Tag Archives: EAA

Better-than-new P-47 Thunderbolt debuts at AirVenture 23

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         Virg Hemphill

Here’s a great story from one of our top Aviation Scout Reporters, Virg Hemphill (L), a former USAF ADC Fighter Pilot, Delta Airlines Senior Pilot, a long-time FASF member, as well as the Treasurer of El Paso, TX Flight 24 of the military Aviator Fraternity, the Daedalians.

The story is courtesy of GENERAL AVIATION NEWS and written by Frederick Johnsen.  Virg ads, regarding the P and later the F-47 “Thunderbolt,” this on-point quote from Major General William E. Kepner, of the Eighth Air Force Fighter Command:

 

“If it can be said that the P-38s struck the Luftwaffe in its vitals and the P-51s gave the coup de grace, it was the Thunderbolt that broke its back.” 

Here’s the story:

  The restored Republic P-47D Thunderbolt at AirVenture 2023. (Photo by Frederick A. Johnsen)

The following video is thanks to AirShowStuff which takes some of the finest videos at each year’s AirVenture at Oshkosh.  The Video is just over 5 minutes long.  We recommend watching this video in Full-Screen Mode, by clicking on the FS Square in the lower right.

AirCorps Aviation of Bemidji, Minnesota, walked away with the Grand Champion World War II award and the Phoenix Award at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 for the work they performed on a Republic P-47D Thunderbolt abandoned in New Guinea during World War II.

AirCorps has smartly harnessed computer power to recreate parts from two-dimensional drawings or sample items, creating intelligent computer-aided drafting tools.

Matching that digital savvy, AirCorps Aviation has an eye for vintage construction process details that add to the look and feel of its restorations.

The latest result from the company’s shop is the only flying Republic-built razorback Thunderbolt. (Planes of Fame Air Museum has a flying razorback that is a license-built P-47G made by Curtiss, for the purists in the audience.)

Razorback Thunderbolts have a high fuselage fairing behind the cockpit that narrows to a ridge — or razorback — at its apex.

Erik Hokuf of AirCorps Aviation told a standing-room-only crowd at AirVenture during a Warbirds in Review session that the P-47 incorporates more than 40,000 parts in its large airframe.

The Warbirds in Review ramp at AirVenture allows unique aircraft like the P-47D restoration to be highlighted in popular programs featuring restorers, pilots, and re-enactors as seen in the photo taken from the top of one of the sets of bleachers that were filled to capacity for the Thunderbolt presentation. (Photo by Frederick A. Johnsen)

All the rivets in the P-47 were removed during restoration. The skin is new, and the large ovoid cowling was manufactured in-house by AirCorps.

Construction of the cowling, as well as other externally visible parts of the massive wings and fuselage, involved spot-welding internal structure to the skin.

Frosted silver striping on portions of the wings and fuselage of the P-47 are byproducts of the construction technique used in spot welding skin to the underlying structure. (Photo by Frederick A. Johnsen)

Republic used an acid-etch in strips along the skin where spot welding would take place, and this resulted in a different sheen that stands out on this bare metal airframe.

Formers were temporarily attached to the skin in a few strategic locations with Cleco fasteners to ensure proper fit and alignment before the spot welding was conducted. Subsequently, the Clecos were removed, and the holes for the Clecos were plugged with rivets.

The result is an industrial, functional look that AirCorps reproduced.

Rows of realistic-looking .50-caliber ammunition were placed into the wing ammo bays of the P-47D on display in the Warbirds area at AirVenture 2023. The award-winning restoration left nothing to the imagination in its pursuit of authenticity. (Photo by Frederick A. Johnsen)

Over time, the skin will acquire a patina that diminishes the prominence of the etching stripes.

If warbird rebuilds of 40 or 50 years ago sometimes were shiny and salon-looking, efforts in recent years have emphasized realistic construction details that provide an authentic, and intense, time-machine look.

The knife-edge windscreen of the razorback Thunderbolts is made of curved laminated safety glass. For the restoration, AirCorps outsourced new glass to do the job properly.

Erik Hokuf of AirCorps Aviation has every reason to smile, with the P-47D his team nurtured over 12 years in restoration displayed prominently at Oshkosh during AirVenture 2023. (Photo by Frederick A. Johnsen)

How long does such a restoration from the ground up take? How about more than a decade? The hulk of the P-47 arrived at AirCorps Aviation in 2011.

The P-47 is powered by a Pratt and Whitney R-2800 engine.

But not just any R-2800 would do for this spot-on restoration. It had to be the correct Dash-59 version, properly mated to a Curtiss Electric C542S-A114 symmetrical wide-blade propeller.

While some P-47 restorations fly suitably well with Hamilton Standard propellers, the matching of the proper Curtiss propeller with this engine gives this restoration faster acceleration, pilot Bernie Vasquez told the AirVenture crowd.

He added the high streamlining of the razorback versions of the P-47 create less drag than found on later bubble-canopy Thunderbolts.

Several times during the week Vasquez delighted the Oshkosh crowd with powerful flying demonstrations of the P-47.

It’s an easy time travel back to World War II in the Pacific when Bernie Vasquez put the pristine P-47D through its paces during AirVenture 2023. (Photo by Frederick A. Johnsen)

This P-47, putting out more than 2,300 horsepower, is equipped with a water-alcohol injection tank to cool the engine for brief periods of high-power activity.

 

 

The Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot, North Dakota, is the home of this fabulous warbird. The museum opted to have the Thunderbolt painted in the markings of P-47 ace William Dunham of the 348th Fighter Group.

Dunham earned 16 victories over Japanese aircraft by the war’s end. He is also remembered for a mission in which he watched a Japanese pilot bail out of the aircraft Dunham had just shot.

Stories of Japanese pilots gunning Americans as they drifted in their parachutes initially prompted Dunham to line up on the enemy aviator for that treatment in the heat of battle. But he stopped short of firing at his opposing flier and watched him plunge into the sea, with no life jacket visible.

Dunham flew low overhead and tossed out his own life jacket to the Japanese pilot in the water.

The ultimate fate of that downed enemy flier has been lost to history, but Dunham’s chivalry lives on in the Thunderbolt painted to represent his aircraft.

 

 

About Frederick Johnsen:

Fred Johnsen is a product of the historical aviation scene in the Pacific Northwest. The author of numerous historical aviation books and articles, Fred was an Air Force historian and curator. Now he devotes his energies to coverage for GAN as well as the Airailimages YouTube Channel. You can reach him at Fred@GeneralAviationNews.com.

The Tribute to WWII Triple Ace: Bud Anderson – and the P-51

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Doc Edwards

    Doc Edwards

Thanks to our loyal Aviation News Scout, Doc Edwards (L) of Deming, NM, we have the following collection of videos memorializing not just Bud Anderson and what he accomplished in his now classic WWII fighter, but how his and the plane’s unique legacy continues on – – – long after he and his fellow Air Corps/Force pilots finished their life-and-death task of finally winning over the embattled skies over Europe in 1945.

Then Capt. Bud Anderson under his P-51 “Old Glory” Prop Blades during WWII – 1943

This first short video (7:06) summarizes the EAA’s Tribute to Colonel Anderson:

And there’s more (19:54) here:

Click here to go directly to Bud Anderson’s Homepage on his website.

Former Army Aviator Addresses Daedalians in El Paso, Texas

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    John Signorino

Long-time Life Member of the FASF and also VP of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) Chapter 1570 in nearby Santa Teresa, NM, John Signorino,* was the special speaker at the local Daedalian Flight 24 meeting held at Fort Bliss’ Golf Club, yesterday.  This was the first real meeting since early last year, all because of the restrictions placed upon social gatherings throughout Texas because of COVID.

Although many members are still not ready to attend regular meetings, the Flight did get a reasonable post-COVID turnout of 19 attendees.  John had been scheduled to give his address to the Flight late last Summer, but that and several other attempts to have him speak were all canceled because of pandemic restraints and the closing of our various venues.

Normally the Flight meets each month at the Old downtown El Paso Club, but the Club has remained closed ever since the first lockdown order in March of 2020.  The Flight expressed their thankfulness to John for his patience at having been canceled so many times.

The main thrust of John’s talk was focused on his post-military experience with the EAA along with the founding of Chapter 1570, back in 2015.  Since its beginnings, the Chapter has accomplished many notable achievements, but the one John feels most significant is its highly successful Young Eagle Events.  Except for 2020, because of the pandemic lock-downs, each previous year the Chapter has hosted at least one, sometimes even two Young Eagle Events. Here is one of our posts of one of the last, pre-COVID, flights.

It is this Young Eagle enterprise that John feels will help overcome the country’s looming severe shortage of pilots.  How?  Because it introduces the nation’s youth to the thrill and challenges of becoming a pilot while still quite young.  This popular EAA youth program gives free airplane rides and introductions to flight to youngsters from 8 to 17 years old.  It also gives grants and/or scholarships to young teenagers so that they can undergo actual flight training, often paying for the achievement of their Private Pilot’s License from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

While Drones are a huge new development in aviation, there will nevertheless still be a serious requirement for hands-on-aviators in the foreseeable future.  Both the Airlines and U.S. Military services have expressed serious concerns about the coming shortage of new pilots.  One of the major issues facing those who do want to become aviators is the current-day high cost of pilot training.  When yours truly learned to fly back during WWII (1944), the cost was not all that significant.

Here, below, is a short (2:52 minute) video clip about John’s topic, YOUNG EAGLES.

Here are some photos taken at yesterday’s meeting.  Virtually all local Daedalians are long-time members of the FASF, and John is one of the FASF distinguished LIFE MEMBERS because he gave full days of his professional helicopter pilot-time during our 2019 joint exercise with the U.S. Army’s Corps of Engineers‘ Geographic 3D Project Team when they spent a week in Columbus during June and July of 2019 3D mapping the historic 1916 Army Airfield’s topography and that of the surrounding Camp Furlong terrain.  During that operation, John was directly responsible for the taking of well over 30,000 high-resolution photographs of our area from another Life FASF member, Mike McNamee’s, former (and fully-restored) Army “SCOUT” helicopter.  Mike’s light-weight rotary-wing machine had several other affectionate nicknames: the “LOACH” and/or the “LITTLE BIRD.”

                             Col. Alan Fisher opens his first meeting as the Flight’s new Captain.

L to R: Alan Fisher asks Roger Springstead, Flight Chaplain, to give the meeting blessing.

Chatting before meeting begins are two long-time FASF members and also Aviation News Scouts, Virg Hemphill (L) and Jerry Dixon (R)

(L) Speaker John Signorino and FASF Trustee, Dr. Kathleen Martin, an oft-times guest of the Daedalians

                                              Virg Hemphill, Flight Treasurer, gives his report to the group.

L to R: Alan Fisher, Julie Pitt, Mario Campos, Kathleen Martin, and Mark Pfluger.  John Signorino is at the podium.

                                                  John Signorino describes the EAA Young Eagles

Captured in foreground during John’s presentation are Gerry Wingett, Mary Barnes, & Roger Springstead (back).

Col. Bob Pitt, Julie Pitt, Mark Pfluger, Mario Campos, Ulla & Col. Rice, Gill Gonzales + on Screen, Yours Truly in 1955!

                                                                                            John in action.

More of John.

                                                                              John makes a point.

L to R: Colonel Fisher gives John a token of Flight 24’s appreciation.

  •      John Signorino

    John Signorino retired in 2012 from the military with 28 years of service. John enlisted in the Army shortly after high school at the age of 18. He began his career as an electronic technician working on land-based telephone communication and microwave relay stations. Six years after joining the Army he was selected to attend Warrant Officer Flight Training.

    During John’s flying career he flew both helicopter and fixed-wing airplanes. He was qualified in the UH-1H, TH-67, AH-64A, C-12, RC-12H, and Dash 7. John served as an instructor pilot and a safety officer and served multiple tours in Korea, Iraq, Bosnia, and South America.

    During his military career, John proved himself to be a self-motivated, take-charge individual who has held several significant and vital positions. John is an exceptional leader and trainer. While in various positions, he provided excellent leadership skills and direction that promoted the sharing and encouragement of new ideas. As a teacher and mentor, he helped to counsel others on numerous occasions and has willingly shared his vast wealth of knowledge and experience with less experienced personnel.

    While in the Army, John was called upon to work long and arduous hours often under stressful conditions while maintaining an exemplary and professional manner. He has shown himself to be an exceedingly dedicated and superbly organized individual. He is a proven team player and does not hesitate to provide constructive suggestions to improve operations.

    John has had an entrepreneurial mindset since he was a teenager. While in the military, he started two successful businesses. After retiring, John was selected to Oklahoma State University Veterans Entrepreneurship Bootcamp. In 2013, John opened a Pop-A-Lock franchise in El Paso which specialized in auto, residential, and commercial locksmith work.

    John demonstrated that he learns quickly and is readily able to self-teach himself complex tasks. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Embry-Riddle University, where he majored in business management. He also obtained his MBA from Grantham University, where his academic focus was on project management.

    John’s hobbies include motorcycles, hiking, and camping. He’s been married to his wife Mindy for 25 years. They have two children, a daughter, and a son, both of whom followed their father’s footsteps by joining the military right after high school. John and his wife currently live in El Paso, Texas.

    John is an exceptionally active member of the local, Santa Teresa Chapter 1570 of the EAA and has been its Vice President since it first opened its doors in June 2015. He continues to fly both fixed and rotary-winged aircraft in the General Aviation field.

 

 

 

Local EAA 1570 Chapter Elects New Officers for 2020 +

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Chapter 1570 Founder & President, John Keithly

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 located at 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 Student      Original Grant        Spent to date            Balance Remaining

  • Jesse Tsougas                           $          3,000                       (2,914-)                                 –
  • Laura Ditlevson                                 10,000                      (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 Lopez he souvenir SOLO T-SHIRT.

L to R: Roberto displays 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’s Scholarship 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’s airplanes, as his official A & P (FAA Certified Airframe and Powerplant technician).

         Long time FASF member, Bob Dockendorf (WEAM Executive Director), Mike Perez,, and Mike 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.  Bob also announced the details of the upcoming “A SALUTE TO VETERANS” Charity fund-raising extravaganza entitled “RADIO STARS OF THE 40’S / “ON the AIR” featuring Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Red Skelton and 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.  Daniel and 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 Epp concludes his entertaining presentation on his aviation exploits and other adventures.

 

Dockendorf Briefs Daedalians About War Eagles Air Museum

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Honored guest speaker at this month’s Daedalian meeting in downtown El Paso, Texas, was Bob Dockendorf, long time member of the FASF and Executive Director of the War Eagles Air Museum (WEAM) at nearby Doña Ana County International Jetport.

Any of the following photographs may be seen in full high resolution by simply clicking on them.

                                                  Bob Dockendorf describes the history of the WEAM

Bob described the museum’s history and how it was started by fellow El Pasoans,  John and Betty MacGuire, both of whom were avid aviators, 32 years ago.

L to R: Roger Springstead, Charlie Overstreet, and Col. Bob Pitt.

Earlier this year Bob was elected to the El Paso Aviation Hall of fame in recognition of his many years of outstanding service to the local aviation community since taking command of the WEAM.

L to R at right: Bob Dockendorf, Col. Mario Campos, Larry Spradlin, Virg Hemphill, Roger Nichols, and USAF ROTC Cadet and Daedalian Flight Training Scholarship Awardee, Ammber Valverde.

His historical operation had 17,000 visitors this past year, guests who came to enjoy and learn from the museum’s exhibit of some 36 WWII, Korean and Vietnam era “war birds,” many of which are still in flying condition.

L to R: Alan Fisher, Roger Springstead, Charlie Overstreet, Bob Pitt, Scott Drake, Bob Dockendorf, Mario Campos (Flight Captain), Larry Spradlin, Virg Hemphill, and Roger Nichols, past Flight Captain.

In addition to the display of these vintage aircraft, this native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, oversees a colorful collection of over 50 antique automobiles and motorcycles.  Bob has been an enthusiastic car collector for many years, and has also been both a student of aviation and history since he was a young man growing up in the Midwest.

                            Dave Ginn, who just returned from a quick tour to Iraq, describes his experience.

The WEAM also boasts an intriguing climate-controlled library consisting of thousands of books, periodicals, photographs and other documents, mostly related to aviation, automobiles and history.

Flight Captain, Colonel Mario Campos conducting flight business.  To his right, above (left to you) is his guest, former Army aviator and test pilot, Scott Drake.

The War Eagles keeps its admission prices low in order to expose the greatest number of people its educational exhibits and materials.  Students are admitted free of charge and veterans, seniors and military personnel are welcomed with a discounted admission price.

                                    Dave Ginn and Alan Fisher listen to Mr. Dockendorf

While the museum was initially the singular philanthropic enterprise of its founders, the MacGuires, Bob has recently begun to transition the institution from a privately funded non-profit educational enterprise, to one of a more self-supporting and public nature.  Although John MacGuire passed away in 2001, his wife Betty maintains almost daily contact with the Executive Director of her beloved museum.

                                   Colonel Norm Rice enjoys his desert while his wife, Ulla, looks on.

The assembled Daedalians, all members of the FASF, and who all also  know Bob well, expressed their enthusiastic appreciaton for his presentation. his fourth to this Daedalian Flight since becoming the museum’s CEO.

L to R: Dave Ginn and Alan Fisher

Mr. Dockendorf additionally explained his initiative for a new organization, The Rio Grande Aviation Council. The new group will be devoted to area aviation interests and development, and which will be composed of leaders from area aviation interests such as the CAP, EAA, Daedalians, The Quiet Birdmen, Amigo Airsho – – – and, yes, even the FASF.

                         L to R: Mario Campos and Jerry Dixon, and (sitting) Virg Hemphill and Roger Nichols

                                              L to R: Virg Hemphill, Roger Nichols, and Ammber Valverde

                                                    Roger Nichols and Ammber Valverde

                                            L to R: Scott Drake, Larry Spradlin, and Bob Dockendorf

                                                               Ammber Valverde and Virg Hemphill

                         L to R:  Ammber Valverde, Jerry Dixon, Virg Hemphill and Roger Nichols

                                                      Ammber Valverde and Alan Fisher

               L to R: Scott Drake, Roger Nichols, Virg Hemphill, Larry Spradlin, and Colonel Mario Campos

Time to Celebrate Founder’s Day – The EAA’s 66th Birthday!

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Many of the FASF members throughout the country are active members of this great General Aviation organization, which was first begun in Wisconsin, 66 years ago this Saturday.  The majority of the two local or nearby EAA Chapters, the 555 in Las Cruces, NM, and the 1570 in Santa Teresa, NM, are active FASF members, for instance.  The growth of this non-profit aviation interest organization over the past 66 years is nothing short of phenomenal.

The EAA is  probably best known for its regular annual creation of the LARGEST AIR SHOW IN THE WORLD.  Each year at the organization’s headquarters in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the EAA hosts this huge AirVenture aviation extravaganza.

It’s a show that has been normally pulling in some half a million attendees each year, and this past season’s 2018 attendance hit 601,000.  Not just does it pull people in such large numbers to witness its exciting air show events, but it also brings in a record number of airplanes, too: 10,000 airplanes just this AirVenture 2018.  Usually held the from the last Monday in July each year, it runs for a full week.  People book at B&B’s, private homes, and Motels and Hotels a year in advance just to be sure they don’t miss this lavish exhibition of Aviation, from Civil to military. Many others use the ample campgrounds for tents or the more luxurious RV parking facilities.

Here, below, is a short (1:05 minute) FOUNDER’S DAY video clip to summarize the event. By clicking anywhere on this following image you will be taken directly to the EAA’s Founder’s Day homepage, where you can again click to see the video itself. While at the EAA site, you may want to see some of their other fascinating and informative videos, also accessible on that page.

Here below is the “Best of Photography,” a video collage of the some of the best photographs selected from the vast numbers taken and submitted for judging at AirVenture 2018.  The video is thanks the EAA itself, and for their efforts at choosing the top photos taken from those submitted this past year. The video (8:54 long) does a fine job of giving both the uninitiated – and the experienced AirVenturists, a clear idea of the vast plethora of colorful and impressive aircraft that gathered to show off during last July’s one-week celebratory convention in Oshkosh.  If at your computer, with a large screen monitor, remember to go full-screen to more deeply appreciate these fine photographs.

If you find this topic of enough interest, just do a search in our small search window at the above right side of this page, and enter the word “AirVenture” (without the quotation marks), and, voilà, you’ll find other great full-action videos we’ve posted over the years that cover various other AirVenture adventures.  Enjoy!

This last video (below) is 33 minutes of outstanding show material, all shot during the AirVenture 2018 event by the AirShowStuff professionals.  You will of course also find their homepage right where it has been listed on our LINKS page for many years. Visit them and see some of the most colorful and exceptional video of airplanes in action to be found anywhere. These people are masters at their craft.

 

 

Another Special Saturday Stunned Crowds at Oshkosh 2018

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Every air show performance during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018 was exciting, but Saturday found a way to take the cake yet again this year. Relive the excitement of aerobatic performers, big tankers, our latest jet fighters, and everything in between with this video recap of the action.  Remember not only to turn your sound on, but to also click the 2:41 long video clip to enjoy its high-resolution  quality in full screen!

FASF PILOT MEMBERS VOLUNTEER FOR EAA YOUNG EAGLES

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This past weekend, once again, EAA Chapter 1570, at the Dona Ana County International Jetport, produced its 5th successful Young Eagles event, an activity in which the Chapter members (most of them are also FASF members) gave free introductory airplane rides to children between the ages of 8 and 17.  All aircraft used belong to the chapter’s members.  The project’s Chairperson, once again, was Rotary and Fixed Wing Flight Instructor, Deb Rothchild.  Here, below, are some photos to show the popular youth education program in action.

Remember:  If you’d like to view any of the below photos in full high resolution, simply click on them.  Then, if you’d like, please feel free to download or copy them for you own use.

Above, Melissa Keithly, wife of the chapter’s President, John Keithly, and one of event’s principal organizers, with back to camera, greets, and begins to sign up first arrival parents and their children who want to get their Young Eagles Flight . . .

Helicopter pilot, Priscilla Porras, (pointing to her left) gives instructions to those signing up for their first flights . . .

A group of the volunteer pilots for the day talk over the coming flights – L to R: John Keithly (Chapter President), Mike Robinson, Jim Foster, Danny Carter, and Bryce Daniels.

Chairperson of the entire event, Professional Flight Instructor, Deb Rothchild, explains to the crowd the procedures and safety precautions . . .

War Eagles Air Museum’s (WEAM) Executive Director, Bob Dockendorf, looks on as project gets underway. Bob has been an active leader in the EAA Chapter 1570 since its earliest days and the Museum he directs is an integreal part of the Chapter’s success.

Chapter President, John Keithly greets his next Young Eagle for her flight.

Pilot John Signorino, El Paso business entreprenuer and Chapter Vice President, walks his Young Eagle to her first airplane flight in a Cessna Skylane.

Chapter Pilot, Dave Daniels, escorts his Young Eagle out to his plane, a vintage Piper Super Cub . . .

Pilot John Signorino, a former Army Air Services Pilot, helps his Young Eagle get belted in for her first adventure aloft.

Pilot Bryce Daniels, helps his Young Eagle adjust his seatbelt in readiness for his first flight. The plane is a Van’s RV 8 Experimental ship.

This Young Eagle gets his orientation before his flight from EAA Chapter 555 President, Wes Baker. His plane is a Classic 1948 Cessna 140, fully restored and in excellent ‘like-new’ condition. All General Aviation aircraft, regardless of age, must be fully inspected each year to assure that they fully meet established Federal Standards for their airworthiness.

Chapter President, John Keithly, describes their pending flight to his Young Eagle in his Chzech built “Dynamic” composite airplane. John and his wife, Melissa, just recently helped build their own new Van’s RV aircraft.

CEO and President of Red Arrow Flight Academy at the Dona Ana County Jetport, Tomas Peralta (R), explains how he has filled out his Young Eagle’s new Flight Log Book, while the young man’s father signs the Young Eagle Flight Certificate.

Chapter Pilot, Dave Daniels, completes his Young Eagle’s Flight Log Book as her father looks on.

Chapter Pilot, Danny Carter, poses with his Young Eagle and his Mother, before they take off in his Piper Commanche aircraft.

                  Pilot John Signorino and his Young Eagle pose before their flight in front of the Cessna 182 Skylane.

Pilot Dave Daniels, whose son, Bryce was also piloting the children in another aircraft, has just explained to this Young Eagle what they will do during her first flight in this vintage Piper PA-18 Super Cub.

Pilot Danny Carter, announces his departure over the radio, and taxis out from the loading area with his Young Eagle, as she happily waves to the Chapter photographer.

Pilot, Mike Robinson (R), in front of the Cessna 172 Skyhawk airplane in which he just flew this Young Eagle and his father.

Pilot Wes Baker explains how to properly fasten the seat belt and shoulder harness to this Young Eagle before they depart.

L to R: Pilot Tomas Peralta, with his Young Eagle and young man’s father, after completing their flight in this Red Arrow Flght Academy Cessna 182 Skylane.

Dave Daniels walks back from his flight with this excited young lady, who has just completed her first Young Eagles airborne experience.

           John Keithly fills out this happy young lady’s Young Eagle Flight Log Book, after her first experience aloft.

                     A view of a somewhat inpatient group of Young Eagles awaiting their call-ups for their first flights.

L to R: Airline Pilot and author of the new aviation novel, “Quantum,” Roxanne Lambie, poses by her book-signing table inside the WEAM Shop, with Ammber Valverde, AFROTC student at New Mexico State University, and Daedalian Flight Scholarship winner, who plans to become an Air Force Pilot.

  Another photo of Pilot, Danny Carter, taxiing out for takeoff with two Young Eagles aboard his Piper Commanche.

       Pilot, Dave Daniels, fills out the Young Eagle Flight Certificate after completing a flight with this young man.

View through the Cessna 172 Skyhawk’s windshield of Pilot Mike Robinson and both his Young Eagle, in the Co-Pilot seat, and young fellow’s father in the rear.

          Dave Daniels poses with his next Young Eagle, who is adjusting his headset, as instructed by his host.

Pilot John Keithly and his grinning co-pilot Young Eagle, as they ready to start the engine in this Czech Dynamic.

                                       John Keithly fills out this same Young Eagle’s Flight Certificate.

Pilot, Wes Baker, President of the Las Cruces, NM EAA Chapter 555, completes this happy Young Eagle’s Flight Log Book.

L to R: Roxanne Lambie, and Ammber Valverde, who has an autographed copy of Roxanne’s new novel under her arm, busily chatting with EAA members outside the War Eagles Air Museum main entrance.

     L to R: Melissa Keithly, a Young Eagle’s father, Prescilla Porras., and Wes Baker at Registration Sign-In table.

L to R above:  Melissa Keithly, Young Eagle with his father and Priscilla Porras, helicopter pilot, discussing the event.

         John Keithly with another Young Eagle seated and ready to go, as young man’s father and brother watch.

Pilot John Keithly gets ready to take this same intrigued Young Eagle aloft for his initiation flight in John’s Czech Dynamic Experimental Aircraft.

Mike Robinson gets ready to close the Cessna Skyhawk’s door in readiness for this young lady’s first Young Eagle Flight experience.

John Signorino explaining how the elevator and rudder controls work on this Cessna Skylane as his next Young Eagle and his mother take it all in . . .

During a short break, (L to R) Volunteer chapter Pilots, John Signorino and Tomas Peralta talk over the ongoing Young Eagle event.

During the Young Eagle rally, many of the Young Eagles, their parents and visitors flocked in to view the great collection of airplanes, antique autos and motorcycles, and to also to buy souvenirs at the WEAM Gift Shop. Making change at the cash register is Kathryn Guerra, whose father, George, the Museum’s Operations Manager, is standing behind her in the light blue shirt.

Pilot Wes Baker listening to his Young Eagle trying to see if he properly understood Wes’ explanation of how an airplane climbs.

Piloting the helicopter back onto the tarmac, is Chapter Volunteer worker and chopper pilot, Priscilla Porras. The same model helicopter, owned by Chapter member Mike McNamee, gave some 17 Young Eagles their first helicopter ride during the project.

After an exciting first ride with both the Young Eagle, who’s also a Cub Scout, and his mother, Pilot John Signorino poses alongside the Cessna 182 Skylane with the happy pair.

After completing a flight, Pilot Tomas Peralta gets ready to make out a Young Eagle Flight Certificate for this young man and his mother.

EAA Chapter 555 President, Wes Baker, an Air Force Academy graduate, gets ready to take this Young Eagle into the sky in his vintage Cessna 140.

                After the successful flight, Wes completes this Young Eagle’s paperwork, as Wes’ wife, Carol, looks on.

Volunteer Pilot, John Signorino, walks out to the McNamee Cessna 182 Skylane with his next Young Eagle, whose mother also took the flight.

During another much-deserved break from the busy flight schedule, Pilot Mike Robinson (L) sits down to chat with fellow volunteer pilot, Wes Baker, on the Right.

Almost the end of the busy day of over 60 flights, the volunteer pilots were caught discussing the event. L to R: Dominic Austen (Pilot who conducted the Preflight Program), Tomas Peralta, John Signorino, Deb Rothchild, and Bryce Daniels.

 

1st AF Female Hispanic Ftr. Pilot to Emcee at AirVenture 2018

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                                                         Lt. Olga Custodio winning her USAF wings

American Airlines Captain, Olga Custodio

May 31, 2018 – Hot off the newswire from the EAA:  The EAA Founder’s Innovation Prize has added another highly regarded aviation expert to the lineup for the Tuesday night competition during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018. Retired Lt. Col. Olga Custodio, the first female Hispanic fighter pilot in the United States will be the emcee, presenting the five finalists in the live showdown. The Founder’s Innovation Prize, presented by Airbus, is in its third year and challenges EAA members to share their best solutions for lowering the rate of in-flight loss-of-control accidents, the leading cause of fatal accidents in the general aviation community.

Custodio retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserve with 24 years of service. Among her countless achievements, she was the first Hispanic female to graduate from U.S. Air Force undergraduate pilot training, became the first female T-38 UPT (Undergraduate Pilot Training) flight instructor at Laughlin Air Force Base, and then became the first female T-38 pilot instructor training flight instructor at Randolph AFB. She was awarded the Air Force Air Education and Training Command’s Aviation Safety Award for superior airmanship during a bird strike and engine failure emergency and for executing a safe heavyweight landing in weather minimums.

After resigning her U.S. Air Force commission, Custodio entered the Reserve as an officer training school instructor and began her 20-year career flying for American Airlines. She has logged more than 11,000 hours of flight time.

See Custodio and the five Founder’s Innovation Prize finalists at An Evening with Innovators on Tuesday night July 24 at Theater in the Woods.

Those who still wish to submit their idea for the competition must do so before 11:59 pm CT on Friday, June 1, for a chance to win one of three cash prizes.  Visit www.EAA.org/prize to learn more.

Below is a 7 minute long video is of an interview by FOX NEWS TV of Retired USAF and American Airlines Pilot, Olga Custodio.