Register

Jumpseat: A Vintage Weekend

Airshow with Ken Wells monitoring the action. Courtesy Les Abend
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Ocean Reef's Vintage Weekend hosts an exclusive airshow featuring top aerobatic performers, held within a private, affluent community often funded by its members.
  • The event highlights dedicated aviation figures like air boss Raymond Cabañas, who maintains his family's legacy, and organizer Lenny Sikora, showcasing deep passion within the community.
  • The article emphasizes the tight-knit nature of the aviation world, illustrating the "six degrees of separation" through interconnected personal stories, such as Ken Wells's journey from an "airport bum" to an airline captain.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Though Raymond Cabañas maintained a sober tone during the briefing, his barely perceptible grin offered a hint of mischievousness, most likely a character trait inherited from his late father. A respected airshow performer and fixture in Key West, Florida—his bright-red Waco a perpetual part of the local skyline—Freddy Cabañas had logged over 24,000 hours of flight time in a potpourri of airplanes before tragedy struck in Cozumel, Mexico, while filming for a Mexican reality TV show in January 2013. Freddy and his Mexican photographer passenger died after crashing in a Super Decathlon.

Les Abend

Les Abend is a retired, 34-year veteran of American Airlines, attempting to readjust his passion for flying airplanes in the lower flight levels—without the assistance of a copilot.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE