Surprise Birthday Flight for Dr. Bobby Martin

HEADLAND AL- On August  18, 2012, Larry Hudson, Chief Pilot for the Henry County Sheriff Department, took a very special person and prominent Veterinarian, Dr. Bobby Martin, for a surprise birthday flight, which was secretly arranged by Dr. Martin's son, Brian.   Dr. Martin owns and operates Southern Regional Veterinary Specialists at 301 Westgate Parkway in Dothan, Alabama.  He and his team perform surgery on small animals.  His son, Brian, is also a veterinary surgery specialist who works alongside his dad at the facility.  Pilot Larry Hudson, who  attends First Baptist Church in Headland where the Martins attend, said he was more than happy to give Dr. Martin a flight on this birthday.

Dr. Martin said he started to get his pilot license soloing on his l6th birthday, but never finished the process.  During his career, he was busy with family and business, and then 16 years ago he had a hunting accident falling out of a tree stand while Deer hunting, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down.  With his great faith in God and his Church, Dr. Martin has not slowed down trusting in God's plan for his life and expanding his business to serve the Headland and Dothan community.

With the help of four men, Dave Miller and David Burke, members of the EAA Chapter 1358, son Brian and Larry Hudson, they were able to place Dr. Martin in the left seat of the Glider.  Dr. Martin was in flight for over an hour at which time Larry let him take controls of the aircraft flying as pilot in command after many years of not being able to enjoy what he had started when he was 16 yrs. old.  Dr. Martin had a great time going though steep turns, slow flight and finally shutting down the motor of the Glider, soaring into the Headland Airport pattern under no power, landing with the engine off to end the flight.  Smiles were all around by both Larry, his pilot, and Dr. Martin. - Article and images Special to Alabama Aviator