NEWSLETTER ~ SEPTEMBER, 2015 ~

Transcription

1 NEWSLETTER ~ SEPTEMBER, 2015 ~

2 UPCOMING VETERAN'S DAY EVENT SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7th This year marks the 9th anniversary of the Veteran's Day Event presented by Candler Field Museum. This program has evolved through the years and is now one of the best Veteran's Day celebrations in the region. This year will be no exception. Jack McCormick, an Army helicopter pilot who served in Vietnam, will share his story with us. We are also planning a music concert just prior to the ceremony. The Freedom Belles will be singing along with a local children's choir. As usual, we will have aircraft flybys and static displays. Please plan to attend.

3 The Freedom Belles will be singing patriotic songs prior to the event. Historic WWII Aircraft and Veterans Highlight 2015 Atlanta Warbird Weekend at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport

4 A spectacular fleet of P-51 Mustangs and other World War II warbirds will fill the sky for the second Annual Atlanta Warbird Weekend (AWW) Sept in Atlanta, Ga., at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK). Atlanta Warbird Weekend is open free to the public from 10 am until 4 p.m. each day to see the aircraft, meet veterans and purchase rides in some of the vintage aircraft. Parking will be available for $10.This year s theme will be a Gathering of Mustangs, a rare collection of P-51 Mustangs along with a British RAF Spitfire, German FW-190 and other famous WWII

5 aircraft scheduled to participate at the 2nd Annual Atlanta Warbird Weekend. A special event, Dinner with an Ace, will feature WWII pilot Bud Anderson as guest speaker at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 at the 57th Fighter Group restaurant at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport. Tickets are $125 for this limited seating event. The 2014 dinner was sold out, and everyone enjoyed the evening, said Jim Buckley, CAF Dixie Wing leader. This weekend is dedicated to the remembrance and celebration of the men, women and machines of the Greatest Generation. AWW is designed to be a catalyst to bring together organizations, aircraft and people that keep this history alive, and to engage the public and businesses to preserve the spirit of America s shared past. Our goal is to create hands-on history that brings the era alive and inspires in a way that a textbook simply doesn t, said Jay Bess, CAF Dixie Wing s Executive Officer and program coordinator. This event helps us fulfill that mission, increases awareness of the Commemorative Air Force in Atlanta and raises muchneeded funds for restoration and preservation of our historic aircraft. Veterans groups, re-enactors and educational displays will engage the public with the aircraft and their stories. AWW also will include businesses on the field, such as the 57th Fighter Group restaurant, a WWII fighter-themed business owned by Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame recipient Pat Epps. The airport was originally part of Camp Gordon, a World War I era training camp. In 1940, the U.S. government authorized construction of a military airfield at the site. The airfield began operations on March 22, 1941 as Naval Air Station Atlanta. It has the history, and the perfect location for Atlanta families, along with easy access to major highway routes. Rides on the CAF aircraft can be purchased in advance for a once-in-a lifetime opportunity. Rides are popular with veterans who remember these vintage aircraft, and are equally appreciated by younger aviation fans who never had an opportunity to experience flight in an historic 70-year-old warplane. Rides may be purchased during the show if space is available. Ground tours of these rare aircraft will be available for a modest fee, which helps cover the cost of restoring and touring them. About Commemorative Air Force Dixie Wing The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to flying and restoring World War II aircraft. Based in Dallas, Texas, the organization has more than 12,500 members and operates a fleet of more than 160 World War II aircraft. The CAF was founded to acquire, restore and preserve in flying condition a complete collection of combat aircraft that were flown by all military services of the United States, and selected aircraft of other nations, for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations of Americans. More than just a collection of airworthy warplanes from the past, the CAF's fleet of historic aircraft, known as the CAF Ghost Squadron, recreates, reminds and reinforces the lessons

6 learned from the defining moments in American military aviation history. The Dixie Wing, based in Peachtree City, Ga., was approved as the 83rd CAF unit on Feb.28, 1987 and has since displayed its collection of vintage World War II aircraft in numerous air shows throughout the United States. The wing is a nonprofit, tax-exempt "flying museum" that relies on contributions of time and funds to carry out its mission. YOUTH PROGRAM UPDATE By Jim Hoak, Youth Program Manager The Doug Davis Hangar at the Candler Field Museum continues to be a beehive of aviation activity. The Youth Aviation Program now has thirty-four students involved in the program. There has been a influx of new students recently,who want to get into both the mechanic and pilot sides of aviation. And do we have the projects for them to get involved in! The 1946 Aeronca 7-AC Champ project is entering the final stages of the restoration process. The mentors and students have been busy finishing up the manufacturing and installion of a new Boot Cowl and have just about completed fitting the new windshield. After some final rigging of the throttle and elevator trim, the last interior panels will be installed to go along with the brand new headliner that is already there. All of the holes have been cut in the new instrument panel, awaiting the final instruments to be installed and the refurbished engine mount is awaiting the soon to be completed overhauled engine. That will be followed by fitting the engine controls and cowling. The wings are in their storage rack, just waiting to be put in place soon. We are in that part of the project where we have the proverbial 90 percent complete and 90 percent to go! The students look forward to flying the Champ that they rebuilt! A major mile-stone was recently accomplished with another of our aircraft projects. That being the temporary mounting of the new bottom wings and the rebuilt upper wings of the 1928 Brunner-Winkle Kinner powered Bird. This was necessary to determine that all the necessary fittings, struts and wires were present before going forward with the wing covering process. That is one large airplane! It quickly occupied a large part of our shop space. But there was another neat side story involving this wing mounting exercise. We had a special visitor to

7 the hangar to look at the partially assembled airplane who actually has a direct connection to this particular airplane. Fay Bellah is the surviving widow of the previous owner of the airplane, Gordon Bellah, who flew this aircraft for many years, decades ago. Fay, a private pilot in her own right, has flown in this airplane with Gordon and remembers the good times that they had. She doesn't fly any these days, due to her advancing age, but would love to go for a ride in this airplane again when it is finished. Fay was all smiles when she visited the shop and saw that big old bird sitting there, at least partially assembled. She was also glad to meet some of our Youth Aviation Program students who will cover the Bird with care and put her back in the air. It was nice to have Fay there to put a personal link with the storied past of this great old biplane. This is just a brief look at the current happenings at the Doug Davis Hangar. There are several other projects in work, each moving along toward completion. We really enjoy having visitors to the shop and urge everyone to stop by the Candler Field Museum, visit the Barnstormer's Grill and come to the Doug Davis Hangar. Ron Alexander and Fay Bellah with the assembled Kinner Bird in the background. Picture courtesy of Bill Rial.

8 Gordon Bellah pictured with his Kinner Bird many years ago. Take a look at the automobiles in the background. Aircraft Spruce generously donated a hardware kit for our Sonex project. A special "thank you" for their donation. We are making good progress on the construction of that airplane. The Youth Program is always in need of adult volunteers. You do not have to be an A & P mechanic to work with us. We have several who volunteer each session. If you would like to help out please contact Ron Alexander or Jim Hoak at the addresses below. ronalexander@mindspring.com or planejim@bellsouth.net If you would like to donate money to the program please CLICK HERE and designate your donation to the Youth Program.

9 OSHKOSH 2015 TRIP The following is a commentary by Jim Hoak regarding our trip to AirVenture It is directed to our local EAA Chapter 468. EAA Chapter 468 began having Young Eagle Rallies in the early days of the program. To say that the national EAA program has been a success is an understatement. We've passed the 1.9 million number of young eagle rides at the national level. Some of the young folks who got their first small airplane ride and even their first chance at the controls of an airplane where given that opportunity by EAA Chapter 468 members over the past years. We've seen several of those youngsters go on to become U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots and others who have gone on to civilian aviation careers. Doesn't that just make you feel good about the efforts you have put forth over the years? And guess what; it's still going on. Here's a "story in progress" about a recent EAA Chapter 468 Young Eagle. At the 2015 Spring Young Eagle Rally at Peachstate Aerodrome, a young lady got her first ride with the chapter Young Eagle Coordinator in his C-172. One might say "well what is so special about that"? But here is the rest of the story. This young lady also heard about the Candler Field Museum Youth Aviation Program, ( CFM-YAP ) where several EAA Chapter 468 members participate as volunteer mentors. She does not come from an "aviation family" but her parents agreed to let her participate in the program. She has jumped into the program wholeheartedly so that she can "earn" flying hours and become a "pilot". This lead to another step up the ladder in aviation for this young lady. Barb Kitchens, EAA Chapter 468 President went to great efforts to get some of the students of the CFM-YAP to AirVenture 2015, for at least for a couple of days. With the help of Kieth Lewis, Barb and her band of wide eyed young aviation enthusiasts made it to Oshkosh. At the end of the whirlwind couple of days, there came an opportunity for two of the students to return to Georgia via the Candler Field Express, a vintage ( 1940 ) DC-3. Just riding home on such a plane would thrill any of us old aviators. What an opportunity for a "brand new young eagle". But the story doesn't end there; there's more! It just so happened that, on the flight home, Ron Alexander had gotten out of the left seat of that great old bird for a while and guess who got to get her hands and feet on the controls, in the left seat no less. I'm sure you have guessed it was that young lady, Cayla McLeod, who got her young eagle ride at that EAA 468 Young Eagle Rally earlier in the year. And it still doesn't end there.

10 Cayla now has a Pilot's Log Book, her first one, with the very first entry which shows left seat dual time in a DC-3, signed by her instructor Ron Alexander. The rest of us have tried to get her to understand that there probably aren't many, if any other pilots in the U.S., who have such a first entry in their first Log Book. She's probably the only one. What a way to get started in aviation! Now you know that your efforts in hosting those EAA Chapter 468 Young Eagle Rallies are worth everything that you, the chapter members, put into them! Jim Hoak 2016 EVENT SCHEDULE PLAN NOW TO ATTEND MARCH 5, 2016 GALA DINNER DANCE MARCH 19, 2016 AVIATION CAREER DAY JUNE 4, 2016 VINTAGE DAY NOVEMBER 5, 2016 VETERAN'S DAY MUSEUM FACEBOOK PAGE Please CLICK HERE and LIKE the Candler Field Museum facebook page. We now have OVER 1,400 followers on facebook. Each time you log on you will see news about the museum.

11 PICTURE FROM THE PAST Great picture of Roscoe Turner with Hotel del Coronado (located in San Diego, CA) in the background. He would fly the rich and famous from Los Angeles to the hotel landing on the beach - picture courtesy of museum member Clark Schadle. CANDLER FIELD FLYING CLUB

12 Left to right - FAA Examiner Bill Mercure, new private pilot Jack Emmons and his father Carlos Emmons. Jack is attending the Coast Guard Academy. The Flying Club is responsible for a number of new private pilots over the past few months. For more information on the Candler Field Flying Club please CLICK HERE. NEW WEBSITE BARNSTORMER'S GRILL NOW HAS A NEW WEBSITE CLICK HERE TO VIEW

13 DOWNLOAD OUR NEW APP FOR YOUR CELLPHONE AND RECEIVE SPECIALS AND OTHER INFORMATION. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SUNDAY BUFFET Join us each Sunday for a great buffet served from 11 AM until 3 PM. You will not be disappointed. CFM Board of Directors Ron Alexander, Chairman Regina Alexander Jon Goldenbaum William Hammond Brian Karli John Kuck John Laughter, Jr. Glen Marsh Jack Smith Doug Warner Advisory Board members: Scott Coile Youth Program representative James Hoak - EAA Chapter 468 representative Williams Reynolds Civil Air Patrol representative ************************************************************************** Candler Field Museum, Inc. is a Georgia Non-Profit Corporation, and qualifies under IRS code 501(c)(3) as a charitable organization. All donations are tax deductible. Please consider becoming a supporting member and a regular donor to this worthwhile organization. You may contribute in person, by mail, or CLICK HERE TO DONATE OR TO JOIN THE MUSEUM.

14 Like Us on FaceBook! Candler Field Museum Copyright Phone Located on Peach State Aerodrome, 349 Jonathan's Roost Road, Williamson, Georgia 30292