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TO VALHALLA…MAYBE?
While the Viking has certainly served the Navy well and is much beloved by its pilots, its years in the air may already be numbered. With NASA’s Viking passing the 10,000 hour mark this past summer, it may only be 2-3 more years before the last Viking takes its last flight. While the team at Glenn Research Center will find another platform to continue their important work, it will be sad to see the Viking go off into the sunset. It is fitting, and comforting, to know that the Viking spent its final days as the workhorse it always has been, and that the last Viking will likely be flown to retirement by Viking veteran Jim Demers, who flew Vikings with the US Navy and has seen NASA 601 through every phase of its NASA service. Nevertheless, it is possible that the resilient Viking still has some life in its wings after all. Only time will tell.
Aviation Photojournal extends its most sincere and heartfelt thanks to the entire crew at NASA Glenn Research Center for their hospitality and invaluable assistance during our stay. We would especially like to thank Public Affairs Specialist Debbie Lockhart for being an early proponent of this project and being instrumental to taking this feature from TRL 1 to TRL 9. We would also like to thank GRC Chief of Aircraft Operations Jim Demers for his consideration and hard work in making this all possible. While the focus of the article is on the ‘last Viking,’ it could also very well be on the ‘last Viking pilot’ which Jim is almost sure to be. We truly appreciate his partnership, attention to detail and focus on safety in creating this article. Special thanks to Al Micklewright for expertly piloting the Turbo Mentor during our photo missions and to Jim Griner, for his time and expertise.
APJ/DAN ADAMS