Spring Issue 2019
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Vol 62, No. 2 Official SILVER WINGS FRATERNITY Newsletter Spring Issue 2019 Copyright © 2019 Silver Wings Fraternity Aviation Scholarship Foundation, Inc. All Rights Reserved Apr-June 2019 Spring Issue Once again, it’s Spring Break for Pilots at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, the 45th year for what will be for five days the busiest airport in North America. And this year the featured air show will be The Blue Angles. Formed in 1946, they’re the second oldest formal flying acrobatic team (under the same name) in the world, after the French Patrouille de France formed in 1931. The Blue Angles’ six demonstration pilots fly the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet split into the Dia- mond Formation (Blues 1 through 4) and the Lead and Opposing Solos (5 and 6). The Diamond, in tight for- mation, usually fly at lower speeds (400 mph) while the Solos showcase the high-performance capabilities though fast rolls, slow rolls, high speed turns and high speed passes up to 700 mph, just under Mach 1. The Solos join the Diamond Formation near the end of the show for a number of maneuvers in the Delta For- mation. DAVE WITTY for Experimental Aircraft Association With a show season from March until November, they perform at both military and civilian airfields. An estimated 11 million spec- that year flying Grumman F6F-5 Hellcats. The Blue Angels name was sug- tators view the squadron during air shows each year. The Blue Angels also gested by Right Wing Pilot Lt. Maurice “Wick” Wickendoll after reading visit more than 50,000 people during their season in schools and hospitals. about the Blue Angel nightclub in The New Yorker magazine. Their Commanding Officer is Captain Eric C. Doyle from League City, Tex- Originally, demonstration aircraft were navy blue (nearly black) with gold as, a graduate of Texas A&M in Civil Engineering. He has accumulated over lettering. The current shades of blue and yellow were adopted when the team 3,000 hours with 600 carrier-assisted landings. He joined the Blue Angels in transitioned to the F8F-1 Bearcat in 1946. They flew Bearcats until transi- September 2017. There have been female and minority staff officers as mem- tioning to the F9F-2 Panther in 1949 and have remained jet powered ever bers including minority member Lt. Andre Webb on the current team. Navy since. and Marine Corps F/A-18 pilots are required to have a minimum of 1,250 They are currently stationed at NAS Pensacola, Florida and NAF El Central, tactical jet hours and be carrier qualified. California (winter). The Blue Angels were first formed as the Flight Exhibition Team in 1946 at The Blue Angels arrive on Thursday the seventh for practice and fly their the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida by the Chief of Naval Opera- exhibitions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. tions Admiral Chester Nimitz. Their first flight demonstration was in June of CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 Apr-June 2019 SLIPSTREAM www.silverwings.org | page 1 Editor’s Column President’s Column Will Jensen Walter R. Baker There are many great airshows in America. But Sun ‘n Fun ranks only behind Oshkosh for As Leonardo Da Vinci once said, “Once you have the combinations of military flying, acrobatics tasted the sky you will forever look up.” And as by skilled performers, Warbirds and personal you’ll read, at Sun & Fun there will be a lot of heads planes. You wouldn’t miss the former, but also looking up! consider the personal planes, the Beech Stag- erwing’s, Swift 125’s, Aeronca Chiefs and Of course, the Blue Angels with their crowd-pleasing Piper Cubs, with a sprinkling of Cessna’s from precision flying. The sight and sounds as six F-18’s 170’s to radial 195’s. Every year brings a new roar over and passed the grandstands. The Golden crop of rarely seen planes from your own Knights hurtling earthward while unfurling the youth. So, of course catch the acrobatics, the American flag. Each and every hour it seems anoth- near Mach 1 of an F-18 and the ancient C- er acrobatic team or flying performer challenges you 47’s, P-51’s, Corsairs, Bell P-39’s , the Grum- to swivel your neck to catch an incredible roll or my man’s…but wander though that assortment of private planes even home own favorite the Immelmann. builts as well. And when your need a break, stop back at our Clubhouse for a cool drink, a And be sure to stop by the Clubhouse. Jim Porter has done an outstand- hot dog or hamburger. You’ll also learn more about our plans for this year ing job renewing the restroom, installing a tent over the deck and putting and our dreams for a more dynamic organization in the near future. Our a concrete pad under the cooking area. Looks great. So take a break and new Membership Chairman, Steve Rausch, has been working on ideas not stop by for a snack or a cool drink and renew friendships and make new only for new members but new chapters as well. And ideas to reinvigorate ones. Steve Rausch as you’ve read in Walt’s letter is our new Member- current chapters and spark older chapters. So, say hello to Steve and pass ship Chairman so it’s a great opportunity to meet him and share any of along any of your own suggestions. your ideas. We’re heading down the river to Savannah this Fall so why not join us! And of course, because this is Florida, be sure to bring the sunscreen and We’ll tour the Might 8th Air Force Museum on Monday morning Septem- a visor. ber 9th with lunch at their snack bar. We’ll also have our Convention din- ner Wednesday at the Museum under the wing of a B-17. Plus, a tour of the Gulfstream Plant on Tuesday with more than enough time to tour the water- front and squares of Savannah. It’s one of the loveliest and most historical cities in our country. Secretary’s Column So, Sun ‘n Fun and Savannah are two great opportunities to enjoy your membership connections and enjoy the skies above. Bill Johnston Blue skies, Sun ’N Fun has sure sneaked up on us in a hurry. Every year, at the end of the show, I say to myself, On Line Renewal ‘A whole year I will have to wait for the next one. Thank you to those that renewed their membership last January using the On-Line That’s just too long to wait’. But it’s here and renewal process. Remember you can do this again this year to renew for 2019. After promises to be another unforgettable event for us logging into the SilverWings.org web site the Members Area is available. 1. Select “Renew Your Membership” from the Members Area pulldown menu, who love everything about airplanes. Reflecting Complete the form and submit. You will automatically be taken to the PayPal site back, however, it’s not just about airplanes. It is a where you can pay with your credit card (or PayPal your PayPal account if you have wonderful gathering of many Silver Wings Frater- one). 2. Also, there is now an option for members who also belong to a Chapter to pay nity members renewing old friendships and making National and Chapter dues with a single on-line transaction. After filling out the on- many new ones. After all, isn’t this the simple defi- line renewal form you may select National only or National + Chapter dues as an nition of a fraternity? If you plan to attend Sun ‘N option. Please insure that you include your Chapter’ name in the space on the form provided so that we can forward the dues to the Correct Chapter. Fun this year, I hope we can meet at the cottage and shake hands again or for the first time. If Sun ‘N Fun is not an option for you, consider meeting us in Savannah, Treasurer’s Column GA, for our annual convention. Plans are being finalized for an exciting event with a casual pace. More in the next issue of Slipstream. Plan to at- Thomas K. Menefee tend now. MISSION STATEMENT & PURPOSE Treasurer’s Report Feb. 18, 2019 A charitable and educational not-for-profit membership General Operating Acct. $24,327 organization of pilots who soloed a powered aircraft more than 25 years ago, newer pilots, and others with a genuine interest in Aviation Scholarship Fund $9,658 aviation, who endeavor to advance aviation science and career Oshkosh Development Fund $3,716 opportunities, and provide educational scholarships in aviation. Total $37,701 Apr-June 2019 SLIPSTREAM www.silverwings.org | page 2 Silver Wings Fraternity Aviation Scholarship Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors, Officers & Staff Five-Member Executive Committee PRESIDENT Walter R. Baker (2021) Telephone (850) 733-9160 [email protected] VICE PRESIDENT Dennis C. DeStefano (2019) [email protected] CONNER MADISON for Experimental Aircraft Association SECRETARY Wilmer A. Johnston (2021) [email protected] TREASURER Thomas K. Menefee (2020) [email protected] ADDITIONAL DIRECTORS H. Gilly Smith (2019) [email protected] Nicole P. Stott (2020) CONNER MADISON for Experimental Aircraft Association DAVE WITTY for Experimental Aircraft Association [email protected] Will Jensen (2019) [email protected] Jerome Riesz (2019) [email protected] William Bell (2019) [email protected] Steve Rausch (2020) [email protected] APPOINTED STAFF BUILDING MANAGER DAVE WITTY for Experimental Aircraft Association James Porter [email protected] CHAPLAIN Rodney George CONNER MADISON for Experimental Aircraft Association [email protected] EDITOR/PUBLISHER Will Jensen [email protected] DAVE WITTY for Experimental Aircraft Association SUN ‘N FUN EVENT COORDINATOR Tom Menefee [email protected] [email protected] WEBMASTER James McCarthy [email protected] Please Mail All Correspondence to CHRIS MILLER for Experimental Aircraft Association P.