Interviewing: 'Tuck' McAtee

In December 2021, JGG intern Ava Barsoom began a series of eight interviews highlighting a handful of our wonderful tenants and employees. Sitting one-on-one with each, she sought to honor the hearts and souls of JGG as they make the airport a home for Williamsburg aviators. While her work didn’t make it beyond her notes during her internship, we’re thrilled to publish it now! In light of Tuck McAtee’s 2023 induction into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame (read all about it here), it only seemed fitting we started with his interview.?

Ava Barsoom?

Hi Tuck, let’s start with how long have you been a pilot???

Tuck McAtee?

I’ve been a pilot for 63 years; started when I was 16 years old. It was accidental. I was playing football, but the helmet was too big and I couldn’t see. While playing RB I ran a touchdown for the wrong team. That killed the Football dream. But it made time for flying when my dad paid for 4 hours of flying time. The rest is history…?

Ava Barsoom

So what type of airplane do you have here at JGG??

Tuck Mcatee

I own this SX300 Swearengin. It’s an experimental and built by individuals. It’s built for speed, efficiency and is one of the fastest to date. ?

Ava Barsoom

Maybe I can get a ride one day. [spoiler! she did, and it's on Insta (@wjairport)]. It looks fast… So, how did you get into flying—was it passion or a hobby??

Tuck Mcatee

It was and still is a passion. After the seed was planted in those first four hours, I eventually applied to and was accepted to the United States Air Force Academy. From there I became a fighter pilot, graduated from Fighter Weapons School and then went through Test pilot school. I spent most of my time with the F-16 in and outside of the USAF; eventually joining the industry side of things and worked decades in several Viper programs, Lockheed Martin and whatnot. So, it was and remains a passion that I’ve spent my life with.?

Ava Barsoom

How much of this life and passion has been here at JGG??

Tuck Mcatee

I moved to the area and became a tenant here in 2007. Location and cost are the drivers for just about any decision and both ultimately led me here to this airport. ?

Ava Barsoom

What has made you stay here for 14yrs now??

Tuck Mcatee

Well location and cost are still relevant, and I moved to Kingsmill to be close to family too; but you know, when I visited this airport back in 2007, it reminded me of the privately-owned airport where I started out as a teenager, back in St. Louis MO...the guy who owned that one was just like Larry (the owner here), out there working every day to keep the place running. It makes it a really special place and you know there’s some heart behind the operations.?

Ava Barsoom

What would you say is the best part about JGG??

Tuck Mcatee

The best thing is the community. The area and community this airport serves is wonderful, and the community of the airport itself is wonderful too…a great group of people who give back to aviation too. The people here came together in 2014 and started the local high-school flight scholarship program and many continue to support it. The airport hosts an FAA certified flight school and maintenance facility…this place is a small family, small town feeling, but has a huge impact on everyone. ?

Ava Barsoom

Do you have a favorite memory about being involved in this community you love??

Tuck Mcatee

Probably just all the flying, my own and seeing others. Especially the young HS kids and the start of the Williamsburg Aviation Scholarship Program. ?

Ava Barsoom

Do you have any advice for someone interested in being a pilot or joining a flying community??

Tuck Mcatee

You have to just try it. It’s not for everyone… you need a certain attitude and work ethic, but you’ll never know if you don’t try it. ?

Ava Barsoom

Well thank you, Tuck. I don’t have any more questions. Is there anything else you’d like our readers and the local community to know???

Tuck McAtee

Well, I have to give my praise to three people. The Waltrip’s, specifically Larry and his late wife Jean are the reason this airport is here. Without them, none of us or this would be here. And also Charley Rogers. It takes a team to keep a place going and Charley has been working here a little longer than I’ve been a tenant and dedicated so much of his time to helping this place and the scholarship program become what it is.

Stay tuned for Ava's second interview release later this month!

*This interview was conducted in December 2021 by Ava Barsoom. ?Ava is now in California working towards becoming a Commercial airline pilot. As part of her?high school senior year requirements in the Kempsville Entrepreneurial & Business Academy in Virginia Beach she worked as a Marketing Intern at JGG in 2022.

**Aidan Martin launched his photography side-hustle, MartinAviationPhotography.com, while a senior at Jamestown High School in Williamsburg, Virginia. During the last half of his high school senior year, Aidan worked as a JGG 'jack-of-all-trades' Intern before leaving for college.?He’s now studying Computer Science at Virginia Tech and still posts new aviation photography content at his website.