Shortly after arriving in the Los Angeles area, Whitey could, as often as not, be found at Hollywood Park, Caliente, and/or the Santa Anita racetrack. No, he wasn't taking or placing bets, he was trying to get some training as a jockey. Then again, he could just as easily be found with a buddy at Mines Field. Today its known as the Los Angeles International Airport (they've made some changes since Whitey used it as a hangout). Whitey's friend made model airplanes and they took them to Mines Field to fly them, unless of course they were able to hitch a free ride around the patch in the real thing.

Unfortunately, Whitey's dream didn't get the chance to take hold until the Hughes family moved to Clovis, California. It was there that Whitey got his chance to fulfill his dream and learn to fly. Whitey was able to obtain his student license in eight hours and his private license in thirty-two and could fly anything with a motor and wings.

When Whitey got into the motion picture business, he bought his first airplane, a Cessna 150 and carried such child actors Johnny Crawford, Hal Stalmaster and Jody McCrea. Then Whitey decided to take a chance at flying helicopters. His instructor was Dana Boler, a well-known barnstormer who did some flying with the famous WW II pilot, Pappy Boyington. When it came time for his solo flying test, F.A.A. inspector Bill Dewey suggested Whitey also take the written test because he believed Whitey was a good enough pilot to qualify for a commercial license. Dewey was right.

Whitey then got the now famous stuntman, Joe Canutt interested in flying and before long got another well-known stuntman, Tony Eppers to become the one third owner of a twin engine piper and they all went out to quality for a multi-engine rating.

While working on the Wild Wild West, Whitey tried to get the shows star, Robert Conrad interested in flying but Conrad passed. However, Robert did become interested in flying while shooting the BAA BAA BLACKSHEEP series about the exploits of WW II flying ace, Pappy Boyington and purchased his own plane. Whitey's next dream is to skydive before he gets too old. What the hell, if George Bush can do it, why cant Whitey?