Texas A&M University at Galveston Sea Camp Photojournalism Class July 7-13, 2024
Written by: Colette Eppeneder and Alannah Pape
Edited by: Aimee-Anali San Miguel
Photographs by Students: Adelina Lee, Aimee-Anali San Miguel, Ella Hanft, Magdalene Rollins, Colette Eppeneder, Alannah Pape,
Charlotte Loughran
Photographs by Camp Counselors: Leah Shearer and Irene Rivera Perez
Photography Instructor: Robert Mihovil
Winston Lee Larison is an aircraft mechanic and pilot who has a passion for antique planes and cars. Winston was born in Galveston, Texas on June 29, 1977—what locals call a B.O.I (Born on Island). As a kid, Winston was intrigued by airplane models in a local shop. He and his grandfather, a plane enthusiast and Winston’s greatest supporter, would often make and fly the models. They would go to fly-ins close to his childhood home. It was these fly-ins that sparked Winston’s love for aviation.
Winston was 13 years old when he flew in a small airplane for the first time, from Bolivar Peninsula. When he was 15, he actually got to fly his first plane at Wolfe Airpark. Just two years later when he was 17 years old, he earned his certificate at Rice Aviation in Houston, Texas, which was near Hobby Airport. Winston explained that when he attended Rice Aviation, his entire family had his back. “Definitely my grandmother and my mom funded my schooling”. Wolfe Airpark was also where he met his “largest inspiration”, William Bonefas. William was in the Commemorative Air Force and worked alongside Winston in the beginning of his career.
Photo credits left to right: Lea Shearer, Magdalene Rollins, Irene Rivera Perez
When Winston was out of trade school, he married Amy Larison who loves and supports him and his airplanes. Amy says, “Winston puts his visions into action by building projects. Over the years he has built several planes and cars which gave him the funds to help purchase his current Great Lakes plane. He has an amazing work ethic and passion for aviation. He loves to share his knowledge of aviation with others and strives to continually create! He is also inspired by early to mid-1900s history.”
Surprisingly, Winston’s newest airplane is not one that he built, but one that he bought. It is a replica of a 1929 model, Great Lakes 2T-1. It was built in Maine in 1982 and then restored in 1992. It’s an older antique plane and Winston made the propeller and repaired the engine. The plane’s red color and fabric covering are intriguing and incredibly unique.
Winston’s propellers are mostly made of oak wood and birch. He gets other parts of the planes from aircraft suppliers as well as the fabric. Most of his planes are very light, so they can’t fly very far. The farthest he has ever flown was from Washington State to Texas. Winston Lee Larison is a 47-year-old airplane mechanic and pilot who specializes in antique planes. He is a man who can really do it all.
Photo credits
Top left to right: Magdalene Rollins, Aimee-Anali San Miguel
Bottom left to right: Charlotte Loughran, Aimee-Anali San Miguel