Summer 2016 Newsletter
Letter from the President
In This Issue
Happy spring to all of you, our valued members. I hope that all of you successfully marched through winter and have big things ahead for the summer.
Education: Build a Terrarium. . . . . 3
Planning is currently underway for a very exciting summer. We’ve just signed on to bring in an amazing new exhibit for the summer, POPnology – an interactive exhibit that marries the best in pop culture and technology with hands-on experiences to inspire “kids” of all ages (see inside); we’re creating new summer camps and enhancing those that your children, grandchildren, and friends already love; we’re assessing options for new restoration projects; and we’re considering new flight opportunities for our community. On the topics of restoration and flight opportunities, the summer is a great time to visit the Air Zoo and take a nice stroll over to our East Campus. If you haven’t seen that original Air Zoo building in a while, you are in for a treat. Since last summer, we have been restoring a B-57, and F-4 Phantom, and an F-104. They’ll definitely be back to their former glory soon. Also, the restoration of the FM-2 Wildcat rolls on. The Restoration Team has already done a wonderful job cleaning and sanding this beautiful aircraft that was down on the bottom of Lake Michigan for 68 years! Now it’s time to bend some metal. Come chat with our Restoration volunteers – they love to talk about these old airplanes and the
New Exhibit Coming Soon!. . . . . 2 Education: Science Update. . . . . 3 Education: This Month In History.3 Membership Update. . . . . . . . . . 4 SIHOF Gala Tickets Available. . . 5 Thank You! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 East Campus: FE-4 Done!. . . . . . . 6 East Campus: F-104C Update. . . 6 East Campus: Plainwell MS . . . . 7
great work they do on them. All summer, you’ll also see a Stearman and a New Standard biplane from Waldo Wright’s Flying Service, and a few guest warbirds, taking off and landing and giving you, our guests, a fantastic ride around, I mean above, town. Fly through open air like you’ve never experienced before. New airplanes, new exhibits, new flight simulators, new education programs – we promise this will be a summer to remember at the Air Zoo. Can’t wait to see you here!
Ad Astra!
East Campus: Cockpit Trainer . . . 7 Collections: What is it? . . . . . . . . 7 Fly Buy Store: New Items!. . . . . . 8
Contact Air Zoo 6151 Portage Road Portage, MI 49002 269.382.6555 866.524.7966 (toll free) Membership. . . . . . . . . 350.2815 Monetary Donations . . 350.2812 Fly Buy Museum Store. . 350.2828 Hours of Operation: Mon - Sat: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sun: Noon to 5 p.m.
Troy A. Thrash President and CEO
Online: For more information or to shop online visit www.AirZoo.org. www.facebook.com/AirZoo
FOLLOW US!
New Exhibit Coming Soon! The Air Zoo is thrilled to announce an exciting new exhibit for Summer 2016! Opening at the Air Zoo in June and running through September, “POPnology” will take Air Zoo guests on a riveting, highly-interactive exploration of popular culture’s impact on technology – past, present and future – and will highlight the direct effects on how we live, work, move, connect, and play. This large-scale exhibition is packed with hands-on activities and displays, including interactive robots, 3D printers, Occulus Rift virtual reality experiences, gaming stations, design spaces, and much more. Guests also have the opportunity to get up close to some of popular culture’s most technologicallyinfluential characters and props, including R2D2 from Star Wars, a life-sized T-800 endoskeleton from the Terminator films, numerous Star Trek devices, the T-Rex from Jurassic Park, and many other wellknown favorites. Air Zoo members will have the opportunity to experience this amazing exhibit before it opens to the public at our member’s preview event! It’s going to be an incredible summer at the Air Zoo!
Opening June 2016
Celebrating Pop Culture’s Impact on Technology
Learn more today at AirZoo.org Sponsored nationally by
Sponsored locally by
Tyler Little Family Foundation
6151 Portage Road, Portage, MI 49002 2
((866)524-7966 8
Education Department Edge-ucation Experiment: Build a Terrarium
Science Update
By Jessica McBrayer
Astronauts Snack on Space-Grown Lettuce for First Time
Here’s a great idea for recycling plastic: create a mini plant habitat with your kids and learn what it takes to make an ecosystem work. Explain to your children that they’ll be providing the water and sun for the little world they’re making. Don’t be surprised if feelings of ecoresponsibility start sprouting right before your eyes.
By Robert Z. Pearlman
What You Need: •Plastic container with air opening •Scissors •Soil •Small plant that likes humidity •Pebbles •Small plastic animals •Bits of bark •Masking tape What You Do: 1. If necessary, cut off the top of the plastic container so that your child can easily reach into it. Be sure to save the top! Put tape around the edge of the area you just cut to cover the sharp edge. 2. Now have your child sprinkle some pebbles into the bottom of the terrarium for drainage. 3. Fill the terrarium ¾ full with soil and make a hole in the soil for the plant. 4. Carefully place the plant into the hole and fill around it with soil. 5. Arrange some pebbles, plastic animals, and bits of bark to make it look like a nature scene. 6. Lastly, water your plant and put the “lid” back on the container, leaving the air hole open. You now have a terrarium! Make sure to put it somewhere there is light from the sun. Tell your child as you are working that it is important for plants to have water and sunlight to grow. The terrarium is a mini landscape like you would find in nature, but the missing parts are rain clouds and sunshine so we have to add those parts. Because we have a lid on the terrarium, it retains a lot of humidity so it will not need watering very often. Turn the terrarium every once in a while to give the plant equal sunlight on all sides.
For the first time NASA astronauts on board the International Space Station have tasted the product, or more specifically, the produce, of their work. Expedition 44 crewmembers Scott Kelly and Kjell Lindgren of NASA, together with Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) happily chomped on “Outredgeous” red romaine lettuce, which they freshly harvested from the orbiting lab’s Veggie plant growth system. The three first tasted the lettuce plain before also trying it with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. “It tastes like arugula,” said Kelly. “It’s fresh,” replied Lindgren. Their space garden snack marked the first time NASA had cleared its astronauts to eat what they grew, following in the farming footsteps of earlier Russian cosmonauts who first ate the leafy greens they cultivated aboard the space station more than a decade ago. Before chomping down on the leaves, Kelly, Lindgren and Yui first cleaned the red romaine lettuce with citric acidbased sanitizing wipes. Mission Control gave them the go to eat half of the space bounty, setting aside the other half to be packaged and frozen on the station until it can be returned to Earth for scientific analysis. NASA is developing Veggie as part of its efforts to provide future astronauts with a sustainable food supplement. As the space agency strives toward missions farther into the solar system, Veggie will be a resource for the crew’s food consumption. It could also be used by the astronauts for recreational gardening during the long-duration missions to an asteroid, the moon or Mars.
A Day in History May 5th, 1961 - First American in Space In 1961, America’s first astronaut in space, Alan Bartlett Shepherd, Jr., made a 15 minute sub-orbital flight that reached an altitude of 115 miles, during which he experienced about five minutes of “weightlessness.” He was launched in the 2,000 pound Freedom 7 capsule from Cape Canaveral, Florida, by a Mercury-Redstone 3 rocket. The flight travelled 302 miles at a speed relative to the ground of 4,500 mph. Although Shepard became the first American in space, the world’s first human in space was Yuri Gagarin, a Russian cosmonaut launched into orbit less than one month earlier, on April 12, 1961.
Want to experience what it would be like to play sports in space? Check out your library’s lineup of summer reading events. The Air Zoo will be at many libraries throughout the summer presenting “Sports Science: Train for the Games!”.
Membership Department Member Update Tamra Stafford
Membership Manager
Air Zoo Members, you have a new online Member Account! (Action Required) We are thrilled to announce the release of a new online system which will make managing your account information, registering for camps, special events, and other programming easier than ever. Please take a moment to activate your account now. Using a browser other than Internet Explorer (IE is being phased out and is not supported) visit the “Request Password” page by clicking HERE or by pasting the following URL into your address bar: “https://my.airzoo.org/account/forgot.aspx”. Please enter the email address currently associated with your Air Zoo Membership account in the field provided and follow the prompts. That’s all there is to it! For questions please contact Air Zoo Membership Manager Tamra Stafford via email at tstafford@AirZoo.org or via telephone at (269)350-2815.
Member Discount Card Did you know that with an Air Zoo membership card, you also receive additional benefits with our partner businesses? Be sure to check out all the great savings available online at www.AirZooBenefits.org! Find our most up-to-date partnerships and discounts available and enjoy even more savings. Partnerships are added all the time, so check back often.
Waldo Wrights Members Only Event Experience the wind in your face like never before this summer with Waldo Wrights Flying Service! Join us for a members-only biplane event on Sunday June 5th at East Campus. Rides begin at 10 a.m. (2 hours earlier than normal), and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. there will be a meet-and-greet. Members will receive a special New Standard Bi-Plane rate of only $70.13 (regularly $81.13). Members please call Waldo Wrights to book your reservation at (863)873-1339 or book online at www.WaldoWrights.com.
Southwest Michigan Cultural Exchange Program May is Southwest Michigan Cultural Exchange Month! The Air Zoo and four other area attractions are participating: Binder Park Zoo, Gilmore Car Museum, Kalamazoo Nature Center, and the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Air Zoo members can gain entry to all five attractions just by showing an Air Zoo membership card during the month of May. Don’t miss out!
Brick Paver Program This Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, or Father’s Day consider honoring a family member or friend with a unique and lasting tribute. The Air Zoo’s Brick Paver is a gift that provides a lasting memory that will be seen by generations to come. Order an engraved brick paver for only $100 to add to our beautiful Air Zoo Plaza which is seen and enjoyed at the entrance-way of our Main Campus building by more than 100,000 visitors each year. Honor a legacy today.
A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans & Families on May 28th, 2016 The public is invited to a special ceremony, honoring Vietnam veterans and families. A proclamation will be issued, setting aside one full year in their honor. All Vietnam veterans present will receive a special commemorative lapel pin that has been issued by the Department of Defense. The event is free and open to the public.
Saturday, May 28th, 2016 - 4:00 p.m.
Air Zoo East Campus Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/KzooTribute For questions, please email: kzootribute@gmail.com
Free event! All are welcome!
2016 Science Innovation Hall of Fame Awards Maria Suszynski
Director of Advancement
Tickets are on sale now! Please join us on Saturday, May 21st for the third annual Science Innovation Hall of Fame Awards Gala & Dinner presented by Western Michigan University as the Air Zoo inducts leaders who have impacted the aviation and aerospace industry into the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame and recognize the high school students, K-12 educators, and individuals who have supported, innovated, and excelled within the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) education. This highly entertaining gala celebration is one truly inspiring event that you won’t want to miss. Be sure to reserve your place among our community friends and leaders, government representatives, corporate partners, and long-time supporters as we toast the accomplishments of SW Michigan’s finest innovators. Be sure to reserve your Early-bird tickets at $75 each ($65 for Air Zoo Members) or sponsor a table for up to 8 people for $600 before it is too late (all tickets are $90 after April 30). Event guests receive full access to all Air Zoo exhibits including Operation Watchtower: The Guadalcanal Campaign, and Jack Sims: Hometown Hero.
Event Emcee: MI Representative Jon Hoadley
5:30PM* Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction *Doors open at 5:00PM
6:30PM Dinner & Opening Remarks 7:30PM Award Presentations
Auction Host: Dann Sytsma of Improv Effects
RSVP by May 13 For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit:
www.AirZooGala.org
Be sure to visit AirZooGala.org regularly for information and updates on exciting items available in our Silent Auction, like Disney World Park Hopper Tickets, a Weekend Cottage Stay in South Haven, and WMU Bronco Footballinspiring Tickets, to name a few. Honoring what has been; what will be. The Air Zoo is making a greater impact on Southwest Michigan students and STEAM Education than ever before, and we have our community to thank for it! Plan on lending your enthusiastic support of the Science Innovation Hall of Fame Awards by attending our community celebration of education and inspiration.
Thank you for supporting STEAM Education Maria Suszynski
Director of Advancement Many thanks to those of you that generously gave a gift this past year to our Science Inspiration Scholarship Fund. The Science Inspiration Fund was established in November of 2013 with the support of the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation in an effort to reduce the economic barriers preventing area schools from having access to high-quality, hands-on, STEAM education classes and programs at the Air Zoo. Since its inception, the fund has awarded $48,385 in scholarships to serve 3,952 children! In the past 12 months, $18,830 were donated by individual donors and the Dorothy U. Dalton Foundation to ensure that schools and youth agencies serving low income families have access to the Air Zoo’s STEAM Education programs free of charge. It’s with the support of our members and donors (like you!) that the Air Zoo is able to have such a positive impact on Southwest Michigan’s young people. Thank you for supporting the Air Zoo and helping to get kids in Michigan excited about science.
EAST CAMPUS Preservation Report EAGLES SQUADRON F4-E PHANTOM PRESERVATION IS NOW COMPLETED! Submitted by: Greg Ward, Senior Conservator The F-4E Phantom now wears authentic colors of the 334th Tactical Fighter Squadron. This particular paint scheme is affectionately referred to as, “DOUBLE UGLY”. BuNo. 74-658 was assigned to the 4th Operations Group and stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. (Note the “SJ” on the vertical fin.) We have in our possession vintage photos showing this very aircraft when it was in service. These images became a priceless Applying the official Eagles logo, among other finishing touches, asset in ensuring Volunteer Dan Brant focused his efforts toward bringing this the accuracy of this The F-4E Phantom, now completed and on public display inside the impressive project to a close. preservation effort. Air Zoo East Campus Restoration Center.
LOCKHEED F-104C STARFIGHTER GETS SQUADRON MARKINGS OF THE 479TH TACTICAL FIGHTER WING Submitted by: Greg Ward, Senior Conservator In 2010, then new Volunteer Richard “Dick” Klass began working for the Air Zoo. When he noticed the tail numbers on the F-104 Starfighter, he suddenly realized that he had once served as plane captain back in 1965 for that particular aircraft at Da Nang Air Base. Needless to say, he immediately took a special interest in the airplane. Dick soon adopted the F-104, and then sought permission to add the appropriate squadron markings of the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing. Air Force written permission was obtained in 2015. Dick has since made it his mission to add the unique Meteor paint scheme.
Overall side view showing the official Meteorite paint scheme of the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing. The Meteorite paint job was Lieutenant Flemming’s design. The Tactical Air Command paid him a whopping fifty dollars for the copyright. All 479th Wing birds had the same basic markings, but in different colors depending on the squadron.
Back in the fifty’s, Flight Lieutenant J.H. Flemming, (center), of the Australian Air Force, led an aerobatic team flying Meteor aircraft. They were called, “The Meteorites”, and this is where he eventually carried over his idea for the F-104 Starfighter markings.
Volunteer Richard Klass is adding the official Meteorite paint scheme of the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing.
EAST CAMPUS Preservation Report 200 PLAINWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS VISIT THE AIR ZOO RESTORATION DEPARTMENT Submitted by: Greg Ward, Senior Conservator On Monday, March 21st, 2016, Ginger DeVillers, Managing Director of West Michigan Flight Academy, accompanied 200 Plainwell Middle School students on a unique field trip experience to the Air Zoo. For those students with written parental approval, they were allowed to help with our ongoing restoration of the U.S. Navy’s FM-2 Wildcat. In anticipation of the large number of students coming through, volunteer Dave Hull developed a systematic plan for the 5 incoming groups of 40 that would stop into the East Campus. Each group of 40 was broken down into 4 smaller groups of 10, and then rotated around the building at equally-timed intervals. This system worked well, and all of the students enjoyed a great experience! Special thanks to volunteers Dan Brant, Ron Harvey, Dave Hull, Cliff Kegeler, Ken Kelly, Richard Klass, Mike Larrieu, Kevin Mazer, Dave Ruiz, Norm Tower, and John Vander Ven Senior Conservator Greg Ward provides an East Campus tour only moments before the students were allowed to log some hands-on time, for leading the troops and providing quality tours. working on the FM-2 Wildcat. EAST CAMPUS COCKPIT PROCEDURE TRAINERS RECEIVE MUCH-NEEDED FACE LIFT Submitted by: Greg Ward, Senior Conservator One of the most popular East Campus attractions would have to be the cockpit procedure trainers. Air Zoo guests truly enjoy sitting inside one of the F-16 cockpits, the CH-53E Super Stallion, Sikorsky S-65, the F-106, and/or the miniature Corsair. With the amazing amount of use these training aids get from our public, ongoing maintenance is an absolute must to keep them fresh and in good repair. Volunteer Ron Harvey is refreshing the F-106 Cockpit Procedure Trainer.
CONSULT THE CONSERVATOR – Technical questions? Please feel free to email Greg Ward, Senior Conservator of Aircraft & Space Artifacts - gward@airzoo.org
Collections Department What is it? We Need Your Help! Christy Kincaid
Collections Registrar In our collection there are a handful of artifacts we do not have enough information on, and are simply working to identify. Our first step in this process is doing some basic research and trying to find more information about the artifact, before we go back and ask the donor. Our research, at times, can reveal very little, or the donor does not have the needed information. The three pins pictured to the right have yielded very little information in our research thus far. This is where you come in! The Air Zoo Collections Department needs your help to gather information on these three dagger-style pins. Our donation records indicate these are German pins, possibly from World War II. They are small, totaling only about two inches in length with a small orange stone inlay. Do you know anything about them? Please email Christy to share your discovery or knowledge: ckincaid@airzoo.org.
Fly Buy Store:
New Items!
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In Stock Now! A perfect diecast replica of the Air Zoo’s iconic Pink P-40 Warhawk. These Daron Postage Stamp Collection models are sure to go fast and are available exclusively at the Fly Buy Museum Store.