The Plane Scoop. A publication of the Central Valley Aviation Association

Transcription

1 The Plane Scoop A publication of the Central Valley Aviation Association COLONEL CLARENCE BUD ANDERSON HONOR LUNCHEON RECAP By Morris Garcia The Colonel Clarence Bud Anderson (WWII P-51 Triple Ace with 16 ¼ Victories) Luncheon on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at Fresno Sierra Sky Park was a resounding success. Sponsored by Central Valley Aviation Association (CVAA) and Fresno EAA Chapter 376, it was held to honor Colonel Anderson for his military service to America during combat missions in WWII over France and Germany, during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. Chuck Carson, CVAA s publicity chairman was able to arrange major media coverage by all four Fresno TV Stations, Channels 24, 26, 30 and 47. The event included the arrival of Colonel Anderson by air via Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics beautiful 1941 Staggerwing, Queenie. A 1941 Cadillac Limousine with Chauffer drove the Colonel to the hanger where he exited to a Red Carpet while 150+ members of CVAA, EAA and guests waved American Flags and the Air Force song played over loud speaker. After the excellent catered lunch, Colonel Anderson gave a very poignant and riveting talk accompanied by photos and film clips about his combat experiences during WWII over France and Germany. There were 28 pilots in the Colonel s initial pilot class in Only 14 returned after WWII, including Colonel Anderson. Colonel Bud Anderson received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his talk with a big Thank You for all of his service to America. Bud sold and personally autographed 88 copies of his wonderful book, To Fly and Fight. All of the CVAA members, EAA members and guests had a great experience meeting and talking with Colonel Bud Anderson. Another wonderful event! Page Mar/April 2018 In this issue 1 Bud Anderson March 10 meeting recap EAA recognized the event in their on-line publication and you can read that article on this link: -local-airport/? mkt_tok=eyjpijoitkrjd09xumlzamt4tkrrmcisinqioijcl2rqztu3acs0zw9t ana3ukf3ouxln005ytbxq3dkautmym9hefjmofdpuezuwun0ovrwd WlaYnZ4eVVPQW5rUUloQTFsZHBiakFlNGpvK3lrdVFpeng5WGpBY3JNTkVw R0diN0trejBzNkVCRDNVbWRDZXNMRUJBWVA2eU80M3kifQ%3D%3D You can find all the great photos from the event posted on the CVAA website at:

2 Page 2 CVAA Meeting Presentation on April 7 Instead of a speaker at the regular meeting on April 7, CVAA will present the first of four episodes of A Fighter Pilot s Story ; the emotional and eye-opening movie made in 1993 of the experiences of Quentin Aanenson, a P47 fighter pilot in World War II. You will want to come out for each of these exciting episodes and learn what it was really like to fly a fighter plane in WWII. Quentin Aananson training photo Sustainable Aviation Project Alpha Electro Aircraft Arrive and Take Flight On March 13, 2018 at 8:37 am, two 40 foot container trucks rolled through the entrance to Fresno Chandler Executive Airport carrying four (4) Pipistrel Alpha Electro aircraft and four chargers for the Sustainable Aviation Project. A team of 5-6 local volunteers along with the U.S. distributor and California dealer for Pipistrel helped unload the aircraft from their containers. They had been at sea since December and traveled 3/4 of of the distance around the world to arrive in Fresno. The uncrating took about 2 hours, but installation of the wings and horizontal stabilizer took only about 10 minutes per plane due to the great design of the system by Pipistrel. The battery packs were still between 43-53% State of Charge even after three months in the containers. Airworthiness certificates were issued by the FAA a week later and the first flight was completed on the afternoon of March 23 about 3:30 pm. A small crowd of local pilots watched as pilot Joseph Oldham and observer Doug Betts climbed aboard N244AR, checked the systems, and started the nearly silent electric motor. Take-off was rapid as the motor came to full power at over 65 kw at about 2,400 rpm. Climb was 1,300 ft/min with 15 degrees of flaps. Power was reduced to 40 kw at 300 AGL and the plane climbed to 2,400 ft MSL over Chandler. After circling for about 15 minutes and watching the power consumption, Joseph brought the Alpha Electro in for a perfect landing using the 25 degree flap setting and spoilers on final. The flight of N244AR on March 23 marked the first flight of a production all-electric aircraft in the United States! April Activities April 7 Regular Meeting, KFCH Sheriff s Air Squadron meeting room, 9 am. Movie: A Fighter Pilot s Story, Episode 1 April 12--Board Meeting, 6:30 pm, location is Airport Manager s Conference Room, Chandler Terminal Building at 510 W. Kearney Blvd., Fresno, CA. April 17 Ribbon cutting and unveiling of Alpha Electro aircraft at 10 am in front of FBO 9 at KFCH.

3 Page 3 Calendar of Events 2018 SUSTAINABLE AVIATION PROJECT PIPISTREL ALPHA ELECTRO AIRCRAFT One of CVAA s members, Mr. Joseph Oldham, was the initial spark to put together an electric powered aircraft program. This program, called the Sustainable Aviation Project is for the purpose of providing a small fleet of Pipistrel Alpha Electro aircraft for flight training at reasonable costs to new Central Valley Pilots and for existing pilots who wish to experience the quietness and vistas when operating these aircraft. Various governmental agencies are involved including the Cities of Mendota and Reedley. Charging stations for these aircraft will be located at Mendota, Reedley and at Chandler Airport. Four (4) Pipistrel Alpha Electro aircraft have been purchased and arrived March 13. A press event and ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at Fresno Chandler Executive Airport on April 17 at 10 am. Location will be in front of FBO 9, the hangar formerly used by Alan Buchner. Please refer to for project updates and video of the first flight. 4 th ANNUAL REMEMBER WHEN FLY-IN AND CLASSIC AIRCRAFT AND CAR SHOW This year s Remember When event will be held on September 29, 2018 at Fresno Chandler Executive Airport. The event will start at 9am and run to 4pm; with all aircraft and cars involved arriving prior to 9am and leaving after 4pm. Various aircraft and car related vendors will participate. AIRCRAFT RIDE PROGRAM: CVAA has provided aircraft rides for a fee utilizing EAA s Ford Tri-Motor Aircraft at the past Remember When events. EAA is unable to bring the Tri-Motor west this year. CVAA is working with several other groups in hopes of continuing the ride program utilizing either a Ford Tri-Motor or DC-3. MISTY PILOTS: This year s Remember When event will include a presentation by noted aviator, Dick Rutan and local aviator, Chuck Shaheen. They will talk about their experiences as Misty Pilots during the Vietnam War and the covert operations involving the Misty Operation. There were only 157 Misty Warriors flying two-seated USAF F-100 Fighters as Fast Forward Air Controllers seeking out targets for bomb-dropping fighters over North Vietnam. Chuck, as a pilot and Dick as weapons officer, were shot down on their very last mission over the hostel north. They will tell their story and fill us in on the details that most of us never knew about. Their book, Bury Us Upside Down will be available for sale with signatures by both Dick and Chuck. CLASSIC CARS: We also hope to have a noted speaker relative to Classic Cars and the auto industry. More on this later. The general admission crowd continues to grow each year with an expectation of 1,500 plus this year. FIELD TRIPS There are also plans for Aviation related field trips by CVAA members, including a trip to the Ronald Reagan Library on June 23. If you are interested in going on this trip, please contact Mark Cannon for details. CVAA is also planning a Young Eagles flight event later in the year, at Fresno Chandler Executive Airport.

4 Page 4 Bud Anderson Luncheon Financial Recap Bud Anderson Event 3/10/2018 Income $2, Direct Expense ($1,943.55) $ Donation Acknowledgments EAA Hanger Use Morris Garcia Bud and Kelly's Hotel Car/Fuel Fresno to Auburn Bud and Kelly's Dinner Flags Red Carpet Jim Shamp Plane, Time, Fuel Pat Napolitano Plane, Time, Fuel, Wings Lunch Sarah Donaldson Table Décor Christy Anderson Table Cloths Arnie Schweer Car Use / Fuel Bill Campbell Ice Cream/Cake/Desserts Donations: Unknown Amount Rick Emerian Yard work, pylons, cleanup Tim Sowell Photography CVAA Officers and Board Member Candidates for 2018 President: Morris Garcia Vice President: Joseph Oldham Treasurer: Sarah Donaldson Secretary: Christie Anderson Board Members Joe Kulbeth Pat Napolitano Mary King John Pugliese Chuck Carson Jim Shamp Mark Cannon Rick Emerian Arnie Schweer

5 Page 5 March 29 Central Valley Community Foundation Gala at FCH More Photos on Next Page (Photos courtesy of Suzy Simons Photography)

6 Page 6 March 29 Central Valley Community Foundation Gala at FCH (Photos courtesy of Suzy Simons Photography) An Amazing Night for Chandler!!

7 Page 7 Central Valley Aviation Association Membership Application or Update Name: Membership: Single Family Spouse s Name (If family membership): (we encourage family membership) Address: Street, City, State: Zip: Telephone: Home:, Work:, Cellular: address: (Print carefully) I would like to receive the Plane Scoop via Yes, No Airplane (you usually fly): Type:, N number:, Colors): Date of birth (just the month and day not the year): Primary member:, Spouse:. How many years have you been a member of CVAA? (estimates are OK) CVAA Service: Please list any offices or committee positions in which you are interested in serving: Please list any talent or skills you have that you would be willing to use to serve CVAA: This information will be printed in our Club roster and distributed to members only. Please omit any information you do not want to appear in the Club roster. Mail application, with $20 single membership or $25 for a family membership to: Sarah Donaldson 1959 Gateway Blvd., Suite 102 Fresno, CA If you have already paid your dues please complete the form anyway and mail it or hand it to Sarah Donaldson. Comments or suggestions: