EAA CHAPTER EAA Chapter 119, 60 Aviation Way, Watsonville Airport, Watsonville CA 95076

Transcription

1 EAA CHAPTER 119 FLIGHTLINE EAA Chapter 119, 60 Aviation Way, Watsonville Airport, Watsonville CA May 2010 The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was the first mass produced, four engine heavy bomber. It is still one of the most recognized airplanes ever built. It was most widely used for daylight strategic bombing of German industrial targets during World War II as part of the United States Eighth Air Force. EAA s B-17 Aluminum Overcast At Watsonville May 4-6, 2010 The name Flying Fortress was coined by Richard Williams, a reporter for the Seattle Times who gave this name to the Model 299 when it was rolled out showing off its machine gun installations. Boeing was quick to see the value of the title and had it copyrighted for use. Among the combat aircrews that flew bombers in World War II, noted aviation writer Martin Caidin reported that the B-17 was referred to as the Queen of the Bombers. The B-17 was noted for its ability to take battle damage, still reach its target, and bring its crew home. It reportedly was much easier to fly than its contemporaries and its toughness more than compensated for its shorter range and lighter bomb load when compared to the Consolidated B-24 Liberator or the British Avro Lancaster heavy bombers. Before the advent of long-range fighter escorts, B-17s had only their.50 in M2 Browning machine guns to rely on for defense during bombing runs over Europe. As the war intensified, Boeing used feedback from aircrews to improve each new variant with increased armament and armor. The number of defensive guns increased from four 0.50 in machine guns and one 0.30 in nose machine gun in the B-17C, to in machine guns in the B-17G. But because the bombers could not maneuver when attacked by fighters, and during their final bomb run they needed to be flown straight and level, individual aircraft struggled to fend off a direct attack. A 1943 survey by the Air Corps found that over half the bombers shot down by the Germans had left the protection of the main formation. To address this problem, the United States developed the bombgroup formation, which evolved into the staggered combat box formation where all the B-17s could safely cover any others in their formation with their machine guns, making a formation of the bombers a dangerous target to engage by enemy fighters. Luftwaffe Jagdflieger (fighter pilots) likened attacking B-17 Damaged on Bombing Mission over Cologne, Germany (USAF Photograph) Continued on page 4.

2 EAA CHAPTER 119, 60 AVIATION WAY, WATSONVILLE AIRPORT PAGE 2 President s Corner Welcome to May already. It has been a busy year so far. We got through Day in the Sky with an event that wasn t what we wanted but turned out pretty well. Thanks to the EAA 119 members who helped out, especially Dan Kelsey and his ramp crew. The decision to not to fly was pretty tough and caused a few tears in some kids, but it was the right decision at the time. The two main issues were that there was a perceived partnership between DitS organizers and EAA119. You could nit-pick the details but there really was a partnership and EAA just can t do partnerships any more. Many folks noted airshows where there is a Young Eagle rally at the same time, but the separation between the rally and the airshow is pretty clear. Neither depends on the other to happen. That isn t true with DitS up to this year. The other issue was the inability to get insurance that also covered adults in the aircraft rides. That may not be really necessary but it was an issue we weren t prepared to work in the time available. Normally we don t insure adults that ride our planes in orientation rides, but with the partnership with DitS organizers, that gets complicated and lines are blurred. The plans for an August Moffett / RHV Take Flight for Kids are still in limbo and we will be helping them work these issues with EAA. But a very nice event did take place on 17th of April. There were close to 2000 people at the airport, the airport got a lot of good publicity and it was fun. Jessie Panzer was even persuaded to bring her Pitts out to show off. On the ground. John Davi is still busy getting ready for the visit by EAA s B-17 Aluminum Overcast in May. He has volunteers to help on the line and in the gift shop. We also raffled off one ticket for a ride on the 4th or 5th, won by Peter Plinck from Salinas. All of the tickets were sold, so a nice little chunk of change for the chapter early in the year since we don t have an Airshow until September. Movie night Chris showed Those Magnificent Men and Their Flying Machines and he has more movies in the can to bring to us. Harry Fox from Hollister s Bay Area Soaring Association talked about soaring the Southern Alps of New Zealand with lots of movies, stories, and information about soaring. Quest Richlife, the owner of Hollister Gliding Club also came and provided some information about getting the rating and the activities there. For May, the B-17 will be at Watsonville and the first day of flying will be complete. The chapter meeting will be a dinner that starts at 6pm, $5 per head from Said s Little Tampico. We will be getting a Chapter photograph in front of the plane after dinner and the program will start about 7pm with the B-17 crew talking to us. It should be a fun time and early evening, so mark your calendars and maybe bring a friend. The final note and the saddest is that our member Jim Young passed away in April. A memorial BBQ at Tom Hoyt Park was held on 25 April with a fly-over by the RV formation group with Scott Randolph. Jim was a great chapter member and Young Eagles pilot with his big yellow Cessna 210 giving over 137 rides to his credit. He will be missed by many.

3 PAGE 3 Chapter News EAA Chapter Minutes April 6, :30pm ~28 members present Visitors: Manny Stewart and Anthony Oliveras. (Also Harry Fox and Quest Richlife, owner of Hollister Gliding Club) Rob motioned for approval of March minutes, John Davi second, none opposed. Tom summarized finances on behalf of Mary. Old Business B-17: John Davi handed out assignments to volunteers. May 3rd arrival. Drawing for the B-17 raffle winner will take place at the board meeting. School in Hangar: The school will be leaving some of the heavy equipment in the hangar once they leave. A regional occupational program may be interested in taking their place. After a review of the calendar of upcoming events, Sean recommended a website called myairport.com, which is described as the craigslist of aviation. The webmaster might be an interesting future speaker. 7:55 general meeting adjourned, break. 8:10 Presentation by Harry Fox from Hollister s Bay Area Soaring Association on flying gliders in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. At the end of the meeting Quest made information available about local soaring opportunities. EAA CHAPTER 119, 60 AVIATION WAY, WATSONVILLE AIRPORT Young Eagle Supporters, Our Young Eagle rallies start on May 1st. I hope we have as fun and successful a year as we had during the previous. I will say thank you in advance for all your work and support. I am always amazed at what we get done, and how we touching kids. Let s keep it going! The dates of all our rallies are listed below. Attached is an article about a Young Eagle going on to become a pilot, one of the hoped for outcomes of our rallies. You never know how our efforts will affect these young lives, but I believe we are making a difference. As always, if you can respond and let me know if you plan on being at the May rally, it would be much appreciated. Day in the Sky: No flying this year at Day in Take care and see you on the 1st! the Sky, however volunteers are encouraged for ground support or for static aircraft displays. John Davi will have the hangar open. Tom Hail will have his Bonanza on display and Gryphon will also have his Tecnam LSA s on display. Rob Wyland EAA Chapter 119 Young Eagles Coordinator The 2010 dates for the Young Eagles program are: Saturday, May 1st Saturday, June 5th Saturday, July 3th Saturday, August 7th Saturday, September 11th (due to Watsonville Airshow) Saturday, October 2rd Saturday, November 6th B-17 Ride Winner! Congratulations to Peter Plink for winning the B-17 raffle drawing. He recently completed ground school at Ocean Air and started flight training there. Chapter 119 Membership Flightline is published monthly and sent to all Chapter 119 members either by or in hard copy. Membership in Chapter 119 is $15 per calendar year. Checks payable to EAA 119. Mail to: 60 Aviation Way, Watsonville, CA 95076

4 EAA CHAPTER 119, 60 AVIATON WAY, WATSONVILLE AIRPORT PAGE 4 Continued from page 1 a B-17 combat box formation to encountering a fliegendes Stachelschwein, or flying porcupine. However, the use of this rigid formation meant that individual aircraft could not engage in evasive manoeuvres: they had to always fly in a straight line, which made them vulnerable to the German flak. Additionally, German fighter aircraft later used the tactic of high-speed strafing passes rather than engaging with individual aircraft to inflict maximum damage with minimum risk. Late in World War II, in Operation Aphrodite, at least 25 B-17s were fitted with radio controls, loaded with 20,000 lb of high-explosives, and dubbed BQ-7 Aphrodite missiles. Attacks on the German bunkers in France were also initiated by the Americans using radio controlled bombers packed with 25,000 lb of Torpex and TN, called Aphrodite drones, The drone was flown with a B-34 Ventura being used to control the aircraft and crash it onto its target. The first four drones were sent to Mimoyecques, Siracourt, Watten and Wizernes on August 4, causing little damage. On the 6th, two more B-17s were crashed on the Watten V2 rocket site with little success. The project came to a sudden end with the unexplained mid-air explosion over the Blyth estuary of a B-24 Liberator, en route for Heligoland piloted by Lieutenant Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., future U.S. president John F. Kennedy s elder brother. British authorities were anxious that no similar accidents should again occur. Because few (if any) BQ- 7s hit their target, the Aphrodite project was scrapped in early /Chapter 119 Officers and Position Holders President Tom Hail info@eaa119.org VP Scott Randolph info@eaa119.org Secretary Gryphon McArthur info@eaa119.org Treasurer Mary Doherty maryatscruz@aol.com Director Chris Laws info@eaa119.org Director Mike Nelson info@eaa119.org Director & Hangar Boss John Davi info@eaa119.org Young Eagles Coordinator Rob Wyland info@eaa119.org Membership Bill McBride info@eaa119.org Tech Advisor Dennis Thomas info@eaa119.org Tech Advisor J.R. Warmkessel jr@warmkessel.com Flight Advisor Flight Advisor Larry Baker info@eaa119.org Director & Webmaster Richard Yee webmaster@eaa119.org or Newsletter Brian Moffet moffetb@cruzio.com Copy editor Naomi Brokaw wordstakewing@skyhighway.com

5 PAGE 5 Appeals court sides with California pilots Local groups stand firm against encroachment By Sarah Brown (AOPA) The city of Watsonville, Calif., violated state law when it approved a plan to eliminate safety zones around Watsonville Municipal Airport to develop the area, an appeals court affirmed March 15. Local pilots have been battling to protect the airport for years: The Watsonville Pilots Association (WPA), the Friends of Buena Vista (FBV), and the local Sierra Club filed suit against the city after it modified safety zones to allow high-density housing close to the airport. The California Court of Appeals decision demonstrates that cities and counties cannot ignore the protections the state has put in place for airports and affirms the power of local aviation groups in protecting airports. This is a tremendous win for pilots in California and airport preservation, said AOPA Vice President of Local Airport Advocacy Bill Dunn. Airport sponsors can t simply change airport master plans and airport safety zones just to accommodate development that will encroach on the airport. EAA CHAPTER 119, 60 AVIATION WAY, WATSONVILLE AIRPORT May 2006 and adopted the general plan. Local pilot Dan Chauvet led the WPA efforts in opposition to the city s plan, and their efforts have paid off. A state superior court ordered the city to set aside its certification of the environmental impact report, its approval of the general plan, and its 2005 resolution amending the airport master plan. Now, the appeals court has upheld the 2008 decision that the city violated the California State Aeronautics Act and the California Environmental Act (CEQA) because it failed to adequately analyze the impact of its plan on aviation, traffic, and the water supply, and failed to consider a reasonable range of alternatives. Watsonville Pilots Association s Dan Chauvet has been a one-man army in keeping this issue on track and moving forward, said Dunn, who has spoken with local pilots about the efforts at Watsonville. Chauvet s dogged efforts demonstrate how pilots can make a difference by engaging in their communities, Dunn added. Be involved in issues affecting your airport. Active involvement by the local pilot and airport user community can and do have a positive impact. In 2005, the city had modified its airport master plan to reclassify crosswind Runway 8/26 to a low activity runway and modified safety zones in order to allow high-density residential development adjacent to the airport up to 2,250 new units in the Buena Vista area as part of the city s 2030 general plan. The city certified the environmental impact report in CLEAN 1957 CESSNA 182A. TT Engine 721 SMOH, prop 818 since full service. Only $49,500. King Avionics, Complete logs since new. Annual due July Contact Doug Glass at (831) or (831) Wanted / For Sale

6 Watsonville Chapter 119 Experimental Aircraft Association Watsonville Municipal Airport 60 Aviation Way Watsonville CA Events Calendar May 1, 2010 Young Eagles Rally. 10:00 am Watsonville Airport, EAA Hangar. May 4-5, B17 Aluminum Overcst at Watsonville Airport To book a flight please call May 4, 2010 EAA Chapter Meeting, 6:00 pm EAA Hangar. Watsonville Airport. May 19, Monterey Bay Ninety-Nines meeting. 7:00 pm 2010 start, 60 Aviation way, Watsonville. May 26, Watsonville Pilot s Association meeting. 7: pm start, 60 Aviation way, Watsonville. May 29-30, Hollister Airshow. 10 AM - 4 PM. See www hollisterairshow.com Welcome the Aluminum Overcast & Its Crew to WVI and EAA Chapter hours - Dinner in the 119 Hangar- $5/person 1900 hours - General Meeting including talk by B-17 crew and chapter photo with the B-17