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A
Note From the Editor
Harold
Cannon,
hcannon@eaa.org |
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Sun
'n Fun is A Great Excuse to Fly
The winter break in flying is finally done. This is
being written in the wind and sun (and sometimes blowing
sand) of the Sun 'n Fun Warbird flight line. Getting to an
air |
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| show is often a bit more than
half the fun, and this
year is no exception. Like a kid writing about his summer
vacation, I have work to do (if you can call writing for
Briefing work). |
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| My
T-34 adventure began early last Friday. After a crazy
Thursday at work and packing bags, I was waiting for my T-34
to return from its annual inspection. This year didn't
spring any big surprises, and hopefully things would be good
to go. By 7 a.m., the "yellow bird" arrived and
packing was done. In another half hour, one of my best
friends pulled his T-34 onto the apron; briefing for a
formation cross-country began. Read
more |
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| By
Bill Fischer, Executive Director, EAA Warbirds of America |
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| B-17
Polish and Shine - How Many EAAers Does it Take? |
| Wiping
bugs off the leading edges of my 172 is usually a pretty
easy task. A little spray, a little elbow grease, and the
old Cessna is shiny as new. I usually spend 30 to 45 minutes
cleaning after each flight. |
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| Imagine
having 50 people spending nearly four hours cleaning and
polishing an aircraft with four radial engines and a
wingspan over 103 feet, a length over 74 feet, and a height
over 19 feet! That was the scene in EAA's Kermit Weeks
Hangar as staff and volunteers gathered to prepare Aluminum
Overcast, EAA's B-17 Flying Fortress, for the 2010 Salute to
Veterans Tour. Read
more |
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| Safety
News and Issues |
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| Aircraft
Engine Info Available to EAA Warbirds Members |
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During the
recent National Warbird Operator Conference in San Diego,
California, EAA Warbirds of America Executive Director Bill
Fischer had the opportunity to visit with EAA Warbirds member
Dan Whitney. Dan is an aircraft engine enthusiast and
described the work that the Aircraft Engine Historical Society
(AEHS) had accomplished in order to document the history of
aircraft engines, and of particular interest to our members,
information regarding military aircraft engines. Read
more
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| Avoiding
Airborne Pilot Deviations |
| Many
obstacles exist that can interfere with a pilot's ability to
maintain situational awareness. For example, fatigue,
stress, or work overload can cause the pilot to fixate on a
single perceived important item rather than maintaining an
overall awareness of the flight situation. Many flight deck
distractions begin as a minor problem, such as a gauge that
isn't reading correctly, but result in deviations or
accidents as the pilot diverts attention to the perceived
problem and neglects to properly control the aircraft. In
this edition of the FAA Safety Team Safety Tip, the
FAA warns that airborne pilot deviations continue to be a
problem which ATC controllers and pilots must work together
to resolve. Don't become a statistic or a headline! Read
more |
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| The
Voice of Hypoxia - Kalitta 66 |
| One
of the hazards of high-altitude operation is hypoxia. In the
following audio, you can hear firsthand the symptoms and
feel the danger of this silent killer. During the radio
exchange from the aircraft, several times the pilot conveyed
that things were fine. The crew had little idea how impaired
they actually were. Hypoxia can be like laughing gas...till
you happily pass out. Kalitta 66 was above flight level 260
when the drama began. Read
more |
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| Maintenance
and Restoration News
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| Museum
to Rename TF-51D Acquisition ‘Galveston Gal’ |
| The
Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston, Texas, in January
acquired a two-seat dual-control North American TF-51D
Mustang. The aircraft has been flown to a restoration
facility to be freshened up and painted. The Mustang will |
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| be
painted in the colors of the 359th Fighter Group, 370th
Fighter Squadron, Code CS-F, and will be named
"Galveston Gal." Read
more |
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| March’s
Featured Stories |
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| 68th
Doolittle Raiders Reunion |
| The
Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association Reunion was held Friday
through Saturday, April 16-18, at the U.S. Air Force Museum
abeam Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio. There are eight
surviving crew members of the 80 |
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| who
flew on the mission and four attended the reunion. The
gathering of 17 B-25s, was the largest gathering of the
North American-built bombers since the making of the film
Catch-22 (1970) more than four decades ago. Read
more |
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| AT-6
Featured in GMA Segment with Sully and Robin Roberts |
| Robin
Roberts, ABC's Good Morning America co-anchor, always wanted
to follow in the footsteps of her late father, who was a
Tuskegee Airman during World War II. She got her opportunity
recently by flying with one of the world's most recognized
pilots, Capt. Chesley |
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| "Sully"
Sullenberger, of US Airways flight 1549 fame, the Miracle on
the Hudson flight of January 15, 2009. Sully and Flight 1549
First Officer Jeff Skiles are co-chairmen of EAA's Young
Eagles program. Read
more |
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| Webinar
Offers Tips to Improve Your Squadron |
| EAA's
line-up of Webinars (web-based seminars) continues to gain
popularity. The hour-long presentations feature expert
presenters on a variety of aviation topics. Registration is
now open and free of charge for EAA members:
More
Webinars are added frequently. To view a complete and
up-to-date list of all EAA Webinars, visit the webinars
page. |
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| Book
Review - The First Jet Pilot: The Story of German Test
Pilot Erich Warsitz |
| World
War II saw an explosion of scientific and technical
knowledge as both sides fought for an edge and victory.
Aviation was perhaps the greatest beneficiary of these
advances according to author Lutz Warsitz, who tells the
story of German test pilot Erich Warsitz in his book, The
First Jet Pilot: The Story of German Test Pilot Erich
Warsitz. Read
more |
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| Sun
'n Fun 2010 Warbird Award Winners |
| Warbird
attendance at the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In at Lakeland, Florida,
this year was up, and several warbird owners have reason to
be especially proud. View
the 2010 award winners |
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| Warbirds
Needed for Flyover of WI VA Medical |
| The
Tomah VA Medical Center (Tomah, Wisconsin) is seeking
Warbird pilots for a flyover as part of its annual Memorial
Day program on May 28, 2010. This year the program will
honor WWII veterans in a "Tribute to WWII
Veterans" ceremony. Steve Bradley, son of Iwo Jima flag
raiser John "Jack" Bradley from Antigo, Wisconsin,
will be the guest speaker. The program includes a
reenactment of the Iwo Jima flag raising. Over 500 people
are expected to attend.
If you're
interested, contact Public Affairs Officer James Theres at
608-372-7759 by Monday, May 17, 2010. |
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| Briefing
Editor Invites YOU to a Party |
| File
this in the shameless plug bin. Over the last four years, it
has been my joy to host a warbird fly-in at my home airport,
KOWB, in Kentucky. What started as a midsummer birthday
party has
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| grown to the point of a barbecue for about 100
folks and a great get-together for the friends I hold most
dear. Last year, we had 14 T-34s, about four Yaks/CJs, a
couple of Stearmans, four T-6s, a T-28, a P-51, and two
L-39s on our ramp.
As they
used to say of the church social, "A good time was had
by all." Currently just over half of our block of 40
rooms is spoken for, so if you fly a warbird and want to get
in on the fun, call 270-316-9014. If there's no answer, just
leave a message, and we'll get back to you. Most folks
arrive on Friday afternoon for burgers in the hangar that
night. Saturday night's party comes with a live band. Dates
for this year are Friday, June 11, and Saturday, June 12.
Spouses, kids, and friends are all welcome. Hope to see you
there. |
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| Warbird
Squadron 24 Re-energized |
| Declining
interest in aviation and the economy have been shrinking
general aviation, the EAA, and Warbirds of America (WOA).
Florida-based Warbird Squadron 24 had shrunk to 12 members
by the time of the official 2009 squadron renewal. But even
though the future looked bleak, the remaining loyal members
wanted to do something about it. That year, the group
decided to install new leadership. They hoped that new blood
and a fresh vision would breathe life back into the
squadron. Read
more |
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| Chipmunks
to Oshkosh 2010 |
Want
to be part of the plan to get as many de Havilland DHC-1
Chipmunks as possible to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this year?
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If
you own or fly a Chipmunk or know someone that does, please
send contact information to Carol de Solla Atkin, who is
leading the project and generating an e-mail list to
communicate and coordinate the effort.
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| There
are seven confirmed Chipmunks at the moment, but estimates
indicate this number will grow significantly. Carol can be
reached at catkin0@gmail.com. |
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| EAA
Warbirds of America Accepting Hall of Fame Nominations |
| EAA
Warbirds of America is now accepting nominations for the
Sport Aviation Hall of Fame. One outstanding aviator will be
inducted from each of EAA's communities, including Warbirds,
during a special ceremony at the EAA Museum's Eagle Hangar
on Friday, October 29, 2010. Nomination papers for the Hall
of Fame must be received in EAA Warbirds of America
headquarters by May, 1, 2010. Click
here for more information. |
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| EAA
WOA Spring Clearance Sale |
| Save
an average of $15 on official EAA Warbirds of America flight
jackets. Sage green color, nylon construction, water
resistant, lined, with Warbirds embroidered logo on right
front and embroidered American flag on left sleeve. S-3XL. Order
now! |
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| From
the EAA Warbirds Community
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The Warbird Island message forum at Oshkosh365 is as active
as ever. Have a look at the list below and follow the links
to read the actual questions and discussion topics.
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Issue 6, May
2010 |
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| Your
insights help us provide a better newsletter to you. Please
review and rate this issue of Warbirds Briefing. |
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| VIDEO |
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Blimp
Hangars Highlighted in History Video
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In 1942,
the war department built two of the largest wooden
structures in the world at the Santa Ana Naval Air Station
in Tustin, California. The Tustin lighter-than-air (LTA)
base housed blimps that flew coastal antisubmarine patrols
armed with bombs and depth charges. Blimps were part of the
coastal defenses during WWII, and Tustin was one of two LTA
bases that guarded the West Coast. The base site is slowly
being developed now, but the city of Tustin has produced a
video that conveys the mammoth size of these hangars and
their mission. |
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Watch the
video
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| A
Personal Invitation from Gary
Sinise |
| Gary
Sinise invites EAAers to the Salute to Veterans celebration
at AirVenture 2010, as well as his special concert at
Theater in the Woods. |
Watch the video |
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| Camera
System Gives Four Air Show Angles at Once |
| Tim
Ennis of MotoCam 360 recently visited with Bill Fischer of
EAA Warbirds about his new Shockbox onboard video recording
system. Tim also flies a Yak-52, and he shared with us what
it's like to fly the air show at the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In at
Lakeland, Florida, from many different perspectives. |
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| Watch
the video on Oshkosh365 |
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| PHOTO
GALLERY |
| Doolittle
Raiders 68th Anniversary Reunion |
| Seventeen
B-25s showed up for a reunion at the National Museum of the
United States Air Force near Dayton, Ohio, April 16-18, to
commemorate a 1942 raid on Tokyo and other Japanese cities.
The raid was meant to put the Japanese on notice, conveying
that, despite their crippling strike on U.S. bases at Pearl
Harbor four months earlier, their home islands were also
vulnerable to attack. |
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| View
the gallery |
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EAA RADIO |
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Flying
the P-61 Black Widow
Norman Bergman has flown a lot of airplanes including
the P-38, B-17, and
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during WWII the served as
aerial photographer
in the B-24. For nearly two decades he worked as an aerial
survey pilot where he got the rare chance to fly the P-61
Black Widow. Norman talked recently with EAA Radio's Fast
Eddie about being what he believes is the only person to
hold a type rating in the P-61.
Listen
to the program |
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Monthly
- Chino, CA - EAA Warbirds Squadron 16 Meetings are held every month on the 1st & 3rd Saturday from
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Planes of Fame Air Museum.
Info: Enrico Bottieri, Commander
Phone: 714-964-4864
E-mail: thebeechboys@socal.rr.com Web:
www.warbirdsusa.org
May 21–23
- Green Bay, WI - LZ Lambeau. A state-wide effort to recognize and honor Wisconsin Viet Nam veterans will be held at Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers. Displays, special speakers, recognition, music, the Moving Wall Exhibit, military vehicles, and more. Vietnam era warbird aircraft will assemble for static display at Austin Straubel International airport (KGRB). EAA Warbirds of America members encouraged to participate.
Visit: http://www.Izlambeau.org/
May 22 -
Fullerton, CA - U.S. Coast Guard Aux Flotilla 6-06 Fly & Float Festival at Fullerton Municipal Airport (Orange County) 10 am. Honoring Tuskegee Airmen & WASP service. Featuring Tuskegee pilot Ollie Goodall on his 88th BD. Free event.
Info: Terry Rouch rouch@auxguardian.com
Phone: 714-869-8888.
May 22–23
- Virginia Beach, VA - Military Aviation Museum presents Warbirds over the Beach fly-in. Re-enactors and warbird demo flights. Military ground re-enactors, flight missions, food and big bands. Mile long turf runway Gates open at 8:30 am. Steak dinner and hangar dance Saturday night.
Phone: 757-721-7767
May 28 -
Tomah, WI - Warbird pilots sought for flyover for Tomah, WI VA Medical Center Memorial Day Program on Friday, May 28, 2010 at 2 PM.
Info: Contact Public Affairs Officer, James Theres
Phone: 608-373-7759 by Monday, May 17, 2010.
May 29 -
Cincinnati, OH - EAA Warbirds Squadron 18, USO Show on Coney Island to honor veterans.
Info: Jim Stitt
Phone: 513-241-1661
Web: www.cincinnatiwarbirds.org
May 29–31
- Stratford, CT - “Wings & Wheels 2010, Corsairs over Connecticut” presented by the Discovery Museum and Planetarium. This benefit, held at the Sikorsky Memorial Airport, will salute the F4U Corsair’s 70th anniversary. Five corsairs, a Black Hawk, a Seabat and more; vintage car show; Young Eagle rides; Big Band WWII Hangar Dance on Saturday night.
Info: Jane Hollis 203-372-3531, ext. 115
Web: www.discoverymuseum.org
May 31 -
Cincinnati, OH - EAA Warbirds Squadron 18, Memorial Day Parade Flyovers.
Info: Jim Stitt, Commander
Phone: 513-241-1661
Web:www.cincinnatiwarbirds.org
July
26-Aug 1, 2010 - EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI.
Visit www.AirVenture.org. |
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What is
the biggest challenge facing the Warbirds community today?
A. Parts
availability
B. Access to pilot training & evaluation
C. Fuel availability
D. Operating costs
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