The Plane Scoop A publication of the Central Valley Aviation Association April 2017 President s Message By Morris Garcia For my first message, how about we just start with a good story rather than what great plans we might want to consider enough time for that. that happened back in 1957. You ll also find out how John and Jim participated in David Steeves life. In 1957, there was a sensational story in the Saturday Evening Post as well as Life Magazine and on radio and television about an Air Force Lieutenant named David Steeves. His T-33 jet trainer had exploded somewhere over Kings Canyon, and he parachuted into one of the most rugged areas in the U.S. This all happened in the middle of winter and during a period when there was a never-ending series of storms to hit California. There was a relatively short period of rescue attempts which were called off because of the belief that no one could survive the crash or the weather. Steeves walked out of the mountains eight weeks later, 54 pounds lighter, with a big beard and long hair and into the limelight and celebrity status. It wasn t long before some folks started doubting his story and his life ultimately being turned upside down and reputation disgraced. Our Fearless Leader for 2017 Today, many people still believe Steeves and his astonishing story and there continues to be his doubters. Two of our club members had something to do with this story and wouldn t you know it would be John Pugliese and Jim Shamp. I m working on getting the fellow that gave this interesting presentation to the Quite Birdmen group of which several of us CVAA members belong. Hopefully, he will join us at one of our future meetings so you ll be able to judge for yourself if Steeves really lived the adventure Lockheed T-33 jet trainer. Top speed was 600 mph and it was produced from 1948 to 1959. T-33s saw service until the 1990s in air forces all over the word. In this issue Page 1
Page 2 NC606M 1929 Fleet Biplane Restoration Completed at Fresno Chandler Airport On Saturday, March 25, 2017 Larry Powell and Joe Sahakian successfully completed taxi trials of NC606M, a 1929 Fleet biplane that is owned by Larry. The successful taxi test is the culmination of nearly three years of blood, sweat, and sometimes tears, as Larry and his friends restored the historic plane to flying condition after years of sitting inactive in a hangar at Chandler. Larry is Jim Anderson will present at the April 1 Meeting on Code Talkers Jim Anderson, a Native American, will talk about the Code Talkers and how the use of fluent Native American language speakers during World War 2 was able to keep enemy forces from understanding critical radio messages transmitted from the front lines in both the European and Pacific theaters. Jim will discuss how the Code Talkers started during World War 1 and were expanded in World War 2 to include over 1,500 individuals. He will also discuss how the use of Code Talkers was kept secret from enemy intelligence services. Bushcat LSA Demo Being Planned at Chandler A demo of the Bushcat LSA aircraft is being planned for late April or early May at Fresno Chandler Executive Airport. The Bushcat was designed to operate in the African bush and is built in South Africa. The aircraft is one of the most reasonably priced LSAs on the market and comes in both a tricycle gear and conventional gear configuration. If you are interested in participating in the demo, please contact Joseph Oldham at josepholdham4870h@gmail.com. April Activities not certain when the first test flight will take place, but it should be soon. Larry has done a remarkable job restoring the plane to its original look!! Well done Larry! April 1 General Meeting, 9 am, EAA 376 Hangar, Sierra Sky Park. Presentation: Complete Information on ADS-B. April 13--Board Meeting, 6:30 pm, location is Airport Manager s Conference Room, Chandler Terminal Building at 510 W. Kearney Blvd., Fresno, CA. April 15--Hanford Vintage Aircraft Fly-in Display Day Breakfast, (KHJO), $5 donation. Central Valley Squadron of CAF Saturday Lunch. See website for details: http://www.cafvalleysquadron.org/saturdaylunch
Page 3 The Central Valley Aviation Association CVAA 2017 Officers and Board Members Below is the list of officer and Board positions elected for 2017 to oversee the operations of CVAA. If you have suggestions for speakers, topics, events, or activities, please feel free to contact any of the officers or Board members listed. Officers President: Morris Garcia Vice President: Joseph Oldham Secretary: Christie Anderson Treasurer: Sarah Donaldson Board Members Joe Kulbeth Mary King John Pugliese Jim Shamp Rick Emerian Chuck Carson Arnie Schweer Mark Cannon Call to order: 11:00 a.m. Morris Garcia opened the meeting. Treasurers Report: There was no report for this month because the treasurer was not present. Old Business: Discussion on how to recruit new members. New Business: Elections were held. Morris Garcia motioned to accept all nominees. President Morris Garcia Vice Present Joseph Oldham Treasurer Sarah Donaldson Secretary Christy Anderson Board Members: Meeting Minutes for March 4 Meeting Joe Kulbeth Mark Cannon Mary King Jim Shamp John Pugliese Chuck Carson Rick Emerian Arnie Schweer Rod Machado has committed to come to Remember When. He will take pictures with people. CVAA will try to rent 628 building at Chandler for his program. Tom Linton talked to us about what the AOPA can do for Remember When Proposed field trip to Paso Robles for Saturday May 6, 2017. Bill Campbell suggested a new meeting place at EAA hangar at SkyPark. John Pugliese said old timers consider Chandler home. Jim Shamp said because CVAA is at Chandler, the meetings should stay there. Adjourned at 12:00a.m. MSC Schweer/Shamp
Page 4 The Central Valley Aviation Association
Page 5 The Central Valley Aviation Association The Aviation Businesses at Fresno Chandler Airport
Page 6 Central Valley Aviation Association Membership Application or Update Name: Membership: Single Family Spouse s Name (If family membership): (we encourage family membership) Address: Street, City, State: Zip: Telephone: Home:, Work:, Cellular: Email address: (Print carefully) I would like to receive the Plane Scoop via e-mail: Yes, No Airplane (you usually fly): Type:, N number:, Colors): Date of birth (just the month and day not the year): Primary member:, Spouse:. How many years have you been a member of CVAA? (estimates are OK) CVAA Service: Please list any offices or committee positions in which you are interested in serving: Please list any talent or skills you have that you would be willing to use to serve CVAA: This information will be printed in our Club roster and distributed to members only. Please omit any information you do not want to appear in the Club roster. Mail application, with $20 single membership or $25 for a family membership to: Sarah Donaldson 1959 Gateway Blvd., Suite 102 Fresno, CA 93727 If you have already paid your dues please complete the form anyway and mail it or hand it to Mable Smith. Comments or suggestions: