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www.theactiveage.com February 2026 Kansas’ Largest Newspaper Printed at Valley Center, KS
Vol 47 No. 3
Learjet group sets sky-high goal
Volunteers restoring first Learjet ever sold to flying condition
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By Joe Stumpe Allen Goodwin remembers the thrill of piloting a Lear Jet Model 23 made in Wichita during the 1960s. “Those of us who flew 23s for a living — it was a beautiful piece of engineering,” said Goodwin, a former test pilot for Learjet. “You either wanted to fly this one or a G2 (Gulfstream II). They went faster than anything else and went higher than anything else.” To be precise, 80 percent of the speed of sound and 41,000 feet. Referencing the handling and sleek design of the aircraft, Goodwin added, “This one, you wore it.” Memories like that are driving Goodwin and other volunteers to restore a 62-year-old Lear Jet Model
It won’t be easy, fast or cheap. The twin-engine, eight-seater has barely been flown in 30 years, spending most of that time deteriorating in an airport in Bartow, Florida. Restoration costs are estimated at $3 to $5 million. The volunteers say the plane is significant enough to warrant the effort: Allen Goodwin is heping restore a Lear Jet The Lear Jet Model Model 23 he flew as a young test pilot. 23 changed business 23 — the first Learjet to be delivered to a buyer — back to flying condition. and culture around the world by getting people of certain means where A couple of days each week, they wanted to go faster than had ever volunteers work on the restoration in been possible. a former paint shop on the edge of Not to mention making good Eisenhower National Airport, across paychecks possible for thousands of the street from the plant where it originally was put together.
See Learjet, page 6
Retirement not on busy schedule
By Sherry Howerton For more than 40 years, Wichita psychiatrist Ralph Bharati has used his expertise to help unlock the doors of the minds of those experiencing mental health issues, helping thousands of patients over the decades. So after a long and successful career, what were his thoughts when he turned 80 last year? It wasn’t of vacations, afternoon naps or watching sports all day as a retired person. He wasn’t even thinking about retirement. “I’d like to work another five years,” Bharati said. “Then I might retire or go to part time.” From his office in east Wichita, Bharati spoke of all the reasons he doesn’t want to retire.
See Retirement, page 8
Nalini and Ralph Bharati work together in Ralph's psychiatry practice.
Questions about services?
Central Plains Area Agency on Aging/Sedgwick County Department on Aging: 316-660-7298 or 1-800-367-7298
ENTER TO WIN
See details inside on page 2
Photo courtesy of Derby Informer
Volunteer Lynn Price, back, watches as Jack Gillespie uses the stairs to his garage.
Fall prevention program stops painful cycle By Paige Feikert DERBY — Once an older person falls, the chances of it happening again are almost twice as likely. But an innovative fall prevention program here is bucking that statistic. So far, none of the Derby seniors who’ve been helped by the Fall Prevention Coalition have experienced a second fall. “When we started this whole thing, I was skeptical, but we’ve had such great success so far that now I’m calling it magic,” said Derby Fire Marshal Jonathan Marr. The Fall Prevention Coalition, made up of the Derby Fire Department, volunteers and community partners, came about after Marr realized just how much time Derby firefighters spend responding to falls by older residents. Those falls account for about 25 percent of all emergency runs handled by the department.
See Falls, page 10
Butler County: (316) 775-0500 or 1-800-279-3655 Harvey County: (316) 284-6880 or 1-800-279-3655