Webmaster for FirstAeroSquadronFoundation's (FASF) website. Also the CEO of the 501C(c)(3) aviation history-oriented FASF non-profit, which is dedicated to the Birth Place of American Airpower and Rebirth Place of American Civil Aviation in 1916 & 1917 in Columbus, NM.
Once again, from Aviation News Scout, Virg Hemphill, at left, come this short 1:40 minute video clip from an Australian TV Station about the American built personal (Cirrus SF50 “Vision”) Jet arriving down under. Anyone with just a private pilot’s license can fly this new flying machine. At almost $2 million dollars, this is not for every private pilot, but it is, comparatively speaking, about the most inexpensive, yet commodious of such jets available for personal use. It caries the pilot and five passengers in modular seating.
And, the above short (1:35) video about this Vision Jet is by TIME Magazine.
Just so we don’t think this is the only jet sold and/or used for purely personal purposes, let’s take a look at some of the other “private” jets now flying around the world. Here, below, is a video about the “10 Most Expensive Private Jets in the World”. The video is 10:37 long:
And, let’s not forget the new home-built “Experimental” personal “Subsonex” JSX-2jet), the leader is mass produced single place single engined self-build home kits. This video is only 3:40 long. This new airplane is built by SONEX Aircraft, LLD
This summer, the company came out with a two (2) place version, which self-built kit will cost about $114,000, however the single place version will come in at well below $100,000. Their manufacturing facility is in Oshkosh, WI, the home of the world’s largest annual air show.
From what we know, the first personal kit-plane designed personal jet, is still probably the smallest of them all, and was first built and flown back in the early 1970’s, the ship, its kit built by the Bede corporation, was named the BD-5, and it appeared all across the U.S. in many airshows, where it performed numerous crowd-pleasing aerobatics. Here is their website.
And here. above, is an 11 minute video from the cockpit of a short flight in the BD-5. The video that follow this above one, will show you the kit used to make it..
ALL PHOTOS IN THIS POST MAY BE SEEN* IN HI RESOLUTION BY SIMPLY CLICKING ON THEM
This Saturday, five active FASF members were again invited to join the base’s 49th Wing as it graduated the latest group of 11 new USAF Lockheed F-16 “Viper” fighter pilots, all members of the 8th Fighter Squadron’s Class 19-CBF.
Attending the evening’s celebratory dinner were Daedalian Flight 24’s Flight Captain, Colonel Mario Campos, it’s Adjutant, Colonel Bob Pitt,Ric Lambart,Colonel Miles “Cowboy” Crowell, and AFROTC Cadet Major, Ammber Valverde, Daedalian Scholarship recipient and currently the youngest member of the FASF. Ammber is a Junior at both the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and New Mexico State University’s (NMSU) AFROTC Detachment 505.
A ‘Blue Team‘ F-16 from the 388th Wing, 421st Fighter Squadron, the “Black Widows“, flies high above the Nevada desert during a training exercise. Taking a break from the action below the clouds, this F-16 from Hill Air Force Base prepares to take on fuel from an awaiting KC-135 Tanker from the Washington State Air National Guard.
11 F-16 Viper student pilots graduated from the 8th Fighter Squadron’s F-16 Basic Course, during a ceremony at Club Holloman, Saturday, December 14th, 2019.
Graduating students, parents, wives, faculty and guest line up to enter the dining room for the graduation dinner.
The F-16 B-Course is a 37-week long course required for all student pilots. On average, B-Course students log 70 hours of flying time over 59 sorties in addition to roughly 245-hours of academic training and 69-hours of flight simulator training.
The dessert table had the class cake appropriately designated.
The 49th Wing is the Air Force’s premiere F-16 and MQ-9 Reaper aircrew training wing. Graduates of the F-16 B-course will be reassigned to operational flying units throughout the world as members of the combat Air Force.
L to R; Public Affairs Office Photographer, Staff Sgt.Christine Groening, listens to Col. Cowboy Crowell describe his tour in Vietnam conflict as Colonel Mario Campos listens. Both men are active FASF members.
Well into its middle age (it was 1st flown 45 years ago in 1974) the “Fighting Falcon” (it’s official original name, which has been almost thoroughly replaced by the more popular and honored name – The “Viper” – one assigned to it by its many pilots over all those years). As seen immediately below, the Viper remains the chosen exhibition jet for the renown USAF Thunderbirds, which have used its extreme maneuverability in their airshows for 36 straight years.
The above video shows some typical operational F-16 Squadrons carrying out their missions including some hi-resolution cockpit footage.
Colonel Bob Pitt and AFROTC Major, Ammber Valverde talking about her upcoming career in the USAF and of her intent to also become a fighter pilot. Both are active members of the FASF.
Here are the 11 proud members of the graduating Class19-CBF:
Capt. Justin Goar; 1st Lt. Seth Bolon; 1st Lt. Alexander Drakoulakis; 1st Lt. Austin Gillis: 1st Lt. Michael Kelvin; 1st Lt. Tyler Olson; 1st Lt. Colin Ruane; 1st Lt. Landon Santori; 1st Lt. David Schmitz; 1st Lt. Domenick Stumpo; and 1st Lt. Zachary Tarbox.
PAO Staff Sergeant Christine Groening and Colonel Bob Pitt.
Originally designed and manufactured by General Dynamics Corporation and then licensed to for production by Lockheed Martin Corporation, the newest model of the fighter was first put into action just four years ago. It is the newest variant of F-16 fighter jet, known as the F-16V “Viper.” The F-16’s cost the USAF about $38 million each – – – and it cost the USAF about $3 million to train each of these F-16 fighter pilots to master this nimble 4th generation fighter.
Lt. Col. Miles “Cowboy” Crowell and Cadet Major Ammber Valverde.
8th Squadron Commander, Lt. Colonel “Harm” Finch, addresses the audience to help kick of the ceremonies.
PAO Staff Sergeant Christine Groeningin action.
L to R: Col. Bob Pitt, LC Miles “Cowboy” Crowell,and Cadet Major Ammber Valverde
8th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-16 Flight Instructor,Capt. Brittany “Blitz” Trimble, who organized the entire event, addresses the audience.
View of North part of Dining Hall at the Holloman Club, with (L to R) in foreground, Cols. Bob Pitt and Miles Crowell
View to the SW in Holloman Club’s Banquet Hall. In foreground (L to R) are Cols. Mario Campos, Bob Pitt and Miles Crowell.
Event’s Guest Speaker, Brig. General Joseph McFall,Asst. Deputy Commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, and Asst. Vice Commander, 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force.
Graduating Student, Capt. Justin “Hamboar” Goar, presents the class’ thank-you to Guest Speaker, General McFall.
L to R: Captain Justin “Hamboar” Goar, one of the graduating students, presents Capt. Brittany Trimble,with a thank-you gift from the Squadron and its students for having masterminded and planned the entire graduation event – a complex program which unfolded without a hitch!
L to R: Captain Goar, of the 19-CBF graduating Class, presents THE BEST INSTRUCTOR AWARD to Major Locke.
FASF member and Daedalian Flight 24 Captain, Col. Mario Camposdescribes Daedalian History and the Flight’s Leadership Award.
L to R: Cols. Bob Pitt and Miles Crowell along with Cadet Major Ammber Valverde, watch the Daedalian Award presentation by Col. Campos.
Col. Camposcongratulates Leadership Award Trophy winner, Lt. Colin “Huds” Ruane, who will be in his new active duty assignment at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea in a few weeks.
Veteran Viet Nam Fighter Pilot, FASF and Daedalian Flight 24 member, Col. “Cowboy” Crowell presents the coveted “River Rat” trophy to Lt. Austin “Weed” Gillis, who will report to his duty station at Ft. Worth Air Reserve Base in Texas after this graduation ceremony. The “River Rat” award is bestowed upon the student with whom his fellow student fighter pilots would most want to have flying on their wing in combat. The river in the title is the “Red River” and the North Vietnamese Valley through which it flows. The pilots who flew in that theater during Vietnam were affectionately called the “River Rats.”
The 49th Wing Commander, Colonel Joseph Campo (L) presents the Distinguished Student Graduate Trophy to Lt. Domenick “ROK” Stumpo, who will report to Osan Air Base, South Korea, in January 2020.
Again, Col. Campo (L) presents the same “Distinguished Graduate” award to its dual winner, Lt. Seth “Faded” Bolon, who will be reporting to Kunsan Air Base in South Korea for his 1st post graduation duty assignment.
FASF members, (L TO R): Cols. Mario Campos, Bob Pitt, and “Cowboy” Crowell and Ammber Valverde, applaud the graduates as they received their diplomas.
L to R: Cols. Mario Campos, and Bob Pitt,Daedalian Awardee, Lt. “Huds” Ruane, Col. Miles Crowelland River Rat Awardee, Lt. “Weed” Gillis, and Ric Lambart.Photo courtesy of PAO Staff Sergeant, Christine Groening
L to R: Ammber Valverde, Capt. Brittany Trimbleand 49th Wing Commander, Col. Joseph Campo
L to R: Ammber Valverde, Capt. Brittany Trimble, Cols. Bob Pittand Joseph Campo.
Ammber Valverde (L) discussing USAF flight training program with Capt. Brittany “Blitz” Trimble.
Ammber is a Junior at UTEP and with the NMSU AFROTC Detachment 505. She wants also become a fighter pilot.
This was a good opportunity for Ammber to learn what’s ahead for her as she gets prepared for USAF active duty.
Ammberand Capt. Trimble continue to cover Ammber’s future prospects.
Colonel Campoand LC Crowell reliving some of their combat experiences. Col. Crowell, an FASF member and a Flight 24 Daedalian, is now retired from active duty with the USAF, and works at Holloman as a private contractor.
Col. Campos (L) talking with a Master Sergeant assigned to the 8th Fighter Squadron.
Captain Brittany “Blitz” Trimble and Cadet Major Ammber Valverdepose by the 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron’s official Emblem.
The Viper is broadly used throughout the world by powers friendly to the United States, and still remains the preferred aircraft for the world famous USAF Demonstration Team, the “Thunderbirds.“
The Oct. 16 flight in Fort Worth, Texas, marked the first time the venerable fourth-generation fighter flew with an advanced radar like those found on the fifth-generation fighters F-22 and F-35, according to a press release this week from Lockheed.
The F-16V includes an APG-83 active electronically scanned array scalable agile beam radar made by Northrop Grumman Corp. The company also makes so-called active electronically scanned array radars for the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The new radar steers beams electronically — without moving parts — and redirects them from one location to another, according to the Government Accountability Office. Unlike a passive version, the radar spreads signals over multiple radio frequencies, making them difficult to detect and jam, and allowing the aircraft employing the technology to remain stealthy.
The APG-83 “fire control radar provides 5th Generation air-to-air and air-to-ground radar capability,” Lockheed said in the release. It “will deliver a quantum leap in capability for the venerable F-16.”
The F-16V advanced avionics configuration also includes a new cockpit center pedestal display, a modernized mission computer and a high-capacity Ethernet data bus, according to Lockheed.
Yet the upgrades aren’t slated to hit the U.S. fleet of more than 1,000 F-16s. The Air Force last year canceled a plan to upgrade some 340 of the single-engine fighters with such enhancements due to budget limitations and instead decided to fund other programs, including the F-35.
So Taiwan is set to become the first country to begin flying the F-16V Viper.
Lockheed, the world’s largest defense contractor, faces competition from the British defense giant, BAE Systems Plc, in the international market to upgrade many of the 3,000 F-16s now flying in foreign armed forces.
Of those, roughly 1,000 are more than 15 years old — making them prime candidates for enhancements to avoid obsolescence. While the F-16 won’t ever compete in the skies with newer jets like the F-22 or F-35, upgrading fourth-generation aircraft is far cheaper than buying fifth-generation fighters.
* If you would like to have any of these photos, feel free to download them from the hi-res (larger size view), after you click on it as it appears in the actual post/story.
The following 37 minute film is from the archives of the USAF. We dedicate it to those veterans of the Cold War among our members, in particular to one of our Aviation News Scouts, Charlie Overstreet, who accumulated many hours in this Boeing Strategic Bomber, as well as in the successor B-52 Stratofortress, which is still on active duty to this day.
Short (7:18) clip of B-47 Stratojet movie featuring Jimmy Stewart:
Trustee Bill Wallace IIIat main entrance to his office
When Bill Wallace III (at left) was first elected to the FASF Board of Trustees, he was the full-time manager, in Columbus, NM, of the CATTLEMEX corporation’s local cattle marshaling and Auction facilities on the Mexican Border a few miles South of Columbus.
But, some three years ago, Bill purchased a new home in Santa Teresa, NM, in the same private development in which another former Trustee and now Advisor, John Orton, lived. This new home put Billin much closer proximity to his new work place, the Santa Teresa Livestock Auction, located at the large U. S. Border Port of Entry at Santa Teresa, NM.
In another few months, Bill’s relatively new enterprise will celebrate if fourth year of successful business at the new facility. Just today, Bill successfully auctions about 600 head of cattle to American cattlemen. Most of the cattle auctioned by Bill’s business come from Mexico, while most of the buyers are American Ranchers and Cattlemen. His average number of livestock being held at any given time is now approaching 1,000 head. Bill’s operation is the largest such U.S./Mexican Border auction enterprise anywhere on our border with Mexico.
In constructing the new facilities, just as he had done at the CATTLEMEX operation in
Dr. Grandin
Columbus, at Santa Teresa, Bill again had the internationally famous, Temple Grandin, PhD, an animal/cattle behavioral scientist, design the cattle holding pens and chutes. Dr. Grandin is well known for her ability to configure cattle handling facilities that minimize the stress that once posed such a traumatic experience to the cattle that were being processed.
Cattle Pens designed by Dr. Grandin
One immediately noticeable feature of Dr. Grandin’sdesigns is that there are no sharp corners nor straight fence lines. Everything she fabricates for the livestock handling is composed of curves. Here (at left) is and early example of what such Grandin pens look like.
Bill is a partner in the new operation at Santa Teresa and is its full-time manager. This Trustee
L to R: Sr. Vega Vega, and Bill Wallace in Auction Hall
was raised in Mexico at the historic family ranch, Hacienda Rancho Corralitos, the very same ranch at which Bill’s great-grandfather once housed General Black Jack Pershing’s famous Buffalo Soldiers, during the same Punitive Expedition, which gave rise to the First Aero Squadron’s pioneering operation out of Columbus. While your webmaster was visiting with Bill, yesterday, he was regularly interrupted by business cell phone calls, one of those calls is show in this post’s short (:47 second) video clip immediately below.
L to R: Mr. Vegabids goodbye to Bill.
Because Bill deals on a daily basic with both Mexican cattlemen and Americans, his bi-lingual language skill comes in more than handy. Because of the international nature of the FASF, we always endeavor to have a number of Trustees that are also fully bi-lingual. Our other two Spanish speaking members are our Treasurer, Alma Villezcas, who, like Bill, is also from Casas Grandes, Mexico, and our retired professor of Cultural Anthropology, Dr. Kathleen Martín, our previous 1st Vice President.
Billstands behind his Auction Auditorium and nearby his new corrals and chutes.
When your Webmaster lived in Arizona for 20 years, first in Tucson, and later in Phoenix, I often saw and/or visited the world famous aircraft “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, but more often, its equally well known Non-Profit Pima Air and Space Museum at the Southern border of that large air base. The museum has a wind-fall of retired war planes literally sitting in its own backyard. The following official United States Air Force video (9:25 long) tells the interesting story of both the famous “boneyard” – – – and of its neighboring museum.
The U.S. Navy formerly maintained its own Boneyard, but up to the West of Phoenix, Arizona, at Litchfield Park. However they closed that in the early 1960’s, and consolidated the Defense Department’s storage needs with the much larger – and drier – Tucson Davis-Monthan facility.
Hopefully, you might find this video story about the “Boneyard” interesting, and certainly informative. The video is a fascinating insight into our own history.
For a separate yet spectacular 360 degree view of this huge airplane boneyard, visit our previous movingly (it is in motion!) graphic post of three years ago,right here.
[Although about four years old, you might still enjoy it at full-screen mode on your computer]
Thanks to our long-time Member, and Aviation Scout, Jerry Dixon (at left), we see the latest video released by the United States Marine Corps Recruiting Office. It may show only a few short glimpses of their new F-35B variant (Vertical Take Off and Landing capability) Lightning II, but we think you might like its message and delivery. The video speaks for itself, so not much need to add any more.
Thanks, Jerry!
Below is the short (4:04 minutes) USMC video entitled:
Long time FASF member and Founding President of Chapter 1570 of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), John Keithly, (at left) decided to retire from the helm of this relatively new yet top-performing EAA unit.
The chapter is locatedat the Doña Ana County International Jetport (KDNA) in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and meets at least once each month, at 11:00 AM, on the second Saturday at the War Eagles Air Museum (WEAM) at the Jetport.
Although a relatively new chapter among almost 1,000 chapters across the globe, the 1570 has already set some notable records: At their first promotional visit of the Ford Tri-Motor 1920’s Airliner, for instance, the new chapter set an all-time high number of rides, even compared to major cities across the U.S. The FASF had a post with videos of this event in April two years ago,right here.
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is an international organization of aviation enthusiasts based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States. Since its inception it has grown internationally with over 200,000 members, and hosts the largest aviation gathering of its kind in the world, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
Any photos in this post may be seen in full-size and high resolution by simply clicking on them.
At yesterday’s meeting, an election was held for the new officers for the coming year. Here are the results:
New President: Rick King
Vice President: John Signorino
Secretary: Andy Werner
Treasurer: Jorge Vielledent
Asst. Treasurer: Bob Dockendorf
Young Eagles Dir: Tomás Peralta
Scholarship Dir: Melissa Keithly
Membership Dr: Laura Ditlevson
Newsletter Editor: Kathleen Whelen
Before hearing from the guest speaker at the meeting, Melissa Keithly made an announcement about the progress of the EAA Chapter’s new Scholarship recipient flight students:
Name of Scholarship StudentOriginal GrantSpent to dateBalance Remaining
Jesse Tsougas $ 3,000 (2,914-) –
Laura Ditlevson10,000 (6,930-) 3,070
Caleb Molinar 3,000 (2,472-) –
Sergio Olague 4,000 (3,851-) 149
Ava Moreno 10,000 (10,098-) (98)
Robert Lopez Valazquez 10,000 (8,734- ) 1,266
Melissa reported that a total of $40,000 had already been granted for student Flight Training Scholarships. After sharing the above Scholarship Award Students’ financial status report with the members, she then announced that Robert Lopez(below 2 photos) had already soloed, and had also completed his solo cross-country flight.
L to R at rear: Melissa Keithly gives Robert Lopezhe souvenir SOLO T-SHIRT.
L to R: Robertodisplays his newly achieved SOLO T_SHIRT to the members at Scholarship Director, Melissa Keithly smiles with satisfaction..
After the election for new officers was held and various reports made, as that of Ms. Keithly’sScholarship Program, the speaker for the day, Terence“Mike” Epp was introduced by President Keithly, who described Mike’s colorful work history and explained that Mike had done some important work on both of John’sairplanes, as his official A & P (FAA Certified Airframe and Powerplant technician).
Long time FASF member, Bob Dockendorf (WEAM Executive Director),Mike Perez,,andMike Epp.
Asst. Treasurer, at rear and standing, Bob Dockendorf, reports on the Chapter’s Financial Status. In foreground, L to R are chapter member, Elissa Huggins, and guest speaker, A&P Mike Epp. In background are (L to R): Melissa Keithly and Mary Dockendorf. Bobalso announced the details of the upcoming “A SALUTE TO VETERANS” Charity fund-raising extravaganza entitled “RADIO STARS OF THE 40’S / “ON the AIR” featuringBob Hope, Jack Benny, Red Skeltonand Jimmy Durante, presented by some exceptionally talented professional impersonators. Tickets for the event are limited to only 300 guests and the price per seat is $75.
L to R: A & P, Elliot Werner and John Orton (FASF Advisor – both are International Jet Port Advisory Board members), wait for the meeting to begin.
Among the Announcements made during the meeting, Daniel Barcena (at center rear) described the upcoming Fabens’ Airport Aviation and Automobile Event he created and his promoting for Breast Cancer Awareness, this coming October 26th and 27th. Danieland his fiance, Aurora Vargas, a cancer survivor, flew in to the meeting in his Van’s Experimental airplane. As usual, several other members also flew themselves into the Jetport for the meeting.
Long time FASF member and Chapter VP, John Signorino(above), reported on the Chapter’s Fly Outs and other events.
John Keithly announces his retirement as President and opens the floor for nominations, as the election takes place.
President Keithly introducing guest speaker, Terrence “Mike” Epp.
Mr. Epp opens his colorful talk about his some 40 years of flying experience from his first solo in his father’s Piper Tri – Pacer to more current times as both an A&P specialist and as a transport and DEA Contractor pilot. Mike was also Private Investigator , wildlife photographer, and novelist – to mention what seem like just a few of his talents and unusual life experiences.
Mike Eppconcludes his entertaining presentation on his aviation exploits and other adventures.
Once again, the Order of Daedalians, Flight 24, of El Paso, Texas, attended the graduation of the 311th Fighter Squadron’s newly qualified F-16 Viper pilots. The Squadron is stationed at Holloman Air Force Base near Alamogordo, NM. As usual, the Daedalians were privileged to make an award to the student chosen to be the most outstanding leader among the graduates.
All photos below may be seen full-size and in high resolution by simply clicking on them.
F-16 Vipers in close formation
L to R: Former Fighter Pilot, Colonel Bob Pitt and S/Sergeant Emily Killingbeckspoke at length during the social hour preceding the ceremonies. The sergeant is from Sacramento, CA.
Making the presentation at this ceremony was FASF President, Ric Lambart. The honored recipient of the award this time was Idahoan, Lt. William “Fogs” Jaundalderis, who will leave shortly for Kunsan Air Base, in the Republic of South Korea.
The event was opened by Senior Master Sergeant, Chris Calhoun (below left) , who sang for the graduates and their some 400 guests, his exceptionally well-performed version of the national anthem. The event was held in one of the Squadron’s F-16 hangars at the base.
L to R: Senior Master Sergeant, Chris Calhoun, opening ceremonial singer, converses with Sergeant Emily Killingbeck.
Long retired Vietnam Fighter pilot, Colonel Bob Pitt, and Sergeant Killingbeck discussed life in the modern Air Force.
L to R: Chief Master Sergeant Sarah Esparza and her husband, Pete, chat with two guests from Alamogordo. Chief Master Sergeant Esparzais the highest ranking non-commissioned officer at Holloman Air Force Base.
L to R: Col. Bob Pitt,Col. “Knuckles” Campo, Commander of the 49th Wing, and Daedalian Flight Captain, Col. Mario Campos.
L to R: Sergeant Killingbeck,one of the 311th Instructor’s wives and the 49th Wing Flight Surgeon
Graduates pose as a group by their squadron Commander, Lt. Colonel Shulman’s,Viper. NOTE: The 4th and 5th pilots from the left above are the only 2 female aviators in this class.
Lockheed Martin F-16 Viper of the South Carolina Air Guard flies into action with a full load of armament.
At Left, Ric Lambart gives brief history of Daedalian Flight 24 and of its origins at Holloman Air Force Base in 1969. Photo by Colonel Mario Campos.
L to R: Ric Lambartcongratulated winner of the Daedalian Leadership Trophy, Lt. William “Fogs” Jaundalderis. Photo by Colonel Mario Campos.
L to R: FASF member and Daedalian, Colonel Miles “Cowboy” Crowell, presented coveted “River Rat Wingman” award to Lt. Tyler Rico. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Autumn Vogt)
Recipient of the Top Gun Award for Air to Ground Skill was Lt. Aimee Fiedler (at right above), one of the only two women in the class. She will soon be stationed in the Republic of South Korea.
Center, above: The other female Fighter Pilot graduate at the ceremony was Lt. Mary “Torch” Nicklas, who will be stationed in Italy. Nicklasis displaying her new graduate’s diploma.
L to R above: All Daedalians and FASF members, Miles“Cowboy” Crowell, Ric Lambart, Leadership Awardee, Will “Fogs” Jaundalderis, Daedalian Flight Captain, Colonel Mario Campos, and Colonel Bob Pitt. Lt. Jaundalderis is a new FASF member.
President Wes Bakerof the 555 Chapter of the EAA, at Las Cruces International Airport, arrives in his Vintage Cessna 140 for the meeting.
This past weekend, the RGAC (Rio Grande Aviation Council) held its Fall quarterly meeting at the WEAM (War Eagles Air Museum) at the Doña Ana County International Jetport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.
In the words of one of the RGAC’s original two founders, Bob Dockendorf, “This newly formed organization is designed and purposed to improve and enhance communication between the many diverse groups that are involved in the regional aviation community.”
Thirteen (13) representatives of the some twenty odd member aviation industry concerned organizations attended. The two group photos below show those representatives who were able to attend this past Saturday.
All this post’s photos can be seen in hi-resolution and full size by simply clicking on them!
The RGAC’s governing member organizations include the following:
Amigo Air Sho
Cielo Dorado HO Association
Civil Air Patrol – Squadron 215 – El Paso
Civil Air Patrol – Squadron 24 – Las Cruces
Dust Devil Flying Club
EAA Chapter 1570 – Santa Teresa, NM
EAA Chapter 555 – Las Cruces, NM
El Paso Aviation Association
El Paso Remote Control Association
First Aero Squadron Foundation
Horizon City Remote Control Flyers
Las Cruces Aviators Flying Club
Mesilla Valley Model Airplane Club
Ninety-Nines – El Paso Chapter
Order of Daedalians – Flight 24 – El Paso
Quiet Birdmen
USAF Academy Association
USAF JROTC, Las Cruces HS, NM
USAF ROTC Det. 505, UTEP
USAF ROTC Detachment 505 NMSU
War Eagles Air Museum (WEAM)
L to R seated: Tania Privette, and WEAM Director and one of the RCAC founders, Bob Dockendorf, and EAA’s John Signorino work on meeting’s details.
Other profit-oriented or governmental organizations involved in local area aviation such as the Airfield Managers of KDNA (Dona Ana Jetport); LRU (Las Cruces International Airport); El Paso International Airport; Fabens Airport (Texas); The Commanders of Army Aviation’s Biggs Field and Holloman Air Force Base; Director of the UTEP Aero Apace Department; Managers of the Tenants at the New Mexico International Space Port and the Director of NMSU’s Physical Sciences Lab, along with the Elephant Butte Irrigation District . . . are engaged as members of the non-voting class of associate membership in the Council.
The actual governing of the Council is primarily determined by the non-profit educational aviation consumer oriented groups active in the region.
L to R front row: John Signoriino, Tania Privette,Ric Lambart– Back Row: Tracy Short, Aurora Navarro, Daniel Barcena, Mike LeGendre, Col. Mario Campos, Wes Baker, Eric Gensheimer, Todd Pasont, Bob Dockendorf, and Juan Brito.
Below, the group of representatives also gathered by the “Women in Aviation“ Display inside the WEAM main hangar (see below photo).
L to R: Ric Lambart, Aurora Navarro, Daniel Barcena, Tracy Short, Tania Privette, Mike LeGendre, John Signorino, Col. Mario Campos, Eric Gensheimer, Todd Pasont, Juan Brito, Wes Baker, and Bob Dockendorf – we don’t know the helmeted manikin’s name.
NASA has just announced that its new X-57 “Maxwell” all electric powered test plane is ready for testing. This will be the first time this all electric aircraft will be tested by the Space Agency.
NASA’s X-57 All Electric Powered Test Ship
With the arrival of the X-57 Maxwell at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) in California the Space Agency can begin ground testing, which will the be followed by actual flight testing. Edwards is also where virtually all new USAF aircraft are given their first testing routines.
NASA’s X-57 Maxwell, the agency’s first all-electric X-plane and first crewed X-planed in two decades, is delivered to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California in its Mod II configuration. The first of three primary modifications for the project, Mod II involves testing of the aircraft’s cruise electric propulsion system. Delivery to NASA from prime contractor Empirical Systems Aerospace of San Luis Obispo, California, marks a major milestone for the project, at which point the vehicle is reintegrated for ground tests, to be followed by taxi tests, and eventually, flight tests. X-57’s goal is to further advance the design and airworthiness process for distributed electric propulsion technology for general aviation aircraft, which can provide multiple benefits to efficiency, emissions, and noise.
This all-electric X-57 is just one of a number of modified vehicles that will not only help NASA researchers test electric propulsion systems for aircraft, but will also help them set up standards, design practices and certification plans alongside industry for forthcoming electric aerial transportation options, including the growing industry springing up around electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft for short-distance transportation.
