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enverite Elmer Dewitt Haynes Jr. found a way to create success in the world of aviation, aircraft models and the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) – despite being raised in an age of intense racism and segregation. Haynes has left his mark in the AMA, and has managed to create a legacy through his son Douglas, who has also succeeded in the world of aviation. Haynes interest in aviation and the AMA developed while in junior high school. He was asked by one of his teachers if he wanted to participate in a current project the U.S. military was offering for schools to participate in.
Shop Class
“In 1939 or 1940,” Haynes says, “I was in junior high school when the war broke out, and the word went out that they wanted to have some sort of way to have mass amounts of model airplanes representing some of the aircrafts that were being used by the enemy.” Haynes explains that in order to get a vast number of models made, the U.S. military contacted schools to see if students taking woodworking class would be willing to make the various airplanes. “They set the specifications out,” Haynes says. “And my teacher interpreted them, and then passed out the projects to various students in the class.” A benefit to participating in the project was a membership into the Academy of Model Aeronautics, according to Haynes. Through the project Haynes became involved with model airplanes and the AMA. He was excluded initially from the project because the AMA requested a roster, and his ethnicity at the time was a roadblock. However, Haynes was allowed to participate by assisting one of his classmates as he made his model aircraft. Haynes learned everything he needed by watching. From there, the majority of Haynes early life was dedicated to his interest in model airplanes, the AMA, and his desire to understand and perfect his craft. Throughout his junior high school and high school years, Haynes relentlessly increased his knowledge of aviation and model aircrafts with the help of many friends.
High-Fly Scouting
He competed in many competitions and developed a name for himself within the AMA, while managing to keep his ethnicity hidden from those with influence in the organization. A big moment in his life was a competition he had competed in while he was in the Boys Scouts.
Flying High Two Generations of By Zilingo Christopher Nwuke Dr. Haynes with his first mode space craft
Elmer Haynes with his first model aircraft
Elmer Haynes with his first model aircraft
The Haynes Family
Photos by Zilingo Christopher Nwuke
“At that point,” Douglas Haynes Naval Aviator Haynes says, “The Boys Haynes’ fascination poses with statue Scouts had a communiof Apollo 13 with model airplanes conty event in downtown astronaut tinued throughout high Denver at the auditoriJohn Swigert school and into the Navy, um called The Boys which he joined in 1946 Scouts Circus. So, with after graduation. During the airplane I was his Navy tenure, Haynes building, I was trying to became a contest director make the team with my in the AMA, and began scoutmaster. We were taking model airplanes standing in the auditoseriously and making a rium with my rubbername for himself. powered aircraft and I Between 1951 and wound it up. Then my 1952 Haynes’ name Scout Master says, became more recog‘Give it a fly.’” nized, and after his picHaynes says the airture was released – troucraft flew into the audible soon followed. He ence and kept going, and eventually had to form going clear to the back of his own club and sancthe auditorium and up tion it himself, because into the balcony. the AMA would not “I was one tickled support his pursuits. He individual because it was able to do this flew farther then because he was a everybody else’s,” contest director. Haynes says. This obstacle didn’t Haynes didn’t keep Haynes win the competidown. He hosted tion, but he gained his own competia lot of confidence. tions and competed It was his first sucin many of them cess in a major AMA competition, giv- until father time slowed him down ing him hope for the future. Haynes with a few surgeries. wanted to prove that he was capable Haynes experience dealing with of doing anything he focused on. model airplanes, the AMA and aviaDenver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – July 2018
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tion has not gone to waste. He passed all of his knowledge to his children. His two sons become members of the AMA and one son, Dr. Douglas Haynes, has turned this family tradition into a career.
Second Flowering
Douglas’ success in aviation is attributed to his father’s passion for airplane models. At 5-years-old, Douglas devoted his life to getting his own airline started after being forced to learn aviation at a young age. “I would not be in aviation or even know about it if it wasn’t for my dad,” Douglas explains. “When I was born, all of my brothers ahead of me were doing their aviation thing. I learned from them at the age of one or two. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t think I’d be out here flying in space like I am.” Dr. Douglas Haynes impressive list of achievements include: graduating from East High School in 1975 and attending Spartan College of Aeronautics where he became a pilot and a mechanic. From Spartan, Douglas attended Metropolitan State University of Denver in 1986 where he studied Aerospace Management. Douglas has three doctorates in Aeronautical Engineering, Business Management and Education. In 1995, Douglas received his first airline certification as DEHAS Inc. He also developed 3rd Wave Airlines; a new generation of fuel used to power airplanes, and has written six books on the topic. Douglas certified his second airline in 2004, which was expanded into a space line in 2009 with Front Range Airport. In 2015 he changed the name to Blue Ridge Star Line.
To Infinity and Beyond
Douglas’ current project is a space shuttle or a flying saucer. “The features of the spaceship are pretty neat,” he says. “We need to have gravity to go to space. My ship does that. It has anti-gravity with electrical power, so that you can get around what’s called the ‘Rocky Equation.’ It uses electrical power to go the speed of light. You don’t have to carry all of that fuel and at the same time it becomes more efficient. Then it rotates. It creates enough centripetal force to produce gravity and become a 3rd wave airline. Those are the big advantages of a flying saucer versus a regular rocket.” Douglas says he uses Star Trek technology configuration. “When you look at my ship,” he says (www.blueridgeairlines.com, www.bluenebula.com and YouTube Channel dehas77), “you’ll see it looks like the Star Trek configuration.” The knowledge passed down from Haynes Jr. to his son Douglas has really helped him get his airline on track and begin his space line. .