MDT - Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division Vol. 53 No. 11 November 2002 Montanas Flight Across America Returns By: Dave Miller, Bozeman (Montanas Flag Bearer) For those of you that had not heard, Flight even more interesting, I was in the middle I left Montana on the 3rd, around 4:00 PM). Across America FLAA was an effort to of an engine up grade. The flying club I As I taxied back down the dark runway Id honor those who lost their lives on 9-11 belong to has two 172s and as luck would just landed on, it appeared as though I had and more. Our freedom of Flight had been have it, when I called to reserve one as a landed on a deserted airport. Finally I saw used as a weapon against us, for such a ter- back up, both had already been reserved. a light down behind the hangers and tax- rible act, that it literally shook the founda- That meant I had no options. I had to get ied towards it. As I got closer, I realized I tion of our way of life, and Our Freedom that engine installed and running with no was not alone. There were about 50 to 60 Because aviation had been used against problems. As luck would have it, I had lots people in the pavilion. When I shut down us, FLAA was also an effort to use the Spirit of problems. Lack of time was my biggest my engine & opened my canopy, someone of Aviation, and the freedom it represents, problem. But with lots of help and lots of in the dark simply asked, Montana? My to inspire the nation and contribute to the hours, it happened. I had 2 hours on the reply was an equally simple, Montana! healing process. This effort was repre- engine when I headed to our capital, Hel- The response to that was amazing. I think sented by one volunteer pilot from each ena, Montana to pick up the flag. The rest everyone of those people stood up and state, delivering their State Flag to the is history. Some of that history Ill never cheered & clapped. From that moment on, people of New York to show unity and sup- forget. My first encounter with the other I knew I was among friends. That experi- port. Flag Bearers is one I have to share with ence alone made the trip. So again I want It was a tremendous honor to have been you. to simply say Thank you! This was a the Flag Bearer for Montana on the Flight It was late in the evening, on the 5th of good mission. The fantastic people I met Across America. Now that I am safely September, when I finally arrived at during the preparation and during my trip back home, and reflecting on what I had Somerset, PA. It had been a long day, and I made it so, and I am very proud to have the honor to be part of, I can honestly say was tired. (Lets face it; I was tired the day been able to represent Montana. that it was one of the most rewarding things Ive ever been involved in. When I was given the opportunity to represent my be- loved state of Montana, I had a lot of mixed feelings. Naturally, I was very proud and humbled to have been chosen. That was the easy part. But when the coordinator simply asked me if I would make the com- mitment, I hesitated. I took two days to worry about the responsibilities I was about to accept. Thank God I had the strength to say yes. Ive been a firefighter for over 35 years now, and Id like to think I know what its like to make a commitment. Well, Id be lying if I didnt tell everyone, this one had me worried. The airplane I wanted to use was a home built experimental that took Montana Flag Bearer, Dave Miller, Local 613, Bozeman, Montana 4th from the left, top me 13 years to build. And to make things row. We congratulate and thank Dave for representing the GREAT State of Montana! Administrators Column Rural Mail Delivery Threat- First Flight has happened! On th ened: The United States Postal Service October 26 a historic Lockheed P-38F has announced it will end all rural airmail fighter from WWII made its first flight in contracts by May 2003 and use ground more than 60 years. It was one of eight P- transportation exclusively. Alpine Air of 38s and two B-17s en route to England on Provo, Utah flys over 50,000 lbs of mail a July 7, 1942, that encountered bad day in Montana. Representative Denny weather, ran low on fuel and made pre- Rehberg has issued a press release and cautionary landings on the Greenland ice joined eight colleagues in a letter to the post cap. The crews were rescued, but the air- office urging the decision be reserved. In- craft became entombed in the ice. The terested parties should submit comments 1993 aviation conference featured Rich- to Montanas congressional delegation. ard Taylor and Patrick Epps founders of For more information please call the Divi- the Greenland Expedition society who sion at 444-2506.( spoke of their first recovery venture in 1981. In 1992, Glacier Girl was recov- Customs Information: General ered from beneath 268 feet of ice. For more Debbie K. Alke, Administrator aviation customs service at the Great Falls information tune into the history channel International Airport has been suspended on March 3, 2003 at 9:00 PM EST for a indefinitely due to the terminal remodel documentary on The Lost Squadron or go project underway at the facility. Aircraft to www.thelostsquadron.com .( are being referred to Cut Bank, Helena or Montana and the Sky Butte. A recent hiring freeze for part-time Department of Transportation employees has delayed any progress in se- Judy Martz, Governor curing a customs agent for Glasgow. ( David A. Galt, Director Change in Senate Means Official monthly publication of the Changes for Aviation: An impor- Aeronautics Division tant outcome of the recent elections for the Telephone - (406) 444-2506 aviation subcommittee is the upcoming Fax - (406) 444-2519 change of key Senate committee chairman- P.O. Box 5178 shipsparticularly the Senate Committee Helena, MT 59604 on Commerce, Science and Transportation http://www.mdt.state.mt.us/aeronautics/ that oversees the DOT and FAA and au- Debbie K. Alke, thors legislation that sets spending limits Administrator for these departments. Sen. John McCain Aeronautics Board (R-AZ), who has not always supported gen- John Rabenberg, Chairman eral aviation issues will take over the gavel Frank Bass, Member from Sen. Fritz Hollings (D-SC), a long- Craig Denney, Member time supporter of GA. The Senate Appro- JoAnn Eisenzimer, Member priations Committee, will see a change in Lanny Hanson, Member leadership as wellit reverts from Sen. Will Metz, Member Robert Byrd (D-WV) to pilot Sen. Ted Bob Palmersheim, Member Stevens (R-AK). In the Senate Ted Stevens Kenneth Tolliver, Member (AK), Tom Harkin (IA), Jim Inhofe (OK), The forgotten man Charles Taylor George Warner, Member and House members Robin Hayes (NC), of the Wright brothers historic first Leonard Boswell (IA), Pat Toomey (PA), powered, man flight will be honored Montana and the Sky Charlie Bass (NH) and Vern Ehlers (MI) with a memorial to be built at Wright are all returning members to Congress and State University in Dayton, Ohio. Tay- is published monthly AOPA members. Five new AOPA mem- lor was a design engineer, machinist, in the interest of aviation in the bers will join Capitol HillSteve Pearce and mechanic for the Wrights. The State of Montana. (NM), John Kline (MN), Michael Burgess Aviation Maintenance Career Com- Third Class postage paid at (TX), Chris Chocola (IN) and William mission worked with the university to Helena, Montana 59604 Subscription: $5 per year Janklow (SD). ( develop the memorial. The ground breaking is set for May 24, 2003. Editor: Patty Kautz 2 Calendar Art Contests January 16 & 17, 2003 Aeronautics Board Loan & Grant Review Helena. For Celebrate information phone (406) 444-2506. January 24-26, 2003 - Winter Survival Clinic - Helena. For further information Flight phone Montana Aeronautics Division (406) 444-2506. February 7& 8, 2003 Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic Helena. For further information phone Montana Aeronautics Division (406) 444-2506. This years Montana Aeronautics Division February 27 March 1, 2003 Montana Aviation Conference, Holiday Inn, Aviation Awareness Art Contest celebrates Missoula (800) 399-0408 or (406) 721-8550. For further information phone Mon- 100 Years of Powered Flight commemo- tana Aeronautics Division (406) 444-2506. rating the centennial of the Wright Broth- ers first powered flight on the sands at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on Decem- ber 17, 1903. First place entries receive a round trip flight from the winners home- Montana Aviation town to Helena for the winner and his/her parents, a trophy and certificate of achieve- Conference ment presented by the Governor and a ca- February 27 March 1, 2003 reer awareness tour of the Helena Regional Mark your calendar now!!! Airport. The grand prize for entrants 16 to 18 years of age includes paid tuition to at- tend the 2003 Experimental Aircraft As- Holiday Inn Parkside sociation (EAA) Air Academy & EAA Fly- (406) 721-8550 In Convention in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The deadline for this years contest is March Missoula, Montana 29, 2003. For further contest information Room rates $65 + tax please phone Montana Aeronautics Divi- Reserve your room early. sion (406) 444-2506 or email: [email protected].