Beyond the trees and grassy fields lies a story of ambition. It is the story of Flyin’ Tiger Field. This airfield is more than just a landing strip. It’s a testament to one man’s love for aviation.
Flyin’ Tiger Field in Angleton, Texas is the creation of Bruce Bohannon. He is a pilot with a passion for breaking records. In 1999, Bruce bought an abandoned airport. It was 53 wooded acres with two grass strips. He renamed it Flyin’ Tiger Field.
Bruce’s journey began long before he owned an airport. As a boy, he watched crop dusters from a nearby strip. He was captivated by their skill and daring. At 16, he soloed in a Cessna 150. Crop dusting followed. Aerobatics also came.
Bruce flew air shows in a Pitts Special. He also taught aerobatics. Jim Robinson hired Bruce to fly his Hawker 600 jet. Bruce gained invaluable experience. He learned about flight planning and weather. He even got new uniforms.
In 1989, Bruce partnered with astronaut Robert “Hoot” Gibson. They raced Formula One planes at Reno. Bruce was named Rookie of the Year in 1989. He won the Bill Skliar Memorial Award in 1991. He received the Bob Downey “Ole Tiger” Memorial Trophy in 1993.
Bruce set time-to-climb records in his plane Pushy Galore. He even raced for cash. Pushy Galore is now at the EAA AirVenture Museum.
At Flyin’ Tiger Field, Bruce pursued his dreams of breaking altitude records. He modified an RV-4. He named it Exxon Flyin’ Tiger. He aimed to reach almost 50,000 feet.
Bruce prepared meticulously for his record attempts. He breathed pure oxygen. He wore a heated suit. His crew chief checked the systems. The engine roared to life. The Exxon Flyin’ Tiger climbed rapidly.
One attempt saw Bruce climb through freezing temperatures. His breath turned to snow inside the cockpit. He relied on his autopilot. He had to address a GPS malfunction due to the extreme cold.
Bruce proposed to Donah Nevill, a journalist, during a skydiving jump. He coaxed her to jump. He tumbled out of control. He showed her a note asking her to marry him. She nodded yes.
Despite not reaching his ultimate altitude goal, Bruce set two new records. He improved his time-to-climb to 40,000 feet. He was supported by a dedicated crew.
Today Flyin’ Tiger Field is more than just a personal airport. It is a testament to perseverance. It is a reminder that dreams can take flight.