By Howard Deevers
When we hear the phrase “Day Care Center,” we immediately have an image of some place, such as a children's Day Care Center, or even a Day Care Center for elderly adults. Many of us have experienced these with our kids, or even our elderly parents. Don't equate a Day Care Center with a Nursing Home or even and Assisted Living Facility.
And then there is “The Old Pilots Day Care Center.” Does such a thing really exist, you ask? Yes. It is alive and well and living at Ryan Airport, Tucson, Arizona (KRYN). 
But before you go looking for this place there are a few things you need to know.
First of all, you need to know that there is NO sign hanging outside of ANY building at Ryan Airport that identifies a location as “Old Pilots Day Care Center.” Secondly, it is not really a Day Care Center at all. It is not a club; there is no admission charge, no dues to pay, no obligation to show up, no invitations are issued, no one is turned away, and there is no discrimination of any kind within the walls of this small office. The only identification that you are in the right place is a small sign on the wall that states:
OLD PILOTS
DAY CARE
CENTER
NOT LICENSED, INSURED, LEGAL
REGISTERED, OR SENSIBLE
That sign is on the wall behind the desk of the Manager of the Mobile Aire Hangars at Ryan Airport. No one is quite sure just how long that sign has been there, but no one will dare to remove it either. Of course, that is not the only thing on the walls of that office space. There is an old wooden prop, pictures of airplanes, parts of a shirt, and other things that are sacred to that small office. I did not measure the space but can guess it is about 8 X 12 feet with two windows, one door, and room for one desk and chair, and 6 other chairs. It has a dual use heater/air conditioner on the south wall that keeps the space comfortable when needed. And a counter with a small sink and space for a coffee maker. The cabinet above is stocked with many coffee mugs that have been 'donated' over the years.
The official business hours of the office are from 7:30 to 11:30 Tuesday through Saturday; closed on holidays. The manager, John, makes a pot of coffee first thing of every morning. There does not seem to be any official schedule for donuts, cookies, or other morning snacks. They show up with one of the visitors of the day almost every day. Some days there is only coffee, and no one complains about that either. If there are too many goodies, John has a way to store them in a refrigerator in the adjacent storeroom, and bring them out the next day. For times that the 6 chairs are already filled, there is overflow seating outside at two picnic tables that are frequently occupied by “members.”
Most topics of conversation are around aviation. Many of the regulars there have built their own airplanes or have one in construction. Technical advice is handed out free of charge on just about any building project. The members tell of what went right and what went wrong on projects that they have worked on, are working on, or have completed. Other than aviation, just about any subject can be passed around. You can disagree, but the only rule is no shouting or rude behavior to any other members.
The term “old” has no meaning. There is no upper or lower age limit to attend. Naturally, with the number of retired airline pilots or military pilots that come on a regular basis, there are plenty of stories to share. Some are actually true, and all are interesting to listen to in any case. You don't have to be a retired airline pilot, or military, to have interesting stories to tell. Since there are many single and twin engine airplanes right outside of the office, these pilots have stories to tell also. One member, on his 90th birthday, came to RYN before sunrise, and before the tower opened (opens at 6 AM), and flew 3 different airplanes, all tail-draggers, before 7 AM. I am pretty sure that one of the local TV stations would have covered that story, if they knew about it, but they didn't know about it, and now it is history.
The senior members are just as thrilled when a younger student pilot does his/her first solo flight and stops by the Old Pilots Day Care Center looking for the instructor sipping a cup of coffee. The ceremonial shirt tail cutting will be met with many congratulations from members that are there on that day and time.
There are many welcoming places in aviation, at big airports and small remote airports. Some are FBO operators that go out of their way to be friendly and helpful. I have landed in all of the lower 48 States and Hawaii, but never in Alaska. Alaska remains my last fly-to destination. The “Old Pilots Day Care Center” is not an FBO, or repair station, but you will never find a more friendly place, and if you do need assistance, it will be offered by any number of those in attendance that day and time. All you have to do is find the place.