Tucked away in the Textron Aviation delivery center sits a
Beechcraft Staggerwing Model 17. For aviation enthusiasts and
historians alike, this aircraft serves as a reminder of the
humble beginnings of what is now Textron Aviation. Often a
conversation piece for curious visitors, the bright red radial
engine aircraft holds a story rooted in family, persistence
and flight. For a considerable amount of time, the airplane
was a large part of Charlotte Frye's story. A chance meeting
coupled with consistent curiosity from her family would lead
to an emotional reunion, decades in the making.
"All I could think was, 'wow, my grandmother flew this'. It
was an emotional experience."Gus Frye
Described by her family as a woman who loved aviation and
adventure, Charlotte Frye was an accomplished pilot who spent
most of her days promoting and encouraging aviation to women.
Learning to fly in 1931, Frye used her expertise in the sky to
fly in air shows and would become one of the first female
airmail pilots, taking mail from Griffin, Georgia to Atlanta.
Decades later, her family continues to search and learn more
about her journey, with their most meaningful encounter
happening in Wichita, Kansas.
"When I saw the airplane, knowing about that connection and
being able to look at it and get inside of it," shared Gus
Frye, Charlotte's grandson. "All I could think was, 'wow, my
grandmother flew this'. It was an emotional experience."
Gus, along with two more generations of the Frye lineage, were
introduced to the aircraft that lifted their loved one on her
historic missions. The end to a search that started more than
20 years prior.
"It has been more than a few years for me, going back to when
she was inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame,"
explained Charlotte's great-grandson, Jonathan. "Asking
questions about the airplane and learning more about it and
spending many years wondering where it went. Now finally
finding it has been a moving experience."
"Sitting in her airplane, I felt like I belonged."Brenda Frye
The most important question toward finding his great
grandmother's aircraft came when Jonathan and his family made
a trip to Oshkosh, Wisconsin attending EAA AirVenture. A
planned family vacation ultimately led to the discovery of
Charlotte's aircraft.
"I wandered over to the staggerwing area the first year we
were there and started asking around about the aircraft.
People kept telling me they thought it was at the Beech
delivery center," Jonathan recalled, smiling while retelling
the story. "I went to the Textron Aviation area and asked
about it and they were able to tell me exactly where it was in
Wichita. I had read online and seen hints that it could be
here, but I never knew how to reach out."
Jonathan's wife, Brenda, also a pilot, remembered the
enthusiasm their family felt knowing where the next stop of
this journey would be.
"I remember when we made the connection in Oshkosh, we were so
excited to be walking away knowing we had found the airplane."
Carrying on the Frye legacy in the cockpit is something Brenda
holds dearly. Being an engineer and working in STEM she hopes
to carry on Charlotte's efforts that continue to motivate her.
"Sitting in her airplane, I felt like I belonged. I know women
are still underrepresented in aviation, so it is cool to hear
the stories about her and sit in her plane and to feel
inspired." Brenda explained. "It makes you want to go spread
the word about aviation. She was a big proponent of bringing
more women in. She would go on trips to help women buy their
own planes which is neat."
Gus agrees, noting the pride he felt in his grandmother's
accomplishments and hopes more people know about her legacy.
"There was still a lot of bias against women in aviation at
that time," Gus detailed. "The general feeling was women
didn't have the physical or emotional skills to do something
as complex as flying an airplane. I have always been so proud
that she was one of those pioneers to break that stereotype."
For the Frye family, a chance at seeing Charlotte's Model 17
was another chance to pass down aviation in their lineage.
"It's interesting and exciting to see a part of aviation
history. Growing up as kids we knew our great grandmother flew
but we didn't know much about it. As time went on, we learned
she was a big deal," shared Kathy Frye. "It's good to be
together to see her plane and the logs that are still here,
especially to have the little ones here as well."
Visiting the Model 17 is a checkpoint on a journey the Frye
family is excited to continue. Seeing the history of her
efforts and learning more about her mission has become a
family pastime they all enjoy sharing. Each detail, ranging
from old pictures to travel logs, reignites their interest and
presents a new opportunity to tell her story.
"Charlotte once wrote that she wondered what her future
grandchildren would think of her unique hobby, calling herself
the 'flying grandmother'," Jonathan mentioned. "I can only
imagine what her thought would be today seeing how three
generations after her are about airplanes and flying. I am not
sure she could imagine the inspiration she would provide. I
only hope that we all continue to be inspired to share the joy
of flying with others."