Spring Issue 2019

Home , Blue Angels, Kirby Chambliss, Michael Goulian

Vol 62, No. 2 Official SILVER WINGS FRATERNITY Newsletter Spring Issue 2019

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 formation, 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

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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

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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. O. Box 1694, Oldsmar, FL, 34677-1694 Or [email protected]

CHRIS MILLER for Experimental Aircraft Association SWF Founder & President Emeritus Russell James Brinkley - 1906-1992

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Special for Silver Wings members first two seasons of Challenger Class competition, including two wins. For Silver Wings Fraternity members, Sun & Fun is offering a discount on And there’s Michael Goulian who puts ferocity in each performance…roll, tickets. At the Admission Gate, simply show your membership card along pull, pitch and tumble in every flight. He’s also a contender the Red Bull Air with the member code SWF346 for a 7% discount. Race Master Class category flying at exotic venues around the world. This year, our Florida Gulf Coast And there are performers in aircraft you won’t see every Chapter has spruced up the Clubhouse day. interior and upgraded the bathroom facilities. Also, an awning covers the Take Bob Carlton. With a commercial pilot certificate, Bob has flown glid- back porch for a cooler place to enjoy ers, helicopters and sailplanes from sites across the U.S. This year, he’ll fly the hot dogs and hamburgers prepared the super SubSonex personal jet in an amazing aerobatic display. by our “Chefs”, Gordon Fasting, Or David Martin who flies’ aerobatics in a Beechcraft Baron. Extraordinary Janice Jones and Vickie Beauchesne. maneuvers in any plane but this is a light twin-engine aircraft. So, stop by and greet new members And the warbird pilots like Lee Lauderback and Jim Tobul. Lee, an EAA and old friends, catch up on the news Warbirds of America Hall of Fame in- about our Savannah Convention this fall and enjoy the Cottage cooking. ductee flies the legendary P-51 Mustang. The Blue Angels won’t be the only acrobatic show in town. Jim flies the “Korean War Hero” F4U-4 Corsair. Both put on a show that cele- In fact, the Blue Angels are just one of three Department of Defense- brates the history of these two memora- sanctioned aerial demonstration teams the others being the Thunderbirds and ble aircraft. the third, the US Army Golden Knights. So, if you’re the kind of guy or gal who The Golden Knights, a 95 men and women team which includes four para- looks up every time a plane flies over, chute units, will perform Wednesday through Sunday jumping from heights your head will spin this week at Sun ‘n of 10,000 to 20,000 feet trailing smoke canasters as they fly through the sky. Fun. (Remember, they’re jumping out of perfectly good airplanes!) Other group acrobatic teams include the AeroShell Acrobatic Team with four The Blue Angels’ Creed North American T-6 Texans Written by JO1 Cathy Konn1991-1993 performing both day and night shows. They’ve re- Today is a very special and memorable day in your military career cently been inducted into the that will remain with you throughout your lifetime. You have sur- ICAS Foundation airshow vived the ultimate test of your peers and have proven to be complete- Hall of Fame. ly deserving to wear the crest of the U. S. Navy Blue Angles. The Next, the GEICO Skytypers, prestige of wearing the Blue Angles uniform carries with it an ex- CONNER MADISON for Experimental Aircraft Associa- also flying AT-6’s perform- traordinary honor—one that reflects not only on you as an individual, ing precision flight maneuvers at select airshows across the US. but on your teammates and the entire squadron. To the crowds at the Also, the AeroStars, another AT-6 squadron featuring a new Phillips 66 Ex- air shows and to the public at hospitals and schools nationwide you tra 300 aircraft routine. are a symbol of the Navy and Marine Corps’ finest. You bring pride, hope and a promise for tomorrow’s Navy and Marine Corps in the And there’s a host of individual aerobatic performers. smiles and handshakes of today’s youth. Remember today as the day Take Julie Clark, a retired Northwest Airlines Captain and pilot for over 45 you became a Blue Angel; look around at your teammates and com- years. She’s logged over 33,000 accident-free hours in more than 66 types of mit tis special bond to memory. “Once a Blue Angel, always a Blue th aircraft. In her 36 year as a solo air show pilot, she’s earned the admiration Angel,” rings true for all those who wear the crest of the U. S. Navy of fans everywhere. Blue Angels. Welcome to the team. Then there’s Matt Chapman, flying aerobatics since 1984, he quickly worked his way into the Unlimited Category. Recognized for his skills, he won one of only five slots on the U.S. Unlimited Men’s Aerobatic team in 1996 and 1998. And there’s the Red Bull Racers as aerobatic performers. Kirby Chambliss has won two World Titles and 10 race victories which puts him third on the all-time win list of Red Bull races. He’s been on the podium in 11 of 12 seasons, snapped only in 2014. As an aerobatic pilot, he’s won five US National Championships in the Unlimited Level and has won 13 World Championship medals. He fly’s the Zivko Edge 540 aircraft. Next is Kevin Coleman, the first American to fly in the Red Bull Air Race Challenger Class. A long-time air show performer he’s a former member of the U.S. Advanced Aerobatic Team. He captured seven race podiums in his

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The Mystery P-51 Pilot ed for an acknowledgment. The radio crackled, "Go ahead, Kingston." "Roger, Mustang. Kingston tower would like to advise the circuit is clear for a low-level pass." This 1967 true story is about an experience by a young 12-year-old boy in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. It is about the vivid memory of a privately rebuilt I stood in shock because the controller had just, more or less, asked the pilot P-51 from WWII and its famous owner/pilot. to return for an impromptu air show! “In the morning sun, I could not believe my eyes. There, in our little airport, The controller looked at us. "Well, What?" He asked. "I can't let that guy go sat a majestic P-51. They said it had flown in during the night from some without asking. I couldn't forgive myself!" U.S. Airport, on its way to an air show. The pilot had been tired, so he just The radio crackled once again, "Kingston, do I have permission for a low- happened to choose Kingston for his stopover. It was to take to the air very level pass, east to west, soon. I marveled at the size of the plane, dwarfing the Pipers and Canucks across the field?" "Roger, tied down by her. It was much larger than in the movies. She glistened in the At about 500 mph and 150 Mustang, the circuit is clear sun like a bulwark of security from days gone by. yards from where we stood she for an east to west pass." The pilot arrived by cab, paid the driver, and then stepped into the pilot's passed with the old American "Roger, Kingston, I'm com- lounge. He was an older man; his wavy hair was gray and tossed. It looked pilot saluting. ing out of 3,000 feet, stand like it might have been combed, say, around the turn of the century. His flight by." We rushed back onto the jacket was checked, creased and worn - it smelled old and genu- second-story deck, eyes fixed ine. Old Glory was prominently sewn to its shoulders. He project- toward the eastern haze. ed a quiet air of proficiency and pride devoid of arrogance. The sound was subtle at He filed a quick flight plan to Montreal ("Expo-67 Air Show") first, a high-pitched whine, a then walked across the tarmac. muffled screech, a distant scream. Moments later the P- After taking several minutes to perform his walk-around check, 51 burst through the haze. the tall, lanky man returned to the flight lounge to ask if anyone Her airframe straining would be available to stand by with fire extinguishers while he against positive G's and "flashed the old bird up, just to be safe." Though only 12 at the CONNER MADISON for Experimental Aircraft Association gravity. Her wing tips time I was allowed to stand by with an extinguisher after brief spilling contrails of condensed air, prop-tips again supersonic. The burnished instruction on its use -- "If you see bird blasted across the eastern margin of the field shredding and tearing the a fire, point, then pull this lever!", "Listen to that thing!" air. At about 500 mph and 150 yards from where we stood she passed with he said. (I later became a firefight- said the controller. the old American pilot saluting. er, but that's another story.) Imagine. A salute! I felt like laughing; like crying; she glistened; she The air around the exhaust manifolds shimmered like a mirror from fuel screamed; the building shook; my heart pounded. Then the old pilot pulled fumes as the huge prop started to rotate. One manifold, then another, and yet her up and rolled, and rolled, and rolled out of sight into the broken clouds another barked -- I stepped back with the others. In moments the Packard- and indelibly into my memory. built Merlin engine came to life with a thunderous roar. Blue flames knifed from her manifolds with an arrogant snarl. I looked at the others' faces; there I've never wanted to be an American more than on that day! It was a time was no concern. I lowered the bell of my extinguisher. One of the guys sig- when many nations in the world looked to America as their big brother. A naled to walk back to the lounge We did. Several minutes later we could hear steady and even-handed beacon of security who navigated difficult political the pilot doing his pre-flight run-up. He'd taxied to the end of runway 19, out water with grace and style; not unlike the old American pilot who'd just of sight. All went quiet for several seconds. We ran to the second story deck flown into my memory. He was proud, not arrogant; humble, not a braggart; to see if we could catch a glimpse of the P-51 as she started down the run- old and honest, projecting an aura of America at its best. way. We could not. There we stood, eyes fixed at a spot halfway down the That America will return one day! I know he will! Until that time, I'll just runway. Then a roar ripped across the field, much louder than before. Like a send off this story. Call it a loving salute to a Country, and especially to that furious hell spawn set loose -- something mighty this way was coming. old American pilot: the late JIMMY STEWART (1908-1997), Actor, real "Listen to that thing!" said the controller. WWII Hero (Commander of a US Army Air Force Bomber Wing stationed in England), and a USAF Reserves Brigadier General, who wove a wonderfully In seconds the Mustang burst into our line of sight. Its tail was already off fantastic memory for a young Canadian boy that's lasted a lifetime.” the runway and it was moving faster than anything I'd ever seen. Two-thirds the way down 19 the Mustang was airborne with her gear going up. The prop tips were supersonic. We clasped our ears as the Mustang climbed hellishly fast into the circuit to be eaten up by the dog -day haze. We stood for a few moments, in stunned silence, trying to digest what we'd just seen. The radio controller rushed by me to the radio. "Kingston tower calling Mus- tang?" He looked back to us as he wait- CONNER MADISON for Experimental Aircraft Association

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Silver Wings Fraternity Aviation Scholarship Foundation, Inc. Chapter Meetings & Contacts National Annual Membership Dues Member (includes one spouse) New : $25.00 USD (2nd Q.) COLORADO CHAPTER (Prorated each quarter: 1st Q. = $30; 2nd Q.= $25; 3rd Q.= $20; 4th Q. = $15) Meets 4 times a year at the Ramada Englewood at Centennial Airport, 7770 South Peoria Street, Englewood, CO 80112. Visitors Member (includes one spouse) Renewal : $30.00 USD always welcome! For more info, contact Bill Totten at [email protected] or Telephone 303-364-5238. Pay by Credit Card or Make Your Check or Money Order Payable to “Silver Wings Fraternity” (Do Not Send Cash) and mail to: FLORIDA GULF COAST CHAPTER SWF Membership Secretary, P. O. Box 1694, Oldsmar, FL 34677-1694 Meets 8 times a year in the Clearwater/Dunedin area, at Clearwater Golf Club, 525 North Betty Lane, Clearwater, FL 33755 Visitors always welcome! For more info, contact us at [email protected] or President Jim McCarthy at 727- 772-7052.

Circle your Credit Card and provide information: GEORGIA CHAPTER Meets every Wednesday (except Holiday weeks) for lunch in Atlanta Card No. ______at the 57th Fighter Group Restaurant 3829 Clairmont Road, Atlanta 30341, with excellent speakers. Visitors always welcome! For more Exp. Date ______info contact Chapter President Bill Bell at 404-321-3131 (office). 3-4 Digit S/N ______ILLINOIS CHAPTER Meets 3 times a year at the Four Points Sheraton in the Village of REQUIRED DISCLOSURE INFORMATION Schiller Park near Chicago. Visitors always welcome! For more info, contact Chapter President Stephen Peters at 708-532-7584.

Florida Statutes Chapter 496, the Solicitations Act, was enacted by the Flori- LAKE ERIE CHAPTER da Legislature and is administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture Meet quarterly in Painesville, OH at Rider’s 1812 Inn , 792 Mentor and Consumer Services, Division of Consumer Services. This law requires Ave. Please contact Kathy Ferry at LakeErieChap- that organizations such as Silver Wings Fraternity Aviation Scholarship [email protected] or Telephone 440-352-2481. Visitors welcome! Foundation, Inc., whose Registration Number is CH40511, conspicuously Our Annual Pot-Luck Picnic is held every July. display in capital letters the following statement with each printed solicitation, written confirmation or receipt for contributions received: OHIO CHAPTER “A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFOR- Meets 2nd Wednesday every other month in the Cincinnati area, usually at the Manor House Restaurant, 600 Maple Trace Drive, MATION MEY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SER- Springdale OH. Visitors are always welcome. For more info, contact VICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE OF FLORIDA 1-800- Chapter President Tom Hogan at 513-829-8248 or OhioChap- 435-7352 OR 850-410-3800 FROM OUTSIDE OF FLORIDA, REGISTRA- [email protected] TION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMEN- DATION BY THE STATE.”

In addition, you may obtain an organization’s registration information by visit- Please contact [email protected] for any changes or ing the following web site: https://csapp.800helpfla.com/cspublicapp/ inaccuracies in Chapter meeting location, time or contact giftgiversquery/giftgiversquery.aspx information. All fundraising activities are carried on by volunteers, members or officers who are not compensated and no part of the assets or income inures to the benefit of, or is paid to, any such persons. The Silver Wings Fraternity Aviation Schol- No Chapter in Your Area? Start One Now arship Foundation, Inc., is currently exempt from fee-based registration, has complied with the filing requirements of FS 496.406, and does not use the The National Office will assist you with a list of At-Large members services of any professional fundraising consultants, professional solicitors or commercial co-venturers. If you have any questions, please contact us at P. in your area, start-up documents and promotional materials. You O. Box 1694, Oldsmar, FL 34677-1694 or [email protected]. find a location for your first meeting and set the date and time. Talk to your pilot buddies now!

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Please submit your articles and photographs of Chapter events, flying activities, awards and other Fraternity or aviation-related topics. Content may be edited for clarity and space.. Please identify the author or photographer. Provide names of all recognizable persons in your photos, location, event and other information. Photography may be film prints or digital files, but in the highest resolu- tion available. State whether you want the items returned. Submissions indicate that permission is granted for publication. Read below for more information. Thank you for your support.

The Slipstream is published up to four times per year by the Silver Wings Fraternity Aviation Scholarship Foundation, Inc. (Silver Wings Fraternity) (SWF) for members and guests and is not for sale. The Editorial Staff welcomes your comments, suggestions and interesting or entertaining content. Views and opinions expressed herein are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the Editor, Publisher or Silver Wings Fraternity. Please direct all correspondence to: SWF Editor, P. O. Box 1694, Oldsmar, FL 34677-1694, or email to [email protected]. Persons submitting items for publication agree that items are original content and authored by themselves and the retain original copyright unless they assign those rights to Silver Wings Fraternity, and they further agree that they give Silver Wings Fraternity serial and electronic rights to publish said content in any form an unlimited number of times free of charge. Since the reliability of mailing and delivery services are beyond our control, the Editor , Publisher and Silver Wings Fraternity accept no responsibility for submissions, unsolicited or otherwise, or the return or safety of submitted material. Silver Wings Fraternity is a not-for-profit, charitable and educational membership organization. All efforts have been taken to ensure that all material published, including, but not limited to, photographs, clip art, typefaces and articles are in the public domain, or that permission has been granted for such use, or they are published under the doctrine of fair use for purposes of commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching or scholarship, or Creative Common license. Trademarks and other protected items are the property of their respective owners. Copyright © 2019 by the Silver Wings Fraternity except those items copyrighted by others. All rights reserved in all countries. Unauthorized reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited, and no part of this publication may be stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means , including electronically or by photo-copying, without the written permission of the Publisher or Editor.

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Last Flights are not obituaries, but only a notice of a member’s Last Flights passing gleaned from several sources. When you learn of any Mem- ber who has passed away less than three years, please notify us and submit a quality photograph if available. Please include their SWF Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings, and put out my hand and touched the face of God—after High Flight involvement, solo and other flying data. All confirmed Last Flight will be published as space is available. The members of the Fraternity share in the loss and we express our condolences to the families and friends of our Brothers and Sisters who have Flown West.

Georgia’s first aviator, Ben T. Epps to the first generation of Georgia pilots. The Epps Flying Field located three miles from Athens, became Georgia’s first civilian airport. Inspired by the Wright Brothers, Ben Epps was drawn to the development of motor-driven flying Epps was a true entrepreneur of early aviation. In machines. At age 19 in 1907, Epps flew his first 1925 he introduced his first “light monoplane” a plane at an open field in Athens Georgia. Unlike small single seat plane. Before Bill Piper and the the Wrights plane, Epps sat upright in the seat and Piper Cub, Epps wanted to make flying affordable used bicycle wheels rather than rails. It was of a to the average person. Sadly, Epps did not have canard design and like the Wright’s had wing the financial backing to expand production of his warping. The first flight, using a hill as a run- monoplane. Thus, running his garage and con- way, was 100 yards at an altitude of 50 feet. Not tracting business limited him to weekend flying. bad for a first flight. He taught his children as well as others to fly. At age 13, son Ben Epps Jr. soloed and became the Epps was a loner like the Wrights with no publici- youngest pilot ever to do so. This garnered so ty and no financial backing. He had started a much attention that President Herbert Hoover business in bicycle sales and service, then became invited both father and son to the White House. The duo became a popular an electrical contractor and had the first auto barnstorming attraction at air races in Georgia. repair shop in Athens. The Depression of the 30’s hampered business, yet Epps continued to experi- As father of ten, he was exempt from service in ment and develop aviation. He built and flew eight different aircraft in his WWI but after 1919, he used Army surplus lifetime and was enshrined as a Charter Member in the Georgia Aviation Hall planes for flying and experimenting further in of Fame. Epps was killed in a plane crash near Athens in 1937. flight. With a friend, Monte Rolf, he formed the His son Pat Jr. flew a C-46 over the Hump in WWII providing supplies to Rolf-Epps Flying Service which offered aerial the “Flying Tigers” in China, Burma and India. Pat Jr. joined his father in the photography, passenger rides, and flight lessons Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame in 1994.

Andrew Surratt That same year he joined the Civil Air Patrol as a member of the Fox Valley Recently, Silver Wings lost a long-time member Composite Squadron. He attained the rank of captain while participating in and Illinois Chapter supporter with the passing of emergency services activities and working with cadets in the orientation flight Andrew Surratt at the age of 76. Andy was born program. in Mississippi, but lived in the Chicago area for many years, most recently in Geneva and Medi- Andy was also a member of the DuPage Pilots Association and the Chicago nah. Flight Instructor Association, in addition to the Illinois Chapter of Silver Wings. His military service led him to membership in the St. Charles Ameri- Serving in the Army from 1956 to 1959, Andy can Legion Post #342 and the St. Charles Amvets Post #503. He was also was stationed in Germany with the 168th Combat involved in the Aurora Sportsmen’s Club and a member of the National Rifle Engineering Battalion. An avid pilot, Andy co- Association. founded the 14 Echo Flying Club. In 1995, he started the Pilot Makers Flying School at DuPage Andy is survived by his wife, Joanne, who frequently accompanied him to the Airport in 1995, which he ran until 2005. Silver Wings luncheons. Two of his three children, Michael Surratt and An- drea (Robert) Schooley. His son Russell (Inna) preceded him in death.

CHRIS MILLER for Experimental Aircraft Association CHRIS MILLER for Experimental Aircraft Association

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AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION, INC. CHANGE U S POSTAGE SERVICE PAID Post Office Box 1694 REQUESTED GREAT FALLS, MT Oldsmar, Florida 34677-1694 PERMIT NO. 128

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CONNER MADISON for Experimental Aircraft Association