GRAPEVINE BY JOHN T. HAPPY CONVENTION RESERVATION FORMS & INFO NEW ZEALAND TARPA TOUR
THE ACTIVE RETIRED PILOTS ASSOCIATION OF TWA
TARPA TOPICS Published quarterly by THE ACTIVE RETIRED PILOTS ASSOCIATION OF TWA DEDICATED TO THE PIONEERS OF TODAY'S TRANS WORLD AIRLINES WHOSE VISION, EFFORT AND PERSEVERANCE MADE IT ALL POSSIBLE, WE EXPRESS OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE. EDITOR A. T. HUMBLES Rt. 2 Box 2900 Belhaven, NC 27810 919 964 4655
GRAPEVINE EDITOR JOHN T. HAPPY Nine East Lake Drive Haines City, FL 33844-9320 813 439 2223 HISTORIAN & CONTRIBUTING EDITOR EDWARD G. BETTS 960 Las Lomas Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 213 454 1068
TARPA is incorporated as a non-profit Corporation under the non-profit corporation laws of the State of Nevada. As stated in Article II of the By-Laws, its purpose is social, recreational and non-profit, with a primary goal of helping its members to maintain the friendships and associations formed before retirement, to make retirement a more productive and rewarding experience and to assist those active pilots approaching retirement with the problems that are inherent in the transition from active to retired status. OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS, 1991/1992 JOHN P. DONLAN, JR. PRESIDENT Phone 8 Belleview Blvd. Apt. 207, Belleair, FL 34616 DAVID M. DAVIES FIRST VICE PRESIDENT 233 S.E. Rogue River Hwy. * 181, Grants Pass, OR 97527 SECOND VICE PRESIDENT ROBERT C. SHERMAN 1201 Phelps Ave., San Jose, CA 95117-2941 RICHARD M. GUILLAN SECRETARY/TREASURER 1852 Barnstable Rd., Clemmons, NC 27012 . HUMBLES SENIOR DIRECTOR A. T Rt. 2 Box 2900, Belhaven, NC 27810 ALBERT J. MUNDO DIRECTOR 36 Jane Road, Marblehead, MA 01945 DIRECTOR WILLIAM A. KIRSCHNER P.O. Box 3596, Stateline, NV 89449 PAST PRESIDENT RUSSELL G. DERICKSON 5344 N. Via Sempreverde, Tucson, AZ 85715
813 461 4721 503 476 5378 408 246 7754 919 945 9979 919 964 4655 671 831 7820 702 588 4223 602 299 6325
NOTHING REPLACES GOOD JUDGEMENT ON THE FIRING LINE!
President's Message
April 1992
The TARPA Officers and Directors met on February 26 and 27 in St. Louis for the regular mid-year session. Our two main concerns were the convention in San Diego and, of course, the ongoing developments in our retirement plans. The convention plans are proceeding very well. Both Rick Davis and Carl Schmidt reported to the Board of Directors and their plans and arrangements look great. The schedule will be presented in detail in the Topics and we should have ourselves a great time this September. The lads have put in many hours getting it all put together and we owe them. Your enthusiastic support and attendance is the thanks they need. The group was addressed by Joe Montanaro of the R & I Committee who responded candidly to our questions. Bob Sherman will have a report in this issue. There was a very informative article in the February/March 1992 issue of "Airline Pilot" on R & I benefits "After Sale or Bankruptcy" by Liz Kolby. Ms. Kolby is the Supervising Benefits Attorney in the ALPA R & I Department. Right now I'm all cranked up about the convention and hope you are also.
Jack Donlan
1
SECRETARY/ TREASURER REPORT I must commend the 90% of our Membership who sent in their dues in a timely and accurate manner. It was necessary for your S/T to send out 180 notices to Members and Subscribers the first week in March, that their non-payment of 1992 dues or subscription renewals would cause them to be dropped from the mailing list. As of this date ( April 6) 27 have failed to respond. Of those that did, many expressed their thanks for the reminder while a few said they had not received notification. For all, be advised that notification is in the form of the Dues envelope with the November TOPICS as well as numerous reminders that appeared in the February TOPICS. It would be cost prohibitive to send out individual billings. Our Membership continues to grow. We have had 21 new Members since the first of the year and 4 new Subscribers. The roster presently stands at 1182 (R) Regular; 105 (A) Associate ; 249 (E) Eagles and 180 (H) Honorary . Additional publications also mailed to 50 Subscribers; 36 (including the TWA-MEC) receive Complimentary copies. Hopefully the 21 who became delinquent in 1992 will rejoin. Finances are in good shape. '91 financial statement available upon request. I will be requesting the annual audit shortly. Since interest rates have dropped considerably and we are obliged to pay Income Tax on that interest, our liability will be less than in 1990. Please be reminded that all files for preparation of mailing labels and data for the ANNUAL DIRECTORY are maintained and prepared by the S/T. If incorrect in the S/T's computer records, the mailing labels and the address roster for the DIRECTORY will be incorrect. When you move to a new location, also advise the phone number. Best to check your address label with this issue to see all is correct including your status symbol, i.e, (R ) or (A) or (E) or (H) or (S). We are now working on the 1992 DIRECTORY. Have a safe, happy and healthy summer.
Dick Guillan
2
YEAR END B-PLAN DATA TABLE I YEAR
R.C.S.
4/92
MEMBERSHIP INVENTORY
1 991
1 990
1 989
1 988
1987
1 986
3393 32 67 243 2 3113
3200 416 31 1 87 5 3393
3064 296 5 1 50 5 3200
3215 41 38 1 52 2 3064
3314 59 15 1 39 4 3215
2968 556 9 1 99 2 3314
1 327 37 31 1333
1 325 41 38 1 327
1 338 20 33 1 325
1 314 40 16 1 338
1 280 55 1 314
1214 90 24 1 280
78 12 1 89
66 12 0 78
51 15 0 66
35 16 0 51
ACTIVES BEGIN ADDED LEFT RETIRED DEATHS TOTALS ANNUITANTS BEGIN ADDED DEATHS TOTALS JT. ANN.* BEGIN ADDED DEATHS TOTALS
1 06 11 1 116
89 18 1 1 06
NOTES: Left = all reasons other than official retirement and death. Retired, minus Annuitants Added, = It retirees that took the lump sum (206 in ' 91; 787 since ' 85). * Jt. Ann. are those joint annuitants, beneficiaries & QDRO ' s drawing benefits. 32% of Plan Prior to the lump sum, benefits members are drawing benefits. were less than contributions. 418 million was paid in lump sums since 1985. A total of 318 pilots left TWA during the year. TABLE II
CASH FLOWS MIL.$
91
90
89
88
87
86
85
25.1 .7 25.8
27.7 .8 28.5
25.9 .8 26.7
25.1 1.1 26.2
23.2 1.4 24.6
20.1 2.7 22.8
29.0 1.8 30.8
25.6 79.7 1 05.3
27.0 61.2 88.2
24.6 62.9 87.5
24.9 44.7 69.6
27.2 37.2 64.4
23.9 52.4 76.3
1 5.4 6_4 21.8
CONTRIBUTIONS COMPANY PILOT TOTALS BEN.
PYMTS.
ANNUITY LUMP SUM TOTALS
3
TABLE III 1991 YEAREND PORTFOLIO ASSETS
% of PLAN
% GAIN IN ' 91
Fidelity SEq Frontier SEq Mellon LEx Morgan LEq S.S.R.M.* LEq Wells F SEx S.S.Bk. IEx S.S.Bk. ISq S.B.C.* IEq. World IEq Total Equity
30.1M 30.0 237.9 1 06.5 0 0 40.4 68.7 24.0 21.4 34.7 593.6
3.1% 3.1 24.8 11.1 na 4.2 7.2 2.5 na 3.6 61.8
47.9% 52.1 29.7 28.7 na 48.6 11.4 8.5 na 1 9.2 28.7
1 29.0K 268.5 45.0 300.7 1 72.9 21.7 49.7 83.0 1 33.8 1 22.1 1 326.3
.21% .95 .03 .32 na .18 .10 .29 na .44 .24
Primco GIC Well ' gtn Bnd Total Fixed
1 80.7 99_7 280.3
1 8.8 1 0.4 29.2
8.8 na 1 0.6
210.3 66.4 276.7
.10 na .11
23.2 1 0.7 1 4.2 48.1
2.4 1.1 1.5 5.0
- 7.5 -24.7 -17.8 -14.8
20.6 17.2 na
2.1 1.8 na
@ @ na
MANAGER
NCNB S.S.Bk. T.C.W. Total Real Pan Agora* Bost. Safe InvComOff.
TYPE
RE RE RE Est IMK T/P A
FEES
250.7 119.9 262.8 657.3# 45.6 463.1 425.5
Less Recaptured Commissions & Security Lending
-205.7
Total Plan
2988.7K
959.9M
1 00%
1 8.8%
FEE/AVE ASSETS
1.02 1.08 1.81 1.36 .22 .05 . 05
. 32%
NOTES: L = Large; S = Small; Eq = Equities; LEx = S&P 500 Index Fund; SEx = Russell Index Fund (small companies); IEq = Intl. Equities; IEx = Euro.Austr.FarEast Index Fund; ISq = Intl. Select Equities; GIC = Guaranteed Investment Contracts; Bnd = Govt./Corp Bonds; RE = Real Estate; IMK = Intl. Money Mkt.; T/P = Trustee & Paying agent (& Short Term Invest. Fund); A = Administration, including actuary, audit, & legal fees; @ = 5.8% return on " cash " ; # = Includes 23.8K from previously terminated Morgan; * = Managers terminated. Total costs of operation, 0.32% of ave. assets, is considerably l ess than mutual funds of this type. YEAR END UNIT VALUE= $45.461
4
B-PLAN MODIFICATION PROPOSAL As of press time the proposal still awaits TWA approval. Meanwhile Joe Montanaro, Chairman of the Transition Committee has been attending to the many details that need to be considered before the Plan is modified. Although the odds are that it will be signed, it remains just a proposal, subject to change until With that in mind, we believe the following are final approval. the concepts the Committee is working toward. At a date to be announced in advance, every members share will be converted to dollars, and death vested in the interim. The options will be explained in detail with sufficient time allowed for decisions. Here is a brief, general outline of the choices proposed for all members, including annuitants. 1. A fixed annuity similar to our A-Plan from a top rated It would probably pay more than our present i nsurance company. monthly amount but never increase. Mortality reversions are part of the structure for this and the following annuity, thus joint annuitant options are available for both. This one will appeal to those who want a steady income and are willing to forego increases for the assurance that there will not be any decreases. 2. A variable annuity administered by an insurance company. The investment vehicle is two index funds; an S&P 500, and a bond i ndex, in a 60-40 ratio, adjustable as conditions warrant. The variable annuity would be whatever the fund earned, less a small administrative charge. This option is closest to our B-Plan. It has the potential for greater increases than the B-Plan, and the risk of slightly larger decreases. 3. The Directed Account Plan, consisting of several mutual funds; a money market, conservative, moderate, aggressive equity, and a model balanced portfolio from present B-Plan managers. An 800 number would allow both communication with accounts, and the ability to transfer (readjust) your holdings among the funds. Retirement income is whatever you desire within the limits of your account. Your beneficiary will claim any balance remaining. This one is for those who want to direct their own accounts, or own part or all of a managed, balanced account, and/or the ability to frequently change their allocation among the available choices. 4. The lump sum option for present annuitants. It can be used i n any way you desire, or rolled over into a qualified IRA plan to be tax deferred until withdrawn. This option is for those who want to put their money into something other than those above. The monthly payments from options 1. & 2. satisfy all IRA withdrawal regulations and provide a lifetime annuity. Income from options 3. & 4. are at the desire of the members and the size of their account. Receiving an adequate income, and/or having it l ast for a life time, is the responsibility of the member, as is compliance with withdrawals for those under 59.5 and over 70.5. 5
BERT COOPER
31 January
PAUL R. CUSHING
6 February
JOHN T. GRAVER
16 February
MARC W. EDWARDS
14 March
WALTER HAWKINS
19 December
A. LEROY JOHNSTON
19 January
VERNA KENLEY (DAVE)
19 December
CARLETON L. LEWIS
21 December
PAUL T. MCCARTY
16 January
JOHN E. MITCHELL
28 January
WILBUR F. SCHROEDER
3 December
JAMES R. OBERTINO
31 December
PAUL MCCARTY From Bill Dixon Captain Paul Thomas McCarty died January 16, 1992, in Saratoga, California, where he had lived for many years. A native Californian, Paul was born in Oakland January 27, 1911. Following enlistment in the Army Air Corps as a pilot, he was hired by TWA on June 16, 1940. He flew the first part of his career from MKC and later from SFO, retiring in January, 1971, at which time he was flying TWA's Pacific route. Paul was a devout Christian who lived by the Golden Rule. He is survived by his wife Marjorie, sons Gordon and Eugene (deceased) and four grandchildren. He maintained detailed records on the B-Plan on his Apple Computer and attended a number of Retirement Roadshows, the last in 1989. He was a charter member of TARPA and produced the first TARPA Membership Directory. He was active in ALPA in scheduling activities. He also was an active member of the Pacific-Northwest Chapter of the TWA Seniors Club. Captain McCarty is remembered as a highly respected gentleman and skilled pilot by the many copilots and flight engineers who few with him through the years.
EDWARD E. EATON From Peggy Eaton Captain Eaton passed away January 10, 1992. It was sudden and he suffered no pain. Like every pilot, Ed said retirement was work and flying was his life. Ed was born in Revere, Massachusetts and spent his teen years in Niles, Michigan, where he started flying at fourteen years of age. His uncle Charlie paid for his flying lessons to keep him away from a "life of crime". He went on to Indiana Flying School and then to Roscoe Turner. Hired by TWA in 1942 he flew on I.C.D. He retired in 1980 after flying International 747's for 10 years. Survived by wife, Peggy Jean, 2 sons, 2 daughters, 3 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
6
JAMES R. OBERTINO From Bill Tarbox Although the late Jim Obertino was not a TARPA member, his death on December 31, 1991, ended the year on a sad note for all former A and A-1 Flight Engineers and the many pilots who knew and flew with him. I first met Jim when I transferred to that "GREAT" Chicago domicile in the summer of 1950. Jim had just been named Superintendent of Flight Engineers, unloading Art Eggiman of some of his responsibilities formerly handled out of MKC. Jim eventually became System Manager of Flight Engineers and then transferred to be base engineering department where he very capably spent his remaining years. What a great guy to work for and what a true friend he was to all who knew him. Jim once told me that good management could be summed up with three F's FIRM, FAIR and FRIENDLY. He had it all and a little bit of me is gone with his passing. I so much enjoy TARPA TOPICS, but it tears me up when I lose a friend of by-gone years.
Dear A. T . - Just a note to advise you and our friends that Verna, my beloved wife and co-pilot of over 50 years, passed peacefully in her sleep December 19, 1991. Enclosed is a recent picture of the two of us and our 66 Aztec (acquired at a D.E.A. sale in 1988). We used to commute to our South Texas cattle operation after we became too old to drive it in one day. I have been blessed with good health. I thoroughly enjoy TARPA TOPICS and appreciate the time you put into it. Since I have been quite busy, it is my main source of information about former fellow employees and friends. Sincerely yours, Dave Kenley
DAVE AND VERNA KENLEY
7
JOHN T. GRAVER John T. Graver was a Pilot. He was caught up in aviation shortly after his graduation from Germantown, PA High School in 1941, when he entered the Naval Flight Training Program and became a Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. After an overseas tour as a fighter / attack Pilot, he returned to civilian life in 1947, but remained active in military reserve aviation by joining Marine Squadron 451 at NAS, Willow Grove, PA. After several jobs in the late forties, John was flying as a crop duster when his Marine Reserve Squadron was recalled to active duty in 1951, to participate in the Korean war. When released from this military tour, John joined Trans World Airlines where he soon became a Captain on Lockheed Con stellations. Then on to the B-707 in 1959 and later the B747 on International. He also assisted in TWA's maintenance and engine ering programs, a flight simulation research project in the Naval Air Development Center's Centrifuge in Johnsville PA. He was awarded Domestic Capt. of the year in 1978. John remained in the Reserves and became an LC. and C.O. of Fighter Squadron 511. It was unique to take off the military helmet one day and put on the TWA Captains hat the next. After his retirement from TWA, he got involved in politics in Naples Fl. serving on the City Council starting in 1985. John helped launch "Parents as Teachers" and later served on the board of Catholic Social Services. He left his mark on the Naples community with his dedication to all projects and organizations. "He was an all around fine man of high character" said one colleague, and another praised his "common sense, good judgment and outstanding reputation. His TWA friends will always remember him. He served his Country, his Airline and most of all his family, well ...... he will be missed. Submitted by Jim Lydic and Dick Forristall
8
MARC W. EDWARDS From Harriett Edwards Captain Marc Edwards passed away on Saturday, March 14, with a cardiac arrest. As most of you know, he has had Parkinson's Disease for many years and I guess it finally caught up with him. He died peacefully in his sleep. He was seventy years old. He was veteran of World War II where he flew with the Air Transport Command, flying the "Hump" from India to China. He flew for Trans World Airlines for 18½ years. Survivors include his wife, Harriet, three sons; Larryl, Thomas and Gary, a daughter, Janet Sheridan, a sister, Helen Dickey and seven grandchildren. SUZANNE LLOYD WARD We learned of the death of Suzanne, wife of Captain Harry Ward, on November 4, 1991 too late for inclusion last issue. She was born in Lynn, Mass., and lived in New York City before moving to Kansas City. Mrs. Ward was a Flight Attendant for Trans World Airlines for 17 years and was a member of Silver Wings International. She was a member of the Kansas City Symphony Guild and Friends of the Zoo. She was a member of St. Therese Catholic Church where she was a former Confraternity of Christian Doctrine teacher. She was 51 years of age. We extend our deepest sympathy to Harry. Your editor has something he would like to share with you. We have some good neighbors that moved down here from Elmira, New York, about three years ago. They are Wayne and Denise Snyder. Wayne was a paratrooper and in police work most of his career retiring as a police sergeant from the Elmira force. Their daughter, Kathlene lives with them. Their son, Erick, spent four years in the Army and was recalled during the Persian Gulf affair and was destined to go but the war was over before he was to be shipped out. Erick met a tragic and mysterious death some months back. He was a fine young man and was attending college intending to be a paramedic. He had gone on a bow hunting party and disappeared that night from where they were camped. His body was found floating in the nearby river just across from where we live. It was a tremendous blow to his family and friends. His younger sister, Kathlene, was in high school and penned the following, evidently speaking as if it was her brother. Death is nothing at all, I have only slipped away into the next room. I am me and you are you. Whatever we were to each other we are still. Call me by my old familiar name. Speak to me in the easy way you always used. Put no difference into your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh, as we always laughed at the jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me - pray for me. Let my name be ever the household name it was. Let it be spoken without effort, without the ghost of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. All is the same as it ever was - there is absolutely unbroken continuity. What is death but a negligible accident? Why should it be put out of mind because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. ALL IS WELL
9
ED BETTS TO THE RESCUE! ! ! The "LOST" photos of the members and banquet at the 1991 TARPA Convention have finally been found! The photo "BOOKLET" for which some members have already paid $12.00 is now being put together by our one and only Historian, Ed Betts, and should be ready sometime in May. The proofs and materials had been sent to Cliff Sparrow, but he never received them, and Delmar declined to duplicate the shipment.
When a tracer was finally originated, we found that the
United Parcel had left the box on the Sparrow's front porch while they were away and a neighbor boy, who was watching the house, took them home and promptly forgot about it. They were finally returned and now Ed Betts has put the booklet together which will be sent to the "already paid" members as soon as Delmar has finished the printing.
We are so very sorry for this inexcusable delay.
Anyone wishing to purchase this Remembrance Booklet should fill in the application below. ------------------------------------------------------------------I would like to order
Booklet(s) consisting of portraits
and candids from the TARPA 1991 Convention. I am sending a total of $
at $12.00 for each booklet.
Please send to: Name Address City
, State
Mail order to: DELMAR COMPANY P.O. Box 1013 Charlotte, N.C.
28201-1013 10
Zip Code
SAN DIEGO
CALIFORNIA September 14-17
CONVENTION 1992
Ready for a relaxing few days in beautiful San Diego ? Great weather - great people great activities I Read on ! If you are flying in, sit on the left side. As you start to let down, all that land off the wing tip Mexico and ahead you can see the Pacific Ocean. San Diego sits on a small hill , so your is aircraft follows it down, affording a geat view of downtown and the bay. In a short time you will be sitting pool side in a lounge chair amid beautiful flowers and tall palm trees. ( Bring your bathing suit) The walk to baggage claim is short, after claiming your belongings proceed across the street. On the other side there is a narrow landscaped area, and on the far side of that, lots of airport shuttle busses. Look for the blue airport "Super Shuttle". They will take you to the Marriott for $7.00 each. 10% off for round trip ticket. If there are more than two of you, talk to the cabbies, it should be cheaper. The hotel is new, and very nice. They hosted a Flying Tiger reunion a short time ago, and the staff can't wait for "another airline group ". There are two large shopping malls within 2 miles with several good restaurants. The hotel will provide transportation to and from these, based on requirements. ( See bulletin board for sign up and schedule ) is The "Hospitality Room" will be outside in a large covered pavilion, or if the weather bad ( ie, temperature under 70 degrees ) ,it will be inside. TIME
AGENDA
Monday. Sept. 14 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM 1:00 .PM
Bus departs the hotel for Tijuana, Mexico Hospitality Room Open Registration
Tuesday. Sept. 15 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM 1:00 PM 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Registration Bus departs the hotel for NAS Mramar, "Top Gun" tour Lades fashion show and lunch Hospitality Room Open Bus departs for dinner cruise aboard the M.V. Monterey
11
Wednesday. Sept. 16 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM General Business Meeting 10:15 AM - 3:30 PM Bus departs for the "Wild Animal Park" 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM Hospitality Room Open 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM Bus departs for the San Diego Aerospace Museum Times to be announced for Golf, Trap, Tennis and Bridge. Thursday. Sept. 17 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
General Business Meeting Board our trolley for the San Diego tour Hospitality Room Open No Host Cocktail Hour 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Banquet, followed by dancing. Times to be announced for Golf, Trap, Tennis and Bridge.
SAN DIEGO Monday September 14 Shopping Tour at the 'Rio Tijuana Mall'. This tour is set up for the day before the convention officially starts, for the early arrivals. Your bus will leave the Marriott at 10:30 AM, Monday, the 14th of September crossing into Mexico for an exciting day of international shopping at the newest and largest mall in Tijuana. U.S. Dollars are welcome. U. S. Customs will permit you to bring back $400.00, including one quart of liquor. Lunch is available "on your own"; there is even an American style Denny's Restaurant there. A Mexican police motorcycle escort will accompany you from the border to the mall, and back to the border where you will pass thru U.S. Customs on your return to the U.S.A.. Bring some proof of U.S. Citizenship, Passport-Voters card or Birth Certificate. Drivers License will not be accepted as proof. Comfortable walking shoes advisable. Cost per person - - - - - - - - - - - - $15.00 Sea World Monday thru Friday September 14 thru 18 This is an open tour, available any day, including Friday, the 18th for those staying over. Admission to the Dark is $21.00 for Senior Citizens. payable at the park, All attractions are included in this price except the "Sky Ride', and "Sky Tower", which cost $1.50 each. ROUND TRIP TRANSPORTATION ONLY, PROVIDED. Cost per person--Transportation---$14.00 MS Miramar. 'Top Gun School' Tuesday September 15 One of the largest, and most active Naval Air Stations on the west coast. Several squadrons flying the latest fighters are based here, and it is the home of the "NAVY FIGHTER WEAPONS SCHOOL'. On this tour we will watch somebody else undergo the ultimate in recurrent training. Lunch will be served at the Officers Club. We have understandably been limited to 150 persons, so, like NORAD, this one will be "first come first served'. Cost per person - - - - - - - - - - - - - $20.00 12
Ladies fashion show luncheon
Tuesday
September IS
We have a very nice "luncheon fashion show' planned for you at our own beautiful hotel. You will enjoy a delicious lunch as our own lovely ladies model clothes and accessories from three different stores. These clothes come in all sizes, casual to dressy, and are available nation wide. Door prizes, but of course ! $18.00 Cost per person Dinner cruise Tuesday September 15 A short bus ride away the "M.V. Monterey" awaits. She is a three deck stern wheeler fashioned after the type in service in the 1880's. Decorated in oak and brass, complete with red carpeting this vessel, 100 feet in length, will be for our group alone. Featuring a live dance band, two open bars, and a choice from two entrees for dinner, we will cruise San Diego bay, past the navy's largest aircraft carriers, the nuclear submarine base, under the beautiful Coronado bridge and always in sight of San Diego's beautiful skyline. We are limited by ships capacity to 149 persons. If enough interest is shown, we can charter an additional ship, the " Invader " , a two masted motor sailer with similar facilities. Cost per person $49.00 Wild Animal Park Wednesday September 16 About a half hour bus ride into the "back country" of California , away from the coast, through the foothills where the avocado and citrus fruits are gown lies the Wild Animal Park. 1,800 acres of preserve where 2,500 animals roam free as they would in their native habitats. The entrance is through a giant aviary housing 100 species of tropical birds. We will depart in our private train for a five mile, guide-narrated, ride on the Wgasa Bush Line Monorail through herds of elephants, rhinos, giraffes, springbok and much more. Reaching our destination , a Caravan Deli Lunch will be served at the Mombasa Cooker. There will be free time to see the bird shows, the lowland gorilla colony, and other attractions. There are many exhibits and shops with exotic items that are available before our departure for home. Cost per person
$35.00
San Diego Aerospace Museum Wednesday September 16 After a short bus ride through town in beautiful Balboa Park is the newest and best aircraft museum in the U.S.. We will be met by our hosts, and welcomed into our private museum. The facility, closed to the public, will be all ours, and we will be free to wander at our leisure. Knowledgable volunteer guides will answer all your questions. The aircraft here, starting with an exact copy of the Wright Flyer, those of WWI, WWII, the famous Lockheed "Blackbird" and ending with items from space are close enough to touch, (Please do not). Heavy Hors d'oeuvres, ( Supper ), machaca burritos, fresh fruits, cheeses and an open bar service are yours in the rotunda. Cost per person - - - - - - - - - - - $29.00
13
San Diego Trolley Tour Thursday September 17 A general tour of San Diego, featuring the history of the area, and visiting prominent spots downtown is a perfect way to get orientated in the area. Our route will include the famous Hotel Del Coronado, Balboa Park, Horton Plaza, Seaport Village, the water front with its cruise ship terminals and floating museums, and Old Town State Park. " A one hour stop is planned at the Hotel Del", the favorite haunt of the "rich and famous", and a two hour stop at Old Town, the birthplace of San Diego. Plenty of time to shop and have lunch on your own at one of several restaurants. A perfect spot to relax and enjoy the beauty of old California. Cost per person - - - - - - - - - - - - $14.00 Banquet Thursday September 17 The Grand Finale. A "No Host Bar" will be open in the Ballroom from 5:30 PM til 6:30 PM. The banquet will be from 6:30 PM till 7:30 PM. The Chef will be preparing salads, and your choice of Chicken Cordon Bleu or Prime Rib. Please indicate your choice on the sign-up sheet along with your tour information. Wine with dinner of course, and desert and coffee after. For your dancing pleasure, the " Goodtime Jazz Band", will be playing the music of the fifties, and your requests. Seating will be a'la Colorado Springs. A seating chart and sign-up seats will be posted enabling you to sit with your friends. Cost per person - - - - - - - - - - - - $29.00 Golf Two rounds of golf, September 16th and 17th, at the Stardust Country Club in San Diego. Located 5 minutes from the Marriot Hotel. Please complete form below. The entry fee includes two days of golf, motorized cart and prizes. Cost per person (2 Days)
4100.00
Tennis, Bridge and Skeet Registration and a nominal fee will be arranged at the convention.
14
TARPA TOURS in cooperation with THE ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LINES is pleased to announce that in conjunction with the TARPA 1992 Annual convention in SAN DE I GO there will be a...
MEXICAN CRUISE/FOLLOWING CONVENTION
7 NIGHTS ROUND TRIP FROM LOS ANGELES ON THE "SONG OF AMERICA" SEPTEMBER 19th-SEPTEMBER 26th The last night of the convention , the dinner dance and awards night, will be Sept. 17th. You can spend an extra day in San Diego sightseeing . shopping or whatever. We will depart the Marriott at Mission Valley around noon on Sat. the 19th by chartered bus (it enough people sign up ). your own car or rental car for Los Angeles Harbor located in Long Beach, arriving around 2 PM so we can board for our 5 PM departure.
PORTS OF CALL PUERTO VALLARTA - Puerto Vallarta retains the charm of the fishing village it once was. Stroll cobblestone streets with exclusive boutiques and art galleries. See the hones of the rich and famous at Gringo Gulch or cruise to lovely Yelapa. We will be in port from 9AM until 5:30PM. MAZATLAN- Mazatlan is blessed with one of the most beautiful harbors on the Pacific coast. There's an amazing array of things to do and see. Venture into history in the legendary mountains of the Sierra Madre. If you prefer, shop for exquisite ceramics and hand-painted furniture in the Mazatlan Arts and Crafts Center or visit the colorful old town. We will be in part from SAM until 5PM. CABO SAN LUCAS-At the tip of Baja where the Sea of Cortez meets the blue Pacific. The sea is the attraction here. Cruise to Los Cartes or take a glass-bottom boat excursion past the lovely white sands of Playa del Armor and around the spectacular rock arch. Or spend time exploring the large market on the beach next to the pier or plaza and shops in town.
COST:
$929 per/person dbl. occupancy for the best outside cabin available at time of cabin assignments. Port taxes (est.) $45 p/p. Does not include a $30 p/p registration fee. Cabins assigned according to postmarks on the deposit envelope. Optional cancellation, baggage & medical ins. available for $49 p/p. -------------------------------------NOTE FROM YE OLDE EDITOR Originally Chuck and Pat had the reservation form here but I received the following page later announcing a substantial reduction in the cost of this tour so the reservation form is on that page. Inasmuch as this page describes the ports of call I thought it best for you to have both pages. SEE
YOU ALL IN SAN
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DIEGO!
EDITOR'S DESK We want to thank all those who contributed to the contents of this humble little book. I am especially grateful to John Happy for his interesting and informative GRAPEVINE. Incidentally, J. T., who is Happy, just told us that $9,000. worth of radio equipment was stolen from his airplane. Maddening but another sign of the times. It would be appreciated if any articles you send in are print ready. You can get an idea of margins to use from this page. The PC matrix dot printing does not reproduce very well at the printer's. Due to the high cost of printing we try to utilize all space. So many times a letter has about a third of the page wasted on heading and salutation and a lot at the bottom signing off. I find myself putting in a lot of time retyping stuff. Short articles and news about yourself should go to John Happy. There is a tearout sheet for your convenience in the back. Have a nice summer. From Bill Tarbox in Lakeway, Texas; Joan and I are going on the New Zealand trip. Chuck had to drop it but the trip is still on and I hope other TARPA members will still go. Lum Edwards said that when a trip expense goes over $1900. there aren't a lot of takers. He's right but we never got beyond Bali when I was in Hong Kong and really want to see it. We are still floating here in Texas. We had eleven inches of rain in one five day period ..... With kindest regards, Bill. [Joan used to fly with ye olde editor at little olde Newark.] * * * * * * * From Pat & Chuck Hasler; Now that it's all over, we thought you might get a kick out of this. When Michael Gartner, president of NBC News, was stricken with a kidney stone, Gene Shalit sent him this takeoff on Gelett Burgess's immortal "Purple Cow"; "I never saw a kidney stone / I hope I never see one / But I can tell you with a groan / I'd rather see than pee one." [On the Alaska Cruise last year A. T . had an attack the doctors guessed was a kidney stone. Don't recommend it.]
From Mary Sparrow; Will you put this explanatory announcement for the members in a conspicuous spot so that the very unhappy members will see it? [Did so, Mary.] p I was working on a very detailed Convention rocedure. God bless Ed Betts. He wrote to us, inquiring about the booklet. I called him to explain and he accepted the job, but was going on vacation, so is just now receiving the box. He's so knowledgeable about things of this nature that we have no qualms about the outcome. I don' know what TARPA will do when Ed and you decide to retire. What a tremendous loss that would be. How's Betty doing these days? I'll never forget the fantastic job she performed as Registration Chairman. You should have been very proud of her. Are you going to Orlando? We are and hope to see you there. Keep up the good work. You're doing an outstanding job....Warm regards, Mary. * * * * * * Doctor to elderly man: "Sure, you can chase women. Just make sure you don't catch any. Those narrow-minded people who disagree with us usually have the misfortune of also being fatheaded.
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EDITOR'S DESK From the Times Tribune of 10 February 1.992, Not many pilots have the experience of reading about their own deaths in a plane crash. But that's what happened to James Richter of Redwood City, California. Fifty years ago, Richter was a young pilot for TWA and was to have been at the controls on a flight 16 January, 1942. But another pilot asked if he could change places and Richter agreed. The plane crashed near Las Vegas with movie actress Carole Lombard, wife of Clark Gable, among those who died. Early editions of the newspaper-complete with his picture-listed Richter as one of the dead until the mistake was discovered. He went on to a long career as a pilot, and seldom thinks about his brush with death. But his wife, Mary, was reading a book by tennis player Alice Marble, who was a friend of Lombard's, and the memories came back. * * * * * * MEDICARE LACK OF COVERAGE Last issue we told about learning Medicare does not cover anything on a foreign registered vessel nor out of the United States. Received the following from Jim Brogdon in Rolling Hills, CA. Dear A. T . - Thanks for your item re no medicare coverage on cruises. We are taking 2 cruises this year so I investigated. Our supplemental carrier is AARP so I called them (800 523 5800). They say, although Medicare does not pay, they replace Medicare and pay 80% of "reasonable cost", same as Medicare does, so the insured will need to pay the 20% that a supplemental carrier now pays. This is true for both hospital and medical charges. You might suggest people call their supplemental carrier and maybe they give the same coverage. Thanks for a great job....Jim. Jim, TARPA's policy is identical in that it covers medical expenses incurred outside the U.S. which would normally be covered by Medicare Part A & B when at home. The thought occurred to me that our retirees living outside the United States have no Medicare coverage! * * * * * * Dick Guillan passed on the following; From Jean McCombs; Dear TARPA members, What a lovely surprise! Thank you. I enjoyed my "Birds of Paradise" for several weeks. I have and I will enjoy the friendship for years to come. Thank you for enriching our lives through your friendship...Love & Light, Jean O. McCombs. And from COJO resting on Everest Lane in beautiful Colorado; Mr. Secretary/ Treasurer, Jean reminds me that I never formally, offered my thanks for the beautiful Bolo tie and belt buckle presented to me at the convention. It is worn with pride and admired by many. A pleasant surprise that will be cherished forever.... Joe. [Your editor is reminded of something Russ Derickson said to me years ago when we were both actively involved in ALPA work. Russ said you know, I wouldn't be surprised if some ALPA member walked up to me and said, "I know you have worked for me for years but what have you done for me today?" Joe, our thanks to you for all the work you have done for us through the years in TARPA & ALPA and you don't have to do anything for me today, maybe tomorrow?] *
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The teacher was demonstrating the evils of alcohol to her class, She dropped a live worm in a glass of water. That worm kicked and swam around with great ease. Then she took the same worm and dropped it into a glass of alcohol. That worm kicked a couple of times and was dead. The teacher asked, "Now what does that prove?" Johnny raised his hand and said, "If you don't want to be wormy, drink alcohol".
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EDITOR'S DESK From Capt. Bill Malone, Secretary and Editor of the RETIRED EASTERN PILOTS ASSN; Dear A. T . - We congratulate you on your splendid February, 1992, issue of TARPA TOPICS. Ed Betts has served the purpose of preserving history which would be lost forever were it not for his in depth coverage of TWA's Intercontinental Division. The success of your I.C.D. operations covering such a diverse area is a fitting tribute to the skill of TWA personnel. The fact that they could operate their airplanes in such extreme climatic conditions is astonishing. Their ingenuity reflects credit on the whole aviation profession. We noted with great pride that the individual to the far right on page 60, standing before the modified B-24, is our own Captain Paul Foster. Of particular interest was the role played by Transcontinental and Western's Stratoliners. The Strats and Pan American's flying boats were the most glamorous airplanes of that era and none will ever forget them or the vital role they played in World War II. Rivaling Pan Am's big boats were the Navy's Mars boats or Martin PB2M's which made the run non-stop from California to Hawaii and were flown by six Eastern Air Lines Captains. One looks with admiration at the scope of the TWA Intercontinental Division route which literally covered the world. It is no surprise that the name of the airline was changed from Transcontinental and Western to the more appropriate title, Trans World Airlines. That great picture of the TWA Boeing 747 on the cover says it all....Yours sincerely, Bill Malone. [Editor] Bill , before I opened your envelope I was sure you had written about the advertisement for the Rickenbacker automobile I ran. It was out of a 1923 aviation magazine one of our pilots, Wendy Elliott, had loaned me. I understand the car was an excellent automobile for its time. I have always been an admirer of Captain Eddie and a story about his car further impressed me. They did go bankrupt owing, as I recall for I don't want to look up his book, $250,000.00 and Capt. Eddie vowed it was his debt and he would pay it and eventually, through the years, paid off every cent to his creditors. A far cry from these Chapter 11 shysters that are shafting stock holders, financial institutions, employees etc. right and left. I enjoy your news magazine and wish I could get as good picture reproduction as you have. Best wishes. * * * * * * From Charles "Black Dog" Davis; Dear A. T. - Here is another story from my collection. [Story appears elsewhere under the heading "FEATHERED".] Also, perhaps I didn't inform you, I dabble in poetry. If anybody reads "FEATHERED" besides you they probably won't believe it but I know you will. A. T ., do you take, or can you get a copy of the January 1992 AOPA Magazine? Reason why, Barry Schiff did an article on COMMAND AUTHORITY. (Page 85). I am more or less the subject of this treatise. It is based on my guiding the aircraft off the airway without ATC permission. Schiff likes to needle me and I return in kind. I called him after I read his piece and told him to seek out a lawyer. I stated that the "Fuzz" had entered my residence and had spent hours going through all of my log books and AF records and had even taken my B-17 pictures off the wall and confiscated them. Libel? Everything is the same here except Sylvia had a cataract removal recently. [Charlie, enjoyed the article. I have been a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association since 1950. They do a lot of good work for general aviation and we light plane jockeys. Still flying my Rockwell Commander 112TC • What a pity light plane manufacturing is about out in this country. Just read that Piper has sold its light plane rights to someone and a factory may be built in Russia. The prohibitively high cost of product liability insurance is the main culprit. When it comes to law suits against plane manufacturers and doctors the juries seem to think insurance companies can afford the extremely high awards!]
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EDITOR'S DESK From Capt. John X. Stefanki, UAL Retired RAPA Legislative Vice President Dear A. T. - I enjoy reading TARPA TOPICS, it is an excellent retired pilot publication full of news and humor. You are to be congratulated for the fine job of editing you are doing. I am enclosing a couple of articles about TWA that you might be interested in reading if you had not seen them before. I also included a few cartoons for humor and one on whistle blowing. Keep up the good work. Happy landings, Fraternally yours, John X. Stefanki And, Capt. Stefanki's letter to Jack Robertson; Dear Jack, I read your letter addressed to Senator John C. Danforth regarding holding "robber baron" Carl Icahn responsible for all pensions of TWA employees in the February issue of TARPA TOPICS. I thought you would be interested in the letters I wrote to the Senator and Representative Gephardt on the same issue. I talked to the Senator's Legislative Representative and she informed me that the legislation was passed and it was called Amendment 1376 to the Dire Emergency Supplemental Appropriation Bill. Your letter and interest in this important legislation was an important cog in its passage. This grass roots concern and action is what we need throughout the United States to bring the U.S. back to the economic forefront. Our votes are valuable and they should be used effectively and not emotionally. Good luck, good health and happy landings John X. Stefanki.
From George Duvall; The February issue of TOPICS just arrived and, as always, I have been busy reading it cover to cover. You fellows are doing a great job with TARPA TOPICS and I want to congratulate you. Now that I am no longer an active pilot I have little opportunity to catch up on scuttle butt except through the Seniors, TARPA and correspondence. In the February issue, though, I wanted to give you a little more information on Seth Strachan whom I have known for many years. He learned to fly at Davenport, Iowa, at the Robert Minick Flying School. He stayed on for a short time giving instruction. This was in the 1929-30 period. They were tough times and he finally returned to Portland where his father had a company producing car trailers. We kept in touch over the years as I was proud of Seth and later when I went to work as a copilot with United I flew through Portland and made it a point to call him and he would come out to the airport and meet me. I tried to get him interested in flying again and he finally joined the Army Air Corps Reserve in Portland as a way to keep flying without costing a fortune. When I was furloughed at United and came with TWA I told Seth they were actually hiring pilots so he applied for a job and was hired. I have kept in touch with Seth and Jo in recent years and was terribly sorry to hear that he finally passed on. He truly was a very honorable and true friend. The reason I know this is that I also learned to fly at the same school but was also a mechanic and office manager for the company. Keep up the good work! Right cordially, George.
From Bill Flanagan; I don't know if I am sending this to the right person but I'm sure that you will know to whom to forward it if necessary. continued next page 28
EDITOR'S DESK Capt. Flanagan continues; Believe it or not, just a few days ago I got around to reading the August issue of TARPA TOPICS. As usual I found it most interesting and especially the article by Walt Gunn. As you can see, my procrastination is still going strong! So, today I got around to reading some of the November issue of TARPA TOPICS. I see where TWA has really hit the skids and I was wondering how that will affect the "B" plan I still don't understand it. Guess I'll have to get in touch with Bob Sherman. I was forced to retire in 1971 and the B plan has been quite helpful lately. I'll get back to the November issue of the TOPICS and hope to finish it before the nest issue arrives. What with my MACULAR DEGENERATION and my usual procrastination that's a long shot! I usually sign off by saying KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK but now I think it's time that you EASE UP A BIT! See that your successors do as good a job as you have! [And the editor says, this letter was dated February 7, 1992, so Bill, your February TOPICS probably hit you by the time I received your letter. You must be a busy man. Hope you remembered the IRS doesn't stand for any procrastination. Thanks for the pat on the head and I would be very glad to turn this job over to someone else. Are there any takers? From Hank Gastrich; Dear A. T . - The last time you heard from me, it was about me and my gall bladder. Today [17 Feb.] I'm recuperating at home after laproscopy surgery without it and I can't say that I miss it a great deal. And I must sing the praises of that step forward in medical technology for any TARPANS that may have similar surgery. In the hospital Saturday morning 0830, in the OR at 1230, back in my room at 1630 and home the following day. I do confess to being a mite tender today, but I can actually feel the "healing process" and fully expect to be back at King's Monday. This is a six-course year for us; we have to rewrite most all courses. There's no way we will accomplish that by 1 Sept (date tests change), especially since Oklahoma City has told us not to expect any new courses before April 1. In addition, Donna and I are planning to fly the "Give-a-way" Tiger to and from Oshkosh in late July / early August. Hopefully, we will have better weather than 1991. We flew the round trip in just under 31 hours but more than 8 of those hours were dodging mountains and thunderstorms that covered the state of New Mexico. We spent a night in Silver City and one in Tucumcari! I'm looking forward to the San Diego get-together. I've already put the Kings on notice that I'll need some "reunion time" in September. Hopefully, TWA's troubles will be over by then. Remember when we thought Howard Hughes ran a fouledup airline? Where's old Howard when we need him? * * * * * * From Howard E. Hall, Cape Coral, FL; Your card just barely caught me home. We leave tomorrow (6Feb92) for Houston. Will visit a couple of days with our son and his family. Then we go on to Lubbock, Texas. Bunny's sister is holding her 50th wedding anniversary. My favorite brotherin-law will be there. Many more. Then hurry home. Thanks for card.... Hall. [Joe McCombs' records show Sonny Boy is our oldest TARPA member with a birth date of 02/02/03!]
Shortest will on record: "Being of sound mind, I spent all the money I had."
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EDITOR'S DESK From Dick Marray; Dear A. T . - The poem in the February issue of TARPA TOPICS reminded me of a poem that I enjoyed many years ago. Maybe someone knows the title? [Poem below] Just took a bi-annual flight check in a Cessna 172. My check pilot knew that I had flown 747's and told me that he was afraid that I would flair at 100 feet!. When we were making a touch and go, I called for flaps up after which he informed me diplomatically that I was supposed to raise the flaps myself since I probably wouldn't have qualified help in the future. Thank you for your dedicated service and best wishes to you and Betty... Dick . POEM Ailerons are busted, cockpit's round the fin, Fuselage is twisted, tank's a lot of tin. Plugs are in the compass, float's inside the sump, Quite a perfect landing, crash, smash, bump! Undercarriage broken, mixed up with the mag, Center section's crumpled, plane's a mass of rag. Prop inside the crankcase, shaft a molten lump, Oh, a proper landing, crash, smash, hump! Pilot quite unshaken, doesn't care a hoot, But a trifle sore with nuts inside his boot. In our kind of service, we don't get the hump, In a "heavy landing", crash, smash, bump! Halton, England 1930's *
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The Honorable Joe Brown of Sunrise Beach, Missouri, says he took the above snapshot of a billboard in Butler, Pennsylvania. That is John Testrake in TWA uniform in the middle. Thanks, Josephus.
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EDITOR'S DESK From Harry Mokler in Scottsdale, AZ; Enjoyed the new TOPICS as much as ever. Without a doubt the guys consider it to be the major benefit of TARPA membership. It is so good of you to take time from all of your endeavors to write to me. Fran sends her love to both of you. We had a nice Christmas back in New England with all of the kids. We are always annoyed at how the great amount of money, shopping and wrapping is so quickly expended in a frenzy of attack on the mound of presents left by Santa Claus. Well, everybody seems to have a good time but I think consumerism has won over Christianity - or whatever it is we are celebrating. Someone gave us the flu in spite of our shots. I'm having one of those lunch get-togethers, about 50 coming, will send you a list, lots of your old buddies.... [Your editor has known Harry since he first came on the NEC probably about 1960 and have always had the highest respect for him. Always had trouble with his funny talk, though. Periodically we exchange long letters which I enjoy. Says he is taking a course in philosophy, probably so he can better understand what makes some of us tick. List of attendees follows.] Hank Michaels Art Phillips Hadley Ray Bob Altemus Jack Robertson Phil Rimler George Searle Cliff Raub Gordon Granger Bill Judd Cliff Davis Bill Cooper Gene Exum Billie Tate Harry Willis Ray Fowler Cleo Mattke
Moon Valley, Thursday, February 27, 1992 Paul Kelly Neil Whitehurst Dick Lee Matt Musick Carl Dowling George Duval Frank Smith Larry DeCelles Lee Butler Harry Mokler Bill Wallace Ed Hoffman Jim Coughlin Hugh Graf Rut Barr Jim Paxton Chuck Hoesel John Hoag Jim Deveuve George Drew Bob Wolfe Lee Smith Eddie Fritz Hank Sturtevant Bob Balser Max Dail Bunky Morehead Stu Gilbert Mitch St. Lawrence D. Nelson George Casterlin Jay Palmer Harvey Graf
* * * * * * From John R. Boyce of Bethany, CT; Dear A. T. - For a long time I've been meaning to write and tell you how much I enjoyed your story on railroading. The reasons are not hard to find. When I was a senior in high school, probably about March of that year, my father suggested that a day out of school probably wouldn't hurt me and would I like to take a ride with him? No ordinary ride, of course. Dad was an engineer on the Missouri Pacific, had been since 1912. Of course, he spent many years as fireman as we did as copilot. And the term fireman in those years of 1912 to 1925 when he was promoted meant just that. The engines were hand-fired with soft coal. The MP at that time burned what was euphemistically called "Arkansas Smokeless". One scoop of that stuff would provide LA with enough smog for a week, if the locals would supply the other ingredients. Steam-powered augurtype stokers had been installed only on the newest engines and the only assistance Dad got from the steam when hand-firing was from stepping on a treadle that would open the butterfly door to the firebox, exposing that incredible seething mass of an almost white-hot bed of coals. It could redden your skin from six feet away in the few moments the doors were open. It was not uncommon to pitch continued next page 31
EDITOR'S DESK Boyce continues; sixteen tons (before Ernie Ford's song made the phrase familiar) on a run from St. Louis to Jefferson City about 125 miles. Dad weighed about 135 pounds. Well, Dad had always promised me a ride in the "cockpit" even as many of us have done to our kids and today was to be the day. He had finally gotten off the "extra board" or off reserve, as we would say, because the railroads were working at full steam, no pun intended, with the war effort. He finally had a regular run, albeit a local between Jeff City and Sedalia. It was only 8 to 10 cars, maybe 12 on a good day, and the engine was a cast-off from passenger service, probably a 4-6-2 or something like that. I remember it had big drivers. The train "made up" in Jeff City, a division point - we would say "originated". We got up steam in the yard there and headed west up the Main Line (Green 4). toward Sedalia. The MP was double tracked east of Jeff City but west of there it divided into the Main Line, through California, Sedalia and Warrensbug to Kansas City, and the River Route, which went through Booneville and followed a water level route along the Missouri River. That's the way they routed the long freights, "drags", as they were called. And they went as long as 120 cars. The passenger service and fast freights took the main line, with its occasional three percent grades and many curves. Of course, being a local, we took the siding many times to let the hot stuff go through. I don't recall that we spent much time studying the weather, and I'm sure the fireman didn't make out a flight plan but Dad picked up his "flimsies", or train orders, from the Dispatcher there in the yard, much as we would have gotten our Release from the ramp office. Once we were well out of the yards I slipped into the right seat, which is left for us. I remember that there were two great big levers from overhead, one that stuck down at an angle, the throttle, and another that was vertical, the reversing lever. There was also a whistle lever and a lanyard for the bell. The air brake controls were all shiny brass handles, and a couple of valves for sanding the wheels and several pressure gauges and water level tubes rounded out the "panel". There was also a set of fire-handling tools, the scoop, a rake, some long pokers and lots and lots of dirt. (Mom had a full-time job keeping his overalls clean). A steam engine doesn't know whether it's running forward or backward, sort of like some two-cycles. The running gear is controlled by adjusting the sliding valve that admits steam in the steam box, which bears on the piston and turns the drivers. All of the energy of the piston is exerted on one set of wheels, with the other wheels being driven by connecting rods, something like the master rod in a big radial. As the engine picks up speed, it just starts to shake like the devil had ahold of it, which mean's it's time to start moving the reversing lever from one end of it's arc toward the center. This is something like advancing the spark on a piston engine. As soon as you would move the lever a notch or two (they were all ratcheted) toward center, things would smooth out and you would move the throttle a little more. As you pick up speed, the shaking would start again, so you'd move the lever a little more toward center, it would smooth out and so on and on until you were up to speed and running smoothly. Dad called this "Riding the expansion". There was almost no limit to how fast those steam engines would run except that imposed by the roadbed condition and the curves. Remember, the speed record for railroads was set in the 1890's by the Empire State Express at just over 125 mph and it stood until recently. So on we went. To slow down approaching the yards at the next stop, you would reverse the procedure and use the air as well. I didn't get to run the engine in the yards, while we were switching, but I did hop off the engine and throw the switches when necessary. That was almost my undoing. After setting the switch for the engine to come through, I waited until it was alongside and continued next page
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EDITOR'S DESK Boyce contines; and started to trot to get up to its speed before hopping on the ladder up to the cab. Of course, I was watching the cab so I didn't see the switch frog coming up. I tripped and fell, obviously I fell away from the engine instead of under it or I wouldn't be writing this. I can hardly imagine what Dad must have thought and we never told my mother. We had an hour or so turn around time in Sedalia, just enough to get a hamburger at the "Gag and Vomit" restaurant alongside the railroad yards. They were never called "Greasy Spoons". Don't know why. Of course, if you wanted to eat enroute, you brought your own including the coffee. No hostesses. . So we tied up at home late that afternoon, tired, dirty and exhilarated And almost deaf. My persistent tinnitus probably dates from that time, almost a year before I got into my first cockpit. And that's how things looked from the head end. I've only met two other railroaders on TWA. One was Arden Mesedahl, the other Jerry Shull, both retired now, I believe. Now no doubt some who read this (if you publish it) will find errors and discrepancies in my account of a boyhood dream come true, running a steam locomotive over the Main Line, but this is what I remember, and it has been, let's see... 92 minus 43, well about 49 years next month! Railroading in those days was a dirty, dangerous business. I never tired of hearing railroaders of that generation tell their stories and my dad had a few of his own to tell. Like the time when... Regards, John. P.S. I don't want to end this without saying thanks for the great job you guys are doing for your fellow pilots. But then, you always did! P.P.S. Much to my disappointment, he never let me blow the whistle. I donno why. [John, I thought you would explain why railroad engineers were called hogheads. Didn't your mother ever refer to your hoghead Dad? ..A. T .] * * * * * * Ed Betts to Dick Guillan; Better check my figures as right now I don't see so good - seems I have a detached retina and will go in for a Laser beam next week to correct same. This is the same eye where I had the cataract operation a couple of years ago. We are bracing for another set of rainstorms due to start tonight [Feb. 29] and last two or three days. It will probably make the LA Open Golf finals tomorrow a quagmire plus the LA Marathon may be run with snorkel tubes. I will be prepared with lots of empty buckets to capture and preserve the precious water. Never thought I'd see the day where a glass of water cost more than the same amount of gin (complete with ice).
From Russ Day; I feel like the Klutz of the year. We had our first snowstorm a week ago yesterday [March 27] and I guess I wasn't used to walking in snow, it has been so long since we got any real snowfall. Thus I took a header on an unshoveled walk, must have put my foot on the edge without realizing it and when I fell I twisted my right ankle bad enough to tear all the ligaments on the outside of the foot. Thus I'm in a cast from just aft of my toes to just below the knee! Since it's the first cast I've ever had in my 64 years, I guess I have no real complaint. At least it's not in the boating season and the ski season is passed. [Russ, our deepest sympathy. We want to thank you very much for doing the cover for this issue, it is just perfect. Always did admire your ability as an artist and pilot too. We have fond memories of little old Newark and all my many friends and acquaintances.]
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MAY 1992 Spring has Sprung, the Grass has Ris', I wonder where the Birdies Is. Author unknown. Greetings, You have accessed the Oracle "Grapevine". If you have a touch-tone Phone press 1, if you have a dial or rotary phone, stay on the line and an operator will be with you in an hour or so. Ah I see you have pressed 1. If you would like to send a message to some one on the Grapevine press 2. A message to your Mother in-law, press 3. Something of interest to all the TARPA members, press 4. Complaints about your incumbant Congressman, press 5. Compliments to all your hard working TARPA Officers (except the GV Ed. who is having FUN), press 6. Orders for a tour from all of our SUPER tour directors, press 7. Info on how long Carl will keep TWA from the rest of the asset mongers To volunteer for the TWA Seniors Sale Propress 8. Oh I see you have pressed 0, I suppose gram, press 9. that means you have lost interest in our computerized automated answering service and want to talk to a REAL ERSON. If this is what you would like to do press #,* and at the pause press *99. Then at the third Beep, press "O". An Operator will be with you in just a few minutes and will be able to answer any question you may have about how to use the automated answering service. Hello? Hello? Hello? You have just reached the automated answering service of the Oracle "Grapevine". All kidding aside, guys, welcome to SPRING. something we don't have in Florida. It goes from 55 degrees to 85 degrees overnight. But we love it. Sure do hope every one is Hokay. We have a lot of news and letters from all over including Rome. The wires have been hot lately and how sweet it is. Every one seems to be gearing up for San Diego. WOW 1 Now that we have recovered from mile high Colorado, we can get down to sea level where we ALL can breathe. The weather in Diego is usually fantastic and we should all have a ball. I understand there will be folks there that have NEVER been to a TARPA Reunion 1 Who !!! knows, Carl may even show up 34
Grapevine, May, 1992, Con't JACK ASIRE, (EVELYN), Virginia Beach, Va. / Vandalia , Mi. Just received the Feb. Topics and enjoyed the letters and special articles with great interest, as usual. Being an EAGLE came about through no special effort on our part and we both are in good health and life, in the Southeastern tip of Virginia. We are looking forward to our forty forth summer at the lake in Michigan. Have promised the Doctor who replaced my hip that I would not ski ! Regards to all, Jack Asire RALPH PENSON, (IONA), Bend, Or. I recently saw in an "Autos of Old" price list that my 1940 Olds Convert. Coupe, that I sold for $700 in 1968, is now worth $29,000 !!! HA! And so it goes. Who needs a crystal ball anyhow ? We took an 83 day, 11,930 mile tour with our 5th. wheel. Got all the way to Nova Scotia. Left home on the 19th of August and got back on the 10th. of November. Went down to El Paso on the return trip in order to dodge the ice and snow that hit late in October. Had our "family" of two dogs and two cats along. Great time. Best Regards, Ralph Penson EARL KORF, (SUSANNE), Lincroft, NJ. Great story by Ed Betts in the Feb. TOPICS on the ICD, which interested me very much. I made a copy of the two pages which tell about Bob Stevens on the Niswander record breaking flight and sent it to Bob. Hope he can obtain the whole thing from some of the KC guys. If not will sent him mine. Susanne and I are much better than a year ago. Both recovered from surgery and after eye surgery have 20/20 eyes again. Had my six year old pacemaker replaced and really looking forward to a great 1992 and the ICD Reunion in Orlando, Fl. Good Luck and Regards, Earl PHIL SCHULTZ, (HENNY), Rancho Santa Fe, Ca. Henny and I have just returned from a month traveling by EURAIL in Europe, mostly in Germany, where we celebrated Christmas with Henny's sister. If you haven't tried Eurail you should. Unlimited First Class passes anywhere in 17 Countries on any train. You can get on or off wherever you like. We even took our little white poodle. Try it. It's fun. Best Wishes, Phil LARRY WOLF, (JO ANN), Florence, Or. We recently moved to Florence Oregon after 5 years in Nevada. Of interest, during the last few years we had a U-Haul stolen in Ill. with a 22' load of our belongings. Since this was our second load, we did not lose everything! 35
Grapevine, May, 1992, Con't. Larry Wolf, Con't. (Ed. Note. Larry, what a guy won't do to keep from having a garage sale!!!) I had a stroke in 1986, since recovered, all but my left hand. Jo Ann and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary, June 1991 and welcomed our first GREAT granddaughter last Oct. 14, 1991. Yours, Larry Wolf JAY WOODRUFF, (CARALYN), Lafayette, Ca. Caralyn and I are still up to a round of golf and I do some trout fishing while she enjoys the ambiance of a Sierra streamside campground. We don't travel very far or very often, but I'm thinking about San Diego this fall. Caralyn beats me at golf about half the time and she would probably catch more trout than I if she tried!!! Best Regards, Jay Woodruff KEN SLATEN,(ROSEMARY), Albuquerque, NM. All is well here in Albuquerque. The Mexican food is better than ever and maybe a little hotter too. We are looking forward to seeing every one in San Diego in the fall. Sincerely, Ken Slaten FRANK SPEDDING, (KATHY), Langhorne, Pa. It's hell being retarded, the only thing I don't forget to do is eat. I didn't get the November TOPICS and didn't realize it until I got the February issue and couldn't find the November issue when looking for a reference. (Ed. Note : Dick mailed an extra Nov. issue to you, Frank, hope you got it okay! if you didn't, I ' ll arm wrestle you for my copy in SAN). Frank BART HEWITT,
Evergreen, Co.
I'm quite well at 70 and hoping to enjoy quite a few more good years with a new wife and a nice place high up in the Rockies at 8000 ft.! Fondest Regards, Bart Ed Note: How about a line about your new wife and why in God's name you would move anywhere near our esteemed ex. Secy/Treas. unless he promised not to recruit you for a job in TARPA!
"I'm discouraged," said Bill. "I lost four balls today, and I think I'll quit the game. "That's not so bad," said his pal. "Lots of golfers lose four balls in a day." "Yeah," Bill replied sadly, "but I'm a bowler.* 36
Grapevine, May, 1992, Con't. GEORGE DUVALL, (JOYCE), Litchfield Park, Az / San Mateo, Ca. I have been so occupied in recent months trying to get back in good health again that things have caught up with me. I was in the hospital during the Convention in COS and trying to get my legs to function properly again, it is a slow process. At the present time, Joyce and I are planning on making the TWA Seniors Annual Meeting in Orlando and staying on there for of the ICD Operation. If that goes off the 50th anniversary without a hitch we will take a look at going to San Diego for the TARPA Convention. Keep your fingers crossed, we hope to be there. Harry Mokler is continuing to have occasional local TARPA and just had one this past week at Moon Valley Country meetings Club, with good attendance. I have not given up on TWA yet but hope something takes place that will straighten things out. Right Cordially, George BUD SONNE, Yucca Valley, Ca Looking back, I wonder where all the good times have gone from our days of flying. Other than getting older. I'm certainly glad my days of flying are over, at least those days of working for a living. I was an F/E at first, then moved up to the forward seats. TWA was certainly good to me during my years with them. I just wonder if many of the men flying with the Company today can the say the same. Hope they will have something good to say in future, but wonder. My wife and I have been on several trips in the past 18 months and hope to see New Zealand this spring if all works out for us. All the Best, Bud *************************************
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Grapevine, May, 1992, Con't. WERNER ROMANELLO, (MIRELLA), ROME ITALY Thank you for calling at me through the "Grapevine". As a TARPA Subscriber for the last 5-6 years, I always enjoy receiving it keeps me in contact with the TWA Flight Operation world, it; to who I dedicated 32 years of my life. That long time gave me the unique opportunity to be associated with the finest group of Pilots and Flight Operations people of any airline. I elected to retire in January, 1983 , with the closure of the Rome Flight Dispatch and since that time I am associated with a small Air Freight Charter Company based at Ciampino Airport. (Went back to Ciampino where I started with TWA in 1949!) My oldest son, Stevie is operating a general aviation spare parts company at Urbe Airport (Rome ) while younger son Marco (27 yrs.) who went through Alitalia Flight School to secure his Commercial, for the past two years, has been flying co-pilot on Alitalia's MD-80 Intl' Routes . in the predominant So, flying and airplanes is still Romanello's family. My wife, Mirella has to stand up with all this. Rome is still where it has always been for the past 2400 years, except the traffic is as bad as you can guess. Hope to be able to make it to some of the TARPA Conventions to see friends. Werner Romanello Best Regards, Ed. Note: Werner, thanks for the input from Rome, my favorite town. Bring Mirella and join us in San Diego. It's almost like Rome. DICK ELLIS, (DOT), Hilton Head Island, SC. Seeing as how we were newly moved, we were very surprised to receive our copy of TOPICS right on time. I read it through at one setting and want to say it is the best one published so far. Social items not withstanding, the info on Insurance and Cliff Raub's analysis on Trusts is invaluable. So many of us have a tendency to put things off due to the hustle of life. These were timely reminders to "get our house in order." I have an apointme ith the Estate Attorney next week. w For us "stay-at-home folks, thanks from the bottom of our hearts for the news and events. All the Best, Dick Ellis *********************************** " If you marry the RIGHT woman, there is nothing like it, and if you marry the WRONG woman there is nothing like it." Irish Prov. Thanks to Ed Toner 38
Grapevine, May, 1992, Con't. JOHNNY BOYCE, (LIZABETH) , Bethany, CT. I woke up one morning about a month ago, looked at the hadn't calendar, swore mildly, and concluded that if Schedule retid.(I called by now they probably never were. I was really happened to be my 67th birthday.) It doesn't usually take anything that long to sink in, unless it's connected with the 747 electrical system. KVAR's never had that much meaning for me, and after a year or so, I just took Chapter 9 out of the manual. The years have certainly rolled swiftly by. Most of the things that I was going to do around the house still aren't done, or even started, in most cases. The Aeronca is still unfinished, the porch not rebuilt, the old family furniture not refinished, and I could go on and on. I do have about 2438 crossword puzzles to my credit. I'm still flying small stuff. A good friend has a fully equipped Cessna 182, which is at my disposal, in addition to a Baby Ace likewise. I have even returned my instrument rating to current status, but between you and me, single engine, single pilot IFR is not my cup of tea, especially in a New England winter. Of course, we had pretty much forgotten what icing was. I don't recall even using anything more than engine anti-ice on the Boeings, maybe once in a long while on the 72. flying activities now are connected with Nearly all my I instruct with our soaring club, fly the tow planes, soaring. and fly my own ship on good days. I'm also an FAA Examiner for gliders and do about a dozen flight test a year, for Private, Commercial and CFI-G. People still ask me if I miss the Airline flying. Well, of we all do. Almost all. But I sure don't miss the hassle course, going back and forth to JFK. Also, one of the great joys was of seeing friends on layovers and at the hangar. (the other hanger is Having a round OJ's at the "Office" in Paris or at for clothes.) the Lord Something-or-other in London. By 1985, nearly everybody of my generation was gone and layovers were actually pretty staring lonely. 'Course we all know what happened to the airline in '85. We got out just in time. It can't be much fun working for I see people when out on a pass, and it's pretty TWA anymore. a tale of frustration and anxiety, and a lot of anger. It much be difficult to keep the proper attitude under such condimust and the TWA Pilot group is certainly to be commended for tions maintaining an extremely high standard of operations. It really hurts to see what has happened to our once-proud As far as Pilots are concerned, they (we) ARE the airairline. proba- line, and the identification of employee with company is ly not as strong in any other industry. The figures in the last TOPICS cocerning retirements are surprising, almost astounding. Of the nearly 300 pilots that left the company, over six times as many left voluntarily as did for manditory or other reasons. Can you imagine that happening during the years we were working? I can't think of more than half a dozen during the nearly 34 yrs. of my tenure. 39
Grapevine, May, 1992, Cont. Johnny Boyce, Con't. It's good news to learn the '92 Convention will be in San Diego and in Sept. too. We get out there quite often, because Betty's mother is there. I've missed all the previous Conventions for one reason or another, but this one is a must-do occasion. I haven't seen any of my old associates in that many years and it's time to let people know 'ole 8203 is still among the living. CHECK ESSENTIAL John ED TONER, (MARLENE) , Howell, NJ. This might seem a bit trivial, but what the heck, I'm going to pass it on for what it's worth. In 1958 while passing through Shannon Duty Free Shop, I picked up a Swiss Army knife. From that day on, it became part of my attire, along with a comb, keys, loose change, etc.. I was a regular "MacGyver", you should pardon the expression. There hardly was a day passed when I didn't find a need for one or another of the blades. Well, last month after 33 years, I decided it needed a major overhaul. The plastic toothpick had melted from using it to smoke cigars to the nub and the scissors were broken, the handle was cracked, the Logo had disappeared and the blades were dull. "Fix it" I said and sent it off to the Swiss Army Rehab., Swiss Army Brands, Shelton, CT. 06848, Certified Mail. Three weeks later, back came my old friend. (I felt naked, useless and defenseless in the interim.) It was as new, but I knew it was mine from a few of the nicks in the end plates put there when I used it as a hammer. There is no charge for this. If you have the genuine article, it will have "Victorinox" stamped on the nub of one of the blades and they guarantee it for life and overhaul it for noth ing. And that was the big excitement around here last month. All the best, Ed Ed.
Note: Thanks Ed, those guys in Shelton are going to get busy.
PAT SHOALTS, (SHIRLEY), Eagles Mere, PA. Pat sent in a great article printed on Friday the 13th Dec.'74 in the Los Angeles Times, about the horrendous inflation in Germany after WW1. A suitcase of Marks would hardly buy a pair of shoes and workers made 26,000 Marks a hour and couldn't buy a single piece of clothing. WOW ! Are we headed that way ? Thanks Pat. Also for the ream of cartoons of which SOME will appear from time to time, Thanks again, Pat. FRANCE IS THE ONLY COUNTRY WHOSE MONEY FALLS APART, BUT YOU CAN'T TEAR THE TOILET PAPER. BILLY WILDER 40
Grapevine, May, 1992, Con't. FORD BLANY, (JANE), Indiana, PA. The enclosed picture was taken New Years eve on board the Cunnard Sea Goddess during a seven day cruise of the Caribbean. The small ship (Ed. Note "ship" or "boat" after all the one on TV is called the Love "Boat" !!!) holds 116 passengers and crew of 94. and visited the We departed St. Thomas on the 28th in the French/Dutch Island of St. Marten on the 29th. Antigua Leeward Islands was next. There on the dock beside us was the huge ship, Monarch of the Sea. When it departed, three children, by mistake, were left behind. They came over to our ship when the Monarch was a mile out to sea. Our Captain called the Monarch to stop. Then one of our lifeboats (or lifeships) was lowered into the sea with the three children on board. They were then transported to the Monarch where their parents had never missed them ( Oh Yeah) We arrived in St Barthelamy, named for Christopher Columbus' on the 31st. New Years eve was celebrated between St. brother, Barth and Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. Another British Island, Jost Van Dyke, was our next port. On Friday, the 3rd., we cruised to St John and toured the Virgin Islands NationWe al Park and then back to St Thomas on Saturday, Jan 4th. danced every night and went swimming every day trying not to get The Captains wheel house was open to visitors all sun burned. the time. (They don't have a Friendly Aboard Agency Ed.) Their radar is good for 360 degree viewing. Jane bought a Bikini in the ships (Boats) botique. (Go for it Jane). Yours Truly, Ford Blaney
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Grapevine, May, 1992, Con't KATIE BUCHANAN, Stateline, NV. Ed. Note: Katie, to show her "appreciation" to TARPA, sends in a donation for "whatever or wherever it is needed" and says it is such a great privilege to be involved in this great organization and very proud to be an Honorary member. She says she is looking to San Diego in September. Ed. Note #2: Katie, if you never showed up at the Conventions we would fold. FOLD ! Anyone that works as hard as you do at all our functions is really the one that is "APPRECIATED". It's not just the work either, is the FUN we all have when you are around. Please, PLEASE, never miss a Convention. I thank you, The Officers thank you the BD thanks you and ALL TARPA members THANK YOU, and all the others that help to make this the GREATEST GROUP going !!!! ********************************** C. R .
POLEY
I am sure you all have discovered, as I have, that this retirement thing isn't all that great for time off. Like many others, I find at times there are not enough hours in the day to accomplish the many things I want to do. That is not to say that I am not enjoying it even though I disagreed with the forced retirement and still today would welcome even the commute to go to work. At least that way there was a break in the action in what amounted to going off to some part of the world for dinner with good friends. Hopefully we can all get together at the Convention in San Diego, which we are looking forward to attending. Sincerely, Chuck HELEN McGARRY, Los Angeles CA. It's always good to read about folks in the TARPA TOPICS. I attend the Seniors' Luncheon, both here in L.A. and in San Diego. Good to see everyone. Best wishes, Helen Ed: Helen was Secretary to many LAX Chief Pilots. And we will see you in SAN, won't we Helen? DOROTHY RUSH, HC 34, Box 200-9 ,
Midland TX. 79701
Dorothy is a NEW Subscriber to TARPA and worked in passports at Kennedy, when it was IDL. She later moved downtown as Ed Frankum ' s secretary and lost touch with all the Flight Crews from the old days. Welcome back, Dorothy, how about a note on what you have been doing lately? May be see you in San Diego this fall ? 42
Grapevine, May, 1992, Con't FRANK WALSH, 43 Everest Dr. N.
Bricktown, NJ. 08724
Another NEW Subscriber, says "it's good to revive old memories. I guess we were lucky to retire when we did. Things are so unsettled these days. Ed. Note: Frank, besides the OLD memories, join us in SAN and create some NEW ones !! DON DORMAN, (IRENE), Napa, CA. Don encloses the snapshot below of "Long Beach under the Spruce Goose #N37602." Thanks Don
FLOYD E. MARTIN, 17 Oak Lane, Sterling, VA. 221170 Sure was glad to see the picture of Howard Hall in the November issue. I flew with Howard a lot on the old DC-4 cargo flight in the 1955-57 era. That was a great flight. You could only make 5 trips a quarter. 2.5 to 3 days to Frankfurt and back. 45 to 50 hours a trip, WOW ! GORDON HARGIS, Fort worth, TX It was certainly a pleasure to see all the old friends at COS. The problem was , there were so many, I didn't get to talk long enough to anyone! Probably, because of the last minute solicitation of donations to finance the cost of bringing the S.A.C. Connie to COS, the project did not generate enough to get her into the air. Hopefully, all the checks not specifically marked as a donation to be kept by SAC, have been returned to the senders. I hope the volunteer staff in MKC (Home Office) has taken care of that. 43
Grapevine, May, 1992, Con't GORDON HARGIS,
Con't.
Also the P-51 suffered a generator failure two weeks before the Convention and had to be removed, sent to Oakland CA. from repaired, This took a Hollister, returned, and reinstalled. month. So I rode the Airline to COS instead of arriving in style (?) in ' ole "Strawboss 2." Maybe better luck next year. It's only about 1:50 from Hollister to San Diego-if the ATC will let me through the LAX TCA VFR ! Best Regards, Gordon Hargis PS: Guess I'll hibernate for awhile, FTW this AM was M4/2 ZL-ZR-F RUSS DERICKSON, (ULI, MATT), Tucson, AZ./ Angel Fire, NM. We visited Germany the past year and had an opportunity to visit Czechoslovakia, where Uli was born. During 1991 also visited friends and family members in New Jersey, Connecticut, Kentucky for my and Pennsylvania. I attended funeral services in Penn. brother Woodrow, who made his final trip West last February ('91). At that time I was again able to visit with our long time friend Paul Whitesel. We now have a Chalet at Angel Fire near Taos, in the New Mexico mountains which we have named "Chalet Camelot" -it's elevation is 9500 MSL. The elevation of the Angel Fire airport is 8450 MSL. Uli has found some toad stools there in the mountains which she calls mushrooms. So far only she will eat them. To all of you that we have met, talked to on the phone and visited with the past year, it has been most pleasant and to all of you we send our best. To the TARPA Board of Directors and all the Committee Chairmen, it has been an exciting and rewarding experience working with you the past few years. I will miss your fellowship but not your problems. Dick Guillan shipped us a Christmas tree from North Carolina to Angel Fire. Many Thanks, Dick. We will see you all around the countryside. Matt, Uli and Russ JACK MILLER Jack sent in to Grapevine a 1919, U.S. Army Air Service list of FLYING REGULATIONS. Looks to me as though it is something the FAA may have had a hand in. Anyway, thanks, Jack. Space permitting it will be in this May issue, otherwise maybe the August one. It is something that will weather the ravages of time. Also says they will see everyone in San Diego.
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Grapevine, May, 1992, Cont. STU NELSON, (ARLENE), Palos Verdes, CA. The following article by Art Buchwald sent to the Grapevine by Stu, has to be the epitome of what's wrong with the airline industry and the result of deregulation. Thanks Stu, but I don't think Frank and Carl (or Frank and Ernest) care too much about what the rest of us 10, 20, or 60 year career airline folks think they and their ilk have done to the once FANTASTIC about what Air Transportation System of the U.S. Nor do the Politicians who were bought with Lobby money etc. Thanks again Stu.
ART BUCHWALD
Pity the Bankrupt Airline Exec arl Icahn of TWA is not the only head of an airline who is in Chapter 11. Ziegried Othello of ZAX Airlines sent me this by messenger last week: I was the chairman of the board of ZAX Airlines—the one that lost $2 billion last year and nose-dived into Chapter 11, leaving its 95,000 employees in the street and 85,000 creditors sticking their heads in the oven. But nobody has heard my side of the -story, so I'm writing it from my beautiful home in Palm Springs, which happens to be in my wife's name. I started out life as a banana salesman. From bananas I added peaches and then plums. Pretty soon I bought a cereal company so that people would have something to put their fruit on. Before long I bought a sugar company, which was a perfect fit for the fruit and cereal divisions. ' Then came the roaring '80s, and no one worried whether the business you owned fit the business you had bought. An investment- banker named Michael Milkman came to me and said that ZAX Airlines was up for grabs. I said, "I don't know how to
C
run an airline." "You're not buying an airline, you're buying a loss leader that will produce a cash flow. All ZAX management cares about is flying planes from one place to another. They have no guts when it comes to defending themselves from an unfriendly takeover." I then asked, "What do we use for money?" He replied, "Junk bonds. We'll raise $4 billion and offer to pay 16% interest on them." "What happens if we don't have the money to pay the interest?" " We'll offer the bondholders 5 cents on the dollar. You won't be liable because we'll put the junk bonds in your wife's name." Now there isn't a businessman in America who would pass up a deal like this. We declared war on ZAX, and the management was so broke from the fight that it had to sell off all its spare tires. But I got the airline. People say I didn't know much about flying, which was a damn lie. The first thing I did was to reduce costs. I cut out serving macadamia nuts with drinks, I eliminated 90% of all co-pilots, and I put pay toilets on board the
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planes. At the same time I offered two free tickets to London to anyone flying to Buffalo for $900. We never had an empty seat, but we weren't doing too well when it came to paying the interest on the junk bonds. I warned the pilots and attendants to straighten up and fly right and demanded that they take salary cuts. They just laughed at me and told me to drop dead. Then I did something desperate to save the company. I sold all my air routes and used the money to buy a string of Mexican chili parlors in Arizona. - It was a brilliant move and one that could have saved the airline. But the employees started screaming bloody murder, and now I have to fight them in court, which is going to eat into my golf game. That's my side of the story. The government says I didn't do anything wrong. It better not. I gave to the Republicans and the Democrats. The big lie is that ZAX employees have accused me of misusing their pension money to pay off my debts. I had nothing to do with the employees' pension plan. It was in my wife's name.
Grapevine, May, 1992, Con't THERE are so many Tarpa folks that send notes along with their annual commitment, that to mention every one would really run up our printing tab. The Sec'y/Treas. especially, and all the other Ladies and Gentlemen working voluntarily for Tarpa really do appreciate your encouragement, comments and thanks. Now if we could just get some of the younger folks (60-65 babies) to take a turn at one of the jobs, and really spread it around, it would be a piece of cake for everyone. There is a warehouse full of talent out there just waiting to work. Don't wait to be ask. Pick something you really enjoy doing and jump in, the water's fine. Some, and believe me only some, of the people mentioned above are: KATHY SCHULTZ, says she got her Feb. TOPICS and KNOWS Katie Buchanan arranged it; JOHN CALLAMARO, (how is the shotgun going John?); JIM AYLWARD, claims his senility is his wife's fault; BOB CROSKELL; SPORTY HORTON; SAM MARIANI; W.A. "BILL" MURPHEY; BOB DALIN, sent in an up dated Bio; JOHNNY LIEN, doesn't know whether to say "Aloha" or" Auvoire"; AL MUNDO; DAVE BROWN; GENE JONES; ED TONER; S. TUDOR "LEE" LELAND; DAN RICHTER; WARD BUDZIEN; U. J. "URB" KAMPSEN; PAUL McNEW; ORSON RAU; LOWELL WIERKS; HARRY MOKLER; DEAN PHILLIPS; SKIP GENEBACH (dues +); DEL RICHARDSON; AL LUSK; PAUL KELLY; V. R. "VAN" VAN PELT; ROBERT DOWNING; D. O. SMITH; PETER SIDWAY; and BOB WIDHOLM, Says he and Fay would love to host a Convention at THEIR HOUSE, but the basement is full of water ! ! ! In addition, are just some of the EAGLES. JOHN PYLE; JOHNNY NUNN; ED HALL; REG. PLUMRIDGE and CHUCK LAWSON. ******************************************* The TWA Southeast Seniors had a luncheon on the 20th of March, hosted by two GREAT people, Joanne and Ken Kennedy on the riverboat (rivership) Grand Romance, on the St Johns river out of Sanford Fl. (terminous of the Auto-Train from D. C.) We left at 11:00 and returned at 15:00. Hors de Overs (ha ha ha), a GREAT lunch, three choices and all the Shrimp you could eat 'til just before we docked. There was music to dance to, Capt. BILL did some history on the St. John river that was serious at times and had us rolling on the deck the rest of the time. (He owns the Boat (ship) and the whole family helps out including his 84 year old Grandma.) There were 59 Seniors aboard, and a Super time was had by everyone. The Kennedys' claim this is the First Annual Cruise. I sure hope so, I'm going every year. There were Clipped Wingers, some ICD old timers and among the group were Jim Harkins and Elly; Dick Beckner and Connie; John Kidd and Rae; Ernie Pretsch and Sue; Ernie by the way gave my Daughter, Heather her Private Pilots check ride in Kissimmee Fl. at his Marathon Flight School. Says she can sure fly better than me. Also Jack Huss from JFK Dispatch was there. There were 300 or so aboard, but TWA'ers ate their share. 46
Grapevine, May, 1992, Con't. CLAIRE HENDRIX, 5127 Knollwood Dr. Morrow, Oh. 45152 To Captain Guillan, Thank you so much for your letter and kind words about Jim. I appreciate being given an Honorary Membership to TARPA and will look forward to receiving all the TARPA publications. We always enjoyed reading them. I'm sure Jim would also appreciate your remembering him with a contribution to the TWA Pilots Retirement Foundation, as I do. Sincerely,
Claire
JO STRACHAN, 2944 Stevenson Dr. Pebble Beach, CA. 93953 Dear Capt. Guillan, During the time of sorrow it is comforting to learn how much our friends mean to us. Your kindness and sympathy on behalf of the TARPA organization in memorializing Seth with a contribu tion to the TWA Pilots Retirement Foundation in his name will always be remembered. like these do much to epitomize the ones who have Gifts passed on as well as we who were left behind. I am pleased to accept the Honorary Membership in TARPA. Thank you for the enclosed Membership Card. shall look forward to receiving the TARPA publications I and perhaps some time will be able to attend an Annual Membership Meeting and meet more of Seth's good friends. We do miss him. Mrs. Seth Strachan and Family Most Sincerely, MRS. HAZEL CHURCH, (CHARLES O.) 4102 32nd. Ave W. Bradenton Fl. Thought I would share with you the exciting news about my daughter. Karen has been flying for United Airlines a youngest little over 13 years and late last year made her advancement to CAPTAIN 11 She took her first Captain-in-Command flight on 1 As I 1992 in the B-737... and with a Lady Co-Pilot ! January, understand, she is *9 Female with United to make Captain. Chuck, her brother, was a Captain with Ozark until "subTWA, and at this point, aren't we all holding our by merged" breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop ! Wouldn't C.O. be appalled with TWA today-- and thrilled for Karen I Hazel Church Sincerely, Ed Note: We all, of course remember Charlie very, very well and doesn't it run in the family. Congrats! to Karen from all BOY, of TARPA and we keep our fingers crossed double for Chuck and our Airline, TWA. Thanks, Hazel.
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Grapevine, May, 1992, Cont. DARRELL MERRILL, Chesterfield, MO. I would like to take a moment to express a belated appreciation to all the retired Captains and Flight Engineers that were my teachers, loan-officers, confidants, colleagues and good friends as I served with them as a Co-Pilot. TWA has excellent training. However, the flight legs that were shared by Captains and the examples they set, enabled me to later fly as a successful Captain on every jet TWA had in service except the 747. (I am type rated on the 74 and it will be next.) Their indulgence and forgiveness of my indiscretions and other short-comings as a young Pilot instilled in me a sense of compassion and tolerance that would serve me well, later as a Father, Captain and in various Management capacities. Many retired pilots probably feel unappreciated and that now, senior Pilots, like myself, couldn't wait for you to leave so that we could have your seats. Well your wrong! I, for one, would gladly leave my L1011 left seat and take the right seat of a 707, if I could start across one of the oceans with my old My new colleagues are like silver, but my old friends friends. that fought a war for the right to build TWA are like gold and will never be equaled. Keeping in mind what present top-management is like, in all the years that I was Director of Contract Administration and Chairman of the System Board, never once did my bosses, Captain Frankum or Captain Simplins, ever ask me to do anything that wasn't completely above board. They held the line Pilot in high esteem and never disparaged them (even though others did). I wish you all tail-winds and hope to see everyone at a retirement function. Fraternally, Darrell Merrill BILL HARRISON, (MARY), Banning CA. I have had some time to go through my TOPICS again and found where the DC-2 was flown for the last time in 1936. TARPA TOPICS, 1983 the Grapevine, P-3. Now in the June 1983 issue it was supposed to have flown until 1940. In 1942 on May 26, Bill Dowling with Hostess Bunny Bowles (Mrs. Howard Hall) flew Plane No. 326 NC 3788, SFO to PHX. Bill again flew the DC-2, FNO to SFO on 5-3042. It's up to someone else to fly it out of SFO. Yes, Bill had a Co-Pilot. The TOPICS are GREAT. Sincerely, Bill
" When people come and talk to you of their aspirations, before they leave, you had better damn well count your silverware".
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Grapevine, May, 1992, Con't. MRS. JOAN ZIMMEL BRANS, Irvine, CA. (Former Hostess) I look forward to the TARPA TOPICS. Reading about old friends makes me a little homesick for the fun it was, flying. Being a Travel Agent keeps me close to what is going on and allows me to take a few trips--just can't stay on the ground. Thanks,
Joan
BOB TROJAN, (LONNA), Alpine, UT. My wife and I just purchased a house at Incline Village NV. and have been involved in shaping it up. As a result, we have not been in our Utah house much lately. I have been retired since 25 June, 1990 and still " adjusting to the time off! I really miss the flying and the great rapport of my fellow crew members. However, I don't miss crew schedule or the insecurity caused by management. to seeing everyone at a function in the I look forward future. Sincerely, Bob FRED MORSE, (KATHY), Oceanside, NY. Had a chest x-ray in conjunction with an annual colonoscopy, Nov.'91. It revealed a shadow. A catscan gave a clearer 18 on picture and to make a long story short, the middle lobe of my right lung was removed on 29 Nov. I was in the hospital 3 weeks, including one for phlebitis, (common to operations) but now am fit as a fiddle. I am on medication for the phlebitis. Wouldn't know that I ever had an operation, except for the scar, as to stamina and breathing. I can't say enough for preventive medicine, without it, I'd have had a real serious problem. I've had close to a because of dozen polyps removed through the years, all benign, Everything was non-malignant. yearly checkups. I are enjoying living on Long Island, notwithKathy and We boat, play golf, participate in standing winter and taxes. Town and County affairs and even work for our US Senator and As has been said, being retired, you wonder how Representative. you found time to work. Hope all is well. Best Regards,
Fred
********+***************************** For sale, CHEAP: One set of Jack Nicklaus golf clubs with bag and cart. Size 16 bowling ball and bag, with assorted trophies. If a man answers, please HANG UP " Call 555-1212.
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Grapevine, May, 1992, Con't. MILDRED "MIKE" TRISCHLER, (DICK), Mission Viejo CA. Clipped Winger "Mike" (Mildred) Trischler sends the following note along with her 25 bucks that she doesn't have to pay as an Honorary Member, but wants to anyway. Have been away with Dick Jr. and family in Kansas City for the Holidays. Though you all may not remember me, I was a hostess for 19 years and flew on International for 14 of those years. I'm sure you remember Dick Trischler who retired in 1984 and passed away in 1987. We attended several Conventions while he was alive and I have attended all but one since. Our son Dick Jr. is with TWA in Kansas City and has 28 years with the Company. He is Manager-Aircraft Maintenance-Days. I enjoy TOPICS so much as I have many friends among the Pilot group and their wives. Sincerely, Mildred "Mike" Trischler Ed. Note:
Mike, we not only remember you guys but remember what a SUPER Gentleman Dick was. We will NEVER forget him.
JOHN HALE, (BEVERLY), Halesite, NY. John sends in this note along with a humorous bit on a recent reunion (USAF). If you read or at least look at the November issue of the TOPICS, you will not miss the dues notice or the Membership Card. I didn't do either because of travel between NY, texas and Nevada. However, compare this goof with those of the majority of our Congressmen who have kited checks. Their excuses are ludicrous and tragic at the same time: 1. I didn't know I was overdrawn. (from a Fl. ex. banker) 2. It was OUR bank - no taxpayer money was involved (Oh?) 3. The bank was sloppily run. (Most Gov. Ops. are. There is no incentive to operate efficiently when job ratings are based on the number of subordinates. 4. I wasn't overdrawn THAT many times. 5. I NEVER overdrew more than my next paycheck. (Tell YOUR bank that!!!) 6. The Media are against me. These are the people authorized by the Constitution to spend Treasury money in the public interest? They are intellectual and moral MORONS. Term limitations are not enough. A better solution is to allow NO Congressional reelections whatever except after an intervening term. (Join THRO). Get your muskets ready, gang - it will take another revolution to bring this about. On a lighter note, my USAF Pilot Class 52A had it's 40th reunion in SAT last month. Greatest 3-day party I've ever experienced. Following is a letter from a classmate describing an incident shortly after graduation when Oklahoma was STILL (pardon the pun) a DRY state. 50
Grapevine, May, 1992, Con't. John Hale, Con't. Lets get to the sage of Geo. Schulstad (B/G retired, can drink from a hi-ball glass while standing on his head. [How else could he become a General, that's the position they take to make I think all their decisions] ) and the Oklahoma State Police. Jack Roach would probably introduce this little piece with " lets Paul Harvey this guy." It appears that you obtained your information about this little episode from the little General himself. I think it important in the interest of accurately recording the history of Class-52A that we hear the "rest of the story". Geo. probably alluded to an evening--or afternoon--or morning of drinking before the encounter with the Politzei. That would be correct. This was after we were Commissioned, winged and whateverelse and were waiting to go down to Moody. Little to do. We were on our way to Oke City and I was Lots of good stuff. Ken Collins was Co-Pilot. We had dates. Geo. driving the car. Utilizing my great powers of percepprobably couldn't get one. tion and great ocular capability I noticed this nice man behind us was celebrating Christmas early by flashing a red light. Where upon I alerted my fellow passengers and immediately Geo. threw his drink out the window directly onto the windscreen of the early celebrator. He thereupon proceeded to pass us and indicated that he wanted to ask directions or something like that. Just about the time the nice man looked in the car a bottle of whiskey (neatly stashed by Geo.) came rolling out from under the rear seat. The nice man took it and demonstrated, as you have pointed out, Ed, that they did not drink this impounded stuff but did away with it, which he promptly demonstrated. Geo. did not only fall to his knees in prayer, he decided he had to rake together a small monument of derelict stones from the side of the road in memorial to the booze. Now, at this same time, and much more to us at least, Ken and I were trying to convince importantly, the nice man that we were, in fact, warriors on the way to battle, that we were on orders for Korea where we would undoubtedly tortured, drawn and quartered, etc. and that he be captured, should be nice and not issue a ticket. I really think we were doing well until the building of the monument to Jack Daniels took place and then everything seemed to go to hell in a a... pot. Anyway, I got the damn ticket and Geo. the B/G still owes me. I really think a public apology with appropriate humiliation would be in order and since you are the guy in charge, Ed, you should not remain in as much awe as you seemed in your Bios and really give his just rewards to this classmate of ours-- after all it's only ONE star and I think Benedict Arnold, or one of those guys, achieved the same rank !I Cheers. Keep the Faith,
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John Hale
Grapevine, May, 1992, Can't. Some of the folks that sent in short notes of thanks and encouragement to our Secretary/Treasurer, to A. T , the Officers, Committeemen and Board of Directors follow: Francis Jenkins, says the road has been rocky the last six months, (Lost his wife Betty last November 26.); Joe Webb; Arthur E. Barker, just got back from a five month, thirty-six hundred mile trip in his twenty-five foot sail boat (sailship); Subscriber Richard E. Drake; Chuck Hasler (one "s") sent some extra moula; Don Tabor, spending part time in Badger, SD. and Meson, AZ.; Ron Ralston; Bill Clegg; Bill Hoveland (Hi Arlene); Cliff Saunders, got a Bachelors Degree from Liberty University on video cassette and what's that about KLM, Cliff,?; O. L. Hanson; Larry Hecker; Dick Marquardt says, " I Have narrowed my fleet of cars down to 3 1 A Porsche 911 (Emergency No.) Ford Explorer and a 1931 Model "A" Coupe. Had three "T's" and an MG up until , last year--now it is Antique guns ! Not any cheaper just smaller. It is nice to get the TOPICS to see what other "old guys" are doing. ************************************ Just a note right about here to remind everyone the Membership Card inclosed in the November issue, means SEND your dues. It does NOT mean that you have already done so. Saves TWO mailings ************************************
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Grapevine, May, 1992, Con' t. DICK BECK, (LOU), San Clemente, CA. In July, 1991, one Orthopaedic Surgeon with whom I had been associated for many years, X-rayed my spine and advised me that the discs were squeezing out between Lumbar 4 and 5, also between Lumbar 5 and Sacro 1 and 2. He wanted to operate right now ! SECOND OPINION. Both Lou and I wanted a second opinion. We went to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, CA. and I was examined by one of the top Orthopaedic Surgeons in Southern California. He admitted that I had somewhat of a spinal problem, but that the real source of pain was in the ball and socket joint of the left hip. There was a complete absence of cartilage and Xrays showed bone rubbing bone. If the spinal operation had been done, the problem would not have been solved, and the pain would not have been eliminated. I was MIS-DIAGNOSED ! My operation was on the 6th of November. It was a total hip replacement involving a high tech, state-of-the-art, ball and socket joint with the stem extending well into the thigh bone. The operation took 4.5 hours and the incision was 10 inches. I was in the hospital 10 days, the primary recuperation lasted approx. 8 weeks and total recuperation early 1992. When I arrived home, it took two of my neighbors to help me into the house. The hospital supplied me with instruments that helped me pick up objects from the floor, pull on my socks and a two foot long shoe horn. I was instructed to perform certain exercises at specific times during the day. I followed them precisely. Recuperation has been steady and I have progressed from being bed ridden, to a "walker" and then a cane. At the last appointment with my Surgeon, he said "Forget the cane, just do a lot of walking". I am now walking in a normal manner. He is 100% pleased with my recovery and so am I. During our lifespan, I guess many of us are continually seeking expert, dedicated medical help. I was fortunate ! WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS. I had been self administering Morphine for several post operative days. Then my Surgeon ordered it to be completely withdrawn. The second day after the withdrawal, my bedside phone rang at 05:15. When I picked up the receiver, there was a woman on the other end, crying and sobbing. I said "Who is this?" The answer was "I can't stand it anymore, I'm going back to my music." Then silence. At first I thought my brother-in-law had succumbed to cancer, and his wife was calling from Los Angeles. Then I remembered my #2 son and my #3 daughter were hunting Elk in Colorado and that my son had been shot. Now, fully awake, I dialed the hospital Operator. I asked if I had received any phone calls from midnight to the present time. The answer was "Absolutely not". My phone had never rung--I was hallucinating !! My conclusion was that Morphine is a great pain killer, but also a wild and scary drug! Very Best to all, Dick 53
Grapevine, May, 1992, Con't. Just a few lines to wrap up the May Grapevine, the 01 April deadline is now. ( And that A. T . is a taskmaster). How about a line from you Bill Janssen ? (Administrator in JFK Flight Ops. for numerous Chief Pilots.) Talked to Joe what'is name, McCombs and he said it's so quiet out there, "is TARPA still around ?" Thanks every one for contributing to and listing to the Grapevine
THE
1919
U.S. ARMY AIR SERVICE
FLYING REGULATIONS 1. DON'T TAKE THE MACHINE INTO THE AIR UNLESS YOU ARE SATISFIED IT WILL FLY. 2. NEVER LEAVE THE GROUND WITH THE MOTOR LEAKING. 3. DON'T TURN SHARPLY WHEN TAXING INSTEAD OF TURNING SHORT, HAVE SOMEONE LIFT THE TAIL AROUND. 4. IN TAKING OFF, LOOK AT THE GROUND AND THE AIR. S. NEVER GET OUT OF A MACHINE WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING UNTIL THE PILOT RELIEVING YOU CAN REACH THE ENGINE CONTROLS. 6. PILOTS SHOULD CARRY HANKIES IN A HANDY POSITION TO WIPE OFF GOGGLES. 7. RIDING ON THE STEPS, WINGS, OR TAIL OF A MACHINE IS PROHIBITED 8. IN CASE THE ENGINE FAILS ON TAKEOFF LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD REGARDLESS OF OBSTACLES. 9. NO MAN MUST TAXI FASTER THAN A MAN CAN WALK. 10. DO NOT TRUST ALTITUDE INSTRUMENTS. 11. LEARN TO GAUGE ALTITUDE. ESPECIALLY ON LANDING. 12. IF YOU SEE ANOTHER MACHINE NEAR YOU GET OUT OF ITS WAY. 13. NO TWO CADETS SHOULD EVER RIDE TOGETHER IN THE SAME MACHINE. 14. NEVER RUN MOTOR SO THAT BLAST WILL BLOW ON OTHER MACHINES. 15. BEFORE YOU BEGIN A LANDING GLIDE SEE THAT NO MACHINES ARE UNDER YOU.
16. HEDGE-HOPPING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. 17. NO SPINS ON BACK OR TAIL SLIDES WILL BE INDULGED IN AS THEY UNNECESSARILY STRAIN THE MACHINE. IS. IF FLYING AGAINST THE WIND, AND YOU WISH TO TURN AND FLY WITH THE WIND, DON'T MAKE THE SHARP TURN NEAR THE GROUND. CRASH! YOU MIGHT 19. MOTORS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO STOP DURING ALONG SLIDE. IF PILOT WISHES TO USE MOTOR FOR LANDING HE SHOULD OPEN THROTTLE. 20. DON'T ATTEMPT TO FORCE MACHINES ONTO THE GROUND WITH MORE THAN FLYING SPEED. THE RESULT IS BOUNCING AND RICOCHETING. 21. AVIATORS WILL NOT WEAR SPURS WHILE FLYING. 22. DO NOT USE AERONAUTICAL GAS IN CARS AND MOTORCYCLES. 23. YOU MUST NOT TAKEOFF OR LAND CLOSER THAN SO FEET TO THE HANGER. 24. NEVER TAKE A MACHINE INTO THE AIR UNTIL YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH ITS CONTROLS AND INSTRUMENTS. 25. IF AN EMERGENCY OCCURS WHILE FLYING, LAND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. 26. IT IS ADVISABLE TO CARRY A GOOD PAIR OF PLIERS IN A POSITION WHERE BOTH PILOT AND PASSENGER CAN REACH THEM IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. 27. JOY RIDES WILL NOT BE GIVEN TO CIVILIANS .
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JET-SETTERS SAVOIR FAIRE The start of the "jet era" in 1960, coined a new term describing a nouveau genre of air travelers, namely "Jet-Setters!" The label was intended to suggest the affluency of leaders in the inner circles of society, entertainment, politics and industry. With the inauguration of 747 service in 1970, air travel achieved heights of luxury unmatched in the scant six decades of commercial aviation... a far cry from the Ford Trimoter. Moreover the title of "beautiful people" was assigned to the majority of those players in the jet-set air travel activities to world famous events and places. Their life styles and dress attire soon became models of behavior to be mimicked by society on a world-wide scale. Truly a process of "social trend setting" crossing all socioeconomic and cultural boundaries. Life aloft in the spacious 747 provided untold comfort with all the amenities of food, drink and happy-hour socializing one might expect of in a swank Park Ave. bistro. The upper deck lounge, with an array of pedestal-mounted cocktail tables and swivel lounge chairs accommodated some twelve to fifteen first class passengers. With private galley and lavatory, the lounge became a hubub of fun and games once under way and cruising in silky smooth air. Early 747 schedules were avoided by senior hostess's for a variety of reasons, largely having to do with massive numbers of passengers and expansive beverage and meal service. This opened opportunities (?) for many lesser experienced hostesses on the "blue chip" Jumbo Jets. Flight One, the Sun Racer, from JFK to LAX and long standing favorite of the moguls of industry and Hollywood, provided a never-ending array of activities for the crews. At times hilarity filled the atmosphere as the passengers partook of the luxurious ambience of such travel mode. Departing JFK at 5:00pm signaled the cocktail hour for the first service. Ambassador passengers were allowed to deploy to the upper lounge until dinner service was ready at their assigned seats on the main deck level. The disinhibiting effect of ethanol soon did away with any somber moods among the passengers. Congeniality spread infectiously, at times penetrating the flight deck (immediately forward of the lounge) with a cacophony of laughter and shouting. Better the passengers enjoy themselves in such fashion, than sit poker-stiff, baring white-knuckles, fearing the thought of another Sioux City DC-10 fiasco. My Command style, learned from Captain Marv Horstmen, dictated that innocent fun was to be encouraged, flight enjoyment was laudable, and in the French fashion, let "la fete " continue. In fact, with any slight delay or other operational irregularity, it pleased the cabin team when I would assert my Command Authority and allow "free Booze" for all passengers. Besides, it eased their task in accounting for the beverage consumption, allowing more attention to the meal service and other passenger comforts. 56
On occasion, I would suggest to the new-hire F/As that they choose an able bodied passenger to take command of the beverage self-service and play bartender or set up a cart operation freeing them for meal service. I often wondered how this impacted the passenger compliment files in our marketing division. (I know how I would bet.) One memorable flight remains in my career recollections. It was on Flight One. The usual upper lounge festival was in full Dinner was ready on the main deck. The sprightly lounge swing. Hostess entered the cockpit to inform me a couple of the passengers wished to remain in the lounge--not ready to eat yet. Her duty required her to assist downstairs in the main cabin, and the passengers were not to be in the lounge without a Hostess. A dilemma for her. I resolved it. "Go ahead downstairs, they're adult (the couple), and I will be responsible for them." I said. She smiled in relief and exited the cockpit. No problem. Some ten minutes later, she knocked at the cockpit door. On entering, she said in wonderment, that they were not in the lounge and she did not see them come back to their seats in the first class section. Pondering the options, I ask her to check if the lavatory sign indicated "occupied ". She did. It was. My fantasy was brief. The immediate solution was for her to return downstairs and continue her assigned service. All was well I would assume her obligations as the upper deck lounge aloft. attendant, and "not to worry." As she left, the Co-Pilot and the Flight Engineer turned to me with smirking grins and we shared a plethora of both snide and humorous remarks about the likelihood of "hanky-panky" at 35,000 My God, they are going for the Seven-Mile High Club. To feet. my comment was to adroitly "not interfere" as long as it which remained an affair between "consenting adults". advising to change over to Kansas City Airways called, Center and we were momentarily focused back on the task of safely three hundred plus passengers from point A to point carrying B---some enjoying it more than others. But the story continues. Some twenty minutes later, the Hostess signaled at the door again. Entering half smiling with a puzzled expression, she stood for a moment. I waited for her to Half amazed, with furrowed brow, she blurted, say something. "Captain, you won't believe this!" I allowed that I had experienced early naivete in my airline career, but time had conditioned me to "expect the unexpected" with passengers, to any extreme, so try me? She proceeded in detailed fashion to set the "scene of the crime" for me. It was this: It appears the couple choosing to remain in the lounge and obviously sharing the lavatory, upon returning to their seats downstairs, were not traveling together! The lady was traveling with her husband in seats 4A and 4B and the gentleman was in seat 5C across the aisle, alone! Walt Gunn, Ph.D. (TWA Capt. Bet.) Ed. Note: This paper is for the exclusive use of TARPA TOPICS and any other publication will be without the above byline signature. 57
Hal Miller TARPA Delegate to the RETIRED PILOTS ASSN. (RAPA) At the last RAPA Board meeting, the President of RAPA , Mike Ferarra, presented his annual report to the Board which included a summary of the activities and the conditions of the various airlines. When he spoke of TWA, he basically repeated what he had heard from Kent Scott, who had spoken at the TARPA convention in his role as the TWA MEC Chairman. It was, as you may recall, a gloomy report and heaped almost all of the blame for TWA's problems on Carl Icahn. When I made my report at the RAPA meeting I prefaced it by naming it "The Rise and Fall of an Airline." I am sure that most of you will recall these events that happened during your active employment but some may have forgotten, so forgive se if I rehash old stories. When Howard Hughes owned TWA, if we needed new Connies, he would write a check for ten or twelve million dollars and we had a new fleet. When the Super Connies were bought the price went up a half million or so, but still no problem. But in 1959, with the advent of the jets, the price per airplane went to five or six million and even Hughes could not come up with the ready cash to acquire twenty or thirty 707 aircraft. He was always reluctant to borrow money from the banks and in turn they disliked his because they couldn't get their snouts in the trough. So they resorted to the courts. They initiated a lawsuit claiming that Hughes's failure to acquire jets had caused the minority stockholders' equity to be harmed. They won their suit and forced Hughes reluctantly to sell his stock at about 15 times what he had paid for it. The banks and investment entities imposed a succession of their lawyers and accountants on TWA as our resident airline experts: Charles Tillinghast, Jr, C. E. I4eyer,Jr , F. W. Wiser, Jr. et al. (note that all corporate managers are juniors, why couldn't we once have a senior?) None of these managers thought of TWA as an airline, but merely as a merchandising effort, and a money losing one at that. One airline president was quoted as saying that there was only one airline in the country, Delta, that made more money operating airplanes then than they could make by investing the same money in government bonds. So whenever Trans World Airlines, Inc. accumulated some money and had spare cash to buy aircraft or to expand operations, they decided to diversify. They bought Hilton International, Canteen, Century 21 Real Estate, Spartan Food Industries (Hardees , Quincy Steak Houses) Dunhill Employment Agencies and other non-airline businesses. Each time they used TWA money they merely put an IOU in the TWA till. At one point one of these geniuses sold most of the 747 fleet when business had fallen off, and then when traffic picked up he was forced to replace them at considerably more than they had gotten for the ones that were sold.( another Jr.) During the period when other airlines were expanding their markets and fleets, TWA was buying restaurants. Finally one of the Jrs. came up with a really bright idea. An analysis of the Corporate profitability revealed that of all the subsidiaries, only TWA was losing money, so why not get rid of the airline? I once read in the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE that when a fox in the wilderness gets so flea-bitten that it can't stand itself, it looks for a pond of water. Before entering the water it reaches over its shoulder and bites a big chunk of fur from its hide. The fox then slowly enters the water still holding the fur in its mouth. As the water reaches the fleas they climb up to avoid drowning until finally the fox is completely submerged except for the piece of fur containing all the fleas. At 58
this point the fox goes "phut", spitting out the fur with the fleas and swims to shore. This is exactly what Trans World Corporation did to Trans World Airlines. PHUT! Put us on the market, old aircraft and a large debt. It was up for grabs and the only two people who were interested were Frank Lorenzo and Carl Icahn. Lorenzo had a grand scheme for integrating TWA into Continental, and Icahn was buying stock solely for investment purposes and had no intention of operating the airline. You may not be aware that Lorenzo came to an agreement with TWA management for the take-over of TWA and actually had his man, John Adams, up in 605 Third Avenue waking sure no decisions would be wade to harm his investment in TWA until Lorenzo actually took over operations. During this period Lorenzo had twice successfully negotiated with Icahn to buy Icahn's over 30 percent equity in TWA, but had also twice reneged on the deal. Typical! It was at this point that the TWA NEC, deperate to avoid a Lorenzo takeover, authorized our ALPA lawyers, Cohn, Weiss and Simon and our financial advisors, Lazard Freres and Co., to look for a "White Knight" to avoid a Lorenzo takeover. After an extensive search, the only person who was willing to make a play for TWA control was Carl Icahn. The TWA NEC met with Icahn and he outlined the terms and concessions he required before he would attempt to persuade TWA management to sell to his, rather than Lorenzo. It must be emphasized that the actual terms were negotiated by Cohn, Weiss and Simon, specifically Bruce Simon. Jim Berger, our ALPA staff attorney, had no part in these negotiations. During these negotiations we agreed upon certain significant concessions in both salary and work rules, while Icahn agreed to certain conditions, such as fleet size, profit sharing, stock, etc. These factors, however, were all conditional upon TWA reaching specific financial goals. If these goals were not reached, TWA had options they could exercise. These options were subsequently called "loopholes" by the union when they were implemented by TWA, but at the time we approved the contract we were told by our lawyers who had taken part in the wording of the final agreement, that no responsible businessman would sign a contract that would lock him into an ironclad agreement that could require him to commit economic suicide. We were told that these were "windows", not "loopholes". I guess the definition depends upon whether you are a buyer or seller. The TWA MEC met and ratified the terms worked out by Icahn and our lawyers. As you may remember, we had a membership ratification vote and the agreement was overwhelmingly approved with the final ballot count tabulated at 3:30 AM . At 9 AM of that same day Lorenzo made his formal takeover presentation to the TWA Board, and when he finished, Icahn, with both Harry Hoglander and the IAM Chairman backing his up, made his counterproposal. TWA Board finally accepted the Icahn proposal. We have subsequently learned that the Lorenzo proposal was virtually a blueprint for the Eastern disaster. Regardless of the "buyer's remorse" the TWA pilots experienced when the full impact of the agreement was felt, is there any doubt that a Lorenzo takeover would have had a most devastating impact on all TWA pilots and employees, both active and retired? So, Icahn took over an airline with the oldest fleet in the nation, little cash reserves and a labor force that began to feel and resent the concessions they had just approved. The first major event after the takeover was a long flight attendant strike that was as bitter as it was pointless. It devastated the first summer of Icahn operation. The next summer's revenues were severely hurt by a wave of terrorist activities in Europe. Our cash position was ruined by these successive blows and we really never recovered from those losses.
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At a meeting with the NEC, Icahn had told us that he believed in expansion by acquisition, not by slowly and expensively trying to break into competitors' markets, station by station. He purchased OZARK and it has turned into an successful addition. He next tried to purchase Piedmont, was negotiating with their Board and seemed to have reached a mutually acceptable deal, when Colodny of USAIR became terrified of a TWA presence on his turf and outbid Icahn with an outrageous overbid that the investment community deemed exorbitant. When we questioned Icahn about why he didn't raise his bid he told us he had estimated that If USAIR filled every seat, every day, on every acquired Piedmont flight, USAIR would not make enough money to cover the cost of the acquisition. He told us to watch what happens to USAIR! As it turned out it took them almost five years to recover from that debacle, with Colodny being ousted as a result. They are recovering now, but TWA would not have had the cash reserves to survive if we had tried to purchase Piedmont at that price. During this period TWA was losing money because of the aforementioned bad years and they began to exercise the options available to them under the agreements we had signed. Profit sharing, stock, fleet size, and other protective provisions were made invalid because of the deteriorating financial condition of the airline. The unions challenged TWA, but to the best of my knowledge, have lost each and every action. So much for the history of the Icahn takeover. Harry Hoglander, while he was NEC Chairman, had developed a very close and personal relationship with Icahn, and this was reflected in the fact that while Harry was there, we were able to resolve many problems though the personal and warm relationship between them. Harry, however, suffered the fate of any messenger of bad news, resentment about the pay cuts etc., and he was defeated in his reelection bid by Angie Marchione. Angie never enjoyed the same warm relationship that Harry had with Icahn, but he too was able to maintain a formal and correct working atmosphere. Eventually the complete schism between the junior and senior members on the NEC caught up with him and he too was ousted. The subsequent MEC Chairmen, in my opinion, put their moistened forefingers in the air and decided that the best way to a win an election was to have a whipping boy and they chose Carl Icahn as a convenient target. I have been a union representative for almost all of 43 years with TWA and in all that time I have considered TWA as an adversary in my official union capacity, not an enemy. To paraphrase Charlie Wilson of GM, I have always felt that what was good for TWA would probably be good for me. It is pointless and suicidal for employees, and particularly their unions, to antagonize their employers to the extent that the management feels resentful enough to react out of spite. Worse than that, it is stupid and self serving for an officer to deliberately bait the management for personal political advantage, and I truly believe this is what has happened in some cases. I am not trying to be an apologist for either Icahn or TWA management, but to put the whole history in its proper perspective. These are the reasons why we called upon Icahn asking his to buy TWA, these are the reasons why we signed the agreement, and these are the reasons why the optimistic plans of management went awry. These are the reasons why the past ALPA MECs have worked with Icahn and these are the reasons the present MECs are working against him. I hope that this review of past events will explain some of activities and positions of both ALPA and TWA. With the recent bankruptcy still being worked out, TWA is at a critical crossroads and this is the time when all parties should be working together. I expect that the unions, particularly ALPA, will react in their own self interest and decide to work with management in an attempt to keep TWA alive.
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TWA SENIORS TOURS BRAZIL-ARGENTINA _ Sept. 7-21, 1992; plus 1 nite at IGUASSU FALLS: also MANOU to cruise the AMAZON RIVER 2 days seeing both the Brazil and Argentine sides of river and spend 1 nite in lodge-type accommodations. Cost from LAX $2010.00, from SFO $2065.00. For friends, LAX $2700.00, SFO $2810.00 including positive air space via VARIG Jet, daily breakfast, all meals at MANOU and the Amazon plus other lunches and dinners, transfers, extensive sight-seeing. Space very limited; send $200.00 PP with inquiry for details to hold space until May 1 to Ms Robi Mueller, 6960 E. Girard Ave. -303, Denver, CO 80224. Phone 303 757 1208. A 50% discount for TWA-ers; Go For It! Single supplement, $595.00. CHINA IN 1993 Dates& cost, Approx; March 12-28 SFO-SHANGHI, train to HANGZHOU with cruise of lakes and pagodas; on to WUXI for cruise with lunch on board, visiting seafood towns, silk factories beginning with extracting silk from cocoon to final cloth, see clay figure potteries etc; another cruise to SUZHOU, known as the Venice of the East, including trip to top of Tiger Hill etc. then to famous GUILLIN of the CAT MOUNTAIN country where limestone mountains rise straight up from the bottom of LIJIANG river and to XIAN, the eastern terminal of ancient Silk Route and capitol of China through 11 dynasties. See the 6000 superbly crafted terra cotta warrior figures, life size and approximately 2000 years old, recently excavated and many other historical and cultural interests. The fly to BEIJING, the most famous of all of China's cities for sightseeing -- the GREAT WALL of China, Tienamen Square, Forbidden City now the IMPERIAL MUSEUM, ming tombs, summer palace and much much more. Approximate cost $2400-2500.00 including first class hotels, air, cruise, bus & trains, sightseeing, some evening entertainment, visa fees, 3 meals daily but not U.S. departure tax of $18.00. Bring money only for personal purchase and leave the balance at home. Contact V. Robi Mueller at address above. TARPA Secretary Dick Guillan informs us that Walt Gunn has offered to send an autographed, postage paid, copy of his book "The Joy of Flying" to anyone who sends a donation of $15.00 or more to the TWA Retired Pilots Foundation. He says to send the checks to him payable to TRPF and he will handle mailing of books and forwarding the checks. Sounds like a good deal to me. His address is; Capt. Walter H. Gunn, 5834 Lockton Place, Mission, KS 66205.
TARPA GOES TO SEA IN '93! SAVE THE DATES -SEPT. 11th to Sept. 18th. We will depart Miami at 5:30 P.M. on Saturday and return to Miami the following Saturday at 8:30 A.M. We will sail aboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines luxurious "Sovereign of the Seas" We will be giving details, costs etc. later as we still have a convention coming up at San Diego 4 months away. We will also have Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines brochures to pass out. DON'T FORGET WE ARE GOING TO SEA IN '93! Pat & Chuck Hasler, TARPA TOUR DIRECTORS
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HARRY F. CLARK 2360 LAKE MARIE DRIVE SANTA MARIA. CALIFORNIA 93455 805-934-3406
Capt. A. T. Humbles RT #2, Box 2900 Belhaven, NC 27810 Dear A. T. : Aeroflair is a well known company which is located on the airport here in Santa Maria. Many corporations bring their aircraft to them to be painted. They recently had a B-17 here for exterior painting and the Santa Maria Museum of Flight was offered an opportunity to conduct tours through the airplane before it was taken to Florida for interior refurbishing. As a result of this generous offer we were able to generate additional funds for the Museum. I called Perry Schreffler to see if he could come to Santa Maria and provide B-17 expertise during the time we were conducting tours. Perry was checked out in the B-17 when he was 20 years old--before a lot of people had ever been in a four engine airplane. Perry said he would be happy to help the Museum and flew up in his Apache and spent the day tell ing people about the B-17--which I'm sure he enjoyed. Perry was with the 305th Bomb Group, 422nd Bomb Squadron. 8th Air Force in England. He brought along his original jacket which he wore during that time and wanted a picture of us by the B-17. He wanted me to put on his old jacket-maybe it wouldn't fit him now--for the picture. Also enclosed is a picture of us by his beautiful 1954 Piper Apache, Serial #345. Perry and Joyce are off on another of their trips in the Apache and upon completion of this trip they will have been in all 48 stateswith the airplane. It looks like they will not make the TARPA convention since they will still be out there roaming around in their Apache. Perry asked me to send the pictures on to you so they are enclosed. RULES TO FLY BY The chances of having a check airman on board decline with the destination ceiling. Everything in the Company manual - charts, graphs, policies, FAR's, warnings, the works - can be summed up to read, "Captain, it's your baby." A good simulator performance is like a successful appendectomy on a cadaver.
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PERRY SCHREFFLER & HARRY CLARK BY A B-17.
PERRY & SNORKY IN FRONT OF PERRY'S 1954 PIPER APACHE
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Dear A. T.: We recently returned from a two week tour of New Zealand and, as usual, I'm still adjusting to the time zone change. Bob Dedman said he would write you a note about the highlights. If he should mention my jumping off a 150 foot bridge tied by my ankles (also referred to as "Bungy Jumping") towards a raging river - don't believe it. I'm not that crazy, although it is a little hard to explain how I have suddenly gained another foot in height. I recently had a call from Jerry Waller, President and founder of the Aviation Hall of Fame (located at Wright-Patterson) looking for additional background information on Jack Frye. Jack is among the nominees for the award this year which will be on June 20. A number of the pilots who flew out of the EWR-LGA-IDL airdromes, starting back in 1930, might remember a character who had a farm in New Jersey and worked for the Post Office, Bill Schneider. I recently learned that Bill passed away on December 10th, at age 86, after a long illness. Bill was one of the original "aviation buffs" and a pack rat who collected everything loose which was associated with an airline - timetables, postcards, baggage stickers etc. His favorite hobby was first flight covers and his collection of TWA's ranked among the best. Most were among a cachet which was given a frank (a special stamp on the envelope) by the company in honor of the occasion. A number of inaugural flights, however, had little advance notice and the only way of identifying is the postmark of the departing postoffice on the front and the receiving office on the back. These were more of a "collector's item" so far as the usual catalogue value and, through his PO contact, Bill was aware of such an inaugural and had some envelopes to send. This was typical of a number of early International flights. Schenider added a special appeal to his collection by getting the pilots to autograph these covers which often meant a visit at their home. He was well remembered for this as he usually brought along a large basket of his fresh vegetables as a gift. He also took thousands of pictures of the pilots (or planes) at the airports or their homes and later made a gift of same to the men involved. Many years ago, when he was Chief Pilot at EWR, Larry Girard got the two of us acquainted and I visited him at his home - it was a small aviation museum in itself. Bill was getting ready to sell and move and was disposing of his collection of memorabilia so I made him an acceptable offer. As a result, I got into the cover collecting hobby plus possession of hundreds of pictures (or negatives) of the pilots and aircraft. Many have been used to illustrate my articles, particularly a number of the "mugshots" used in the inactive section of the ALPA book, "Making of an Airline" and "Legacy of Leadership" put out by Flight Operations. Ed Betts PS: I think (?) I did make the jump - it was kind of like one's wedding night with lots of anticipation (probably fear) and it was all over in a few seconds! A very exciting experience. Because of my advanced age, the Bungy operators offered to pay me flight pay, 12 seconds worth.
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Still Flying High One of this area's best-kept secrets is this man — shown recently at the Smithsonian in W ashington arold Neumann, who lives at 9301 Canterbury, is shown here smiling proudly in front of the "Mike" racer at the Smithsonian. It was in this K.C.built racer that Neumann won the Greve race at the 1935 Nationals. He also won the big one, the Thompson Trophy race, flying another K.C.-built racer. The new Walt Disney movie, "The Rocketeer," talks about The Nationals where fame and fortune could be won, and this brings back fond memories for Neumann. More recent memories, though, include Neumann's induction into the Western Reserve Aviation Hall of Fame this spring. And he will also be honored the week of July 26 at the Mamouth Oshkosh fly which features the theme this year of "The Golden Age of Air Racing." Neumann doesn't take the accolades and awards sitting down, he still flies and practices aerobatics regularly in his 1930's design sport plane. He credits his success and longevity to his wife, Inez, for her love, interest and support.
H
"The Squire" , Overland Park, Kansas 7/25/91 Ed Betts says; I just got hold of the 1/1/92 TWA seniority list. 315 left the Company in 1991. Of these there were 200 who were hired circa 1963-1967 and only 5 had reached age 60. There were 47 retirees who were hired from 11/53 through 9/62 which includes a number of Ozark men (or women?). The #1 pilot (not including a couple of "ROPEs") is Dayton Orr's son, Joe - hired 5/2/55. I think this sets a Company record of a family (father/son) continuously on a seniority list - Dayton from 1/2/41 and Joe starting 1992. 2 F/E's got their 50 year pins and retired immediately, the Orr name is entering the 51st. Maybe Joe has retired as of this writing (he doesn't reach age 60 until 3/94). I won't have another chapter on ICD ready for the May issue but will continue same in a later issue. In the meantime I will try to put something together on what went on with the Domestic Division during 1942 etc.
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February 14, 1992
A. T. Humbles Rt.2 Box 2900 Belhaven N.C. 27810 Dear A. T., Your February issue of TARPA TOPICS was, as always, excellent, and brought back many happy memories. The EAGLES list always reminds me of the Captains who taught me to fly in the early sixties. This was truly the "Golden Age" for TWA, before the Marketing boys and MBA's destroyed our airline. I truly believe that pilots create airlines, and lawyers and MBA's destroy them. (not to mention the clerks at FAA !! ) Ole Olson has always been one of my favorite people, and his ICD article was excellent. I just saw him at Johnny Mitchell's funeral here in KC, and he hasn't aged a day since his ICD picture. What's he smoking? I hope someone who knew Johnny will write a good OB, as he was a real colorful character as well as a good pilot and instructor. Happy to see Captain Bob Flett made "Eagle." What a superb gentleman! I flew with him on the 707 early in my career, I believe he gave me my first landing on that plane. (A decision I'm sure he later regretted!) The touchdown was good, but I had a little trouble getting #4 into reverse. Of course, that didn't deter me from bringing 1, 2, and 3 full tilt. We quickly went from runway heading to 45 degrees left, or roughly heading towards the 94th Aero Squadron at STL. Bob gently took over, righted the bird, and got us stopped. He didn't have to tell me what I'd done wrong, I knew. He was too professional to "rub it in." I was on probation at that time, making $500/month, and trying to buy "Bunky" Moorehead's house at Lake Quivira. Barb and Bunky had let us move in, renting to buy. I was about $1000 short on my down payment, and I related this to Captain Flett. Without a , he took out his checkbook and moments hesitation wrote me a check for $1000.00. That was a lot of money in 1964! He said to just pay it back when you can. My wife could not believe an almost total stranger would do something like that. I
guess this is why they are called "Eagles"!
Mike Larkin Editor ICD Council 24 66
THE FINGER By Goldy Goldthorpe Arriving at Washington, D.C.'s commercial airport one morning in 1945, I was halted in my tracks by a most astonishing sight. Looming high above hangar 2 whore our ICD headquarters were Located, was the tail of a Large transport plane pointing skyward L i k e a gigantic finger. Judging from the olive drab mint ,job and military markings it appeared to belong to one of the ATC aircraft we routinely flew overseas at the time. I raced through the hangar to find that, yes, it was one of our C-54s and, strangely, it was flat on it's face on the ramp. What happened? An inbound flight had Landed during the early morning hours, taxied to the hangar and was was about to discharge a small group of GI passengers when the nose gear suddenly collapsed. Everyone had scrambled out of the crew compartment exit and there were no injuries except, perhaps, to the feelings of the C-54, embarassed at being found in such an undignified position. There was an official investigation, of course, conducted by ICD's genial, General Manager, Kemper Jacks, an able and amiable administrator. Representatives of the Air Corps, Douglas Aircraft and TWA's engineering staff were seated on one side of the conference table facing the flight crew. The engineers had opened their brief cases, the flight crew had opened their L o g books and Mr. Jacks had called the meeting to order. The craw members testified in turn starting with veteran Capt. Felix Preeg. According to them they had experienced trouble with the landing gear, received oarmission to circle while attempting to correct the situation, and finally, during one of their maneuvers the gear extended normally. They proceeded to the hangar and had just parked when down she went. Capt. Preeg Lit another cigarette off the and of the previous one: "I worked my way back to the cabin door and yelled to the soldiers 'Come on fellows: Let's get out of here:'" The First Officer, Flight Engineer and Navigator testified that they had opened the crew compartment exit and deplaned...suddenty. The Flight Radio Officer, George O'Dell, read transcripts from his log containing conversations with the tower concluding with his final entry: "0845Z NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED 0845 1/2 G. ODELL OFF DUTY" After the crew testified they were closely examined by the engineers concerning their activities immediately prior to the accident. It was hinted that some one might have accidentally tripped the gear. This was emphatically denied by the crew, of course, which prompted one of the engineers to tell a story. "This reminds me of a friend who had installed a new power saw in his workshop. Unfortunately one of the first times he used it he lost a finger. After he recovered he was explaining what had happened. 'I just shoved a piece of scrap into the blade L i ke this and...YIPPES! THERE GOES ANOTHER ONE!'" Mr. Jacks was not amused. He arose in great dignity, pointed to each group in turn and announced: "Gentlemen! The meeting is adjourned:" I never did learn the results of the investigation. I suppose it was finally decided to blame the entire incident on that famous, fickle, finger of fate...and let it go at that.
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EDITORIAL Lake County Texas Echo Sent in by Bill Tarbox Larry Chantland of Pine River, who writes a column called "Trail Dust" in the Echo and the Pine River area Piper Shopper, had something in his column last week that was so good it should be required reading by all high school students and those in college, too. On the matter of "gun control" Larry summed it up better than most of the nationally syndicated pundits who have commented on it. Here's the paragraph from Larry's column in regard to the Second Amendment: Let's face it, the boys who drafted those basic rights knew EXACTLY what their "intent" was and had intimate knowledge of what tyranny was like from both within and without. The right of each individual to defend self and home with ARMS was not to be abridged, and they were purposely non-specific as to the NATURE of the "arms". And to those who think that a "well-regulated militia" precludes the right of individual ownership of arms, they are grossly mistaken. A "militia" is, by definition, comprised of the general populace. NOT a government controlled national guard or army. The formation of a militia is not possible without the freedom to keep and bear arms. Just another of the many safeguards that gives the INDIVIDUAL a "last bastion", so to speak, against those who would, without due process and consent of the people, force their will upon them.
We just heard about a little boy who said to his teacher, "I ain't got no pencil." She corrected him at once: "It's 'I don't have a pencil. You don't have a pencil. We don't have any pencils. Is that clear?" "No," said the bewildered child, "What happened to all them pencils?" More people killed in our nation' capital than in the Persian Gulf War! From August 7, when President Bush ordered the deployment of American troops, to February 27, when the ceasefire was declared, 298 American servicemen and women were killed, either in action or in accidents or are missing in action. In that same 68
period there were 404 homicides in DC.
NatalXmas Eve 1942. Capt. Mo Bowen, Nav. Peck, F/O mcAndrews, FRO Majors, F/E Darst, F/D Guss & FRO Patrick
FOR SOME REASON WE LEFT THIS I.C.D. PICTURE OUT LAST TIME
VERN LOWELL, JOHN CARROLL & GENE EXUM Toasting Colorado Springs
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Photo at left is of the well-dressed pilot of yesteryears. Reminds one of the Flight Ops newsletter, I forget the name, and I think Bill Dixon edited it way back then but one of the articles went into detail on what was approved uniform items for us and what was not approved. Among the items stipulated was only a grey scarf if worn. As you turned the pages you came upon a picture of Don Terry sporting a big, flowing white scarf! Decent haircuts were a must, how times have changed! Can't believe the flowing locks sporting around airports nowdays and not on females. Beards were definitely not in accordance with Company policy back then, later we heard a grievance was won at SFO for such a right. At a Council 110 ALPA meeting Fred Morse asked how we lost that one, the ALPA rep said we didn't, we won, one can wear a beard and Fred said, "That's what I meant, how could we have lost that one?" We even read somewhere that now flight attendants have the right to be fat. Guess it is all in the name of civil rights, eh? Capt. Wayne Haggard, Esq.
By now you have probably guessed I'm just using space to get down even with this photo.
CAPT. FRANK BUSCH, K. D . JOHNSON'S BIRTHDAY PARTY, 4Aug91
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FEATHERED Black Dog Davis Most of the pilots had cockpit tours that were indiscriminate. Picking up the PA mic, the captain would invite one and all to come up and have a look. Captain Ben Caldwell wasn't like that. He didn't even trust the copilot to screen the passengers to see if any of them were worth having up. He went back and looked them over on his own. If there was a handful of attractive females aboard and it was nighttime (a must) the two most outstanding would be offered the diversion. Halfway between St. Louis and Kansas City and shortly after dusk the copilot made a trip to the head and was gone longer than usual. "Was it the shrimp?" Ben asked him. "I've been visiting. There's a couple of real dolls back there. Want me to go get them?" "I'll go check 'em out," Ben said. When he came back he had the dolls in tow and reclaiming his seat he started out with a dull, technical description of the instrument panel. As their interest began to wane he suggested that they could get a better look at all the gimicks and a nice view of the lighted towns below if they were closer to the windshields. "Everything's in the way," one of them said. "Well," Ben said. "You have to sit on our laps." "OK," they both said at the same time. Ben and the copilot ran their seats back and the dolls sat down and began asking questions. "Is this a jet?" "No." Ben said. "This is a prop job." "How many engines does it have?" "Two." "What are those two round red things up above? They look like big buttons." "Those are fea..... " The 'thering' switches didn't come out because the dolls hand had darted up and tapped one of them. This was the first time Ben had experienced an engine shutdown with the throttle at cruise power. In the case of a real engine failure he would have gone by the numbers: Throttle back, fuel switch off, throw a little trim in then feather. When the sequence got going it couldn't be stopped and unfeathering was a whole new operation. The combination of yaw and vibration as the huge blades flattened out was extraordinary. Ben yanked the throttle back on the good engine to stop the turn and yelled at the copilot. "Get us a lower altitude! I'm gonna drop the nose
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to save our air speed!" He wasn't sure but he thought he heard a scream from the cabin. "What caused all that?" the attractive doll sitting on the copilot's lap asked. "All she did was this." Reaching up she tapped the other switch. Ben and the copilot looked at each other in awe. The aircraft began a shallow glide downward. "Why is it so quiet and why do those lights on the ground look closer?" she asked. The hostess charged in and said, "I'm going to stay up here. The passengers are asking me a lot of questions about what happened that I can't answer and why is it so quiet? Lap time was definitely over and the hostess ushered the dolls out of the cockpit. The passengers stared at them suspiciously as they walked down the aisle. Ben started flicking off electrical switches to cut down the load on the battery. "Everything?" the copilot asked. "Everything," Ben said and added, "Did you ever see the battery in this big airplane? It's about the size of a match box and it has to spin that unfeathering motor in the prop hub." "Hope there ain't any dead cells," the copilot said. The hostess was right back in the cockpit. "The passengers want to know why the cabin lights went out." Ben ignored the query and pulled out on the right engine feathering switch. The copilot strained his eyes against his side window and said, "It's beginning to turn." In a few minutes they had the engines running normally and the ordeal was over. Two months later Ben was assigned the same copilot and when he came up to the cockpit he said, "Hey captain, there's two real cuties sitting back there and after takeoff they want to see the cockpit." Ben gave him a hard look and said, "No women passengers allowed in this cockpit." "Yeh," the copilot said. "But these are guys,"
DOOLITTLE RAIDERS TARGET COLUMBIA, SC The 50th anniversary of the Jimmy Doolittle Raiders' air strike on Japan will be commemorated April 16-19, 1992 in Columbia where the Raiders were recruited for their famous mission. About 37 of the Raiders will gather and President Bush is expected to attend. A restored B-25 will be donated to the South Carolina State Museum. The mayor of Columbia said the Raiders are true American heroes. Jimmy Doolittle came here 50 years ago to recruit these men and they did some of their initial training at the Columbia Army Air Base. 80 men participated in the famous raid led by Doolittle on April 18, 1942. The Raiders took off in B-25 bombers from an aircraft carrier - a feat which had never been done before - to launch the first air strike on Japan after Pearl Harbor. [Our Ed Betts flew these planes in combat during World War II. Your editor has quite a bit of time in them, a sweet airplane but a mighty noisy cockpit due to sitting between the engines and ours had ceramic stacks on the engines.]
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AIRLINE TRAVEL Oh please take pause and hear me out a mystery to unravel. It has to do with you and me, why do we airline travel? Now long before we've crept aboard our systems are in tatters. The parking lot is full again and lo, so are our bladders. We hurl the car through traffic crunch to seek out valet service. A driver idly takes the wheel and wonders why were nervous. Well great, we're at the terminal and now let's find that jet. But whoa, look at that line ahead, that slow "security" sweat. We grab our bags and race away the gate is to the right. But when the upper level's reached our goal is not in sight. We push and stumble through the horde that's headed for the street. Oh what a pleasure it will be to settle in that seat. We burst into the boarding area and now we have it made. The agent smiles and shakes his head, "Why sir, your flights delayed."
BETTY HUMBLES, JOAN TARBOX, BEVERLY GRAF & LEE TITTINGER Last year's Alaska Cruise
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Santa Maria Airport 1942-1992 03/10/92
Captain A. T. Humbles, Editor TARPA TOPICS Rt. #2, Box 2900 Belhaven, NC 27810 Dear A. T .: As discussed during our recent conversation, the following information is about an upcoming event that will be of interest to some of the members of TARPA. May 15th--17th, 1992 we will be producing the 50th Anniversary celebration of the commissioning of the Santa Maria Army Air Base--now known as the Santa Maria Public Airport. Hancock College of Aeronautics started operation about 1929 and later became one of the early civilian contract schools for the Army Air Corps. Many pilots learned to fly here or were based at the Santa Maria Army Air Base during their military service. We are trying to reach as many of these people as possible in hopes that they may attend the festivities. In addition, we would welcome the donation of any memorabilia or photographs of the individuals, aircraft or other subjects which relate to the area or that time period. I recently received a call from Rudy Truesdale, who started his flying career at Hancock College of Aeronautics in 1929. He had some wonderful information about the early days here and is planning on attending our event. I have enclosed information relating to the program of events, hotel rates, etc. Your assistance to acquaint the members with this celebration will be appreciated.
Harry F. Clark President HFC/tih encl.
Santa Maria Museum of Flight
3015 Airpark Drive • Santa Maria. CA 93455 • (80S) 922-7846 or (805) 922-8758
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Santa Maria Airport 1942-1992 May 15, 16 & 17, 1992 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Friday, May 9:30 9:00 5:00 8:00 -
15 4:00 4:00 7:00pm 9:00pm
Saturday, May 16 8:00 - 4:00
8:30 - 10:00 10:00 - 4:00 12:00 - 2:00pm 6:00 - 7:00pm 7:00 - 10:00 Sunday, May 17 8:00 - 4:00 8:30 - 10:00 11:00 - 3:00 12:00 - 2:00pm
Aviation Awareness Day - Museum Ramp Registration - Hilton Hotel - Discovery Suite Welcome Reception - Airport Terminal - $10 per person Air Force Band Concert " Final Approach " no Charge Airport Open House - No Charge Aircraft static display & Fly-bys, walking tour of the airport, displays, souvenirs & food booths, aircraft & helicopter rides Aerostar/Piper Employees Reunion - Breakfast Buffet and Program - $15.00 per person Showing of movies made in Santa Maria - No charge Santa Maria Army Air Base Reunion - Lunch Buffet and Program - $17.50 per person No Host Cocktails Banquet, Awards & Speaker - Enterprise Ballroom $35.00 per person (space limited) Airport Open House - No Charge Saturday Activities repeated Past & Present Airport Employees & Directors Breakfast Buffet and Program - $15.00 per person Showing of movies made in Santa Maria - No Charge Hancock College of Aeronautics Reunion Luncheon Buffet and Program - $16.00 per person
SPECIAL WEEKEND PACKAGE includes all events - $100.00 per person Reservation deadline - May 5, 1992 Santa Maria Airport Hilton Hotel special rate for this event is $59.00 single or double; to obtain this rate reservations must be made directly with the hotel at (805) 928-8000
Santa Maria Museum of Flight 3015 Airpark Drive • Santa Maria, CA 93455 • (805) 922-7846 or (805) 922-8758
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THE STORY OF OLD # 620 - NC410-H BY Captain Bill Piper, Ret. 1970 She was a Tri-motor Ford converted to a Sea Plane by Edo Float Company, Long Island, New York. The year was 1935, I had just gone to work for TWA as a mechanic. It was mid-June when Charlie Cain, Station Manager at Newark, invited me into Pat Gallup's office a l o n g w i t h M a i n t e n a n c e Foreman Joe Seliger. Having just left the Navy with several hundred hours of my Plight training in Seaplanes and an A-E license I was the pri me candidate for a new project. Mr. Gallup informed me that TWA had a TRI MOTOR FORD SEA PLANE on floats parked at 31st Street in the East Riv er in New York City. Mr. Cain handed me a set of keys, told me to get my tool box and take over the ship the following morning. I must admit I was almost in shock. Anyway, my good friend, Joe Seliger briefed me on Ford engines for thirty minutes or so, patted me on the back and wished me luck! The following morning, I was at 31st and the East River and there was "Old 620" waiting fnr me, pontoons and all. She l o c k e d good sitting there on a hydraulic turntable. The first thought that came to mind was: How will I ever do any maintenance en this monster and could I do the work required of me? For the next two weeks I was alone with "OLD 62O" and her operating manuals. With no one to bother me I was able to crawl all over her, even give the engines a daily run and I must say Edo Float Company did a fine job of making her seaworthy and preparing her for salt water duty. Mayor LaGuardia, of New York City, and his staff visited me one day and spent two hours asking questions and observing. When they left the Mayor told me that if there was anything at all that I needed to just give him or his office a call and he would see that I got it. I then ordered: special hoses, ladders to any part of the wings and engines, a special engineer for the operation of the turntable to be on duty at all times and a very s p e c i a l r e f u e l i n g s et-up. The Mayor really lived up to his word! It was about mid-July that Harlan Hull, Chief Pilot for TWA came out to see me and asked if the ship was ready to fly. I believe I said, "Let's give it a try"! The next morning; we were airborne up the river for a thrilling flight underneath the 59th street and George Washington bridges. It was quite a sight to see the New York skyline, the Statue of L i b e r t y , Lon g Be ac h and Eastern Long Island from an Altitude of "50" feet! We landed near P o r t W a shington in Long Is l a n d S ound and after a brief bit of pilot talk we switched seats. After about an hour of air work, take offs and landings we returned to our 31st street ramp. I think this was my introduction to Co-Pilot training the next spring. Upo n leaving he invited me to keep in touch.
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A few days later, Mr. Gallup, Eastern Region Superintendent, and Jack Zimmerman, Chief Pilot of the Eastern Region, advised me they were coming over to do some test work and that I would accompany them. This turned out to be several one and two hour flights over the next couple of weeks Which included running speed trials along the shores of Eastern Long Island, several flights from 31st to Floyd Bennett Field for the proposed operation. They determined that there was not more than a knot. or two between the speed of the seaplane and the land plane. A young pilot by the name of Harold Moon was hired to fly the plane on a regular basis on a morning schedule from 31st to Floyd Bennett with mail and passengers, connecting with a DC-2 Airmail flight to the West Coast. I was to be his co-pilot, steward, mechanic and what have you. We operated a number of good-will flights for the Mayor and TWA board of directors around the City and out Long Island way. After a few weeks things quieted down and operations slowed to a standstill. Then we heard the reason for "OLD 620". A statement came from Mayor LaGuardia's office that the Eastern terminal for A i r M a i l w o u l d be New York C i t y . With the help of President Roosevelt and Postmaster James A. Parley they thought they had it all sewed up. However, across the river Mayor Ellenstine of Newark thought otherwise. Along with the President of the Pennsylvania Railroad plus m a n y f r i e n d s i n Congress he fought the move from every angle and w o n . T h e A i r M a i l remained in N e w a r k until the move of the airline to North Beach Airport or LaGuardia Field which took place t h e latter part of 1939. With no future any longer for #620 TWA ordered the plane to Port Washington hangar and up for sale the latter part o f September. I w a s o r d e r e d b a c k t o maintenance at Newark; awaiting my orders to C o- Fi le t school the f o l l o w i n g May. T o m y k n o w l e d g e I a m t h e o n l y s u r v i v o r o f t h e afore m e n t i o n e d m e n w h o t o o k p a r t i n t h e short career of "OLD #620" .
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HARRY F. CLARK 2360 LAKE MARIE DRIVE SANTA MARIA. CALIFORNIA 93455 805-934-3406 04/06/92 Capt. A. T . Humbles Route #2, Box 2900 Belhaven. NC 27810 Dear A. T.: When I returned to Bridgeport. WV in 1988 to attend my 50th high school reunion, the first one I had attended. I stopped to visit a lady that I had worked for during my school years --mowed her lawn to earn money to buy model airplanes. She was glad to see me after all those years and wanted to know what I had been doing for 50 years. After telling her about my flying career she asked me to send her a resume. I explained that I had never found it necessary to have a resume since my log books had been all that I had needed to get the various flying jobs . In addition, she wanted me to send her a picture. I couldn't figure out why she would want these items but she was insistent and I finally agreed to do it since she had been so nice to me when I was younger. It turns out that she wanted these items to sponsor me for a degree from the University of Hard Knocks. I returned in June of 1991 to particpa te in the festivities and had a great time. The Class of `91 was the largest to date and the president of the class was Mrs. Erma Byrd. wife of Senator Robert C. Byrd who was the Commencement speaker. The late Sam Walton (Wal-Mart) was also a member of the class. Anyone who is interested may contact me for additional information or may contact: UHK, A-B College Box 486, Philippi, WV 26416. Phone: (304) 457-1700 Ext. 327. I will be happy to sponsor anyone whothmay th wish to obtain a degree. The activities are June 5 --7 this year. It is not necessary to attend the commencement exercise but you will miss all the fun if you don't. I would suggest that anyone who is interested to act promptly since June 5 th is not far away. The following information was obtained from Mr. Elsa Wilson, President, University of Hard Knocks and is reproduced with his permission. It may be of interest to those whose education was interrupted by the depression. WWII, children and other factors. Best regards.
Harry F Clark HFC/tih
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THE UNIVERSITY OF HARD KNOCKS S on the campus of ALDERSON-BROADDUS COLLEGE The worlds only honorary society for p ersons who are successful without benefit of a college degree was conceived thirty years ago when West Virginia editor and publisher Jim Comstock presented his business partner, Bronson McClung, with a handmade diploma from the "University of Hard Knocks." In the founder's words: "Rather feeling that Bronson felt a slight trauma at having no diploma on this wall, even if he did rate a Bigelow for his floor and his name on the door. I ordered our printing department to print him a special diploma from the University of Hard Knocks. When others saw it, other non-college men who felt they too had achieved something in life by their own boot straps, they wanted one. Soon I was sending them out to every non-college person who, according to my own .judgement, had amounted to as much or more than the average college man. This led to a get-together of all diploma holders." The University of Hard Knocks met sporadically before coming to the campus of Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi. WV, in 1976. The College now provides computer services, space, and personnel assistance for the honorary society. In New Main are the UHK Board Room and an office named after founder Jim Comstock. One weekend in June each year the hilltop campus comes alive with the new graduates and the alumni of what was once labeled "The Mythical University." It's called that no more. The annual commencement activities begin with a reunion durin g which the returning graduates hear the success stories of the new honorees. A banquet and commencement exercises follow. The after-dinner sneaker has many times been the selection of U.S. Senator Jennings Randolph. the self declared mascot of UHK, himself a college graduate and hence ineligible for membership. Former Senator Randolph suggested the school colors of black and blue. Recent speakers have included U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, President of the UHK Class of 1981, and U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater, President of the Class of 1976. In 1984 McDonald's Corporation president Michael Quinlan, spoke of the amazing career of Ray Kroc who built the hamburger empire without benefit of college attendance or even a high school diploma. Membership in the University of Hard Knocks is limited to those who are nominated by the alumni or who present their credentials to the President of UHK. Each applicant is considered individually by the Membership Committee, and notified of its decision by the President. Currently there are over 900 UHK graduates on the active membership rolls. Bylaws state, "memberships shall be open to all persons who possess no college degree but who have, through the exercise of persistence, diligence and hard work, achieved a balance of financial success, civic service and other life goals indicating a successfully self-made individual. " 81
There is a one-time tuition fee of $100 pa yable on admission to the University of Hard Knocks plus a modest annual membership charge of $25 which brings, among other Privile g es, weekly receipt of The West Virginia Hillbilly where the success stories of new graduates are printed on the UHK page. UHK graduates may also elect status as honorary alumni of Alderson-Broaddus College. Every few years, the news media "discover" that the University of Hard Knocks is real. There follows a surge of inquiries, sometimes from the most remote corners of the world. UHK has been discussed over the radio in Hawaii, on television's P.M. Magazine, and on the front page of The Wall Street Journal. American, European, and Far Eastern editions of the article in the Journal resulted in several hundred inquiries from as far away as London and Japan. One new graduate flew with his family from Honduras to attend commencement on the Alderson-Broaddus campus in 1983. One story by the Associated Press in June of 1983 explained the existence of UHK this way, "Like the Wizard of Oz, Jim Comstock wants to show that lack of brains isn't what separates the scarecrow from the learned person-- it's lack of a di p loma. Real-life lumber barons, bankers, and U.S. Senators have trekked to Comstock's court, where their accom p lishments are rewarded with a black-and-blue diploma from the University of Hard Knocks. All that's required is success in life without the benefit of a college degree. From its beginnings, the University of Hard Knocks has invested its surplus funds in im p ortant causes: the Shrine Crippled Children's Fund, the crusade against cancer, and Alderson-Broaddus College. A Jim Comstock Endowed Scholarship was created by UHK graduates for A-B students majoring in communications. Finally, a Million-Dollar Club was established by Comstock consisting of members who have agreed to provide for Alderson-Broaddus College in their estate to the extent of $10,000 or more. The club is seeking one hundred UHK alumni to reach its g oal. The current president is Elza Wilson, a retired businessman from Clarksburg who now resides in Philippi. He succeeds Peg Wilkinson, a business-woman from Richwood, WV, who served as president for six years. Philippi is located thirty-five minutes by car from Benedum Airport in Clarksburg, WV, where US Air offers service from Washington, DC and Pittsburgh. Washington, DC is four hours away by car; Pittsburgh is two hours on I-79. The college is 25 minutes from exit 115 on I-79.
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HAERE MAI!
MAI!
This means " WELCOME" in New Zealand. The TARPA TOUR of the Although there were only islands was an unqualified success. twelve of us, we made enough noise for three times that many. It was unfortunate that the dates were changed at the last minute and that many were unable to adjust their schedules because you all missed the time of your lives. Like me, I'm sure that many of you have wondered what it is like down on the UNDER SIDE!! We all started out in Los Angeles Intl. Airport and gradually The first persons we saw started to form our little nucleus. were Ed and Donna Betts. We thought we were early for the check in (2 hours before, because of having to check out of the hotel), but the SMOKERS get there earlier because of the limited seats and the hopes of getting one of them. We gradually assembled in the waiting lounge and found Jack and Donna Baker, Bob and Angela Lang, and Bill and Joan Tarbox. Ilse and I had not met all of the group so we spent the next half hour telling "lies" and getting aquainted. Just before time to check in at the boarding gate, out of the crowd appears Matt and Rosemary Reardon ...it seems that their boat tour had been cancelled due to a fire aboard the We were all vessel that they had booked (USAA Tour, no less). pleased that they joined the merry group and I hope that they feel that the fire THEY set was justified and that the penalties will not be too severe. Our flight with Air New Zealand (747-200) was a two leg flight to We landed in Hawaii and spent two hours on the the islands. ground "milling around"...not even a bar available...The next leg to Auckland was about 8:15 hours and we all had to admit, the service and the food was very good. All of the drinks and wine were FREE so you might say, it was a Pilots dream!!! After a short customs and immigration clearance routine, we were shuttled over to the domestic terminal for our 40 minute flight to Churchland, the first leg of our 7 day journey on the South Island. Upon receiving our luggage, we boarded our MOUNT COOK bus and met our driver and friend to be for the next seven days. The ladies were quite taken aback by our "Adonis" type driver; IN SHORTS. The young man, Graeme Palmer turned out to be one of the most articulate and informative young man we have had the pleasure of meeting and as I am sure that all of our group will attest to the fact that he MADE the trip on the Southern Island. Not only did he educate us to the flora and fauna of his country, he entertained us with jokes and quips about his country...truly a rare find! Christchurch is a wonderful little city that reminds one of the USA in the "50's. The people are very friendly, helpful and the city is squeaky clean. We had one half day to sight-see and enjoy the surroundings (one more day would have been great). The next morning we toured the city, which is known for its fantastic flowers, and then headed south towards our first city of call, We traversed the only really flat lands in the south Dunedin. This was our first experience islands, the Canterbury Plains. 84
Above, left to right; MATT & ROSEMARY REARDON BOB & ANGELA LANG JACK & DONNA BAKER BILL & JOAN TARBOX ED & DONNA BETTS BOB & ILSE DEDMAN 15 March, Gore, New Zealand
Picture at left; At the sheep farm. BRUCE ILSE DEDMAN
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with the sheep farms, fantastic tree wind-breaks, and the ever changing scenery. We had a break for lunch at Ashburton, also known for beautiful flowers and trees, and started what was to be many little shopping sprees in the local shops. The rest of the drive was punctuated with tea stops and sights like the Moeraki Rocks, perfectly round rocks formed under the sea millenniums ago and forced up by earthquakes and now laying on the shores. The stay in Dunedin was at one of the best hotels in town and was very nice...free coffee and tea in the room...free laundry and like all of the trip, not having to SCHLEPP YOUR BAGS!!! Another great trait that we took to very rapidly was that there is NO tipping in New Zealand. This makes it so easy to shop and go out and eat..wish we had that here. Every morning was a early get up as we had so much to see and quite some distances to traverse. We visited the city of Dunedin, the beautiful University of Otago, and the First Church of Otago before heading West towards our next lay-over, Lake Te Anau. Along the way we stopped at what has to be the most beautiful garden of Dahlias we all have ever seen. We all agreed that there must be every breed of dahlia known growing there and we had to maddly scamper around and take the most amazing photos you can imagine....the enclosed photo of our group was taken there...too bad its not in color. During the stop there, I spoke with our driver about aviation (he has a private license and is trying to get on with Air New Zealand) and he informed me that just across the street was a Tiger Moth factory. I asked if we could take the bus over and see the aircraft.... he had never been there but said; lets give it a go. We not only got to go around, we had a complete tour of the factory (I want one of the Moths...) and we chatted with the owner and chief pilot who oddly enough, is J. Cousteau's helicopter pilot..(anyone needing information about the Tiger Moth's, let me know). After that great high, we descended on the typical sheep farm for a warm welcome not only by the owner, Bruce, but by B. J. his loyal and obedient? side-kick dog. We were treated to a lecture about the sheep raising and farming and witnessed a sheep shearing. Il se Dedman volunteered her services to appear on stage with a sheep and thoroughly amused the crowd by her antics and good humor...she smelled of sheep for the next four hours... but full of lanolin! The next two nights, we made our base at the beautiful and spectacular Lake Te Anau. Nestled in the snow covered mountains, the lake is one of the many carved out by glaciers and filled when the glaciers retreated. Along with all of this beauty also came the not so pretty rainy weather...this was the first so far. The next morning we drove over and through the mountains to get to With all the rain falling, the barren mountains Milford Sound. were transformed into beautiful waterfalls, coming down from all There is no soil to hold the moisture so as soon as directions. the rain stops, so do the waterfalls. Our driver told us that there are no bad sights there because when the sun is out, the landscape is breathtaking and as we saw, when it rains, it too was spectacular. We boarded our sight-seeing boat and started out The winds were gale force and the Sound towards the Tasman Sea. 86
was quite choppy. The sister ship to ours recorded 60 knots winds at one time and I can attest to the fact that the rain felt like BB pellets. We all got some good film footage and were treated to a pair of dolphins swimming along side the boats, some fur seals lounging around and, a brief burst of sun allowing us to enjoy the greenery. The route to Milford Sound takes you through a most unique tunnel, the Homer Tunnel. It is carved out of solid granite for a distance of 1 kilometer and is ever descending or ascending (depending on which way you are going), is not paved and is totally unlit...weird!!! The following morning, we departed Te Anau and made our way towards the wonderful city of Queenstown. Along the route we came upon the shores of Lake Wakatipu and were treated to a self directed tour of a couple of very old steam engine locomotives and cars. The boiler was still warm on one of them as it had just made a ceremonial trip the day before...there is still a nostalgic feeling to steam engines and we all thought back to our childhood days. We continued around the shore of the lake and made a side tour of a restored old mining town, Arrowtown. This town could easily have been on the sound stage of MGM and it was just what you would expect to see. There are still remnants of the old Chinese huts and ovens. After a leisurely lunch and some shopping we continued on to Queenstown. This is another of the cozy and friendly towns in New Zealand. It has it all, beautiful mountains, cable car to a scenic mountain top (with restaurant, movie theater, and shops), and an old coal burning steam ship, the TSS Earnslaw and just about any water activity you may desire. It was a bit chilly and rainy but we all had hopes for an improving forecast so that we could, among many things, go jet-boating, para-glide, tour the lake, take a scenic flight in a fixed wing or helicopter, fly in a Tiger Moth (open cockpit, leather helmet, goggles and all), or, if you can imagine, Bungee jumping into a canyon from a bridge 145 feet above. One would have to be nuts to pay to Jump into space.... We arose to see the sun shining and prepared to set journey to Mount Cook. We all agreed that Queenstown was a favorite lay-over and one that we will all put on our agenda to re-visit when we come back. It wasn't long before we had the HIGHLIGHT of our trip. Our Driver, Graeme, said that there was some jumping at the Bungee site so he would stop and let us take some pictures. The locale is and was quite rough and the bridge is now a national monument. We all watched as a few "dare-devils" launched their bodies into thin air. I think we all agreed, better them than we! Well, out of the crowd comes the foreign devil, the bon vivant, the devil-may-care, high living, smoke snorting, booze drinking (could be most of us), woman chasing, fearless adventurer announcing that "there is nothing to that jump"....the speaker...none less than our esteemed historian and great friend ED BETTS. (he had heard that if you are over sixty, your jump is free and true to the pilot tradition, never pass up anything FREE). Needless to say, the cameras were clicking, Donna"s heart was racing, and the jump was picture perfect. Ed said that the hardest part of the jump was having to climb up the hill...no chair lifts here. Well, the bus buzzed for the next few hours and 87
I decided that we should name our great jumper "Bungee Man" ergo his nick-name BM. (sorry Ed ). Actually we called him Bungee Jumper, or BJ for short. The journey to Mount Cook was again slightly spoiled by the rain but Graeme kept us alert with facts and figures about the mention, a few jokes. Mt. Cook is New Zealand's highest peak at 3763 Meters (about 11,400). To get to our lodge, we traveled up the entire length of lake Pukaki, also formed by glacier activity. We arrived at sunset and for those of us who were lucky to be in the lobby for the evening "shooters", there was a break in the clouds and the sun shone on the crest of the fabulous mountain. Many of us had signed up to land on the Mt. Cook glacier the next morning but, weather again did not cooperate so we will save that for our next visit. The remainder of the trip with Graeme took us back to the Canterbury Plains to Churchland where we sadly said goodbye to our trusted driver and newfound friend. He made the trip a joy and I am sure that we all feel, educated us into the New Zealander's way (truly KIWI) and made the tour of the Southern Island a most memorable event. We boarded a 737 for the flight to Wellington and as on every flight we saw, EVERY seat was full. It was only a 35 minute flight but the flight attendants served a light dinner and all the tea and coffee you wanted...some really efficient ladies. Wellington was a total contrast from what we had experienced on the South Island as it is a very metropolitan city with all of the high risers and shopping centers associated with a Capital city. We stayed at the most luxurious hotel of our tour, the very modern and beautiful James Cook, in the heart of down town. We arrived early enough to scout out a few restaurants and (excuse me) pubs.... you know, those places that dispense the bubbly. The next morning, we toured the city including the very beautiful Botanical Rose Gardens. Included also, was a visit to the Admiral Byrd monument and a panoramic view of Wellington. We then departed towards Rotorua. At the morning tea break, we were treated to a visit at a most unique car museum. The amount of cars, planes, motorcycles and other collectables was staggering.. all owned and exhibited by one individual who greeted us most cordially. As we progress up into the high lands, the weather deteriorated and unfortunately, obscured some of the most interesting sights. the volcanic plateaus. We even got snowed on and realize that it was just the first few days of fall down there. We finally caught up with the sun again at Lake Taupo At Taupo, we visited the Huka Falls,( actually more of a venturi canyon with a steep drop than the classical falls). From there we traveled to the Wairakei Geothermal Valley. This was extremely interesting as the steam from the earth's center is channeled into large conduits and used to generate the electrical power needs of the region. Very clean and best of all, non-polluting. We then progressed up through the man-made forests to Rotorua and arrived in time to sign up for the 88
Maori Hangi feast and concert at our hotel. The hall quickly filled up and we were told about the foods we were about to eat. It is all prepared with the natural steam from the earth with the foods being suspended over the hot waters that abound in the area. We were treated to many and varied foods including smoked eels, mussels, raw fish (delicious), seaweed and other varied local vegetables. It was a fine meal and you were invited to eat all you wanted...there again, a pilots dream. The entertainment portion included dances, stick games, poi twirling (a small soft ball attached to a string that makes a pleasant soft sound), and various solos, all well performed. Volunteers were then asked to come forth from the audience to help Our volunteer (?) was none other than out in the Haka performance . The object of the dance is to frighten away the enemy Bob Lang. and this is done by making ugly faces and sticking ones tongue out...well, Bob,s foe surrendered when he saw THE TONGUE. Great fun and a lot of laughs. The following morning, we saw the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve with its bubbling mud pools and spouting steam geysers followed by a tour of the Maori Arts and crafts Institute. Young and old We next alike, learn carving and folklore and native crafts. stopped at Rainbow Springs to see thousands of trout being farmed. Every angler in the crown would have given their eye teeth to drop a hook in as there were all sizes of trout, from minnows to 18 It is against the law to sell trout commercially so the pounders. only way to eat one is to catch it yourself. A few of our tour took the challenge. We spent a couple of hours at the Agridome where we saw a different We were shown the various breeds of sheep kind of sheep show. that are used in New Zealand There was some fun and games and later we got to hold and pet some lambs and get our pictures taken with the majestic rams and sheep dogs. Many of us, at this point, had the option to spend the night at one of the local farmers home and enjoy a little of the New We enjoyed our stay as did all of the Zealands hospitality. Very nice experience to say the least. The next morning others. the tour departed for the wonderful Glow Worm caves at Waitomo. The caves were spectacular and the silent and dark boat ride to view the worms made this one of the highlights of the trip truely worth a visit. The remainder of the day was spent traveling through the rich plains (the Waikato River Valley) towards Auckland, our final port of call. We drove past Hamilton and by the official residence of the Maori Queen. Once over the Bombay Hills, we got out first glance of the city and the volcanic Our hotel was right at the water front so the view was islands. Directly across from the hotel is the Kiwi II, the New great. Zealand America Cup entry, (and loser to the controversial What a spectacular ship. American catamaran entry) in 1988. At this point, our tour group split with some going on to Australia and some returning to the USA. One common thought we all shared was that the Mount Cook tour was first class and that we enjoyed the scenery, education, and most of all, each other. Till the next TARPA ...take care. Submitted by Bob Dedman. 89
TARPA NEW ZEALAND TOUR
Dedman Didn't identify the above group so we are guessing that left to right are ED BETTS, BOB LANG, BILL TARBOX & JACK BAKER?
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SERGEANT PILOTS OF THE ARMY AIR CORPS Humbles . I suppose this is true of many of us, that we get so many magazines we find it difficult to read them all. I know I do as I receive them from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Lions Club, AOPA Pilot, Air Line Pilot Magazine, Friends of the Air Force Museum and so on. However, I manage to browse through most and in reading the Friends Journal of the Air Force Museum last issue I read the article named above by J. H . MacWilliam. One of the photographs in the article showed Sergeant Pilot Russell E. Means along in front of a C-47 and they were with the 374th with other crew members posed Troop Carrier Group in New Guinea. Yes, it was our Russ Means as I called him to verify same. It looked like Russ but isn't good enough for reproduction here. There were enlisted pilots in the air service from its beginning in 1907 when it was known as the Aeronautical Division and Aviation Section of the Signal Corps. They were good loyal soldier pilots who helped protect the nation with their flying abilities in war and peace. Many became officers and leaders themselves while others went on to successful careers as civilians, that is, those who survived for many did not. Congress passed Public Law 99 in June 1941 and a more intense training program of sergeant pilots began. 2575 were trained in 1942. Interestingly, between 1939 and 1945 193,440 total pilots were trained, however, the enlisted pilots started a little before these others. The first enlisted man to win the title, Aviator, was Vernon L. Burge. 500 were so trained between 1912 and 1930. One, Ira O. Biffle, was the first to teach a young man named Charles Lindberg to fly. One, Vern M. Byrne, took his training in the World War I vintage DH-4, later joined American Airlines and retired flying the Boeing 707. The rules said enlisted pilots would be Staff Sergeants so one Tech Sergeant took a reduction in grade to become an Army Aviator. They filled all pilots jobs; instructing, ferrying, towing gliders, troop transport, fighters and bombers. One was General Eisenhower's personal pilot, one flew the British General Montgomery. 17 became fighter aces. Some flew the first B-29 raids against Japan. 10 became First Lieutenants, 47 Captains, 211 Majors, 337 Lt. Colonels, 155 Colonels and 11 Generals. One received his commission and, as Colonel Robert Bryant, served as director of the USAF Museum from 1958 to 1962. If any of you are interested, you may join Friends of the Air Force Museum by sending $15.00 to Air Force Museum Foundation, P.O. Box 1903, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433. You receive a quarterly very interesting magazine, 20% off in their gift shop, 10% of on books. Well worth it.
Ed Betts called me this morning (April 9) as he is working on the Colorado Springs Convention booklet and wanted a TARPA LOGO. Ed actually did do one of those bungee jumps! I had no comment for my friend and fellow-classmate other than tell him I was reminded of one time years ago when I was flying the Martin and in talking to the passengers over the P.A. told them the First Officer, Walt Brafford, had made 249 parachute jumps as a paratrooper and smoke jumper and the hostess was a Sky Diver. A little while later the hostess came up and said some passenger said it sounded to him like he was flying with a bunch of nuts! ATH.
Taxpayer - A person who doesn't have to pass a civil service exam to work for the government. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address contains 266 words. The Ten Commandments contain 297 words. The Bill of Rights contains 557 words. But a federal agency needed 26,911 words for an order reducing the price of cabbage. Take a socialist politician to Egypt and in 2 months they will be out of sand.
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April 1, 1991
Date: To:
ALL TEXAS STATE SAFETY INSP. STATIONS
FROM:
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
SUBJECT:
AUTOMOBILE HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCHES
1. Pursuant to Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Act DMV 294-76892.90, All motor vehicles sold in the State of Texas after September 1,1991 will be required to have the headlight dimmer switch mounted on the floorboard. The dimmer switch must be mounted in a position accessible to operation by pressing the switch by the left foot. The switch position must be far enough removed from the other foot pedals to avoid inadvertent operation of pedal confusion. 2. Included in the above act, and beginning on January 1, 1992 all other vehicles with steering column mounted dimmer switches must be retrofitted with a floorboard mounted dimmer switch of the type described above. The steering column mounted dimmer switch must be disabled or removed. Vehicles which have not made this change will FAIL the Texas State Safety inspection. 3. It is recognized that this requirement will cause some hardship for the driving public. However, this change is being made in the interest of public safety. Texas DMV ACT 294-76892.90 will revert all Texas motor vehicles to the prevalent dimmer system in use prior to the influx of foreign market vehicles. A recent study entitled "Initiation Sequence in Texas Nighttime Highway Traffic Accidents", was conducted jointly by the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and the Transportation Research Department of the University of Texas. It has shown that 95 % of all Texas nighttime highway accidents are caused by an aggie getting his foot caught in the steering wheel.
NEW MEMBERS & SUBSCRIBERS---WELCOME 04-06-1992
(R)
(R)
(R)
(A)
BAKER, RICHARD S. (DICK) CAPT (LILLY)
319 YOSEMITE ST.
EASTON MD 21601
LAS VEGAS NV 89107-2611
301-820-9167
702-870-5482
(R)
BELGUM, ARNOLD L. (ARNE) CAPT (IRENE)
GARDNERVILLE NV 89410
HATTIESBURG KS 39401
702-265-5782 FAX 702-265-5778
601-544-5466
BRAWN, HOWARD CAP! (JUDY)
(R)
(A)
(R)
BRAWN, HOWARD CAPT (JUDY)
ST. CHARLES MO 63301
UNTIL 8/92
314-258-3026
(R)
BRENT, GEORGE W. 'BILL' CAPT (CAROL)
BRESLIN, JAMES R. CAP! (ERIKA)
120 LAKESHORE WEST
P.O. BOX 1742
LAKE QUIVIRA KS 66106-9694
PINEHURST NC 28374
913-631-3746
919-295-8854
BRITTON, ROBERT L. CAPT (MORRENE
(A)
)
CICCONE, RONALD G. CAP!
R! 3, BOX 236
46A PHEASANT RUN
FAYETTE MO 65248
SMITHFIELD RI 02917
816-248-3214
401-231-7259
ELKAN, JAMES K. (JIM) CAP! (JANET)
(A) GALLAGHER, JR , JOSEPH V.
1857 NEWBURYPORT RD.
P.O.BOX 149
CHESTERFIELD KO 63005
CEDARS PA 19423
314-537-0862
215-941-0986
GILLIGAN, THOMAS W. F/O
(A)
LY
10000 W 156 ST.
LAGUNA NIGUEL CA 92671
STANLEY KS 66221
714-496-7246
913-681-8437
CAP! (JANE)
(R)
3452 ROYAL TERN CIR. BOYNTON BEACH FL 33436
CAPT
HANDLY, JOHN G. CAPT (CAROL)
32632 ADRIATIC DR.
JENNINGS, RAYMOND R.
(EDITH)
470 NORTH SHORE DR. AFTER 8/92
206-849-4452
(A)
KR
2004 FULLER ST.
PUGET ISLAND,CATHLAMET WA 98612
(R)
BOLLINGER, RALPH P.
391 TUCKS CT.
447 EAST BINNIE SLOUGH RD.
(R)
BATCHELOR, RICHARD L. F/0 (ELISABETH)
9693 COPPERVILLE RD
JENNINGS, RAYMOND R.
CAPT (JANE)
P.O. BOX 445 (NOV-MAY)
SHERMAN CT 06784
(JUN-OCT)
407-732-7827
(R)
(R)
KOBOSKY, CARL R. CAPT (KATHLEEN)
(R)
LINCK, LEO E. CAP! SHIRLEY
105 GRACE ST.
RT 5 BOX 136
BELLE VERNON PA 15012
HIAWATHA KS 66434
412-319-4142
913-547-3550
LOGUE, CHARLES J. CAP! (JEAN)
(S)
848 DEL VILLE DR. FALLBROOK CA 92028 619-728-3673
PINKERTON, JAMES C.
KR.
(BERNICE)
23652 SIDNEY BAY 93
MONARCH BEACH CA 92629-4208 714-496-4321
NEW MEMBERS & SUBSCRIBERS---WELCOME 04-06-1992
(R)
RICHTER, JAMES
CAPT.
(BARBARA)
(R)
40 W. 972 BROWN RD. ST. CHARLES, IL
P.O. BOX
60174
MS
(R)
H.C.34,BOX 20 -9 79701
(RON) CAPT
(NELL)
MERRITT ISLAND FL
32953
407-455-6664
SMITH, PHYLLIS WILLS
MRS
(R)
5840 WINDSOR DR. FAIRWAY KS
SCHANZ, WALDRON A.
2270 SYKES CREEK DR.
915-682-2178
(S)
06793
203-868-2720
RUSH, DOROTHY
MIDLAND TX
CAPT
1042
WASHINGTON CT
708-584-3179
(S)
ROZE, WALLY
TIMMINS, PATRICK J.
'TIM' CAPT.
(ALVINA)
1692 CANNON CRES.
66205
OTTAWA , ON
K2C-0Z2
CANADA
613-225-5980
(S)
WALSH, FRANK J.
MR.
(MURIEL)
(R)
ZINK, JOHN C.
CAP!
(CAROL)
43 EVEREST DR. N.
23852 STILLWATER LANE
BRICKTOWN NJ
LAGUNA NIGUEL CA
08724
92677
714-495-5554 (R) Graham, Harry D.
(Nav)
Address Change
120 Ringtop Road
Capt. John H. Van Andel
Kingston, NC
P.O. Box 340
12401
Ellsworth, Mich
49729
Sent in rather late by John Happy From Walt Gunn, PH.D. Capt. TWA (Ret); If anyone would like a copy of the book "The Joy of Flying: Overcoming the Fear", I will mail them a copy for $5.00 (Publisher's cost + S&H). Check to Wings Publication and PROOF of at least $10.00 to the TWA Pilots Retirement Foundation! If you would like, make the minimum to the Foundation MORE! WINGS PUBLICATIONS, P.O. Box 161, Mission, KS 66201. We had a phone crushed pelvic getting around July. You have
call from long-time friend, Jasper Solomon. Sol says he had a back on October 30th, had a lengthy hospital stay and is still via crutches and walker. Hopes to be about normally by June or our heart-felt sympathy, Jasper.
Harry Mokler tried to start what amounted to a "Medical Forum" in TARPA TOPICS wherein we all could write in and relate our experiences with medical problems with the idea of helping others. It is too bad there wasn't enough response for it could possibly have really helped someone encountering similar problems. So many times one tends to have such faith in their long-time doctor they don't realize a second opinion might help. Some months back your editor had what was looming up as a serious problem but on the advice of my baby boy, who is a medical doctor in Conway, South Carolina, I requested a change of medicine and got another doctor's opinion and the condition was drastically improved almost overnight!
94
ADDRESS CHANGES & CORRECTIONS 04-06-1992 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(R)
(H)
(R)
BAITER, FERRELL L. 'BUD' CAPT. (ROBERTA - 'BOBBIE')
(R)
105 61ST
SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260
NEWPORT BEACH CA 92663
602-998-2929
714-548-1057
DICK, JULIETTE MRS. (RUSSELL)
(R)
DICK, R. E .
CAPT.
885 SE 46TH LN, 1103
3222 SEVEN LAKES
CAPE CORAL, FL 33904-8813
WEST END NC 21376
813-542-7056
919-613-3222
DOBRESCU, CHARLES V.
CAPT.
(RUTH)
(R)
1802 E. AUGUSTA AVE.
(DEE)
DODGE, WILLIAM L. CAPT. (JOAN) 1620 S. 22ND ST.
PHOENIX, AZ 85020
LEAVENWORTH, KS 66048
682-944-7989
(H)
DAY, Jr., CHARLES E. CAPT.
11226 I. 75TH ST.
913-682-1560
DUNN, ANNETTA K.
MRS.
(BERNIE)
(A)
FAUSER, GEORGE W. CAPT.
% MELLON BANK
3028 MALIBU
28 PENN SQ.
PLANO TX
75823
LANCASTER PA 11603-3800
(R)
FERTAL, RICHARD V. 'DICK' CAPT. (ANNE)
(H)
1150 N. EL DORADO PL.
FINCH, FRANCES MRS. (HARRISON) P.0.B0X 139 0
TUCSON, AZ 85715
HONOLULU HI 96868-0001
682-722-6199
(R)
FOSTER, CHARLES J. CAPT. (FLORENCE)
(R)
GARRIOTT, LLOYD B. 'BARNEY' PIE (BITTY JEAN)
828 CANTON RD.,APT 115
RR 3, B0X 118
MARIETTA GA 38068-7263
SCOTTSBURG IN
47170
484-427-1321
(R)
GILBERT, STEWART B. 'STEW' CAPT.
(1)
3825 TONTO RIDGE RD.
GOUGH, ROBERT W. CAPT. (KATHLEEN) 3819 MALONEY RD.
PRESCOTT, AZ 86301
KNOXVILLE TN 31928
682-445-2601
615-577-7919
(A) GREENE , R. NATHAN CAPT. (ELLEN)
(E) HANSON, OMAR L. CAPT. (TEDDY)
P.O. BOX 34002
3203 I. PIONEER AVE.
LENEXA KS 66214-6882
THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91360
913-492-6283 1-808-377-0957 OR
CAPT. (R) HARPSTER, JOHN W. 591 MENLO OAKS DRIVE
805-492-5261
(MARIE)
(R)
118 W. GANDY STREET
MENLO PARK, CA 94025
DENISOI, TI 75020
415-322-3121
(R)
HASTINGS, HAL T. 'ACE' CAPT.
903-465-9199
HEWITT, BARTON G. 'BART' CAPT. (RONNIE)
(I)
18037 SCOTT ROAD
JENKINS, FRANCIS E. (FRITZ) CAPT. 1900 1. ALPHA CT. #207
95 CONIFER CO 88433-9185
30 -83 -1423
LECANTO FL 32661-9198 904-761
ADDRESS CHANGES & CORRECTIONS 04-06-1992 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(R)
KLUMB, EUGENE J. FIE (BERENICE)
(R)
5034 CLUBVIEW CT. E. BRADENTON FL 34203
17210 3RD AVE, N. (OCT-MAY
)
PLYMOUTH , MN 55447-3502
813-751-4848
(A)
KLUMB, EUGENE J. FIE (BERENICE)
KOHRS, PERRY V. 'BILL' TIE (GEORGIA)
(E)
LEYPOLDT, MILES K. CAPT. (MARGE)
HCR 13, BOX 15033
28026 OAKLANDS CIRCLE
PAHRUMP NV 89041
EASTON, MD 21601
702-727-9101
410-822-6136
(H) LINZAY , KART
(MAY-OCT)
612-476-8128
MRS
ROBERT
(R)
MANN, HOWARD T. CAP! OLLIE MARIE
34065 W. 135TH ST..
2160 N. BAYVIEW RD. KIT.
OLATHE KS 66061-9026
SOUTHHOLD NY 11971-1908 516-765-4173
(R)
(H)
MANNING, EUGENE P. FIE (BONNIE)
(E)
MANNING, ROBERT F. CAPT. (AUDRA)
624 CHENIERE DREW RD.
1900 JEANWOOD DR.
WEST MONROE LA 71291
ELKHART IN
McCAUL, PATRICIA MRS. (FRANK L.)
(R)
500 BROOKRIDGE DR.
46514
NISHTI, Jr., MICHAEL CAPT.
(SALLY)
10 CLINTON COURT, SO
HARRISONVILLE KO 64701-2910
PALM COAST, FL 32131 904-446-3356
(R)
(R)
NOVINGER, FRED B. CAPT. (JUDY)
(R)
O'GRADY, ARTHUR J. CAPT (IRMGARD)
10180 KAPLEGLEN
2430 SW FOXPOINT TRAIL
DILLSBORO IN 47018-9804
PALM CITY FL 34990
812-432-3006
407-283-9088
POWELL, WILLIAM D. 'DEWEY' CAPT. (JOAN)
(R)
247 LA ESPIRAL
PUGH, ROBERT F. F/E (DOROTHY)
#280 CAROLINA MEADOWS, CHAPEL81HILL NC 9
ORINDA, CA 94563
19-933-94
510-254-4359
(A)
REID, WILLIAM J. CAPT. (MARILYN) 1800 S.E .
(A)
(R)
(R)
6th COURT
REYNOLDS, RONALD E. CAPT. (CONNIE) 230 SAUGATUCK AVE,APT 19
HOMESTEAD, FL 33033
WESTPORT CT 06880
305-230-0094
203-227-2820
RUBLER, RONALD S. CAPT (GAIL)
(H)
SCHULTE, KATHY MRS
(JOE)
149 BISHOP LANE
1056-B SUMMIT TRAIL CIRCLE
MADISON, CT 06443
WEST PALM BEACH FL 33415
203-245-1472
407-478-1664
SENDELBACH, EDWARD C.
CAPT.
(R)
10 COVENTRY CHASE 96
SHARP, GARTH A. CAPT. 7 MONTE CIRCLE
JOLIET IL 60436-9250
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE, AR 71909
815-744-5447
501-922-3101
ADDRESS CHANGES & CORRECTIONS 04-06-1992
(H)
SMEARMAN, JANET MRS. (DANIEL J.)
(R)
128 N. WALDEN DR.
(R)
(R)
(R)
6972 BRET HARTS DRIVE
PALATINE, IL 60061-8644
SAN JOSE, CA 95120
108-358-3680
408-268-3547
STOCK, WALTER A. CAPT.
(R)
SUTTON, DONALD A. CAPT. (CHING YING)
67 CAPTAINS DR.
5463 BIRCHBROOK
WESTBROOK CT 06498-1812
LAS VEGAS NV 89121
TANNER, SERENO S. CAPT. (DORTHEA)
(R)
THORALSEN S.O.L.T., ALDEN J. REV.
1038 LEFT BRANCH ROAD
BOX R-3217
PINE CITY, NY 14871
APO AP CA 96546
601-733-2323
011-66-32-261038 (THAILAND)
TOOP, GEORGE C. CAPT.
(VIRGINIA)
(R)
500 CORTE DS LUNA
TOOP, GEORGE C. CAPT. (VIRGINIA) 60 PHALANX ROAD
MARATHON, FL 33050
(DEC-MAY)
LINCROFT NJ 07738
305-743-9932
(R)
STEVENS, LARRY M. CAPT. (PAULINE)
(JUN-NOV)
908-147-?
TUCCI, BERNARD CAPT. (DOROTHY-'SCOTTIE')
(R)
TUTTLE, CHARLES A. CAPT. (JOAN)
4839 VIA PALM LAKE, APT 1103
700 YORKTOWN CT.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33417-6935
LONGVIEW TX 75601
407-689-6784
(R)
TYNAN, CRAIG C. CAPT. (MARILYN)
(R)
1295 AVE.SP#382 S. CAWSTON
VALACER, STANLEY E. CAPT. 1085-98 TASMAN DR.
HEMET CA 92545
SUNNYVALE CA 94089 408-744-1522
(R)
(R)
(E)
VAN TREASE, CHARLES Y. CAPT. (DORIS)
(H)
WALKER, ANITA MRS. (JAKE)
P.O. BOX 43509
10620 WADSWORTH BLVD, RT 3
AUSTIN, TX 78138
BROOMFIELD, CO 80021
512-263-5563
303-469-7097
WILCOX, DICK CAPT.
(CAROL)
(R)
WINTERS, JOHN R. CAPT. (CONSTANCE)
26650 TONGANOXIA RD.
1301 NICKLAUS CIRCLE
LEAVENWORTH, KS 66048
ST. GEORGE, UT 84770-7780
913-727-1704
801-634-9663
WOLF, EVERETT C. CAPT. (VIRGINIA)
(E)
YOUNG, LESTER E. F/E
1506 PRIMROSE
250 WEST PEACHTREE ST.
BLUE SPRINGS, MO 64015
NORCROSS GA 30071
816-224-0374
97
(MILDRED)