Annual Southern Gentleman Issue
By Gray Bennett / Photography by Rich Smith
Pilots experience the world from a distinctly different perspective. From up above, limits fall away, adventure awaits, and peace abounds for those who dare to look for it. Read on to learn more about four local Chattanooga pilots and their incredible stories from the sky.
Robert Crabtree | Piper Turbo Arrow III “Bobcat”
In 1975 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, a desire to fly sparked in Robert Crabtree. He took to the sky with one of his licensed friends, and for a thrilling moment, his friend let him take the controls.
“I had a blast,” he says, reminiscing about the experience. “Nowadays, I love to take friends up, especially the ones who have never flown in a small airplane. I let them have the controls, so they can experience the same feeling I had years ago.”
With company or flying solo, his current plane – a Piper Turbo Arrow III – has all the features he loves for a comfortable flight. A roomy interior with leather seats makes the cabin welcoming for any guests, while its efficiency and range make it well suited for cross-country travel as well as shorter trips to visit his grandkids in North and South Carolina.
Crabtree notes that it is “priceless” to be closer to his grandkids because, more than anything, a love for connection is at the core of his passion for flying. Even the plane’s nickname has special sentimental meaning. Lovingly nicknamed “Bobcat,” the plane gets its name from a combination of his and his wife Catherine’s name. This sweet tribute to their relationship is a reminder that new memories with loved ones are always just a flight away.
When asked about his most memorable flight so far, Crabtree shares the story of a special flight that turned into an adventure no one would have expected. “A few years ago, our
92-year-old aunt in west Tennessee was to come to Chatta-nooga for a visit,” he explains. “Her ride didn’t work out, so I got to be the family hero by flying her here. Oh, I made her fly the airplane, too. Got pictures to prove it.”
From fun excursions with family and friends to the occasional golf trip, each adventure is a chance for Crabtree to “enjoy the mental challenge” of piloting and the simple beauty of the world from up above. Every flight is an opportunity for him to be that college kid again, rediscovering the thrill of flying for the first time with a good friend.
“I’d like to help dispel the belief that flying is dangerous,” he says. “With proper training and preparations, flying can be very safe, rewarding, and statistically safer than your car. Besides that, it’s really fun, and I encourage everyone to take a ‘discovery’ flight from a reputable organization if you’ve never flown in a small aircraft.”
Cam Doody | Piper Meridian P46T “Bravo Romeo”
Flying takes determination. The regimented training that piloting requires might intimidate some, but others like Cam Doody thrive on the challenge.
“Recurrent training and vigilant preparedness are therapeutic for me,” Doody explains. “Funny enough, it’s the only part of my life where I love the rigidity of rules. As long as I follow the rules of air traffic control and the FAA, I have full freedom to go where I want when I want. It’s the ultimate freedom through rigidity.”
Doody recalls being “completely hyper-focused” during his first flight with his dad at 12 years old. He started his flight training at 19 years old, earning his private pilot license only eight months later. Now, at 38, the journey of aviation still feels as endless as the sky.
“There is always more to learn, more to train on, and planes to fly faster and higher,” he shares. “It’s a rabbit hole that never ends, and I hope to follow it as far as I can go.” Today, Doody holds private and instrument certificates with endorsements for tailwheel, aerobatics, high-performance, complex gear, and high-altitude operation. He has flown a wide variety of piston singles like Cessnas (150, 152, 170, 182s), Cirrus SR20, SR22, Maule MT-235, Piper Super Cub, Super Decathalon, AC Citabria, Aviat Husky, and Beechcraft Bonanzas.
His current plane is a Piper Meridian P46T. This pressurized, six-seat aircraft is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6 turbine engine. With a cruise speed of 280 knots (322 mph) and a service ceiling of 28,000 feet, Doody rightfully refers to it as “a beast.”
When it comes to his family, he also calls the Meridian “a time machine.” Not only does the aircraft allow his family to travel farther in shorter periods of time, but it’s also a constant reminder of his favorite flight. “Thirteen years ago, I proposed to my wife, Hannon, in my dad’s first plane, N22AC,” he explains. “There will never be a better flight than that!”
Cam and Hannon Doody now have two young daughters who call the plane “Bravo Romeo.” Together they bring their father’s love for aviation full-circle as they take turns flying co-pilot with him. In a beautiful way, it brings him all the way back to the beginning of his aviation journey.
“As kids we’re told we can do anything we put our minds to,” Doody says, “but the moment my wheels left the ground during my first solo was exactly the moment I understood that. I remember every vivid detail of that day … the smell, the clothes I was wearing, the first thing I ate afterwards … everything. Flying allows us to get places and do things we couldn’t otherwise do, and that’s why I love it.”
Taylor Newman | Pilatus PC-12
Taylor Newman is no stranger to the business of operating and managing aircraft. In fact, as the director of operations for Crystal Air, Inc., Newman leads the largest aircraft fleet in Southeast Tennessee.
His childhood, full of dreams about space and becoming an astronaut, paved the way for his future career. After realizing that 20/20 vision was required for entering into a military pilot career in 1991, his visions of outer space adventure took a turn. He opted to start civilian flight training in college and never looked back.
“My wife and I employ about 33 people,” shares Newman. “About eight of them fix what I break, a few people are in the back office, and then there are about 20 pilots in various parts of their career.”
With a great team and 21 aircraft to manage, Newman has no shortage of memorable moments to share. He and his friend James Howard have had several adventures, including setting a world record time on a flight from Port Angeles, Washington, to Chattanooga (17 hrs. 47 min. 49 sec.), transporting a red panda to the Chattanooga Zoo from Idaho Falls, Idaho, and completing several life-saving organ transplant flights for various hospitals.
One of the aircraft he currently operates is a Pilatus PC-12. He calls it a “tremendous workhorse,” noting that it can carry up to 4,000 lbs. of fuel and people. It has a cruise speed of 260 knots (300 mph), and its maximum range extends to 1,765 nautical miles. In terms of special mission capability, the aircraft can take on a variety of assignments from medical assistance to cargo transport, making it reliable and incredibly versatile for any impromptu flights.
While he does fly primarily for business, he notes that his family does enjoy taking to the skies with him whenever time allows. Some of his favorite memories include vacation trips across the country, the occasional “Saturday morning flight to a local pancake breakfast,” and training flights with his 16-year-old son Cole.
He also recalls an especially meaningful final flight with his father. “We took a ‘father and sons flight’ to the Ford Museum in Detroit last year,” he explains. “My dad had always wanted to go, so my brother, our sons, and our dad made a day trip to the museum last year. My dad passed away June of this year, so that’s the last flight I had with my dad on board.”
Special memories like these touch the heart of his passion for aviation. Whether with family, friends, fellow pilots, or valued customers, every flight is a chance for Newman to savor the peace, tranquility, and beauty of the world from up above with the people he cares about most.
Chad Haney | Cirrus SR22T
Twenty-five years ago, a small aircraft landed on a mountaintop in Alaska, and Chad Haney knew from that moment he wanted to get his pilot license.
He started his flight training in a Cessna 172 in 2019. The experience was exactly what he hoped for, full of challenge and a new sense of freedom. He earned his private pilot license the same year, and flying seamlessly became a regular part of his day-to-day life. Today, Haney flies primarily for work. He travels frequently all around the Southeast – about two to three times a week – to meet with possible acquisitions and visit other branches of his business, Lookout Pest Control.
His current plane, a Cirrus SR22T, rises to the challenge of his busy schedule. This aircraft has a cruise speed of 203 knots (234 mph) and a service ceiling of 25,000 feet. He notes that Cirrus “has always equipped their planes with the most up to date avionics in addition to the parachute safety features,” which gives this aircraft an extra layer of reliability.
Another unique detail about the plane is its limited-edition paint scheme and interior. Part of the Cirrus 9000th Limited Edition SR Series, the aircraft was made to commemorate 9,000 SR Series aircraft deliveries and highlight the adventurous spirit of personal aviation. Haney’s plane, sporting a bold orange shade called “lava,” is one of only 10 planes that are identical to it.
When asked about what he enjoys most about flying, Haney shares that flying gives him more time to enjoy with the people who matter most to him. “Flying an airplane allows me to travel for business and be back home to my family in the same day,” he explains. “It also allows my family to enjoy long weekend trips that most likely would not be possible if we had to drive.”
With his wife and three kids in tow, family trips make for sweet memories when time allows. Haney says that one of his favorite travel destinations, The Bahamas, is incredible to see from the sky. Soaring over vibrant blue water and gorgeous scenery gives him a sense of peace and reminds him that even the most beautiful destinations don’t compare to the gift of family.
Through every flight, Haney shares that grit, freedom, and quality time with loved ones fuel his passion for aviation. Whether he’s taking a mid-week trip to Kentucky for work or hopping in the plane for a long weekend in Florida, flying empowers him to take control of his time and embrace adventure in the moments that truly count.
