Lying neglected in a adjoining airport field sits a C-47 which served honorably in World War II. Like most veterans, after it’s discharge from service, it took up a civilian life. First as a passenger plane for Frontier Airlines then with continuing service with Southern Airways. At some point it left working for the airlines and probably flew cargo at some point. My encounter with this C-47 nicknamed Sugar Alpha began in LaGrange GA as a novice jumper. I made at least ten jumps with a Para Commander from this airplane before I moved on to a Ram Air canopy. I eventually made over 200 jumps from Sugar Alpha. Being around Sugar Alpha and eventually being the lead manifestor and loader turned my skydiving hobby into a small business.
Without Sugar Alpha, I wouldn’t have been able to gain those 12 hours of freefall time as quickly leading in succession to becoming an Accelerated Freefall Instructor, Senior Rigger and at some point a Drop Zone Operator. So much for the hobby.
Sugar Alpha has many memories. One of my favorite visual memories is hanging rear float, dropping off and seeing 8 -20 other people leaving aircraft. I also remember overnights playing assistant for two retired Delta DC-3 mechanics when one of those Pratt and Whitney’s blew a jug – usually at an away boogie. I still have one of Sugar Alpha’s spark plugs sitting on my desk.
Sugar Alpha may be neglected now but she’s not forgotten.
