Anyone know what happened to Sky Life Flying Camp?

I am that 1969-70 early flight instructor (Dan McLaughlin) who was the cover for the Sky-Life literature. My private pilot picture was the model for the logo. I joined the club at 14 and left at 21 prior to the 1971 camp. I flew in the Navy and am retiring from a major airline this year after 35 years.
Lee was a great flight instructor but a manipulative predator who, in hindsight, abused his position of trust and power as our mentor.
During the early years, at least, a don't think any of his victims knew that others existed. He would flatter, plead, guilt-trip, threaten, lavish gifts upon those he targeted. His abuse went on way too long; but I, for one, was just glad to finally escape and start a new life free of his influence.

Here is a link to a recent New York Times article on the Hackley School where Lee Barnes used to work prior to his founding Sky Like Flying Club.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/02/21...html?referrer=

On Wednesday, April 2, 2014 4:08:13 AM UTC-4, wrote:
Here is a link to a recent New York Times article on the Hackley School where Lee Barnes used to work prior to his founding Sky Like Flying Club.



http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/02/21...html?referrer=

In 1969, when I was 15, I learned about the Sky Life Flying Club from a friend at Horace Greeley High School and was interested because I wanted to learn to fly. The first time I went to the house in Mt. Kisco, NY, Lee Barnes called me to his office, closed the door, and told me I would have to do "calisthenics in the nude" for him if I wanted to join the club. He wanted me to completely strip and do jumping jacks. I knew immediately what he was and what he was trying to do. When I refused, he tried every way he could to convince me to do it, to the point where I became very frightened because he was getting more and more frustrated and angry. I remember I kept thinking, "Where's my father? Why isn't he here yet to pick me up?" My father finally arrived and we immediately left. I told my father what happened and he called the Westchester County DA. My father told me the DA took some action that resulted in the club shutting down and Barnes and the rest leaving the area.

A friend of mine who ended up joining the club said that during his initiation he and the other "first timers" had to completely strip and run around as others shot water guns at them.

I remember the club had boys from NYC who would stay the weekend at the house. I can only imagine what might have occurred during those sleepovers.

I've always regretted not pushing my father to do more, but I think when the DA told my father what would be required of me, he thought it was in my best interests to take no further action. Who knows how many other boys had to suffer because of that decision.

I actually forgot Barnes' name, but I've been searching the Internet for years looking for Sky Life Flying Club in hopes this would finally surface. I'm glad it finally has. If I had remembered Barnes' name, I would have confronted him long ago (as an adult) and made sure he was not hurting any more boys. Apparently, at least according to the NY Times article, he's now dead. If that's in fact the case, I'm glad he's no longer alive to victimize others. If he's still alive, I would like to know where he lives.

I attended briefly,somewhere in the early 70s memory banks.
I quit,as when I got to 5000 feet over the Tappan Zee Bridge,I was given control of the Cessna 150,and Lee put his hand on my thigh, with intent.

As a 15 year old,I also attended an initiation in Armonk,and was blindfolded,and,down to my briefs, asked to trust the initiated,and himself.
I was also allowed unlimited access to "Bali Hai",a very sweet wine,appealing to kids.
Unnderstand,I was a cute kid.Queerbait,I've been told.
When I told my dad why I was leaving,(himself, also a Ww2 vet),called me a quitter and a liar.

Lee Barnes succeeded in breaking a trust between me and my(deceased)father.
I hope this note finds you well, and Barnes burning in some obscure subdivision of Hell.

I'll probably run into him in hell's cafeteria, at some point,but I feel certain we'll be in different departments.

Peace. Out.

On Monday, June 24, 2019 at 11:00:34 PM UTC-4, wrote:
I attended briefly,somewhere in the early 70s memory banks.
I quit,as when I got to 5000 feet over the Tappan Zee Bridge,I was given control of the Cessna 150,and Lee put his hand on my thigh, with intent.

As a 15 year old,I also attended an initiation in Armonk,and was blindfolded,and,down to my briefs, asked to trust the initiated,and himself.
I was also allowed unlimited access to "Bali Hai",a very sweet wine,appealing to kids.
Unnderstand,I was a cute kid.Queerbait,I've been told.
When I told my dad why I was leaving,(himself, also a Ww2 vet),called me a quitter and a liar.

Lee Barnes succeeded in breaking a trust between me and my(deceased)father.
I hope this note finds you well, and Barnes burning in some obscure subdivision of Hell.

I'll probably run into him in hell's cafeteria, at some point,but I feel certain we'll be in different departments.

Peace. Out.

Hello,
Previously I posted my pretty uneventful Sky Life experience, no abuse, just the odd initiation ceremony. In the summer of 2018 my wife and I took a driving tour of New England (we're from PA) and took a detour to stop at the Plateau Skyranch Airport in Northville. I had been wanting to check it out for years and finally had the time and opportunity. The field is still operating, the hanger with the tower is still there, there are more airport buildings than when I attended in the summer of 1974, but the farmhouse and the ground school buildings are still there and occupied. We walked a little way and found the remnants of the shower building. I met the guy that either owns the buildings or the whole airport. He knew of the flying camp.. I was overcome with emotion when I saw the airport and the familiar buildings. I took several pictures to compare to a few pictures I have from 1974. It had been one of the best few weeks of my life attending the flying camp. I never suspected anything until I read some of these stories. I hate Barnes for what he did to the other campers. It should have been a great experience for everyone and he ruined it for them. I still think fondly of my time there, but I now can't think of it without thinking about what else went on.