HOWARD STARK the PIONEER AVIATOR of INSTRUMENT FLYING / John M

VOl. 30, No. 5 MAY 2002 STRAIGHT & LEVELlButchJoyce 2 VM NEWS/H.G. Frautschy 4 AEROMAIL 5 MYSTERY PLANE/H.G. Frautschy 6 HOWARD STARK THE PIONEER AVIATOR OF INSTRUMENT FLYING / John M. Miller 10 THE SOUL OF AN AIRPLANE A STEARMAN'S PAST IS A NATION'S HISTORY/ Philip Handleman 12 SOUL OF THE SPIRIT THE SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIs's SIRE IS QUITE AN AIRPLANE IN ITS OWN RIGHT/ H.G. Frautschy 18 MEMBERS' PROJECTS/H.G. Frautschy 20 THE ROCKET AIR SHIP ODDBALL PROJECTS WERE NOT JUST LIMITED TO THE PIONEER ERA!/ Ferrell E Powell 22 PASS IT TO BUCK/Buck Hilbert 23 NEW MEMBERS 24 CALENDAR 28 CLASSIFIED ADS WWW.VINTAGEAIRCRAFT.ORG 30 VAA MERCHANDISE Publisher TOM POBEREZNY Editor-In-Chief scon SPANGLER Executive Director, Editor HENRY G. FRAUTSCHY VAA Administrative Assistant THERESA BOOKS Executive Editor MIKE DIFRISCO Contrlbutirlg Editors JOHN UNDERWOOD BUDD DAVISSON Graphic Designer OLIVIA l. PHILLIP Photography Staff JIM KOEPNICK LEEANN ABRAMS Advertlsirlg/Edltorial Asslstarlt ISABELLE WISKE ST BY ESPIE "BUTCH" JOYCE PRESIDENT, VINTAGE ASSOCIATION Friends, Sun 'n Fun, and the Red Barn was at the 2002 Sun 'n Fun EAA Fly well. It made me proud to be a part In for the week, and I must say that of this event, and you know I will be I the weather was great this year. The back next year, as long as the creek Vintage area parking crews had their doesn't rise. hands full because this year a record As we now look forward to EAA breaking number of vintage aircraft AirVenture 2002, there are quite a few attended according to the physical events that will take place in the count done on the field each day. months of May, June, and July. Some volunteers with pizza and bever The most outstanding aircraft in of our favorites include the National ages-have you ever bought a couple the Vintage area was the Aeronca Biplane Association's convention at hundred large pizzas? Chief owned by Paul Gould of Sar Bartlesville, Oklahoma, , The Ameri We have a volunteer center, which dinia, Ohio. This restoration is most can Waco Fly-In at Creve Coeur, is open daily during convention for outstanding, and with any luck you Missouri, and the SAA fly-in at Cham an air-conditioned break and a snack. will be able to see this aircraft at EAA paign, Illinois. There are plenty local We operate a Type Club tent so that AirVenture Oshkosh this year. Paul events around the country as well. the membership can visit with the had the airplane at last year's EAA Air Looking at this list, it does not take type clubs to which they belong. We Venture, where it won the Reserve long to realize that aviation is alive have a special metalworking area Grand Champion Classic Silver Lindy. and well! that allows members to try hands-on A number of other aircraft that would Many of you will by now have re techniques with experienced crafts cause you to pause and look them ceived my letter outlining our new men. Members will now receive a over were there as well. program, the "Friends of the Red special 10 percent discount on mer The VAA has just this year created a Barn." Many of you have visited chandise that is available at the VAA judging category that recogn izes Oshkosh and have been in and store during convention. We host the champion custom aircraft, and there is around the VAA headquarters build OX-5 area next to the Red Barn. a need for this award. Just as people ing we refer to as the Red Barn. Even We have a special quiet area for have taken older cars and converted with this year's rather short time those who might need a break or to them into street rods, we saw this frame, a good number of you have rest during the day. We have our own trend at Lakeland this year. There were already responded, and I really ap AeroGram newsletter that is posted several aircraft that would fit into the preciate it! These funds will be used each day so that members can be custom award category, and the work to operate VAA programs in the VAA aware of what activities are occurring manship was just outstanding. These area during EAA AirVenture and to in the area. We have a free tram that aircraft and owners told me they improve the VAA area of the conven tours the Vintage area each day. We would be at Oshkosh this year as well. tion grounds. Both uses will benefit pay for the Vintage Awards (those be VAA Chapter 1 was having a great VAA members who attend this great low the Lindy awards-EAA covers time hosting the Vintage headquar event and enjoy our area. the cost of the Lindys), which are ters building. It was a great place to We have a number of programs at given to the award winners that own catch up with friends during the day, EAA AirVenture that are not found in those great airplanes. We own a num sit back on the front porch, drink other areas of the grounds. For exam ber of the scooters that you see used some lemonade, and eat popcorn. Be ple, we give each member who brings by our volunteers while parking air cause of the times, security was an aircraft to the fly-in a participant craft each day. Each year over a notched up somewhat, but it seemed plaque to take home. During the number of weekends, a group of hard to me that everyone was taking the week we operate a special unit, core volunteers does a good deal of small delays in stride. The attitude of "Toni's Red Carpet Express," to help maintenance to VAA buildings, trail the attendees was positive. It seemed members move their baggage to and ers, pOint buildings, and judges' everyone was determined to show the from their aircraft. headquarters. We also have ongOing world that aviation was here to stay. The VAA also gives each volunteer new projects to help improve the John Burton and the Sun 'n Fun a special name badge and a VAA vol VAA area of convention grounds for folks made the stay a pleasant one unteer cap. You might be surprised the membership and visitors. for Norma and me. Also, a special how many folks it takes to put on a So you can see this requires a few thanks to Jo and Duffy Thomas for fly-in of this size. We have some 60 bucks. Again, thank you for your their extra effort to make Norma and chairman and 350 to 400 individual help! Let's all pull in the same direc me feel at home. It was great to see volunteers who help out during the tion for the good of aviation. our friends Billy and Adair Hender two weeks surrounding the conven Remember, we are better together. son and be able to visit with them as tion. We also host a special party for Join us and have it all! ....... VINTAGE AIRPLANE ~ EWS COMPILED BY H.G. FRAUTSCHY VAA PICNIC 75TH ANNIVERSARY This year's VAA Picnic will be OF LINDBERGH'S SOLO CROSSING held at the EAA Nature Center Pavilion the evening of Wednes MAY 20-21 1927. THE 33-1/2 HOURS Earth Inductor Compass), Lind day, July 24, 2002. That's a bit used by Charles Lindbergh to bergh carefully and methodically earlier than in past years, so you'll cross the Atlantic from New York stacked the cards in his favor, so need to plan on picking up your to Paris over those two days to him and many in aviation, it tickets right after you arrive at EAA changed how people viewed the wasn't a surprise that he suc AirVenture Oshkosh. Tickets can world, and in the coming years, ceeded. He planned it that way. be purchased at the VAA Red Barn transoceanic flight became a real Today, with the hindsight and ex Information Center. ity that today is simply an traordinary gains in technology, accepted part of daily life. Take a most of us would never attempt RED BARN STORE few moments on these days to re such a flight in the Spirit ofSt. Louis, The VAA Red Barn store, chock member what the state of aviation but at that time, the purpose-built, full of great VAA logo merchandise was on those amazing days, and sleek monoplane was exactly what and other great gear, will be open lift a glass in toast to the 75th an was needed to fly the Atlantic. And all week long. On the evening of niversary of what was the dawn he did it first. Moreover, he in Thursday, July 25, 2002, there will of acceptance for the general pub spired countless generations to get be a special VAA Members Only lic and aviation. Using the best into the air and do something. Avi sale. Bring your VAA card (or your available technology of the day, ation advanced and America receipt showing you joined VAA at including a state of the art engine progressed on the wave of enthusi the Convention) and you'll re (the Wright J-4 Whirlwind) and asm that engulfed the nation and ceive an additional discount on instruments (including the new the world. It was quite a time. speciall y priced merchandise. The Sperry Turn Indicator and the Here's to you, Charles Lindbergh! VAA Members Only sale will be from 7-9 pm.

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