August 2007 CPA newsletter
NEXT MEETING
Our next meeting will be held Sunday August 12thth on the terrace of Corona Aero Partners at 5PM. The open house to show Classical Aircraft , displays will be from 10AM until 2PM for the group display along Aviation Drive and the open hangers display will continue until 4:30 PM. Plan on displaying your aircraft. This is an excellent opportunity to share with the community and to create interest in the airport and in flying, so let's all participate as much as we can.
LAST MEETING
The Corona Pilot's Association meeting was called to order by our President, Jim Nunally on July 8, 2007 at 5 PM.
Dennis Voll, our Treasurer gave a report on our income and expenditures. Dennis reminded members who have not paid their dues to do so.
The following reports were made to the membership :
Rose ( DC-3) is leaving August 4, 2007 at 11 AM. for Brazil. A pancake and eggs breakfast will begin at 8AM August 4. A $4 donation will defray the expense of the breakfast.
Barney Starr's memorial will be Saturday, July 21. Barney was an icon to Corona Airport and will be solely missed.
Dorothy Voll, our Vice President, gave a report on the 4th of July Parade. We were a hit at the parade and everyone loved the flyovers.
Yolanda Anselen reported she may need to order more shirts for the Airfaire.
Margaret Nunally gave a report on the Airfaire which is moving in a timely manner. She thanked Terry Keiser for the outstanding job she did on the Flyers and Posters for the Airfaire. The design and color was excellent.
The meeting was adjourned. Good food and fellowship were enjoyed by all.
FROM THE PREZ
By Jim Nunally:
Well, another month has passed and it is still hot. Our aircraft display continues to break records each month as our July display had the most airplanes on display to date. We still need more.
Barney Starr had a very nice memorial on July 21 and I am sure he is now flying between the stars so go outside and wave to him. Barney did leave a gift for us all to enjoy. The seats at THE BENCH have all been rebuilt by Pat Brunner at Barney's request. They look great so be sure to thank Pat for all his work (in the hot sun).
A sad day for Corona Airport will be Saturday, August 4, when Rose leaves for the last time enroute to her new home in Brazil. We will have a pancake and egg breakfast on that morning starting around 8:00 or 8:30 in the hanger below the upper deck so please come out and see her off. The departure is scheduled to be around 10:30. Rose has been a welcome sight for a long time and we will truly miss her.
The annual Corona Airfaire, set for Saturday October 13, is progressing well. We need volunteers and I would like to see a good turnout among our members to lend a helping hand.
This year we will assign spots for our local airplanes that will be on display. If you want to display your aircraft please let me know by September 1. There may not be any room left for last minute requests after the Flying Banana, Radio control planes, Announcers stage, Police helicopter, etc have been given spots. Any excess spots as of September 1 will be given to any displays that want or need a hard surface. If you want to reserve a spot please see Margaret or Jim at the airport or e-mail your request to nunally@earthlink.net (or President@CoronaPilots.com) If you want to be located in a certain area or if certain airplanes want to be displayed next to each other this can be arranged, if your request is early enough.
How did Dennis Voll, our treasurer, really break his collar bone? He wants us to believe it was from an accident while racing motorcycles but could it be from newlywed antics?
CORONA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
By Rich Brodeur, Airport Manager
Now is your chance to get rid of those unwanted metal and wire items; a Metal & Wire Only Container… is located at the east end of the airport. Please do not throw trash in this container.
Upcoming events:
Wednesday July 25, 2007, Katie Parks from the Resource Management Dept. and Louie Munoz Prado Dam Operator Army Corps of Engineers visited and toured the airport. Mr. Munoz stated that the Army is working on repairing the damaged sewer line in the channel and that this line is being rerouted to prevent water flow problems in the event of future floods. This is good news for the airport.
Saturday July 28, 2007 a group of Boy Scouts have volunteered to help beautify their time and energy to clean up the airport of trash and weeds. This activity will help these individuals to earn their community service badge.
August 4, 2007 Rose has been sold! John Pappas and the Corona Pilots Association will be hosting a brunch to say goodbye to our famous DC-3. If you see them working, let them know how much you appreciate their efforts and work.
Safety: None to report this month...Thanks!
Aircraft complaints: One complaint this month about continuous low flying aircraft traffic over the southerly portion of Corona. This has occurred on the weekends. I visited this area on Saturday July 14, 2007 and did observe several aircraft but all appeared to be at or above minimum altitude. This does not mean that the complaint is or was invalid. I need your help to maintain a good neighbor policy with the citizens of Corona and would appreciate your assistance to prevent issues of this nature.
Hazardous Materials: Please dispose of all materials properly. You can take your oil to the east end for $1.00 per gallon or in most cases you can take it to your nearest automotive center for disposal for free. Please do not leave any oils or gasoline in open containers in your hangars. If I am not available; please do not leave oil on the ground next to the oil reclamation area, at the east end of the airport. My office phone numbers is (951) 736-2289… call and arrange a time to drop off your oil. By the way, this area is under constant camera surveillance and anyone who does leave hazardous materials on the ground is subjecting themselves to severe fines. Smile you're on camera!
Insurance: Please make sure your insurance is current and up to date and indicates The City of Corona and the Army Corps of Engineers as additionally insured. The Master Lease Holders have been issued a copy of all non-insured aircraft and will be taking corrective action to ensure 100% compliance to this ongoing process. If your aircraft is not operational and does not have insurance, you must submit a Declaration of Non-Operation Status form. Please contact your Master Lease Holder or the Airport Manager for this form.
It has been brought to my attention that someone has been leaving tire skid marks all over the airport and in one area this person appears to have lost control of their vehicle and damaged a hangar door at building 1955. If anyone has information about this incident, please report it to your Master Lease Holder or me.
Please help me keep our Airport Safe and Neighborly! Thanks!!!!
PILOT PROFILE
By Margaret Nunally
Pilot profile of Jim Barrett (in his own words) submitted by Margaret Nunally
Jim started his short 3 year aviation career with Cessna Aircraft in 1972. First a Cessna Finance representative, and then as a Great Lake zone salesman. Highlights of that career included getting on the APL (approved pilots list) for everything that Cessna made back then, which included the early Citation. He was laid off in 1973 during the big fuel crisis, says Jim, it was the best thing that ever happen due to other business opportunities. (Career wise that is, as he and Rita, former High School and College friends, married in 1999 after reacquainting at a High School reunion) Jim has lived in California since 1976, with a 5 year relocation back to Indiana, his birth state, just before 2003.
Jim was transferred to Southern California in 1976 by the former owner of his present company. Already possessing his Commercial and Instrument ratings achieved in Bloomington Indiana, Jim obtained his multi-engine credential from Martin Aviation at Orange County in 1979.
Jim has owned a 1978 Cessna 182RG since 1989, and is just completing the refurbishing of a 1979 Turbo version of that same plane. (Anyone interested in a pristine 1978 R182?) The newer plane has, of course, high altitude capability, and a few more horns and whistles than the older version, which is very well equipped too, including Waas Garmin.
The "For Sale" airplane has taken them to New England, the Northwest into Canada, South East to Key West, and of course Southwest to Mexico. Jim and Rita now enjoy weekend flying and a few trips a year, but look forward to a long trip East late this summer, and many excursion to come. As work currently interferes with aviation fun, they both look forward to retirement in the not too distant future.
Jim now owns Arvinyl Metal Laminates Corp., just ˝ mile from the airport. He uses his plane for both business and pleasure. Daughter Jeane, is an Engineer for the LA County Fire Department, and Son Matt works at Hennesey's in Dana Point as a Beverage Engineer. Jim and Rita feel that Corona just might be their Retirement base, as proximity to the Airport/s, children, and sun shine are all very important issues.
NEWS YOU REALLY NEED
July 21st was a special day at the Corona Airport. Nearly 200 people showed up to celebrate the life of Barney Starr at mid-field. Opening the ceremony were the Civil Air Patrol Squadrons led by Captain John Binder. The boys carried in a flag that was owned by Barney for many years, then carefully folded it and draped it out of the back seat of Barney's red and white Stearman and down the side.
Barney's niece, Diana Wint, officiated over the celebration, writing a beautiful poem in honor of her Uncle Barney, and while reading it as if it were words from Barney to all the pilots in the room, had each pilot in attendance stand. Next came the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Honor Guard, who saluted Barney with a 21 gun salute (oh, I mean, an engine backfire 3 times over), the playing of taps, the reading of the meaning of the folds of the flag, and presentation of the folded flag to Barney's sister, Alice Wint.
All this excitement was followed by the 5 Stearman fly-by with Barney's own aircraft flying off into the sunset (okay, maybe just towards Chino during the heat of mid-day!). Great camaraderie and sharing of Barney stories kept the celebration joyful, just as Barney would have wanted it.
In honor of Barney, new benches were installed at "The Bench" and a sign erected dedicating the benches to Ralph "Barney" Starr's memory. His oft heard comment, "See you when I see you" completes the dedicated sign. Those who worked to build the new benches were Pat Brunner, Doug Pitzer, Patty Pitzer, Judy Whitson and Susan Brunner.
On Sunday, July 22, 2007, Barney Starr was buried at sea as he had always requested. The SS Lane Victory, where Barney had been a volunteer since 1989,was his other home, next to the airport. He spent years assisting with the rebuild of the Lane Victory and many aboard were true shipmates of his. After the ceremonial memorial held on each voyage for those who perished during the War, the ship's Honor Guard and the ship's minister led the way to the fantail for a private ceremony for the family and friends gathered for Barney. More than 20 were in attendance for his final farewell, with his friend John from the crew in charge of sending him to his final resting place. Beautiful yellow daisies and yellow and red carnations were dropped overboard by each of those present into the Victory's wake. At last Barney is at peace, resting where he always wanted to go. May you truly rest in peace, Barney Starr, a dear friend to all who met you. We'll see you when we see you!
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SPECIAL THANKS FROM THE WINT FAMILY :
The entire Wint family sends to you the members of CPA and all of Barney's airport friends our sincere appreciation for the outpouring of friendship and love to us concerning the loss of our beloved Barney. There were so many of you who expressed your genuine sympathy and your support and assistance to us in taking care of those things that must be taken care of at a difficult time.
We are eternally grateful for the wonderful memorial at the airport, we know the work that went into that day and we cannot find words to express our gratitude for that day and for the love you have all shown for our beloved Barney. God Bless you all.
Alice Wint (The Lady who is lucky to have been Barney's sister)
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To those of our members who knew Ed Marquart , Ed's Memorial service will be at Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary, 7944 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, California at 10:00 AM Friday, August 10, 2007. There will be a reception following the service at Flabob Airport in the Chapter One hanger
ARE YOUR DUES PAID? Each YEAR CPA starts a new year on July first and dues are due then. If you have forgotten to send your dues in for this year please due so soon
USER FEES: A BATTLE REPORT
The fight against general aviation user fees is far from over, and the outcome far from certain. With the September 30 deadline for Congress to pass a new FAA funding bill fast approaching, here's where we stand today. We now have one bill in the House of Representatives-H.R.2881, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007-that, if it makes it all the way through to the president, would pay for air traffic control modernization (NextGen), would continue a robust airport aid program, and continue an efficient tax system that fairly distributes FAA funding costs among all aviation users. And it has no user fees. AOPA supports H.R.2881. When the right time comes, they will be asking you to tell your senators and representative that you want H.R.2881.
READER CONTRIBUTED TRAVELS
By Ed Sheffler(edited for space)
The Vintage Mooney Group (VMG) has pulled it off yet again. We all met at Big Bear CA Saturday morning with cooler and cleaner air. The elevation there is 6,752 feet above sea level (msl). The sky was an absolute blue, the pine trees a welcome green, and down there, Big Bear Lake was host to around 200 boaters having fun. The VMG was host to around 40 great people arriving via Mooney!
I think that makes around 35 VMG fly-ins now.
Having fun is the central theme to all VMG fly-ins. The ride up was just that, up almost all the way. I leave Corona at 500 msl, pass through the top of the smog, and top off near 9000 msl for safety over the western hills of the mountain before settling down at 7500' into the beautiful Big Bear valley area. It was as smooth a ride as sitting on a living room couch.
Caution: Boring paragraph for pilots. Although my flight planning software indicates 43.1 nm, I go just over 50 each way. One reason is that few trips wind up departing in the direction of the destination and then landing straight in at the destination. Does everything always go right for you? I took off westbound due to Corona's westerly surface winds, made two left turns and headed northeast. That's an extra 2 miles right there. At Big Bear I flew eastbound on a downwind for runway 26, made two left turns and landed westbound. Later, when I departed, the winds were out of the northeast so an eastbound departure was called for, and two right turns later, well, you get the picture. Arriving at Corona finds us flying more "make up your mind" directions. I first pass the airport going west, make two right turns to go downwind for runway 25, again pass the airport now going east, make two left turns, and land westbound. That procedure is dictated by safety and airport rules, not logic.
Exiting my Mooney at Big Bear, the fun began. Phil Corman welcomed me and helped me push the plane into a parking spot. He got a silly video clip of me making a fool out of myself again for the Big Bear Music Video.
After my knees had feebly climbed the stairs to the second floor restaurant, I was looking face to face with an elevator door! I put that into my short-term memory.
I presented a trivia question to the members about Mooney tow bars and it turns out that about half of us put them into the nose gear from the right side and half from the left. Everyone got the right answer even though there is no correct answer. In hindsight, what I should have done, is led a discussion about Density Altitude and leaning before takeoff. Later, we saw a departing Mooney with 3 onboard narrowly clear the trees at the end of the runway! Scared the beejebers out of us on the ramp.
Dang it, the elevator was dead when it was time to go back downstairs. Some of you know that besides the arthritis in my knees, I have a debilitating fear of heights. Going down stairs or escalators are killers to my inner self. Shazaam - an 'Angel' appeared at just the right time. My good buddy Joe Aldendifer was right there and offered his shoulder for comfort and reassurance. That's all it took. My right hand on the handrail and my left on his right shoulder gave me instant confidence. Left, right, left, right… Thanks Joe! I know, I know, a 'pilot with a fear of heights'? Go figure, I have no answers.
The ride home was the usual stuff. Poor climb out due to 9500' density altitude, looking at all of the 'tiny' boats on the lake, mild turbulence jiggles over the hills, then down, down, down at 200 MPH into the smog, and home. It was 100 degrees back in my hangar in Corona and it was time for a blue can.
A pilot story
This is a good little story about a vivid memory of a P-51 and its pilot by a fellow who was 12 years old in Canada in 1967. You may know a few others who would appreciate it.
It was noon on a Sunday as I recall, the day a Mustang P-51 was to take to the air. They said it had flown in during the night from some U.S. airport, the pilot had been tired. I marveled at the size of the plane dwarfing the Pipers and Canucks tied down by her. It was much larger than in the movies.
She glistened in the sun like a bulwark of security from days gone by. The pilot arrived by cab, paid the driver, and then stepped into the flight lounge. He was an older man; his wavy hair was gray and tossed. Looked like it might have been combed, say, around the turn of the century.
His flight jacket was checked, creased and worn - it smelled old and genuine. Old Glory was prominently sewn to its shoulders. He projected a quiet air of proficiency and pride devoid of arrogance. He filed a quick flight plan to Montreal (Expo-67, Air Show) then walked across the tarmac. After taking several minutes to perform his walk-around check the pilot returned to the flight lounge to ask if anyone would be available to stand by with fire extinguishers while he flashed the old bird up. "Just to be safe."
Though only 12 at the time I was allowed to stand by with an extinguisher after brief instruction on its use -- "If you see a fire, point, then pull this lever!" I later became a firefighter, but that's another story.
The air around the exhaust manifolds shimmered like a mirror from fuel fumes as the huge prop started to rotate. One manifold, then another, and yet another barked -- I stepped back with the others. In moments the Packard-built Merlin engine came to life with a thunderous roar, blue flames knifed from her manifolds. I looked at the others' faces, there was no concern. I lowered the bell of my extinguisher. One of the guys signaled to walk back to the lounge. We did.
Several minutes later we could hear the pilot doing his pre flight run-up. He'd taxied to the end of runway 19, out of sight. All went quiet for several seconds; we raced from the lounge to the second story deck to see if we could catch a glimpse of the P-51 as she started down the runway. We could not.
There we stood, eyes fixed to a spot half way down 19. Then a roar ripped across the field, much louder than before, like a furious hell spawn set loose---something mighty this way was coming. "Listen to that thing!" said the controller. In seconds, the Mustang burst into our line of sight.
Its tail was already off and it was moving faster than anything I'd ever seen by that point on 19. 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 hellish 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 Mustang?" He looked back to us as he waited 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." I stood in shock because the controller had, more or less, just asked the pilot to return for an impromptu air show! The controller looked at us. "What?" He asked. "I can't let that guy go without asking. I couldn't forgive myself!"
The radio crackled once again, "Kingston, do I have permission for a low level pass, east to west, across the field?" "Roger Mustang, the circuit is clear for an east to west pass." "Roger, Kingston, I'm coming out of 3000 feet, stand by."
We rushed back onto the second-story deck, eyes fixed toward the eastern haze. The sound was subtle at first, a high-pitched whine, a muffled screech, a distant scream. Moments later the P-51 burst through the haze. Her airframe straining against positive Gs and gravity, wing tips spilling contrails of condensed air, prop-tips again supersonic as the burnished bird blasted across the eastern margin of the field shredding and tearing the air.
At about 400 mph and 150 yards from where we stood she passed with the old American pilot saluting. Imagine. A salute! I felt like laughing, I felt like crying, she glistened, she screamed, the building shook, my heart pounded. Then, the old pilot pulled her up and rolled, and rolled, and rolled out of sight into the broken clouds and indelibly into my memory.
I've never wanted to be an American more than on that day. It was a time when many nations in the world looked to America as their big brother, a steady and even-handed beacon of security who navigated difficult political water with grace and style; not unlike the pilot who'd just flown into my memory. He was proud, not arrogant, humble, not a braggart, old and honest, projecting an aura of America at its best. Call it a reciprocal salute, to the old American pilot who wove a memory for a young Canadian that's lasted a lifetime.
end August 2007 newsletter
