Ralph Capuano, president of Capuano Buick Cadillac, and his
brother, William, left Johnnycake Airport on the
Harwinton/Burlington line at 7:20 a.m. in their 300 horsepower
Cherokee SIX, intending to stop in all 48 contiguous states
before returning to Connecticut next weekend.
More than a dozen people were on hand to watch the take off,
including Darlene Clarke of New Britain, daughter of Gary
Jones, the sales manager at Capuano Buick Cadillac, and his
wife, Diane. Clarke, a 25-year-old mother of children aged 4
and 2, was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia on March 6
and is undergoing treatment. Saturday, surrounded by family and
friends, she wore a baseball cap and fought back tears. "I only
hope they make it," she said.
The brothers hoped to touch down in the New England states
and reach Michigan by the end of the day Saturday. Just how far
they get will depend on the weather, Ralph Capuano said. The
actual start of the flight was touch-and-go for a while because
of thunderstorms and fog predicted in parts of the country, he
said. But by late Friday afternoon the word was "go."
The brothers, both instrument-rated pilots, had planned the
trip well before they learned of Clarke's plight. This flight
has never been recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records,
and they hope to be the first, documenting landings and
progress along the 7,000-mile route.
When they learned of Clarke's condition, a new dimension was
added to the trip.
They printed posters of America showing the 48 airports
they'll land at and hope to sell them in each state for $48
each. With the Capuano brothers covering the expense of
printing the posters, all proceeds will go to Clarke to help
with medical expenses. A fund for Clarke as been set up at
Fleet Bank, 643 Farmington Ave., New Britain.
To help
Ralph and William Capuano of Torrington are flying cross
country this week, intending to touch down in all 48 contiguous
states. A web site documenting and updating their progress
daily is www.flightofamerica.com. Posters of the trip are $48
and may be purchased locally at Capuano Buick Cadillac, 790
Main St., Torrington, Conn. 06790.
A leukemia fund for Darlene Clarke has been established at
Fleet Bank, 643 Farmington Ave., New Britain, Conn. 06053.
Checks should be made payable to Leukemia Fund Darlene
Clarke.
