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Contrails: An Errant Airman
By Steve Weaver
This shot of the Beechcraft Twin Bonanza was taken at the Aurora, IL airport in 1987. (Glenn E. Chatfield)In my early days in aviation, many of the errant airmen that I happened upon were WWII vets and sometimes ex Army Air Corps flyers; as a young pilot, their age and experience seemed to me to afford them a certain license to be… well, different.
One of those types that come readily to mind would be Richard. Richard B. was the owner of a Beechcraft Twin Bonanza and he and the airplane were memorable to me, since they were the only twin/pilot combo that dared to frequent our 1,600-foot sod strip. He was from Elkins, just a few miles to the east of us and he flew the mighty Twin Bo in pursuit of his business as a lumber broker. He also flew it in pursuit of a covert heart’s interest that happened to reside in our town, hence the frequent visits by the big twin.
Editorial: All We Can Do is Rant?
By Ed Downs
The title of this month’s column is both a statement and a question. Follow along and see if you can decide which interpretation is correct. With patient understanding from the editors and production team of In Flight USA, this writer has been waiting until the last minute, hoping for good news from AirVenture 2013 regarding the outrageous fees assessed by the FAA to support this year’s EAA program.
Regrettably, as of the time this is being written (EAA AirVenture 2013 is underway), the fees still apply and even Congressional efforts have had little or no positive effect.
The FAA tossed in an additional insult by officially announcing that FAA Administrator Michael Huerta was not going to attend the traditional “Meet the Administrator” event at AirVenture 2013. Virtually all FAA activities at the program were canceled, including Wings course participations and safety seminars. The official FAA explanation was that budget constraints prevented the FAA from attending and Administrator Huerta had previous plans made months earlier.
What's For Breakfast?
By Dr. Susan Biegel MD, AME
Everyone has heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and this is especially true for pilots. Skipping a nutritious breakfast and having only coffee and a danish is tantamount to putting water in your airplane’s fuel tank. You depend on your airplane engine to perform well, and you should want your body and mind to be performing at top capacity as well. After not having had any food all night, it’s time to fill up with quality fuel, not fuel that’s going to give your body a rocket burst of energy and then fizzle out like a used up firework leaving you fatigued, irritated and not thinking sharply. Your brain and body need to be at peak performance and resilient, able to respond and think quickly. What are some key nutritional guidelines in your operation manual to getting your day started off right?
Homebuilder's Workshop: Fetching the RV-8
By Ed Wischmeyer
The RV-8 in flight. (Courtesy of Ed Wischmeyer)For quite some time, I’ve figured that the RV-8 was probably what would best meet my needs and desires in a sport airplane. There have been any number advertised for sale, many with over-personalized paint jobs, excessive equipment, and astronomical price tags.
Eventually, though, one showed up on the west coast that looked pretty good, and at a good price. However, there are plenty of homebuilts of all sorts out there with beautiful cosmetics but shoddy wiring and engine installation. Those fears were allayed when it turned out that a long-term friend knew the airplane, knew the builder, and knew the seller. Plus, the picture of the engine installation showed numerous details nicely done. As a bonus, those frustrating piano wires in the hard to reach parts of the cowling had been replaced with Dzus fasteners. With absolutely no bargaining on the price, I mailed off a deposit check.
EAA Petitions Federal Court on FAA ATC Charges
Winners Announced for the 16th Annual EAA AirVenture Cup
Race 91, Bruce Hammer, taking off in his Glasair I TD from Mount Vernon Airport on the morning of July 28. Mr. Hammer won 1st Place in the Formula FX Blue division. (Photo courtesy of Geoff Sobering).The winners have been announced for the 16th Annual EAA AirVenture Cup cross-country air race.
The race started at 9:30 a.m. July 28 departing from Mount Vernon, Ill. with two turn points before ending in Waupaca, Wis. for a total mileage of 460 nm. The fastest aircraft of the day was a Turbine Legend, flown by Marty Abbott who came in at a time of 1:17:55 and an average speed of 354.30 mph.
A total of 48 aircraft raced in the event, which included experimental and certified aircraft categories. Two of the aircraft, both Glasair I TDs, where flown by Steve and Bruce Hammer, who have been competing against each other in the race since 1998. Bruce beat his bother this year by just under six minutes.
National Naval Aviation Museum's Golden Anniversary
New Exhibit Is Veritable Scrapbook
(Courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum)A new exhibit created on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the opening of the National Naval Aviation Museum is a veritable scrapbook telling our story.
Golden anniversaries only come around once and, in the case of the National Naval Aviation Museum, this year marks that momentous milestone. While the museum was established with its mission outlined by the authority of the Secretary of the Navy in 1962, not until June 8, 1963, did it open its doors to the public for the first time. That 50-year story is told in a new exhibit that has opened on the museum Quarterdeck.
The summer of 1963 was a monumental time in American history as the Civil Rights Movement swept across the South and American astronauts rocketed into space taking the early steps towards realizing President John F. Kennedy’s goal of reaching the moon. In popular culture a band called the Rolling Stones released its first single and moviegoers were first introduced to a spy fond of martinis shaken, not stirred. That year New York Yankees slugger Mickey Mantle made $100,000 dollars and Jack Nicklaus captured the first of his six Masters titles.
X-47B Makes First Arrested Landing at Sea
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brandon Vinson
USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Commun-ication Specialist 1st Class Arif Patani/Released) The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator completed its first carrier-based arrested landing on board USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) off the coast of Virginia July 10.
“It isn’t very often you get a glimpse of the future. Today, those of us aboard USS George H.W. Bush got that chance as we witnessed the X-47B make its first ever arrested landing aboard an aircraft carrier,” said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. “The operational unmanned aircraft soon to be developed have the opportunity to radically change the way presence and combat power are delivered from our aircraft carriers.”
Today’s demonstration was the first time a tailless, unmanned autonomous aircraft landed on a modern aircraft carrier.
Jay Quetnick: Ninety-Two-Year-Old Pilot Renews Medical Certificate To Begin His 75th Year In The Left Seat
By Herb Foreman
Jay Quetnick at the Sky Kitchen Cafe in San Carlos, Calif. (Courtesy of Herb Foreman)I wrote my first article regarding Jay’s career in the air in 1993. He was a sprightly pilot at 70 years of age with 54 years in his logbooks. His first solo was in the wonderful J-3 Cub at the Palo Alto (Calif.) Airport in 1939. Jay was a student at Stanford University and had taken advantage of the Civilian Pilot Training Program and the ROTC. Upon his graduation in 1941, he became a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, as well. The renewal of his medical will celebrate the beginning of his 75th year in the left seat. Amazing!
Disney's Planes Draws Record Crowd to AirVenture Theater
AirVenture "Objectives" Met During Aviation Week!
New Season of The Aviators to Premiere at EAA AirVenture
Disney's "Planes"/Corsair Event at Planes of Fame, Chino
13 Talented San Diego, Calif. Region High School Graduates Receive College Scholarships from San Diego Air & Space Museum and Convair Alumni Association
The San Diego Air & Space Museum’s mission statement is to inspire young people to tackle the challenges of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics academic disciplines and to make-a-difference in the world through an innovative, adventurous spirit. To further this goal, the Museum and Convair Alumni Association have selected 13 students in the San Diego region to receive scholarships. The scholarships are given annually on behalf of three Museum-administered scholarship funds: Bill Gibbs, R.A. “Ken” Rearwin and the Convair Alumni Association. To-date, 245 talented San Diego students have been awarded $672,000.
“I’m very proud there are many students studying math and science,” said Donna Lilly, president of the Endowment Board at the Museum. “The U.S. really needs to keep up with the global market for math and science in the field of technology.” “Every year we interview so many outstanding students,” said Charles Pinney, member of the Endowment Board. “Their accomplishments are unbelievable.”
As Nellis AFB Grounds Aircraft, Training Goes Virtual
By Staff Sgt. Gregory Brook
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron takes off from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., to participate in a Joint Forcible Entry exercise over the Nevada Test and Training Range May 31, 2013. Under the Air Combat Command stand down that took effect June 1, the aggressors will be grounded through the end of the fiscal year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Daniel Hughes) The skies over southern Nevada are quieter than they have been in quite some time due to the June 1 Air Combat Command directed stand down of flying operations.
Despite the stand down, the 64th Aggressor Squadron remains committed to accomplishing their mission, said Lt. Col. Michael Shepherd, the 64th AGRS academic assistant director of operations.
“Our motto is ‘know, teach and replicate,’” Shepherd said. “As Aggressors, we are subject matter experts in a field of adversary tactics or systems anywhere from airplanes to missiles to actual tactics to electronic attacks.”
The 64th AGRS is assigned to the 57th Adversary Tactics Group at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Their primary mission is to provide support to the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Red Flag exercises, the various test and evaluation squadrons and to provide training to units in the Combat Air Force on adversary tactics.
Editorial: “Federal Event Fees” Are a Reality
By Ed Downs
As most readers know by now, the EAA was given a short notice demand for nearly half a million dollars for services to be rendered by the FAA at AirVenture 2013. The fact that such services have already been paid for and delivered in the past, or that the FAA does not have the legal jurisdiction to levy user fees without Congressional consent seems to have no bearing on this action. This is a purely political move by the political leadership of the FAA as directed by the Executive branch of our Government.
Numerous other aviation events that have involved FAA coordination or services have also received notification that “event charges” would apply, resulting in a number of show cancellations. Such federal charges are not limited to EAA AirVenture or even to aviation events. An “event charge” does not need identifiable users that are getting “more than their fair share” of services. An event could be any activity that utilizes federal resources in the conduct of the event, even if only on a casual basis. This could easily include security issues for large sporting events, perhaps a charge to implement required TRF’s over large outdoor gatherings. NASCAR races are heavily aviation related, ideal targets, and even a local rodeo could end up with federal fees from the Department of Agriculture. The potential of “event” related revenue sources is virtually limitless. Point this out to those who brush off AirVenture as simply a party for rich guys. They are next.
Kokomo, Indiana’s Fifth Annual Wings and Wheels Air and Car Show
By Mike Heilman & Ed Wells
Cliff Robinson races a motorcycle down the runway in his modified PT-17 Stearman. Robinson, an airshow veteran, has appeared in more than 300 airshows during his career. (Mike Heilman)It was the little show that could. The 5th annual Wings and Wheels Air and Car show was held June 8 at the Kokomo Indiana Municipal Airport (OKK). The one-day event was billed as the largest airshow in the state of Indiana in 2013. Kokomo can make that claim since the Indianapolis and Gary airshows cancelled due the Congressional sequester. The event drew an estimated 4,000 people.
The annual event is used as a fundraiser with proceeds from food sales and VIP seating going to local charities. The Event Coordinator, Pam Wild, explains “Our show is completely free, no admission at all. The pilots are not monetarily compensated in any way. All they get is a T-shirt and breakfast and lunch. They get gas for the show and the trip to get here. It is an all-volunteer show. We have the support of the City of Kokomo and they are our biggest sponsor.”
World War II Weekend – A Step Back in Time
By A. Kevin Grantham and Stan Piet
The photograph depicting the flag raising at Iwo Jima was the most iconic image to emerge from World War II. Here the Marines from the Living History Detachment, Paris Island expertly recreate that heroic event. (A. Kevin Grantham) Everyone in their life has, at one time or another, wished they could go back in time and witness some historical event. Technology has come a long way, but as far as your authors can tell, no one has come up with a reliable time machine. But if you are interested in World War II history, there is a place located near Reading, Penn. that annually transforms itself into a magical world of 1940s culture. The event, held by the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum (MAAM), is better known by the thousands of people who attend it each year as World War II Weekend.
The following this event has cultivated over its 23-year span is one of the things that make World War II Weekend so special. The show opened on Friday June 7, 2013. Tropical storm Andrea was skirting the area and one may have thought that the wind, coupled with the buckets of rain, would have deterred many from attending. That was not the case. The gates did not open unto 8:30 a.m. but the line to get in started forming 
Airshow performer Michael P. Kennedy posing in front of his beloved BT-13. Lt.Col. Kennedy puts on a one-of-a-kind aerobatic routine in his vintage basic trainer. (A. Kevin Grantham) some two hours earlier. “We are very blessed to have such a following,” said Museum President Russ Strine. “This show is our single largest funding source, so we are very thankful for all the people who support this event.” Fortunately the bad weather cleared over the weekend, and many people showed up in 1940s era clothing, all wanting to be part of the gathering. Attendance records were not available at time of this article but most agreed that the show drew a record crowd.
Military Aviation Museum
By A. Kevin Grantham and Stan Piet
The de Havilland Dragon Rapide. One of the museum’s crown jewels. This particular airplane was originally built in 1944 and is restored to resemble the aircraft that was ordered by the Prince of Whales in 1935. (A. Kevin Grantham)Virginia Beach, Va. is well known as one of the best places on the east coast to visit and enjoy the surf and sand of the Atlantic Ocean. It is also the home of Gerald “Jerry” Yagen’s Military Air Museum, which is quickly becoming a major attraction for the resort town.
The museum was established in 2005 and is located on the privately owned Virginia Beach Airport in Pungo, Va. It is only about a 15-minute drive from the shore to the museum. The first hint that something special is ahead is when the red and white water tower appears on the horizon. The museum’s 1930s era hangars come into site a few yards farther down Princess Anne road, and as you turn into the entrance you are instantly greeted by some wonderful dinosaur sculptures. This is not exactly something one would expect to see in a somewhat rural area of Virginia, or for that matter at an air museum. But seeing these colorful static creatures brought back fond memories of the roadside attractions that littered the United States during the post-World War II pre-interstate era. No doubt Yagen had that in mind when designing his Jurassic Park gallery.
Nine-O-Nine: The Collings Foundation’s B-17 Flying Fortress
Story Courtesy of
The Collings Foundation
The sixth annual Bomber Camp held at Taigh Ramey’s Vintage Aircraft in Stockton, California was held on May 29-30 featuring the Collings Foundation’s famous B-17 Nine-O-Nine. Being used for the first time to drop 250 lb. concrete bombs this former air-sea rescue SB-17G s/n 44-83575 had last dropped a lifeboat more than 60 years ago prior to taking on this new role. Since its start in 2008 Bomber Camp had used the B-24J ‘All American’ to make the bomb drops, however his year Nine-O-Nine was called on to make two missions at the popular event. Taigh Ramey used the Norden bombsight in Nine—O-Nine to lineup his target for the drop. Safety was observed at all times with Jerry Anderson flying the chase/photo aircraft for the flights. (Jim Dunn) The most widely recognized and revered aircraft type of World War II, the B-17 Flying Fortress, takes to the skies again. The B-17G (Serial # 44-83575) has been returned to its wartime configuration under the auspices of the nonprofit Collings Foundation of Stow, MA and given the name Nine-O-Nine.
The Collings Flying Fortress was built at Long Beach, Calif. by the Douglas Aircraft Company and accepted on April 7, 1945. Although she was too late for combat, #44-83575 did serve as part of the Air/Sea 1st Rescue Squadron and later in the Military Air Transport Service.
In April 1952, #44-83575 was instrumented and subjected to the effects of three different nuclear explosions. After a thirteen-year “cool down” period, #44-83575 was sold as part of an 800-ton scrap pile and Aircraft Specialties Company began the restoration of the aircraft.