for the info. It sure is fun to be a part of this group. (Got
a question - boom - there's the answer ) :)
Now I just have to figure out where the picture I have is located.
Later,
Dewey Cady
Ted B. Blakeley
I worked on several of JD's aircraft in the past. His Learjet is a Model
35A built in 1975. It is S/N 027 and registered as N31WS..(This is the
"N" number on the tail. I've taken MANY photos of this aircraft along
with a few others he still owns or owned in the past. The jet has been
painted at least twice with different paint jobs...very similar though.
Does anyone remember the 1975 TV special when he takes off from the Aspen
Airport?? This was his Cessna T210 and he still owns this. Dutch flew
this a great deal..when he wasn't flying the Lear. JD has also owned a
Steen Skybolt, Waco. I had a few postcards of 31WS and still
might...I'll check through my "stuff". The last time I spoke with JD was
in 86 and he had approx 1500 hours in the Lear. Thought you might want
some inside info on the BEAUTIFUL Lear you had asked about. Oh yes,
32WS was featured on the cover of a aviation magazine some years back.
Dutch gave me a copy as the magazine people had given the crew a bunch.
I do have photos inside and out if you want to have copies made...I keep
all my negatives.
Cheers,
Ted
Richard Barnett
I am a student pilot and JD fan, as well as a member of the
Experimental Aircraft Association. This organization holds the worlds
largest airshow (11,000-12,000 aircraft, 500,000 spectators) each year
in Oshkosh, WI. A few years back (1993, I believe) JD was presented
with EAA's "Freedom of Flight" award, for his positive promotion of
aviation. Other winners have included such notables as Gen. Chuck
Yeager (not shabby company!). The picture on the cover of that year's
video shows John in front of his Christian Eagle biplane with bomber
jacket, trophy & much facial hair! :)
I have been to OSH each year since, and always walk the line of Eagles
to see if he might be there. No luck yet.
I ran a search of the FAA a/c registration database, and the only 2 a/c
I could positively find as his were the afforementioned Lear and the
Christion Eagle...I'll look again for the C210. That WOULD be a good
Colorado airplane.
Rusty