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Surprise sprung at Buckeye Air Fair

30-year member wins AOPA Sweepstakes

Pilot Clifford Gurske of Goodyear, Arizona, had no idea he had won the AOPA Sweepstakes Cessna 170B.

Southwest Airlines pilot Cliff Gurske takes the keys from AOPA President Mark Baker and AOPA Sweepstakes Cessna 170B project manager Cayla Hunt on February 17. Photo by David Tulis.

Gurske, a check airman for Southwest Airlines, was on hand, and not by chance, when AOPA President Mark Baker held a Pilot Town Hall February 17 at the Buckeye Air Fair in Buckeye, Arizona, where Gurske had been dispatched with a cadre of Southwest Airlines employees to staff the airline’s pilot recruitment booth.

Gurske has flown a wide range of aircraft in his professional and personal flying career. He has a type rating in the Boeing 747 and 737, and is qualified to fly the Douglas DC–3. Now, Gurske will put his tailwheel skills to work flying the AOPA Sweepstakes Cessna 170B.

Like many sweepstakes winners over the years, the news left Gurske temporarily flummoxed: “I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say.”

Still in the dark, Gurske had leapt at the chance for a duty assignment change even before he got the really good news. His colleagues had not let on what they knew, and he was all too happy for the switch. "They took me off a three-day trip and asked me to staff a booth for one day. Sign me up!”

A 30-year AOPA member, Gurske grew up in Alaska, where he lived for 33 years and learned to fly a variety of tailwheel airplanes, starting with an American Champion Citabria. He vowed to bring the souped-up Cessna back to Alaska. "This airplane is absolutely meant for Alaska. We'll be going," he confirmed.

The 1953 Cessna 170B now in Gurske's hands was upgraded with a 195-horsepower Continental Prime IO–370, making it a true backcountry beast.

“Cliff is a terrific person; a nicer guy couldn’t have won this airplane,” said Southwest Airlines colleague Mel Meadows, who masterminded the ruse needed to ensure Gurske would attend the AOPA Fly-In at the Buckeye Air Fair for the surprise giveaway. Gurske is an airline transport pilot with multiple type ratings and holds commercial pilot privileges for single-engine airplanes and helicopters.

Click images to expand and view captions.

Southwest Airlines pilot Cliff Gurske had his hand in the air as AOPA Senior Vice President of Media and Marketing Kollin Stagnito asked the audience to raise their hands if they fit various descriptions, quickly ruling out everyone but the sweepstakes winner based on pilot ratings. Photo by David Tulis. Cliff Gurske reacts to learning he is the winner of the AOPA Sweepstakes Cessna 170B. Photo by David Tulis. Southwest Airlines pilot Cliff Gurske is applauded by the audience, including his colleague and Southwest Airlines Assistant Chief Pilot Mel Meadows, right, who helped arrange the ruse that concealed until the last minute the fact that Gurske is the AOPA Sweepstakes Cessna 170B winner. Photo by David Tulis. Southwest Airlines pilot Cliff Gurske takes in the news from AOPA President Mark Baker and Media and Marketing Vice President Kollin Stagnito, with Southwest colleague and Assistant Chief Pilot Mel Meadows, who was in on the giveaway ruse, as he is announced the AOPA Sweepstakes Cessna 170B winner. Photo by David Tulis.
Cliff Gurske was handed the keys to the AOPA Sweepstakes Cessna 170B during the Buckeye Air Fair in Buckeye, Arizona. Photo by David Tulis.
Zoomed image
Cliff Gurske was handed the keys to the AOPA Sweepstakes Cessna 170B during the Buckeye Air Fair in Buckeye, Arizona. Photo by David Tulis.
Cayla McLeod
Cayla McLeod Hunt
Contributor
Cayla McLeod Hunt (previously an AOPA social media marketer) is a private pilot with a love for tailwheel and backcountry aircraft. She enjoys flying with friends and introducing others to general aviation.
Topics: Membership, AOPA Sweepstakes, AOPA

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