Haynes Inducted Into Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame

There are people who aren't satisfied with driving the highways and byways. They want to see life from a few hundred, and higher, feet above the ground.

Each year, the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics recognizes outstanding members of the Nebraska aviation industry.

This year's inductees include a woman with ties to Sidney who also taught her father how to fly. So far to date, it is the only record of a daughter flight instructor teaching her father student how to fly.

Terri Haynes' roots are in Cheyenne County, although she now lives northwest of Sidney.

For Haynes, a small western Nebraska airport has come with a variety of aviation opportunities. She began as a certified flight instructor at Chadron in 1982. It is a role she continues today.

She has taught many students from the region, and several have continued a career in aviation. In addition to flight instructing, she has had many experiences in pilot services such as aerial photography, fire spotting, aerial surveillance, aircraft ferrying, and numerous airplane rides for youth.

Additionally, she has given many youth groups airport tours and served as a classroom speaker on many occasions.

Upon completion of her Master's Degree from Chadron State College, Haynes became instrumental in forming the Airway Science program at Chadron State College and served as the faculty member for this program.

She was appointed by Gov. Ben Nelson, to serve on the Nebraska Aeronautics Commission, a position she held for seven years. She also served on the Nebraska Airport Planning Committee for the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics. The many trips to Lincoln allowed her to take along her favorite co-pilot, her dad.

In 1990, her dad, Harold Perkins, decided to complete one more accomplishment and earn his private pilot certificate under her instruction. To date, they have not found another flight instructor-student combination of "daughter teaches father to fly."

The local airline provided another aviation opportunity where Haynes worked as station manager for more than 20 years. The City of Chadron asked her to step up and serve as airport manager which she did while also managing the airline.

Most recently, she led the 2018 Nebraska State Fly-In, a two-year volunteer commitment. The rather small facility packed in a highly successful weekend full of aviation entertainment for both pilots and the general public.

She has served many years on the Chadron Airport Zoning Board and Chadron Airport Advisory Board, as well as an AOPA Airport Support Network Volunteer and Certified Weather Observer. She is also a member of the Scottsbluff EAA Chapter 608.

Haynes' civic mindedness is reflected in the awards she has earned: AKSARBEN Good Neighbor Award, Chadron Citizen of the Year and Nebraska School Board Member of the Year.

Haynes received her education and flight training at Chadron State College and Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kan. She has accumulated nearly 3,000 hours of flight time with more than 1,500 as a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI).

To be nominated to the Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame, a nominee must be a native-born Nebraskan or have performed a significant amount of their served to aviation-related endeavors while a resident of Nebraska. Nominations can be made by any person or organization familiar with the nominee's achievements.

The Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame began in 1991 as a way to retain the history of Nebraskans who have made outstanding contributions to aviation.