1997.03.TARPA_TOPICS

Come to ..........

ALBUQUERQUE CONVENTION '97 for FUN ....SUN MARCH 1997

....and more FUN ...

TARPA TOPICS THE MAGAZINE OF THE TWA ACTIVE RETIRED PILOTS ASSOCIATION* DEPARTMENTS:

FEATURE ARTICLES:

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE John Gratz, Pres.

3

SECRETARY-TREAS. REPORT Dick Davis, Sec-Treas.

4

23

EDITOR'S DESK Chuck MacNab

5

61

HEALTH NOTAMS by bob Garrett

30

77

GRAPEVINE

by Hank Gastrich

35

TARPA TOURS

by Chuck Hasler

55

FLOWN WEST coord by bob Widholm

67

TOPICS MAILBOX

81

NEW MEMBERS

93

"FREE FLIGHT" by bill Dixon

6

TARPA CONVENTION '97

7

DAP / 401K PLAN 1996 Year End Deport RALPH LANG CHARLES

by Harry Franken THE LONGEST FLIGHT

by Hank Gastrich

SIGHTSEER'S OBSERVATIONS 98

by Thomas / Kelly

Material contained in TARPA TOPICS may be used by non-profit, or charitable organizations. All other use of material must be by permission of the Editor.

All inquiries concerning this publication should be addressed to: Capt. Charles E. MacNab, Editor TARP TOPICS 1865 Penny Royal Lane Wentzville, MO 63385 Cover.: TWA DC-3 in front of the original adobe ABQ terminal in Photo: Courtesy of Ed Betts.

TOPICS is an official publication of TARPA*, a nonprofit corporation. Editor bears no responsibility for accuracy or unauthorized use of contents.

PAGE 1...... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

Published 3 times a year by the TWA ACTIVE RETIRED PILOTS ASSOCIATION 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: GRAPEVINE EDITOR: HISTORIAN & CONTRIBUTING EDITOR FLOWN WEST COORDINATOR: HEALTH NOTAMS COLUMN TARPA TOURS COORDINATOR:

Charles E. MacNab, 1865 Penny Royal Lane, (314) 327-1999 Wentzville, MO 63385-4302 Henry E. Gastrich, 291 Jamacha Road., Apt 52, (619) 401-9969 El Cajon, CA 92019-2381 Edward G. Betts, 960 Las Lomas, Pacific (310) 454-1068 Palisades, CA 90272 Robert W. Widholm, 286 Bow Line Drive, (813) 261-3816 Naples, FL 33940 B. H. "Bob" Garrett, 1008 Gen. George Patton (615) 646-3248 Road, Nashville, TN 37221 William C. "Chuck" Hasler, 8 Rustic Way, (415) 454-7478 San Rafael, CA 94901

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, 1996/97 JOHN P. GRATZ PRESIDENT (314) 532-8317 1646 Timberlake Manor Pkwy, Chesterfield, MO 63017 ROBERT W. DEDMAN FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT 3728 Lynfield Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 (804)463-2032 ROBERT C. SHERMAN SECOND VICE PRESIDENT (408) 246-7754 1201 Phelps Ave., San Jose, CA 95117-2941 PHILLIP M. BELISLE SECRETARY/TREASURER (415) 567-9921 3145 Geary Blvd., Box 705, San Francisco, CA 94118-3300 HARRY A. JACOBSEN SENIOR DIRECTOR (407) 997-0468 848 Coventry Street, Boca Raton, F1 33487 CHARLES E. MACNAB DIRECTOR , TOPICS EDITOR (314) 327-1999 1865 Penny Royal Lane, Wentzville, MO 63385-4302 LOU BURNS DIRECTOR (401) 846-8626 36 Harrison Ave, Newport, RI 02840-3806 PAUL B. CARR DIRECTOR (805)773-9677 96 Indio Drive, Pismo Beach, CA 93449 DAVID M. DAVIES EX-PRESIDENT (503) 476-5378 233 S. E. Rogue River Hwy, Grants Pass, OR 97527 NOTHING REPLACES GOOD JUDGEMENT ON THE FIRING LINE! PAGE 2

TARPA TOPICS ...MARCH, 1997

John P. Gratz, President 1646 Timberlake Manor Parkway Chesterfield, MO 63017-5500

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Living in St. Louis, as I do, does have some advantages. Pat and I can travel on TWA in any direction non-stop and I can follow the saga of TWA by keeping in touch with my friends still flying the line and others in ALPA, Management, the other unions, and even the President of the TWA Seniors, another St. Louisan.

It is hard not to feel a little down about some of the changes at TWA since we have retired, but you also have to admire the many difficult decisions everyone has made to keep things together.

Recently I spoke to my old friend Bill Compton, who is presently in charge of day to day operations. He was very upbeat and said that he is very hopeful that by the time you read this, a new President and a new management team will be at work. In the meantime, Bill and the other two Executive Officers will have accomplished significant improvements in the basics of Airline Operations, safe, clean, reliable on time service. Obviously these elements are essential for any progress.

Don Jacobs, MEC Chairman and another old friend, told me that he believes 1997 will be the year that 1996 could have been. He says that he has been very encouraged by the communications with and the actions of the executive triumvirate. Knowing that Don and other knowledgeable observers are thinking positive is very encouraging.

A newer friend, Keith 0' Leary who helped with the "Connie to Europe" effort and is now MEC Communications Chairman, has offered me a small part of their newsletter on a regular basis.

This will serve to improve our communication with active pilots and to encourage them to join TARPA. As to TARPA business, I regret to announce that our Secretary/Treasurer, Dick Davis was serious at our meeting in Boston, when he said that he wanted to be replaced. Dick has done a great job for us. He has been especially helpful to me, offering sound advice on numerous issues. He has earned the gratitude of all TARPA members.

Fortunately, I have been able to persuade another member, Phil Belisle to take over. Phil has all the necessary skills and the temperament required to deal with our small treasury and our very large record keeping chores.

Elsewhere in this issue, you will see the product of a lot of work by the Roods, the Slatens and their friends in organizing TARPA Convention 1997 in Albuquerque. I am very excited by their program and by the chance to revisit such beautiful country. I hope you are excited too and that you will sign up right away.

Sincerely,

John P. Gratz PAGE 3...... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

Richard A. Davis March 1997 Secretary/Treasurers Report ,

" By the time you read this report, TARPA should have a new Secretary/Treasurer---." That quote was in the August 1991 issue, by Joe McCombs and again in the February 1993 issue by Dick Guillan as they both surrendered the job of S/T. I did not know how to make the announcement this time, so I will quote that line again.

Capt Phillip Belisle has volunteered to take over the job and will do so as soon as he is confirmed by the Board, and has had the opportunity to become familiar with the procedures.

Effective immediatly all matters relating to the Secretary/Treasurers job should be addressed to: Capt Phil Belisle 3145 Geary Blvd. Box 705 San Francisco, CA, 94118-3300 As of the date of this writing (Jan. 25, 1997) you have $46,279.19 in Members America shares, and $6,829.14 in a local checking account. The checking account is in the process of changing to one in MACU to obtain better interest.

874 members have paid their dues for '97 and beyond. 475 have not sent them in as yet. Check your mailing label. If it shows 1996, you have till March 31 to avoid being delinquent. If you use the yellow envelope supplied, it will be forwarded to the new S/T. We have 800 members exempt from dues, however 185 of those have voluntarily paid. Too many to list, but Ladies and Gentlemen, we thank you !

I have enjoyed every minute of this job, especially the notes that have accompanied the dues payments. From old friends and strangers -- Thank you.

See you in Albuquerque

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

THE NEW SECRETARY / TREASURER IS CAPT. PHIL BELISLE 3145 GEARY BLVD., BOX 705 SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94118-3300 TEL 415-567-9921 FAX 415-567-7147 DIRECT ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO THIS ADDRESS

PAGE 4 ...... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH , 1997

• EDITOR'S

DESK

•

This issue records an unusually large number of our brothers who have "flown west." Regrettably we must accept that this is an inevitable result of the passage of time and one which takes a heavy toll on those who remain. Each of us can ease that burden somewhat by taking a few thoughtful steps today. I urge you to write down a few words on your life and career, add a good photograph and entrust them to family or a particularly close friend. It has been difficult for our Flown West Coordinator, Bob Widholm, and for your Editor to piece together these remembrances for the majority of individuals who have passed on. Although this is a trying time for the families, many have managed to provide the appropriate material out of consideration for their loved ones and their many friends. To them, we extend our deepest appreciation and hope that, in turn, we have published a fitting farewell. In most instances, however, we receive little or nothing in recognition. I encourage all members to give this subject a little thought and to consider making some provision for the Flown West section of TOPICS. May I also suggest to TARPA members, who are friends of those who pass on, that you forward a few words or photographs in time for our publication. All of us will be very grateful for your effort.

As you will read in other sections of this issue, e.g., President's Report and the Secretary-Treasurer's Report, Dick Davis has decided to move on to other things in his life and is, therefore, resigning his position as TARPA Secretary-Treasurer. Phil Belisle has agreed to assume the responsibilities of this office. The transfer of responsibilities will take place in accordance with Article VI, Sec 5 of TARPA Bylaws. However, as Dick has requested in his report, all matters relating to the Secretary-Treasurer job should be addressed to: Captain Phil Belisle 3145 Geary Blvd., Box 705 San Francisco, CA 94 1 1 8-3300 Tel: (415) 567-9921 Fax: (415) 567-7147 Dick Davis has done an outstanding job for TARPA. The TARPA organization and all members, especially your Editor, have been very fortunate to have had the benefit of the talent and hard work of such a fine gentleman in such an important and demanding job as TARPA Secretary-Treasurer.

The last topic of note for Editor's commentary is the upcoming convention in Albuquerque. Your Editor visited ABQ in mid-December enroute on a motorhome trip to Phoenix. Klete Rood and Ken Slaten were hard at work and, in my opinion, have done a tremendous job of putting together a fun-filled package that you won't want to miss. I hope you will give the Convention '97 section a close look and send in your reservations early. Supplementary information will be published in the July issue of TOPICS, but you should look at this issue as your primary source of information and forms. It looks like Convention '97 will be a bang up good time. We'll see you there!

PAGE 5...... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

"FREE FLIGHT" AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL IS FARFETCHED! I recently read in my local newspaper a long syndicated article titled "Free Flight Takes Wing". The writer suggested that the concept of pilots controlling their own traffic separation wasn't more than 10 years away, with possibly a little help from ATC! As have most of you reading this, I have flown about everything from the C-47 to the B-747, domestic and overseas. With this background, I read with interest and considerable amusement the theory of those who espouse "free flight." Even with some caveats, the article makes it sound as though "free flight" is the coming scientific answer to all air traffic control problems, issuing the prediction that "new technology may soon put freedom back into our flights."

I applaud anything that will make the traffic control system safer and easier on the pilots and the traffic controllers, but crowding more information into the cockpit, as the article indicated will happen, won't do it. With the two-pilot transport aircraft in use today (flight engineers have been downsized!), more complexity could easily overload the pilots who would not only be navigating but maintaining much of the aircraft separation as well.

Many flights today spanning the country and the oceans are on time-saving direct tracks; for instance, New York-Kansas City-San Francisco. The pilots only make a few position reports, but are under ATC (Airways Traffic Control) surveillance at all times should a deviation be necessary. How could even three aircraft, for example, much less a dozen or so, be expected to provide their own traffic separation in cruise, climb and descent, without excessive communications and cockpit radar monitoring, especially in unfavorable weather - thunderstorms for instance.

New navigational aids, such as GPS (global positioning system) certainly are an improvement over the old Doppler and Inertial methods, but the "free flight" concept in the congested approach zones around such cities as New York and London, is farfetched to say the least!

The avionics engineers and scientists should keep working at improving the present systems, and developing new ones, but be realistic about "free flight". I'll be long gone before most of the dreams chronicled in the article I mention come to fruition!

To accomplish the most RIGHT NOW to enhance safe and efficient aircraft traffic control would be to accelerate upgrading of the radar and communications traffic control equipment currently in operation.

The many breakdowns that ATC is suffering today are a disgrace. Apparently, the equipment isn't much better than when we old retired types were making our way across land and sea!

PAGE 6 ...... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

ALBUQUERQUE, LAND

1997 TARPA

OF

NEW

MEXICO

ENCHANTMENT

CONVENTION

SEPTEMBER 2, 3, 4 COME VISIT THE LAND OF CHILE THE ALBUQUERQUE MUSEUM NEW MEXICO MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AND SCIENCE INDIAN GAMING CASINOS HOME OF THE ALBUQUERQUE BALLOON FIESTA ALBUQUERQUE BOTANICAL GARDENS AND AQUARIUM GREAT SOUTHWESTERN HOSPITALITY

INFORMATION ON RV PARKS, RENTAL CARS AND OTHER TRANSPORTATION WILL BE FORTHCOMING IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF TARPA TOPICS. COME SEE US!!

PAGE 7

TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

ALBUQUERQUE

1997

TARPA

CONVENTION

The New Mexico TARPA members and spouses are inviting all TARPA members to the 1997 TARPA convention. Albuquerque will be the host city for the convention at the beautiful Albuquerque Marriott Hotel. The dates are September 2, 3, & 4 with shoulder days at the TARPA rate for September 1 and 5.

Albuquerque, the Duke City, was founded in 1706 and was named after a Spanish Duke, the Duke of Alburquerque. The first R was later dropped from the name. The city is nestled between the majestic Sandia Mountains and the famed Rio Grande. Two Interstate Highways, I-25 and I-40 intersect in the heart of the city.

Albuquerque's rich history is also a study in contrasts-a dynamic blending of Indian, Hispanic and Anglo Cultures. There are many museums in Albuquerque and surrounding areas that high-light these cultures and other disciplines. One of the largest scientific laboratories in the world, Sandia Labs, is on Kirtland AFB. Every October balloonists from all over the world come to the ABQ Balloon Fiesta. In '96 there were nearly 700 Hot Air Balloons entered in the Fiesta. If you can, plan to visit sometime during the Fiesta.

There are many places and events to visit within a short distance from the city. Of course, 100 miles may not seem "short" to some of us, but when there are 60 miles between cities and towns — a hundred miles is not long!

Air service to Albuquerque started in 1929 when Charles Lindbergh was laying out TAT's routes. ABQ was one of the staging areas in the early Train/Plane transcontinental service. We're sure everyone has 1 or 2 favorite stories about Albuquerque. The old Albuquerque Terminal, that so many of us remember, is being renovated. Unfortunately, it will not be finished until well after our convention.

If you are a "Low Lander" (those living at places less than 1000' elevation) you should be aware of AMS-Acute Mountain Sickness, caused by too much activity at higher elevations. Take it a little easy the first day. We have structured the tours to be less active the first day.

The tours we offer will just whet your appetite for more sightseeing in the Land of Enchantment. Comfortable walking shoes and "sun protection gear" are recommended.

Tuesday evening, the 2nd, we encourage you to attend the Los Amigos Round-Up. The Round-up is on the Sandia Pueblo Indian Reservation in the North Valley of Albuquerque. The Chuck Wagon dinner will be followed by a western show, an Indian dance program and dancing.

Los Amigos Round-up has many organizations that schedule yearly outings there. Casual or western attire is suggested.

The golf outing will be at the Tijeras Arroyo Golf Club on Kirtland AFB. For you serious golfers, that are interested in more golf, there are many fine courses in the area. The South University Course is nationally ranked by Golf Digest.

PAGE 8

TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

Usually, the first week of September is one of the nicest times of the year. For the last 30 years, the average high temperature is 86°, the average low is 59°. The two extremes during that time " have been 100°and 40°. The average rainfall the first week has been .04 .

We encourage you to write or call the State Tourist Department and City Convention and Visitors Bureau for maps and information. The State Tourist Department has a very fine Aeronautical Chart available. The addresses and phone numbers are as follows: NEW MEXICO DEPT. OF TOURISM 491 Old Santa Fe Trail, Rm. 9499 Santa Fe, NM 87503 Phone 800-545-2040

ALBUQUERQUE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 20 First Plaza NW, Suite 601 PO Box 26866 Albuquerque, NM 87125-6866 Phone 800-284-2282

We invite you to our special place in the Southwest, and we guarantee that once you have visited here, you will return again and again to share our hospitality and the unique multicultural heritage and history that make New Mexico — America's Land of Enchantment.

Sincerely,

Klete Rood & Ken Slaten

PAGE 9

TARPA TOPICS.... MARCH, 1997

CONVENTION

TIMETABLE

MONDAY, SEPT 1 1 PM-5 PM .................................... EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION 1 PM-7 PM..................................... .EARLY BIRD HOSPITALITY 7 PM-9 PM ................................ .BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING TUESDAY. SEPT 2 8:30 AM-3:30 PM ............................ ACOMA INDIAN VILLAGE TOUR 8:30 AM-4 PM ....................................... KIRTLAND AFB TOUR 9 AM-5 PM ............................................... REGISTRATION 9 AM-NOON ............................................ TRAP AND SKEET 9 AM-NOON..................................................... TENNIS 10 AM-NOON .................................................... BRIDGE 12 NOON-7 PM.............................................. HOSPITALITY 5:30 PM-10:30 PM......................... DINNER AT LOS AMIGOS ROUNDUP WEDNESDAY,SEPT 3 7:30 AM-1:30PM .................................................... GOLF 8:30 AM-4 PM............................................ SANTA FE TOUR 8:30 AM-4:30 PM ............................ NORTHERN NEW MEXICO TOUR 8:30 AM-3:30 PM ............................ ACOMA INDIAN VILLAGE TOUR 9:00 A:M-5:00 PM ........................................... REGISTRATION 10 AM-4 PM...................................TRAM AND OLD TOWN TOUR 10 AM-NOON .................................................... BRIDGE NOON-7PM................................................ HOSPITALITY 5 PM........... ..DINNER (SEE RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS IN PACKET) THURSDAY, SEPT 4 8:30 AM-4:00 PM.......................................... SANTA FE TOUR 8:30 AM-NOON ........................................ BUSINESS MEETING 10 AM-2 PM......................................... LATE REGISTRATION NOON-6 PM ................................................ HOSPITALITY 12:30 PM-4:30 PM............................... SHORT SANDIA TRAM TOUR 12:30 PM-4:30 PM......................... SHORT TOUR OF ATOMIC MUSEUM 6 PM-7 PM ............................... HOTEL RECEPTION. NO HOST BAR 7 PM-1PM........................................BANQUET AND DANCING FRIDAY, SEPT 5 9 AM...................................... TARPA TOUR COPPER CANYON Convention Co- Chairman: Klete Rood (505) 294-4401 and Ken Slaten (505) 821-4001 Tennis: Bob Kavula 823-4503 Registration: George Humphries 292-4632 Desk registration: Ken and Nell Hippe 898-4736 Trap and Skeet: Bob Kavula 823-4503 Bridge: Trudy Borgmier 292-7671 Golf: George Borgmier 292-7671, Dave Richards 298-4650 Tours: Ann Oeschlin 856-6106, Dale Kavula 823-4503, Harvey Kimray 281-7081 PAGE 11..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH , 1997

Tuesday Sept 2,1997 8:30am-4:00pm

Kirtland Air Force Base and Old Town Tour

Upon arrival at the AFB, you will visit the National Atomic Museum which displays a fullscale time line of authentic atomic age weaponry and technologies—the nation's most complete collection of Air Force, Navy, Marine, and Army nuclear weapons and theme exhibits.

You will depart for a special tour of Sandia National Laboratories at approximately 11:00am. A Sandia Lab guide will greet you in the Lab Auditorium where you will view a video introducing you to the labs. Then you will take a short tour of the Lab facilities.

Lunch at the "0" club is next on the agenda.

After lunch, you will head for historic OLD TOWN. A brief walk around the old plaza or meeting-place takes you by the San Felipe de Neri Catholic Church. Then shop at the hundreds of shops on the Old Town Plaza.

Your coach will depart at 3:30 pm for the hotel.

Price per person: $21.00 Price includes: Deluxe coach transportation, tour of National Atomic Museum, tour of Sandia National Laboratories, lunch at the Officers Club, tour of historic Old Town.

Tuesday Sept. 2, 1997 Los Amigos Roundup 5:30pm-10:30pm A short ride from the hotel to the North Valley of Albuquerque brings us to Los Amigos Roundup Ranch on the Sandia Indian Reservation. The ranch sits among the oldest stand of towering cottonwoods in the United States (150 years old). It is adjacent to the Rio Grande with a view of the Sandia Mountains. The setting is pure Southwestern. The floor in the Longhouse is covered with wood chips. The inside is decorated with saddles, Indian blankets, pictures and steer horns. Outside, where the meat is prepared, there are the grills, benches, a Tepee and even a volleyball court. A delicious Chuckwagon meal will begin with Sandia Indian Fry Bread and Green Chile Stew as appetizers. The "all you can eat " meal includes potato salad, chuckwagon corn, baked beans, home-style dessert and beverages. Drinks include beer, wine, lemonade, iced tea, coffee and soda. You will be able to dance to the music of a variety dance band. The entertainment includes the band, Wild West Show and Aztec Indian Dancers. You will board your buses for the hotel at 10:00pm. Casual or western wear is recommended for this evening.

Price per person: $35.00 Price includes: Deluxe coach transportation, meal and drinks, music and entertainment.

PAGE 12..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

Tuesday Sept 2, 1997 Wednesday Sept 3, 1997 Acoma "Sky City" Indian Pueblo and IPCC Tours 8:30am-3:30pm The Acoma Indian Pueblo is the oldest, continuously inhabited city in the United States.

Recently, archaeologists theorized the occupation of Acoma to 1150 AD. The Indian Pueblo sits on top of a 300 ft. mesa and is only accessible by a Native American-owned bus that takes you up to the Pueblo. At the top you will be given a guided tour and will have plenty of opportunities to shop along the way for the remarkable pottery and sample Native cuisine. For those who are physically capable, an opportunity to climb down the mesa on one of the original pathways will be offered.

There are many photo opportunities during the tour, but there is a $10.00 charge per camera.

Video cameras are prohibited. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and clothing. The tour includes a 3/4 mile leisurely walk.

About 12:30pm you will board your bus for the return trip, stopping at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC). A delicious box lunch with assorted soft drinks will be served along the way.

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center features a Native American museum and exhibits of the state's 19 Indian pueblos. You will be given a guided tour of the museum. After the tour, peruse the gift shop for hand-crafted items and Indian artifacts.

Board your bus about 3:00pm for the trip to the hotel.

Price per person: $32.00 Price includes: Deluxe coach transportation, professional tour guide, admission to IPCC, box lunch with assorted soft drinks, admission fee to Acoma pueblo, and all taxes.

Wednesday Sept 3, 1997 10:00am-4:00pm Sandia Tram and Old Town Tour

Board your deluxe coach at 10:00 am and head for the Sandia Peak Aerial Tram. The tram is the world's longest free span cable tram and offers magnificent views 2.7 miles above deep canyons. You will "fly" through four of the seven life zones as you make your way to the top.

Viewing these life zones is equivalent to a trip from Mexico to Alaska. Once atop Sandia Peak, you will marvel at the 11,000 square miles of breathtaking scenery. (Be sure to bring a camera and a sweater).

After the return trip to the bottom, board the bus for Historic Old Town. On the way down, we will make a brief stop at Bien Mur for shopping and browsing for beautiful Indian Jewelry and artifacts. The next stop will be at the Sandia Indian Casino for lunch and pull the handle on a slot machine if desired. Then on to Historic Old Town. Visit the many shops and art galleries on and around the Plaza.

Price per person: $30.00 Price includes: deluxe coach transportation, round trip boarding pass for the Sandia Tram, lunch at the Sandia Indian Casino, all taxes.

PAGE 13..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

Wednesday Sept 3, 1997 Northern New Mexico Excursion 8:30am-4:30pm Your first stop will be in Los Alamos, selected by the Federal Government in 1942 as the site of the top-secret Manhattan project. This tour will expose you to everything from the fusion chain reaction to placid prehistoric ruins. First you will go to the Bradbury Science Museum—which outlines the Lab's massive achievements through interesting exhibits and over 35 hands-on demonstrations. The museum theater features programs on a variety of subjects from computer graphics to cancer in cattle.

Then it's back on the coach for a short ride to Rancho de Chimayo where you will savor a delicious New Mexican lunch.

Next you will visit the Santuario de Chimayo where thousands of people travel in hope of a miraculous cure for their ills.

A visit to the Ortega Weavers is a must. Many generations of weavers have passed their skill to their children. If luck is with you, you may see an actual weaving of a hand-made rug on the loom.

Board the bus to arrive in Albuquerque by 4:30pm.

Price per person: $32.00 Price includes: deluxe coach transportation, professional tour guide, admission to Bradbury Museum in Los Alamos, lunch at Rancho de Chimayo, visit to Santuario de Chimayo, all taxes.

Wednesday Sept. 3,1997 Thursday Sept. 4, 1997 Santa Fe Tour and Turquoise Trail 8:30 am-4:00 pm Your visit to scenic Santa Fe begins at 8:30 am when you board your deluxe coach and go via the scenic and historic Turquoise Trail. Along the way, you will drive through several quaint mining towns with a short stop in Cerrillos, New Mexico.

Upon arrival in Santa Fe, you will take a guided tour seeing the St. Francis Cathedral, the Loretto Chapel with its famous spiral staircase, the San Miguel Mission, and the Historic Plaza.

You will then be free to explore or indulge in a Southwestern shopping spree with the many boutiques, galleries, and Native American vendors. Perhaps you would rather experience the wonderful museums such as the Museum of Fine Art with over 8,000 works, or our State's History Museum, The Palace of the Governors. Whatever you select, you will love the experience.

Enjoy lunch on your own at one of the many restaurants located around the historic Santa Fe Plaza.

We will depart the Plaza at 3:00pm to arrive back in Albuquerque at 4:00pm.

Price per person: $23.00 Price includes: Deluxe coach transportation, professional tour guide, visit to Cerrillos, NM, walking tour of Santa Fe Plaza, San Miguel Mission, Loretto Chapel, and St. Francis Cathedral, admission to Loretto Chapel, all taxes.

PAGE 14 ..... TARPA TOPICS.... MARCH, 1997

Thursday Sept. 4, 1997 Short Sandia Tram Tour 12:30 pm-4:30 pm Leave the hotel at 12:30 for the short ride to the Sandia Peak Aerial Tram. The Tram is the world's longest free span cable tram, and offers magnificent views 2.7 miles above deep canyons. You will "fly" through four of the seven life zones as you make your way to the top. Viewing these life zones is equivalent to a trip from Mexico to Alaska. Once atop Sandia Peak, you will marvel at the 11,000 square miles of breathtaking scenery. (Be sure to bring your camera and a sweater).

Board your bus about 4:00 pm to arrive at your hotel at 4:30 pm Price per person: $17.00 Price includes: Deluxe round-trip transportation, Tram Fees, all taxes

Thursday Sept. 4 1997 Short Tour of Atomic Museum 12:30pm-4:30 pm Board your bus for the short ride to Kirtland AFB and the National Atomic Museum. The museum displays a full-scale time line of authentic atomic age weaponry and technologies—the nation's most complete collection of Air Force, Navy, Marine, and Army nuclear weapons and theme exhibits.

Price per person: $10.00 Price includes deluxe round-trip transportation.

PAGE 15..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

CITY

OF

ALBUQUERQUE

ACCOMMODATIONS KEY Downtown 1 Hyatt Regency 2 Albuquerque Doubletree 3 La Posada de Albuquerque 4 Plaza Inn OLD TOWN (10 minutes driving time to downtown) 5 Sheraton Old Town 6 Rio Grande Inn

MIDTOWN (10 minutes driving time to downtown) 7 Albuquerque Hilton 8 Fairfield by Marriott 9 Holiday Inn Mountain View 10 LeBaron Inn & Suites 11 Sumner Suites 12 Pinnacle Hotel Four Seasons UPTOWN (15 minutes driving time to downtown) 13 Marriott 14 Winrock Inn 15 Sheraton Uptown Hotel PAGE 17 ..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

HOTEL CIRCLE (20 minutes driving time to downtown) 16 Howard Johnson East 17 Ramada Inn East AIRPORT (10 minutes driving time to downtown) 18 Best Western Albuquerque Airport Hotel BALLOON FIESTA PARK (20 minutes driving time to downtown) 19 Holiday Inn Pyramid

A warm welcome and a smile. As you enter the elegantly decorated lobby, the glowing hues of the furnishings reflect the genuine friendliness of the people, as well as the natural colors of the region. You've arrived at the Albuquerque Marriott. The perfect combination of traditional Southwestern warmth with today's business Our commitment to quality extends from our well-appointed guest rooms and flexible meeting space to the exquisite presentation of our banquet meals. Beyond the basics needed to accommodate people and meetings, we excel with the extra touches that create a memorable experience.

Inside the Albuquerque Marriott we have created a total environment that encompasses fine restaurants, a gift shop, a health club, indoor/outdoor pool and ■410 deluxe rooms ■6 suites ■A concierge level

2101 LOUISIANA BLVD. NE A ALBUQUERQUE, NM 871 10 505-881-6800 A FAX: 505-881-1 780 A 800-228-9290 PAGE 19 ..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

PAGE 20..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH , 1997

ALBUQUERQUE

Information

PAGE 21..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

INVESTMENT OPTIONS

TWA PILOTS DAP/401(k) PLAN

MODEL PORTFOLIO OPTIONS

TWA PILOTS DAP/401(k) PLAN

Asset Growth Since Plan Inception

TWA PILOTS 401(k) PLAN

Directed Account Plan - 12/31/96

ASSET ALLOCATIONS FOR DAP & FIDELITY

Asset Growth Since Plan Inception

TWA PILOTS DAP PLAN

HEALTH

NOTAMS

BOB

GARET

A belated Happy New Year! I hope everybody is doing well with the same New Year resolutions to diet and exercise that we all make every new year. I will try to help with some timely, healthy tips to keep the old body working well and looking good.

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E-Mail: BOB52G@prodigy.net

PAGE 30..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

or

or E-

Vitamin D Linked With Prostate Cancer recent study supports that men who have a particular vitamin D receptor gene are less likely than others to develop the type of prostate cancer that requires surgical removal. Other reports have found that break-down products of vitamin D can suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells in the laboratory. Vitamin D influences the body by binding to the receptor in the body. Two different types of genes make up the receptor, designated by scientists as T, or t. Each individual has two such genes, making them TT, Tt, or tt. In the study, men who were tt were one-third less likely to have prostate cancer. As usual these findings will require further testing to confirm if increasing consumption of vitamin D-rich foods can prevent prostate cancer.

Pancreas Cancer Treatment People with cancer of the pancreas may live longer after surgery if they also receive chemotherapy and radiation, a new study reports. These findings offer further insight into the nation's fifth-leading cause of cancer deaths and the genetic link may lead to earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment. In this investigation, 174 patients underwent a complex surgery for a malignant cancer called adenocarcinoma of the head, neck, or tail of the pancreas. The operation, called the Whipple procedure, involves removing part of the pancreas and all of the duodenum (a portion of small intestine connected to the stomach), gallbladder, bile duct, and sometimes part of the stomach. The patients were given three options after surgery: 99 chose standard treatment, including radiation and chemotherapy; 21 selected intensive therapy, including stronger chemoradiation; and 53 declined chemoradiation. Those, receiving either form of chemoradiation tended to live about six months longer than patients foregoing chemoradiation. Early diagnosis, removal of the tumor, and postoperative chemoradiation therapy appear to be the best approach for long-term survival and possible cure.

Nostril Device Stops Snoring A simple device to reduce snoring called a nostril dilator may bring relief to sleepless spouses and bunkmates everywhere, according to researchers. The rubberized device, resembling the nose clips used by swimmers, is inserted into the nostrils before sleep. It pushes out the soft tissue at the front of the nose, making it easier to inhale. The anterior part of the nose is the most narrow passage in the upper airway and accounts for more than half the total airway resistance during nasal respiration. The vibrations of the palate and soft tissues of the throat, which generate snoring sounds, can be prevented when inhaling less heavily. During the day, people breathe through the nose while in an upright position, But in bed at night, any congestion that might occur in the sinuses at the back of the nose makes it harder to inhale through narrowing nasal passages. Then you naturally open your mouth to breath and the tongue falls back and blocks the windpipe increasing the air flow resistance. That causes the snoring sounds that can wake the dead! When the nostril dilator was used, there was a significant decrease in snoring at and sufferers were also less tired in the morning as well as their sleeping(less)partners. Problem snorers may want to first check with their doctors about the nostril dilator.

PAGE 31 ..... TARPA TOPICS.... MARCH, 1997

No Cure For Hangover Blues!

The awful truth: there may be no cure for that New Year's Day hangover! The symptoms of a hangover include headache, drowsiness, dehydration, and hormonal changes. The causes of hangover are usually blamed on alcohol but it may not be the main cause. Instead, it could be cogeners, complex organic molecules like methanol that occur in varying amounts depending on the type of liquor. This could explain why some drinks seem to cause a bigger hangover punch than others. Hangover symptoms were reported almost twice as common in those that drank 1.5 ml/ kg of bourbon whisky, with a high concentrations of cogeners, than those drinking the same dose of vodka. Another study compared hangovers in people drinking 20 different types of liquor, including pure alcohol. The hangover symptoms declined in the following order; brandy, red wine, rum, whisky, white wine, gin, vodka, and pure ethanol. Hangover symptoms appear to result from methanol in the body metabolizing into formaldehyde and formic acid. Some people are faster metabolizers than others and may suffer more after heavy drinking. The study reports that since alcohol actually inhibits this metabolizing process, anti-hangover treatments, like "hair of the dog", might actually help ease some symptoms. Drinking lots of water, sleeping, and using analgesics can help. Hangovers may simply be one of nature's warning signs since a bad hangover may deter most people to moderate their ethanol intake.

Nicotine May Help to Fight Colitis Researchers say smoking may help keep a form of colitis away and help prevent and treat ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the colon and rectum, occurring most often in adults in their 30s. Symptoms include diarrhea, cramps and rectal bleeding. Ex-smokers have the highest risk but current smokers who already have the disease and quit the habit risk worsening symptoms. Heavy smokers who kicked the habit had more than four times the risk of developing ulcerative colitis than those who had never smoked, according to one study. Nicotine may be the protective agent, researchers say. It seems to reduce inflammation of the bowel lining, increase rectal mucus production, and reduce rectal blood flow.

Nicotine may also render the intestine more impermeable to irritating substances that enhance the development of the disease. According to the report, doctors that are reluctant to advise patients to continue smoking may prescribe a nicotine gum, along with antiinflammatory drugs. This course of treatment can be protective and therapeutic without the risks of tobacco use.

PAGE 32 ..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

Belly Size Best Stroke Predictor The size of a man's waist may have more to do with having a stroke than his overall weight, a new study shows. The evidence suggest that fat distribution, waist and hip circumferences, is important in predicting risk of stroke. In this study, men with a high waisthip ratio had more than twice the risk of stroke, compared to those with a lower ratio. Previous studies have found that overall obesity was not a good predictor of coronary heart disease in people 65 and over, because their muscle mass changes to fat. They found "a weaker association" between waist circumference alone and stroke, men with waists 40 inches or more had about a 50% greater risk of stroke, compared to those with 34.5 inches or less. People should lose weight through exercise and dietary interventions, because they tend to lose it in their waist.

Selenium Lowers Cancer Risk Taking selenium supplements reduces the risk of lung, colorectal and prostate cancer, a new report suggests. But don't start gobbling selenium just yet: researchers caution that the results are preliminary and need to be confirmed by more studies. Until new studies are done, it is premature to change individual behavior, or market specific selenium supplements or to modify public health recommendations based on the results of just one randomized study. In this one, people taking 200 micrograms of selenium a day for over four years had a 46% lower risk of lung cancer, 63% lower risk of prostate cancer and a 58% reduction in colorectal cancer. Overall, the cancer risk dropped by 37% compared to people taking a placebo. However, there was no change in their skin cancer risk, the type of cancer the researchers originally thought would be most affected by selenium supplements.

Theories about how the trace element could work to prevent tumors include: it may act as an antioxidant; it may be able to alter how the body processes carcinogens; it may have an effect on how proteins are made; or selenium may play a role in how the immune system functions.

Sundown Vitamins Markets First Selenium Product Sundown Vitamins reported strong sales nationwide for its "Selenium 200 Plus," which the company believes is the only product currently available on the retail market offering selenium both in the clinically tested strength of 200 mcg and in the same source administered to patients involved in a cancer study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association.

This important study found that High Selenium Yeast, the source Sundown is using, provided a significant reduction in total cancer mortality and incidences of lung, colorectal and prostate cancers. Sundown rushed development of its Selenium 200 back in October within days after learning the mineral was found to reduce cancer death rates in the study just published in JAMA. Sundown's new Selenium 200 Plus product is formulated with the antioxidant Vitamin C to help promote healthy immune function and citrus bioflavonoids to help enhance Vitamin C absorption. Sundown Vitamins is a division of Rexall Sundown Inc., one of the world's leading developers, manufacturers and sellers of vitamins, nutritional supplements and other health products.

Fat In Diet May Impair Brain In Elderly A common dietary fat found in margarine, butter, and cheese may increase the risk of mental decline in old age, according to a another new study. But there is some good news in this study. It confirms previous reports that eating fish can help to preserve mental function. Elderly men(and I assume elderly women), who had higher daily intakes of linoleic acid, were two and a half times more likely to have cognitive impairment than those who had lower intakes of the dietary fat. However, when daily intake of antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene were examined, there was no impact in terms of a protective effect on mental function. Some research suggest that these antioxidants help preserve or improve cognitive abilities in older people.

PAGE 33 ..... TARPA TOPICS.... MARCH, 1997

SHORT

ONES! Help I've fallen and I can't get up: Many elderly people suffer falls due to balance problems. Researchers may have found a possible solution in an ancient exercise. t'ai chi. You may have seen Chinese or others doing this exercise on TV. After a 15 week course, 72 seniors reported improved balance and fall resistance. If you have a balance problem, check with your doctor about t'ai chi.

Suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome?

I ran across this tip tried by a person with severe symptoms that may offer some relief.

This individual put flaxseed in herbal tea. chewing the softened seeds, and the pain was gone in 3 months. Studies have shown that flaxseed oil has anti-inflammatory properties and may improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Recommended safe dosage is to 30 grams daily (about 3 tablespoons whole or ground). You may find flaxseed in health food stores. Look for preground flaxseed with added antioxidants. The fiber in flaxseed may also have cholesterol-Iowering benefits .

Do you take blood pressure medicine?

A recent published report cautions patients taking a calcium channel blocker to avoid grapefruit juice. Seems grapefruit juice can hype the dose of your medicine high enough to set off the old ticker. Why does grapefruit juice cause this reaction? Researchers are unsure but they think it could alter the absorption of other prescribed drugs. No problem with drinking orange juice. Until more studies are done. if you are usin g blood pressure medication. check with your family doctor before eating grapefruit.

34

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Have you had your 2 cups of milk today?

That's the latest advice from health experts.

Milk has been proven in numerous studies to have a positive impact on hypertension and a effective weapon against stroke. Reports show that those who drank little or no milk had more than twice the risk of stroke than those who had 2 cups a day. The protective factor in milk is thought to be due to calcium.

BUT. the milk drinkers were somewhat leaner. more fit and not smokers and that could account for the results from this study.

A bowl of cereal is a good way to get your milk and fiber.

Got a cold? Suck on some zinc.

Research shows that zinc lozenges every 2 hours can significantly reduce colds. Some people may experience nausea and many may find them distasteful. These lozenges, called Cold-Eeze, are available in many drug stores and some health food stores. If you can't find them in the stores, write to the Quigley Corp., P.O. Box 1349, Doylestown, PA 18901.

Having trouble with your colon?

Too much iron may be the problem, according to a 15 year study on 11,000 men and women. Iron is a essential nutrient in our diet but too much may increase the formation of free radicals that can cause cancer. Reduce red meat intake and go for fish, legumes and chicken. If you are taking a multi-vitamin or mineral supplements, check the iron content.

Well. that's it for this issue.

Stay Healthy!

TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

291 Jamacha Road Apt. 52 El Cajon, CA 92019-2386 Tel/Fax 619-401-9969 Internet: 1 04342,775@compuserve Well, its that time of the month again! I mean its time for me to peruse (again) the mail and photographs I've received and put together what I believe will be my eighth GRAPEVINE. Tempus does indeed fugit!

And in keeping with the tenor of this issue, I have to mention the annual Convention which will be in ABQ (if I write Albuquerque, no matter how I spell it, my spell-checker feels badly because it doesn't have any alternative words) in September and this year I will be there! Having been in touch with a couple of my TWA copilot class (2 November 1953) classmates an idea has risen that in 1997 those of the entire class of November 1953 should try to attend and sit together at the banquet.

This invitation would of course include any spouses of those who departed. What do you think guys and gals? That was probably the best class TWA ever hired wouldn't you agree? (That ought to get some mail!!!)

The GRAPEVINE has received mail from several TARPANS that have never (since I've been doing it) written before. That's good! I hope however to have to go begging to Chuck for more space because of the large amount of mail I receive for the July issue. (This is mid-January and it looks as if the GRAPEVINE may be even smaller than the November '96 one.)

My "fantasy football" season ended up much like the San Diego Charger's season ... a real downer. In some ways however it wasn't as bad as I sometimes tend to make it.

I finished in 555 th place ... out of more than 12,000 entrants. That's in the top 5% (4.6%) but payoffs went only to the top 25 persons. My huge mistake was in having two many Chargers on my team ... and for it's usage, that is the correct way to spell two! I had two Charger players but since the team went down hill, their point totals also suffered ... and this never happened until I had expended my last trade option!

PAGE 35..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

I guess it would be apropos to let you all know that your old (only phraseology) GRAPEVINER will be a freshman at Cuyamaca College, even by the time you read this.

One of my female friends accused me of being a bit "sophomoric" on occasion so I thought I would show her by being even more sophomoric - by first being 'freshmanic' ... if there is such a word. But that is what I shall learn in English 101. I also will be taking a class in Geography 130, Human and Cultural Geography. I figure I can pass the Geography course fairly easy so if they average both grades, I might exit the semester with a low C. Before my voice changed I could have made high C. There are several things regarding geographic occurrences , especially of some of the human and cultural aspects that I have always wondered about. For instance, if our western desert ancestors, going waaay back, would have been a mite more industrious, they might well have removed all the huge boulders and stones from the mile high mountain range which separates the Pacific coast from the Imperial Valley desert. They could have used these stones to erect fantastic pyramids and southern California might have one more theme park to attract visitors. And we 'coasters' would have a flat drive to the desert! These ancient ancestors cannot be accused of being overly intelligent. Any of you noticed and wondered ... or noticed but not wondered why so many of the "Ghost Towns" in California are s000 far from the free ways? We boast of a grandiose highway system and yet we must travel many miles on dusty, almost impassable trails to visit the advertised attractions. Tsk! Tsk! But now, the end is near, lets face the final curtain and look at the cartoons I found to fill this page. Aren't you glad we made it to the 90's?

PAGE 36 ..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

GRAPEVINE (cont'd)

RUDY TRUESDALE

Eureka. CA

Dear Hank, D W Tomlinson graduated from the Naval Academy in 1917 and did his first Sea duty aboard an anti-submarine ship off the Atlantic coast. In 1921 Tommy went to Pensacola and was designated a Naval Aviator. In 1927 stationed at North Island, he was sent to Seattle to ferry a Boeing F2B fighter to San Diego. He went via Spokane where he attended the National Air Races and there he saw the Three Musketeers led by Jimmy Doolittle perform.

Tommy being friends with Doolittle, found out the secret of prolonged inverted flight; fuel lines had been filled allowing only enough fuel into the cylinders to operate the engine. This permitted inverted engine operation but only for 45 seconds as they still had not provisioned for inverted engine lubrication. The Three Musketeers flew Curtiss Hawks with V-12 liquid cooled engines and the Three Sea Hawks flew Boeings with radial engines. Late in 1928 Tommy Tomlinson resigned from the navy and went with Maddux Air Lines.

In 1984 the Redding Exchange Club sponsored a major air show and I told the chairman how he might be able to get the 'Blue Angels' to appear and about Tommy who was invited to appear. Tommy was a VIP and I was his escort. At the party for the Angels, Tommy was the center of attraction when he told the story of the Curtiss Hawks. I sat with Tommy, Peg, and TWA Captain Ives whose son was a Blue Angel. I had flown with Tommy as a copilot and later, he flew as my copilot when he was renewing a route qualification.

Sincerely, Rudy (Nonagenarian) Thanks for the fill in on Tommy Rudy. 1927 was one Remembering the Three Musketeers of our more memorable aviation years it seems.

That was a fine article on the Blue Angels Some kid named Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic in the Aug. 2 issue.

The first military exhibition air team was and Jimmy Doolittle performed the first "outside the Three Musketeers. They performed at the loop" at Wright Field in Dayton. Pictured below is 1927 National Air Races in Spokane and Rudy's letter to General Aviation News and the were led by Jimmy Doolittle. Navy LieutenCurtiss P-1 Hawk, first in the 'Hawk' line of pursuit ant D.W. "Tommy" Tomlinson was there and found out from Jimmy how to keep the planes. engines running inverted. Tommy went back to North Island and illegally had the carbs in three Boeing F2BIs altered. He and a couple of other lieutenants practiced above the fog.

The brass had Tommy on the carpet and he admitted his actions. They ordered him to put on his show at the dedication of Lindbergh Field in San Diego, and the Three Sea Hawks were hatched.

Both the three Musketeers and the Three Sea Hawks performed at the 1928 National Air Races at Los Angeles ' Mines Field, which is now LAX. Tommy was a friend of mine from 1935 until his death early this year at age 97.

If you would like a detailed account, please advise. Do not wait too long; I am 90.

H.W. Rudy Truesdale The Curtiss P-I was the first of the company's Hawk series of single-seater t 6 Eureka, California fighters. It is seen here with an experimental Allison V-1410 installation.

PAGE 37..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

GRAPEVINE (cont'd)

RUDY TRUESDALE

Eureka. CA

Navy's famous "Three Sea Hawks" (Boeing F2B-1 ' s) fly inverted over the airport as Bob Cantwell pulls his Lockheed Vega out of the way as he finishes first in the On the race. ground coast- (left) is Lindbergh's Boeing PW9-D and to the right is the new Boeing XF4B.

PAGE 38..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

GRAPEVINE (coned)

BOB LINDSEY

Red Deer County AB

Hi Hank, I am Bob Lindsey's wife, your former classmate at TWA. reading TARPA and thought we would let you know how much we appreciate all the articles.

We are just sitting here

We live in Canada, and TARPA takes forever to reach us since the mail service is not the speediest between our two countries. We are in the town of Red Deer, in Alberta, not far from Banff and Lake Louise, so if any of you want to come up this way we have a free bed and breakfast for any and all.

We are glad you have E-mail. This helps speed up communications.

Bob and I ski & skate in the winter and roller blade & bicycle in the summers. There are miles and miles of wonderful trails up here. We love it! No traffic, either! We have gone on 7 cruises this year and we are all cruised out. We our daughters, both she and her husband are live next door to one of Californians but they love living up here. He is a California dentist who got away conditions down there. Bob is doing just fine. Goes from the crowded and works out every day, reads tons of magazines daily and always reads TARPA with interest. We will have to try to make it to one of the meetings but they always seem to conflict with other planned activities.

Bob and Dorice Lindsey I am glad to hear from a former classmate. Especially with such a newsy, "what we have been doing" sort of letter. This is exactly what the Grapevine wishes we would get more of for every issue. The thought has occurred to 'reconvene' the TWA class of NOV 53 at the ABQ doings. Your letter helps. Dorice is also a pilot with a seaplane rating, multi-engine rating and also writes, "I enjoy doing aerobatics in a small a Eagle." She has also flown B-25 bombers and DC-3s. Dorice is a grandmother, 66 years young! (I think I'll add, "Bob Lindsey is the luckiest man in our class!"). More on following page!

PAGE 39..... TARPA TOPICS.... MARCH, 1997

GRAPEVINE (cont'd)

Bob and Dorice Lindsey Continued: Through the wonders of the internet and the facileness of E-mail, the Lindseys and I have recently been together in frequent 'converstions' from solving the problems of the world to reminiscing of our TWA adventures. I remember I had asked them to send me a picture of their Canadian home which they did and they also included a picture of one of the buildings we would stay in at Gander when non-routine operations saw fit to give us a "Canadian Holiday!" So here is the beautiful Lindsey's Canadian home and the Gander BOQ.

PAGE 40..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

GRAPEVINE (coned)

FRANCIS E. JENKINS

Lecanto, FL

Dear Hank, I am looking forward to meeting you, can't remember our meeting previously but you relate many situations which bring back fond memories. These are the things that we miss over the years. To repeat what has been stated many times, when TARPA arrives I read it completely and sometimes reread sections. You guys are doing a fine job and hope you can keep up the good work. Thanks to you all from me. I made it through the holidays OK and hope you did too. My best to you and God Bless.

Sincerely.

I also received a very nice letter from a friend of Captain Jenkins, Betty Andrews and parts of her letter follow, "I saw my first TARPA TOPICS magazine at Captain Fritz Jenkin's home in Lecanto. Fritz was so engrossed in it I asked to see it. He got a real chuckle out of Neuman Ramsey's story about Boston Scrod. It also hit home with me as I am familiar with the Boston area. Fritz has remained in contact with his old flying buddy, Captain Dick Schmidt who Captain Fritz Jenkins (I should look so good!) lives in Kansas City. Fritz and Dick are both in their 80's and are in good health as they walk every day and do keep active. I think that it's great the way the GRAPEVINE keeps people in touch - keep up the good work.

Thanks Fritz and also, thanks Betty. It was really good to hear from both of you and I am especially happy to note how many more Eagles and real of timers corresponded for this issue. How does the old saying go? "We get so old fast!" I'm looking forward to writing the Grapevine editor myself in a few years ... to reminisce about the good old days ... when airplanes had propellers ... even tail skids. And the pilots were indeed Eagles ... The very, very best part of this task is hearing from Fritz and his peers. I still, and will always take my hat off to them!

PAGE 41..... TARPA TOPICS... MARCH, 1997

GRAPEVINE (cont'd)

GENE SCHUMACHER

Lincoln, MO

Hank, I am enclosing a couple of verses you might be able to use. I remember a verse similar to "Low Flight." I have done similar things in P40's - P47's - P51's AT6's and 11's back when I was young and foolish. It took me a few years to get comfortable with 'straight and level' flight with passengers on board. Comfortable? I was even enjoying straight and level towards the end of my 33 years with TWA. I am living on the low rent end of the Lake of the Ozarks - 20 miles downstream from Truman Dam at Warsaw, Mo. Still with my bride of 47 years. Henrietta and I just went back to New Jersey last spring for our oldest grandchild's high school graduation. That didn't make me feel any younger. Hardly recognized the Brookwood watering hole. I guess you can't go back, huh?

Have a martini, Gene Schumacher Thanks Gene ... but I'll pass on the martini. Should have started skipping them 40 years ago vis-a-vis 15! Congratulations on 47 years married ... that won't last if you keep taking strange women to New Jersey. And the Brookwood ...ah yes I remember it well ... having stopped there once or twice (sic). Gene also sent along a copy of the Poem "Low Flight" which I frankly had never read before. "High Flight" is the one in Flying Magazine I believe and is associated with having 'flown west!' Here's the sequel, "Low Flight" Oh, I have slipped through swirling clouds of dust a few feet from the dirt I've flown the aircraft low enough to make my bottom hurt I've buzzed the desert, hills, and valleys, mountains too And frolicked in the trees where only flying squirrels flew I've chased the frightened cows along disturbed the ram and ewe and drove a hundred other things that you'd not care to do I've smacked the tiny sparrow, bluebird, robin and the rest I've ingested baby eagles simply sucked them from the nest I've streaked through total darkness, just another guy and me and spent the night in terror of things I could not see I've turned my eyes to heaven and I sweated through the flight put out my hand and touched the Master Caution Light.

PAGE 42..... TARPA TOPICS.... MARCH, 1997

GRAPEVINE (cont'd)

BILL TARBOX

Austin, TX

Dear Hank, Here is some "filler" for TARPA TOPICS! From the "Lake Country Echo" dated 12 December 1996. Under the heading "Thoughts While Shaving."

The Ten Commandments contains 297 words, The Bill of Rights is stated in 463 words. Lincoln's Gettysburg address contains 266 words. A recent federal directive to regulate the price of cabbage contains 26,911 words.

John Phillip Sousa was one of the most famous band leaders in the United States. His real name was SO. As a young man he decided this was too short so he lengthened it by adding the letters USA in tribute to the country he lived in and loved.

In 1911 there was no tax on income. In 1996 there is no income after your tax.

In 1776 our leaders signed the Declaration of Independence, then rang the Liberty Bell. Ever since we've had a bunch of ding-a-lings in government.

This one is a Texas joke from ME: Question -- How many aggies does it take to grease a combine? Answer -- Two ... if you run them thru slow!!

On 11 December Wife Joan's Clipped Wings group asked her to help man the TWA exhibit at the touring Smithsonian exhibit in Houston, on of the great Texas cities. TWA as you know is a corporate sponsor. The TWA exhibit was well done, especially the picture wall, the collection of old uniforms and navigational instruments with the three models of hand-held computers. (Dalton, E6B and the American Airlines - later Jeppesen computer. Of particular interest to me was a 1940 picture of the Boeing Stratoliner next to a model of the plane after the post war modifications in Seattle. You will remember the re-do incorporated the extended vertical fin of the Fort. When I was on the exhibit there were three Pan Am retirees who remembered the airplane and we had a nice chat. In 1971 I last saw "Navajo" on the ramp at Saigon. Our old maintenance manual was in the cockpit and the nose cone looked as if had been shot-peened. We sold them to some French outfit in Africa and somehow at least one of them reached Saigon.

If the Smithsonian exhibit comes to your city you should see it. They tried to put together things that would be of interest to a broad spectrum of Americans. The Clipped Wings ladies, in their period uniforms, had their picture taken with Gene Cernan at the Apollo exhibit. Those ladies still looked great.

Regards Bill Tarbox Thanks Bill. You sucked me in. Your letter started with 'jokes' but ended up so interesting I will not add any of my Texas U anecdotes (Besides, one of them makes me cry).

PAGE 43 ..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

GRAPEVINE (cont'd)

RICH BEIGHLIE

Palm City. FL

Hank, Here are a few photos from TARPA `96. It wuz luck to get the four "young MEC Chairmen" together.

Jeremiah S. Burns Harry Hoglander John "Jack" Donlan John Gratz Thanks Rich ... Being an MEC Chairman must do something to prevent the deterioration aging brings upon a lot of us. I could not believe any of the four are retirees and had to check the TARPA Membership Directory to assure myself. Jerry Burns and I have matching eye scars from Connie windows that battered us ...

JIM DE VEUVE

Phoenix. AZ

Hank, Captain Ned Chrisman suffered a severe stroke this past July and is now making a Friendship Village of Tempe Health Center recovery at 2645 East Southern Avenue Pavilion 4 Tempe, AZ 95282 I know that he would appreciate a card or note from his old friends with TWA. Thanks, Your wish - my command Jim ... I'll drop Ned a line today! How about the rest of you TARPANS?

PAGE 44 ..... TARPA TOPICS.... MARCH, 1997

GRAPEVINE (coned)

FORD and JANE BLANEY

Indiana, PA

Dear Hank, This is a photo taken at our 25 t'' wedding anniversary on August 17, 1996. We celebrated with a party at Chestnut Ridge where we had our first date.

We renewed our vows and were so happy we were able to celebrate. Ford is doing well. He plays golf four times a week and we go dancing often. We flew to Boston for the Convention. It was great to see a lot of our TWA friends again.

We hope you are well Hank.

Take care and thanks a lot.

Sincerely.

This letter and photo came in the mail on the day after I mailed Chuck November's Grapevine material. I still am glad to join in congratulating Ford and Jane on their anniversary ... and they can consider th that as being the last one for the 25 th and the first one for their 26

GENE GEROW

Trout Creek., MT

Dear Hank, I was greatly saddened to read in the TOPICS that Captain John "Barney" Barnard had Flown West. The article about his passing mentioned that his flying career began at the Boeing School of Aeronautics at Alameda, Ca where I was his flight instructor in a CPT class of students from my old alma mater the University of California at Berkley. Later Barney flew as my copilot on TWA and when I was a check captain I checked Barney out as Captain.

PAGE 45..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

GRAPEVINE (coned)

During our flights together we once were discussing experiences we had at CAL as they called the UC at Berkley and the hostess who overheard us said she too had attended CAL. When the hostess left.

Barney and I got into some of the routine training procedures we had at CAL when the hostess returned to say that she had been telling the passengers about the crew having attended CAL and then she learned that the entire passenger complement had graduated from or at least attended CAL at one time. One of the lady passengers had a cake with her and she offered it to be used as refreshment for this "college reunion in the sky" and while Barney and I had coffee and cake in the cockpit, our passenger load and the hostess did the same in the cabin.

Small little old world, huh?

Sincerely, Gene CLIFF RAUB

Scottsdale. AZ THANKS FOR A GREAT PUBLICATION TARPA TOPICS

Dear Hank, As the shuttle Columbia swooped through the hazy sky and touched down at Cape Canaveral, Florida at 0649 on 7 December 1996, astronaut Story Musgrave, age 61, might have been wondering what to do for an encore. Musgrave became the oldest person and pilot in space when the Columbia rocketed into orbit on 19 November, 1996. Where his NASA career is going may be uncertain. Which brings us to airline pilots whose career and ability are unilaterally determined to be over by an Air Force General.

Musgrave said, "I am at my peak. I am much better now than I was in my 40's and 50's. They will lose the 30 years experience that I bring. Experience does count, even in the space business." It would be interesting to know what percentage of airline pilots have the same feelings at age 60. It would be fitting for retirees at age 60 to be given a complete physical, simulator and flight test and determine (and publicize) the percentage of those passing. Unless we revert to flight engineer we are ushered into retirement 5 years before receiving Social Security benefits and there is talk of making Social Security age for retirement even older ... 67 ... and perhaps 70!

Some of us did want to keep on flying and managed to continue. Flying the 707 Waterwagon with student Captains, copilots and student flight engineers out of Bangkok to Hong Kong, Taipei and Tokyo was interesting. I would get home to Bangkok and my wife would ask, "How did it go this time?" I would answer, "We would have landed in that duck pond at the end of the runway here in Bangkok again if I hadn't added power!" I am glad this experience did not occur at age 40 or so. The experience of age contributed greatly to my ... to everyone's survival.

On a 707 Waterwagon three engine ferry from Taipei landing Hong Kong and on to Bangkok I asked the copilot of the crew that brought the plane in to go with me. He pointed his finger

PAGE 46..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

GRAPEVINE (coned)

CLIFF RAUB (continued) at the Captain and said "he has more experience than me." As a result, Leonard Hylton became the copilot on this ferry flight, in the plane he had brought into Taipei on 3 engines the day before. The flight was no sweat, smooth all the way. The president of Air Siam said eight of the King's Monks had been at the office all day praying for our safe arrival. I said it must have helped because there wasn't a cloud in the sky. We were told by the Israeli engineer that had been on the ferry flight that we flew it like 35 year olds. We actually were two experienced, relaxed, qualified and at their peak (old) pilots. Others retired from TWA with Air Siam were Captain Larry Converse, Flight Engineers Jack Hansen, Kirkpatrick, Richedella, Snyder.

Betty and I enjoyed the people, friends and parties. Some with 300 to 400 people when Royalty arrived from other countries. Prince Yugala was the copilot when we flew the former Queen from Bangkok to Hong Kong and Tokyo on the 707. Our departure from Bangkok was on television with Royalty and many dignitaries present. Prince Yugala looked like Yul Brynner with a couple of hairs sticking out of his head and we would kid and say Yugala needs a haircut HA! The Queen asked to come to the cockpit in flight between Bangkok and Hong Kong and when I told her Prince Yugala made the takeoff they were both very pleased. She said she was learning to fly when the war came and that was the end of that. She is a lovely person and a pretty good golfer. There was a big party planned in Tokyo with the Thai Ambassador, some of the Japanese Cabinet and additional royalty as well as the queen. The whole cockpit crew was invited by the Queen to attend in uniform. I had to sit at the Queens table, just to the right of the Ambassador who was seated next to the Queen and on my right was the Queen's sister and further right were several of the Japanese cabinet. I would have preferred to have sat at the table where the rest of my crew sat. The Queen did ask me some questions regarding the airline.

The `Swing Is The Thing' golf group had just spent several weeks in Japan and also had spent some time in Thailand putting on shows. They were all my friends because I just came from the Bahamas where they were located. I asked the Queen if she had seen the show and she answered she had and that she had learned from it. The Ambassador asked about time in the office and out on the line. The Queen's sister also was very nice and we conversed about the flight and some other things.

After four fabulous years we returned to Arizona.

Cliff Raub Thanks for your very interesting and well written letter regarding your adventures in Siam. I agree very much with your "Age 60" comments Cliff. I guess you can say it's another case of "Big Government" telling us not only what we can do but also what by decree, they won't let us do.

PAGE 47 ..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

GRAPEVINE (coned) GORDON HARGIS

Ft. Worth, TX

Dear Hank, Here's copies of a few songs pilots sang in the club before and after missions in some of the past wars. Perhaps you can use some in your Grapevine.

Gordon Thanks Gordo ... I have always been an afficianado of parodies ... written one myself. I will try to two-column this for the rest of the page and let the troops see a few of those you sent and perhaps the one I created. I am still looking for a couple of oldies such as, "The Son of a Gun (sic) that Shagged O'Reilly's Daughter" and I need all the words to, "I'm Dreamin' Of A White Mistress!"

70 Squadron Song (to the tune Clementine) Down the flights each ruddy morning Sitting waiting for a clue, Same old notice on the flight board, Maximum effort - guess where to?

Chorus... Seventy Squadron, Seventy Squadron, Though we say it with a sigh.

We must do the ruddy mail run, Every night until we die.

"Have you lost us, navigator?

Come up here and have a look Someone's shot our starboard wing off" "We're all right if that's Tobruk!"

Chorus...

Oh to be in Piccadilly Selling matches by the score, Then we should not have to do the Blessed mail run any more.

Malta to Gib (to the tune Bless Them All)

Chorus... Five one one, five one one From the snow to the sand and the sun.

Lyneham to Cairo, or Cyprus on gyro You never can beat five one one one!

Following was WW2 Navy's Bless Them All (Ed.) Man your planes, man your planes, And back in the cockpit do crawl ...

They'll be no promotions, this side of the ocean, So back to the cockpit you crawl Bless all the admirals and Corn Air So Pac They don't give a damned if we ever get back So its back in the cockpits we crawl In Guadacanal or Rabaul.

Secret Love (to the tune Secret Love) Once I had a secret love, who wore a nylon negligee When our night of love was through, She said I never had to pay I asked her why her love was free!

She said, "Sealy Mattress Sponsors Me" Last night we were on channel four, My secret love's no secret any more!

There's many a Lib leaving Malta for Gib, Laden like never before.

Packed to the bomb doors with shivering troops Forty or fifty or more.

They may find a Hun, diving out of the sun, As they trundle back home from the rock They'll be glad of the sailors When they have brake failures And end up shit in the dock

PAGE 48..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

GRAPEVINE (coned)

DON ROQUEMORE

Valley Center, CA

Dear Hank, I did not know we were neighbors until I looked up your address. I could ride my bike to El Cajon, but not up hill on the return trip.

I enjoyed the Boston Convention and all the side trips and I did attend the IRA Seminar on the last day. Forbes magazine had Two good articles about how experts (including the IRS) goof up peoples IRA'S. I think they said there are 6000 pages of rules for these plans and only a few people in the IRS understand them and that goes for Attorneys, Bankers and Legal Dept. ' s of mutual Funds and Brokerage House's.

Forbes also said you could send off to Smith Barney and get a free 28 page booklet called "THE SMITH BARNEY IRA DISTRIBUTION MANUAL " . It is very informative and could save your heirs a ton of money. To call the Home Office of S-B ask info on 1-800-555-1212 for the toll free #. I will not try to repeat any of the info as I too, could make a mistake. I also asked Carol Small of the Bank of Boston for their plan for IRA's as far as passing the moneys down to the wife and kids ' with saving a bundle of tax s in mind. I hope the above info. will be of help to someone.

If some of you conventioneer ' s had a difficult time recognizing me at Boston it is because I became an Eagle in August. I still feel great.

I just do not like driving at night any more. I have Two acres where I am trying to grow Avocados and some of each kind of fruit that can stand this climate. 105 degrees in the summer. The water is so expensive here that I find it is less expensive just to buy what I need at the store.

I didn ' t mean to make this note so long, so I will not tell you people how my cat,"Kitty Cat", was willing to give up one of her life one night to save ours.

It would only make you dog lovers jealous anyway.

Good Luck and Good Health and Happiness to all.

Don Roquemore Thanks for the information Don and for the "camera ready copy!" I enjoyed seeing Don at a TWA Seniors' luncheon early in December. I also met Ted Hereford (FAA Pilot's License #5342!) and to see old acquaintances as well as make some new ones.

PAGE 49 ..... TARPA TOPICS.... MARCH, 1997

GRAPEVINE (cont'd)

Lake Tahoe, NV

BILL KIRSCHNER AIR COMBAT USA

Air Combat USA is a very clever enterprise developed by Mike Blackstone a former Air Force F16 pilot and American Airlines Captain. He essentially has brought "Top Gun" to the masses. For a nominal fee, you rent a military combat trainer with a qualified instructor.

These aircraft are Marchetti SF260 trainers and can withstand six G's. After an excellent briefing for each sortie, you and your bud go out and "rock and roll." That is, try to shoot each others' butts off, using a HUD (heads up display) gun sight and infrared bullets. An infrared hit triggers smoke from the 'downed' aircraft resulting in a "kill!"

SHOOTER and WINDY All of this is recorded by two video cameras, one in the cockpit and one gun camera so there is no doubt who did what. After each sortie the films are reviewed simultaneously on two side by side video monitors. This gives you an excellent view of your successes and failures and is especially helpful after the first practice sortie. The second sortie is for all the marbles.

In other words, a rating ride with bullets, or you buy the beer.

At this point in your fledgling combat career, friendship is in abeyance until the second sortie is back on the planet and you are looking at the films. It is literally, kill or be killed!

PAGE 50..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

GRAPEVINE (cont'd)

On the 15th of November I had the pleasure of being invited to Fullerton, California for an air combat mission. The invitation was extended to me by one of my best friends. A gentleman that I have been in friendly competition with through my entire flying career with TWA. Captain Jim (WINDY) Winchester. So the enemy could not distract us with the need for personal information during the dog fight, I was SHOOTER. Shooter did not have any real combat training but he does now. He went into a self-imposed fitness and educational program. Figuring if he lost 15 lbs., it was 90 lbs. that would not have to be dealt with in a six G maneuver. He then read R. A. "Bob" Hoover's book, "Forever Flying" and picked up helpful techniques on handling G forces without a G suit, I.e., keeping his lunch and hemorrhoids in their proper place. lie then studied Bill Kershner's "Basic " Acrobatics book that was a great review on acrobatics which would be required for a successful mission.

Last but not least, Shooter delved into Robert Shaw's "Fighter Combat, Tactics and Maneuvering. " This is a text book on the true science of air combat maneuvers and techniques, including lag rolls, rolling-scissors, and yo-yo's just to mention a few. It is with this preparation and a little trepidation that Shooter approached his first combat mission.

Shooter was going on the true theory that prior planning prevents poor performance and it worked! Shooter did not get airsick on either sortie! Taking the fighter pilot's creed into consideration, "look good at all costs and the only thing better than a good excues is winning," Shooter cheated just a bit. At dinner the night before, and at breakfast and lunch the next day, gluttonous amounts of saltine crackers were consumed. He knew this helped with sea sickness so why not try it for acrobatics? He also had no libation for the sould the night before and of course did not tell "Windy" what eh was up to.

Libations came after the mission. A lot of it. Windy, Shooter and their wives Mott and Bobbi were graciously invited to a wonderful cocktail party and dinner at Captain Stu and Arlene Nelson's house in Palos Verdes, along with Captain Bill Pope and Joyce Anne. Other guests included R. A. "Bob" Hoover and his wife Colleen. Needless to say we pressed Hoover into service, autographing his books as well as Robert Shaw's "Fighter Combat." It need not be said what a gentleman and pilot's pilot is Bob Hoover. For all you past, present and wanna be fighter pilots, I highly encourage you to call a buddy and fly a combat mission with him or her. These flights also make great gifts. The squadron travels around the country and may be in your area soon and you can always get more information by calling Air Combat USA at 1-800-522-7590. See you all in ABQ, Captain Bill "Shooter" Kirschner.

" You know Ace ... er Shooter, once you get to be a "top gun there's always some young kid out there that lives only to show the world what 'feet of clay' we oldsters have. It would be nice if Air Combat USA was in ABQ in September ... I'd like to try my hand.

PAGE 51 ..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

GRAPEVINE (cont'd)

Spring Hill., KS

JACK WEISS

Dear Captain Hank,

Jan. 24, 1997

Every time I write, you nag me about needing an extra inch. Whether that means at the top, sides, bottom, or something else more personal, you never are quite clear. I hereby authorize you to paste an extra one inch strip wherever you need it.

Originally, the B-24 was designed as a long range low altitude patrol bomber.

Consequently, it lacked some of the refinements necessary to go in harms way at high altitude. One of these being an escape hatch for the navigator and bombardier in the likely event of an emergency bailout. The rest of the crew was well provided for in this respect.

All crew aft of the bomb bay had a choice of the waste windows or the bomb bay, both readily accessible. The flight deck crew. consistin g of pilot, copilot, top turret gunner, and radio operator, had convenient access to the bomb bay. The navigator and bombardier had a tortuous tunnel, obstructed by framework and the nose wheel, to regain the flight deck. So, and alternate means of exit became necessary. This was accomplished by a hand release for the nose wheel door to open without dropping the nose wheel. Thus, a sufficient aperture was provided for their egress.

Besides the intercom, a secondary alarm system existed, consisting of a bell at each station except the cockpit, and activated at the pilot's discretion with a control on the center pedestal. We had several variations in use for different purposes, but the signal to evacuate was one long steady bell When it stopped, it meant I had left the seat.

We were on the bomb run one clear sunny day on a heavily defended target with the flack exploding close enough to hear. see the flash. and experience the concussion. At times like this, I usually focused intensely on flyin g formation in order to block out some of the stress which, I might add, was quite prevalent. Even so, I felt a sudden rush of air burst between the rudder pedals. A moment later. the "killer" ( the navigator so named because his last name, Koehn, rhymed with cane a comic strip character in the Buck Rogers strip of the thirties) called asking if I was all right. I replied in the affirmative. He immediately asked the condition of the plane. When I replied it too was OK, his next words were, " come on back in Charlie" ( bombardier). Later, after we were out of the flak area, it was determined a piece of shrapnel had shorted the bell system and it was ringing steadily everywhere in the plane except the cockpit. If it hadn't been for the "Killers" comment,

PAGE 52..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

GRAPEVINE (cont'd) we would have lost half the crew. Charlie had his legs out the door before The "Killer" stopped him.

Anyway, we were among the lucky ones to finish our 25 missions as a crew except the "Killer" who had been grounded for one mission due to sickness. Unfortunately , on his next, and last, mission, his plane received a direct hit in the bomb bay before bomb release and simply vanished killing all on board.

Incidentally, I noticed you took a few liberties with our"experience", but it was close enough. It was written much better than I could have done.

Yours with one more inch, Jack Jack - I thank you for your nicely typed and "ready to go" contribution. I don't know where you put the added inch (puh-leeze, let's keep it that way) but it fits real nice now.

DICK LOOMIS

Arrovo Grande. CA

Hi Hank, Some more items from AvWeb News on the Internet: SHORT FINAL: Last week's "Squawk List" brought on a record number of reader contributions. Here are some of your editor's favorites: Problem: Solution:

"Something loose in cockpit."

"Something tightened in cockpit."

Problem: Solution:

"Evidence of hydraulic leak on right main landing gear."

"Evidence removed."

Problem: Solution:

"Number three engine missing."

"Engine found on right wing after brief search."

Problem: Solution:

"DME volume unbelievably loud."

"Volume set to believable level."

Reader contributions for Sort Final are welcomed at <bkaputa@avweb.com>. Hope you haven't washed away.

Best Regards, Dick Another old buddy (and former neighbor) heard from ... thanks to my compiling the GRAPEVINE and being on the internet. It was good to hear from you Dick and thanks for your contribution.

PAGE 53..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

GRAPEVINE (cont'd)

LATE FLASHES 1.) I was hoping to be able to include messages from a great many more of you; the notes that Dick Davis receives with annual dues checks. Dick mailed them to me over two weeks ago (in a plain brown envelope). Unfortunately, our ever capable postal service succeeded in misdirecting them and I have not yet received them nor have they been returned to Dick. Monday I'll be boogeying on down to the same postal service with the entire GRAPEVINE. But lets not be too harsh on our postal servants. After all, the Encinitas to El Cajon route is some 30 miles in length and fraught with peril. But the GRAPEVINE wants to thank all of you with a HUGE "Thanks!" for the dues received so far in 1997 and another thanks to all the note writers who will not be able to see their efforts in print. I've suffered postal service failure. Oh YEAAAH! I wanted to send a lady friend a message describing the beauty of a place where I was vacationing. I also wanted to send her a message each day that I was away. So, I sent a word each day on a single card and when she received them the message should read, "FOUND A VIRGIN PARADISE IT'S YOURS HANK. The message she received was. "FOUND A VIRGIN. IT'S PARADISE YOURS, HANK. I wonder what ever happened to her?

2.) While on the subject of Secretary/Treasurer, I received a message from ye olde editor advising me that Richard Davis, our outstanding Secretary/Treasurer for the past four years will end his stellar tour on 1 March and be replaced by Captain Phil Belisle. Now pay attention, Captain Belisle will use the following address for his TARPA mail: TARPA 3145 Geary Blvd. Box 705 San Francisco, CA 94118-3300 Please do not use Phil's directory address for dues or other TARPA business mailings How would you like to sort thru a hundred or more TARPA letters just to find your junk mail? Also, Dick Davis, as a farewell gift advises to continue using the yellow dues envelope (even though addressed to Dick) in the TOPICS! He will forward them to Phil. So, a loud and a long THANK YOU RICHARD and WELL DONE! And for you Phil, welcome aboard. I am sure you will find the job to be a "bloody piece of cake " and never for a second think the white hair Dick sports in TOPICS pictures was an "on the job" occurrence.

3.) And the one late flash I wish I didn't have to write. Bill Kirschner and Chuck MacNab have both advised me that Captain Doug Moir passed away on the 23r d of January ... just last week. Doug, still an active pilot had a lot of friends among the more junior Tarpans and a lot more among those people flying the line was diagnosed with lung cancer just last spring.

Unfortunately the disease was too far advanced for much to be done. Our sincere and deep sympathy to Doug's wife Donna, his family and all other mourners. We will miss him Donna.

And now ... the last paragraph on the last page. There are times when I wonder if I will ever complete the GRAPEVINE and this one I believe is my 9 th or 10 th . Today (1-30) was my second day as a freshman at Cuyamaca College where I study ENG100 and GEO130 (?) on Tuesdays and Thursday. I understand a person's college days are considered the best days of his or her life. I'm hoping to find a cute coed who might make that true ... but so far (2 days) and I don't even have a date for the junior prom!

PAGE 5 4..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

BY HASLER PAT &

CHUCK

HERE IT IS 1997 ALREADY, WHERE DOES THE TIME GO? I HAVE

TO

GET THIS OFF TO OUR EDITOR SO THAT HE RECEIVES IT BY FEB. 1ST FOR THE MARCH EDITION OF THE TOPICS. WE HAD A

FABULOUS

TRIP TO TURKEY IN OCT. THE TRIP WILL BE DESCRIBED IN DETAIL

BY ONE OF OUR RET. CAPTAINS, WHO IS A

MUCH BETTER WRITER

THAN I, ELSEWHERE IN THIS EDITION. ALL OF YOU SHOULD EXPERIENCE A TARPA ANYONE WHO HAS

CRUISE OR TOUR ONE OF THESE DRYS! ASK GONE ON ONE WITH THE PEOPLE THEY FLEW

WITH FOR YEARS AND YOU WILL GET THE REAL WORD. THE ONLY TROUBLE IS THAT I F YOU GO ON ONE YOU WILL WANT TO GO ON MORE. AT

THIS WRITING THERE IS STILL SOME ROOM ON THE

BRITISH ISLE TOUR I N APRIL. ALSO IT IS A

GROUP RATE

AS

OPPOSED TO INTERLINER SO YOU CAN TAKE FRIENDS WHO ARE NOT AIRLINE PEOPLE. SOME HUSBANDS AND GOING ARE EVEN

OF OUR WIVES WHO CAN'T GET THEIR LEAVING THEM AT

HOME

TAKING R LADY FRIEND ALONG. THE JUNE ALASKA CRUISE IS ALSO A

GROUP RATE

SO SIGN UP WHILE THERE IS STILL RM. THE

COPPER CANYON TOUR AFTER THE CONVENTION IN HBO WILL ALSO FILL UP FAST. COPPER CANYON IS REALLY GREAT! DETAILS AND APPLICATION FORMS FOR ALL

TOURS &

PAGE 55..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

CRUISE FOLLOW.

NEVER BEEN ON R CRUISE TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE I WAS ONE OF THESE FOR 50 YEARS AND SAID,"I WILL FEEL TOO COOPED UP, NOTHING TO DO AND I WILL BE BORED; THERE WILL BE TOO I WILL GET MANY ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES ; TOO MUCH ROUGH SEA AND SEASICK; I WON'T HAVE ANYTHING IN COMMON WITH MY FELLOW PASSENGERS; THEY WON'T SERVE THE KIND OF FOOD I LIKE; I WILL HAVE TO DRESS TOO FORMAL. WELL I WAS WRONG ON ALL COUNTS!" YOU ARE YOU CAN NEVER I N PORT ALMOST EVERY OTHER DAY;& TRY AS YOU MAY FIND THE TIME TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL THE SHIPBOARD ACTIVITIES CAN BE AS DISORGANIZED AS (ORGANIZED OR NON-ORGANIZED);YOU YOU LIKE, NO ONE FORCES YOU TO TAKE PORT IN ANY OF THE SHIPBOARD ACTIVITIES OR GO ON ANY SHORE EXCURSIONS A S YOU CAN PLAY CARDS ON DECK & READ; WITH FRIENDS, SEE A MOVIE OR JUST PLAIN RELAX NOWADAYS YOU ARE NOT SOILING ACROSS THE OCEAN JUST TO GET SOMEWHERE SO YOU ARE NEVER OUT OF SIGHT OF LAND AND THE WATERS NON-PRESCRIPARE ALWAYS FAIRLY SMOOTH(BESIDES THEY NOW HAVE I HAVE TION MOTION PILLS THAT YOU TAKE ONE EVERY 24 HRS. AND MET ON FOUND THEM TO BE 100% EFFECTIVE); EVERYONE WE HAVE THERE FOR THE CRUISES(EXCEPT THAT 1% YOU MEET EVERYWHERE)WERE AND LEAVE YOUR SAME REASON AS OURSELVES, FUN AND RELAXATION TROUBLES AT HOME;YOU HAVE THE LARGEST CHOICE OF DIFFERENT FOODS THAT I HAVE SEEN ANYWHERE & YOU CAN LITERALLY EAT SOMEWHERE ON THE SHIP EVERY WOKING HR.; YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WEAR A TUX OR A FORMAL DRESS (UNLESS YOU SO CHOOSE), AS ON THE ONE OR TWO FORMAL NIGHTS(DEPENDING ON THE LENGTH OF CRUISE) A DARK SUIT OR JACKET AND COCKTAIL DRESSES ARE WORN BY MANY. THE CRUISES I AM REFERRING TO ABOVE ARE THOSE WE TOOK ON OUR WHEN WE OWN & ENJOYED SO MUCH. THE REAL ENJOYMENT CAME STARTED ON THE TARPA CRUISES C TOURS & MET A RENEWED OLD FRIENDSHIPS WITH LONG AGO CREW MEMBER FRIENDS & SPOUSES. THE HANGER FLYING REALLY GETS TO FLYING SOME NIGHTS. NOT ONCE DID I HEAR ANYONE WHO HAD NEVER BEEN ON A CRUISE BEFORE COMPLAIN ABOUT NOT HAVING TO GET UP EARLY EVERY MORNING, PACK A SUITCASE TO CATCH A BUS OR PLANE & CHECK INTO A NEW HOTEL EVERY NIGHT OR THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH FOOD & TOO MUCH TO DO & SEE. ALSO NOT ONE WIFE HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT NOT HAVING TO COOK, WASH DISHES, MAKE BEDS & CLEAN THE CABIN. WHAT MAKES US FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE CRUISES & TOURS IS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE COME BACK 2, 3 &

EVEN 6 TIMES. REMEMBER WE ARE ALL

GETTING THERE SO

PLEASE DON'T WAIT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE!

PAGE 56..... TARPA TOPICS.... MARCH, 1997

England,

Regal Princess

Copper

Scotland,

Alaska Cruise

Canyon

Wales & Ireland

Roundtrip from Vancouver 7 Days commencing June 1, 1997

Mexico

April 16, 1997

Post Albuquerque Convention Tour September 5, 1997

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Regal Princess Alaska Cruise 7 Days Commencing June 1, 1997 Roundtrip from Vancouver Itinerary Sunday - Depart Vancouver at 5:30pm Monday - Inside Passage Cruising Tuesday - Juneau 1:00pm - 11:00pm Wednesday - Skagway 7:00am - 8:00pm Thursday - Glacier Bay 6:00am - 4:00pm Friday - Sitka - 7:00am - 1:00pm Saturday - Inside Passage Cruising Sunday - Arrive Vancouver approx 8:00am Air add-ons available Liberian Registry.

Deposit $330pp. Balance due 3/27/97.

Group Rates: (per person) AA - Suite w/balcony A - Mini-suite w/balcony BA - Outside stateroom w/balcony BB - Outside stateroom w/balcony BD - Outside stateroom w/ balcony CC - Outside Baha Deck C - Outside Caribe Deck DD - Outside Caribe Deck EE - Outside Emerald Deck E - Outside Plaza Deck I - Inside Baha Deck

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Port charges are $144pp Note: Princess has a price guarantee. IF between now and sailing, they have a promotion on this departure that is even . lower, all booked clients will receive the lower rates.

A nonrefundable $30 registration fee required for all Trips (included in deposit).

PAGE 57..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

ENGLAND/SCOTLAND/WALES

&

April 16, 1997

PAGE 58..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

IRELAND!!

COPPER

CANYON,

MEXICO

POST ALBUQUERQUE CONVENTION TOUR Roundtrip from El Paso, Texas • September 5, 1997

PAGE 59..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

LEFT TO RIGHT:: John Pakulski Conception Pakulski Bobbi Kirschner Bill Kirschner Overlooking ancient ruins in Turkey

PAGE 60 ..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

Ralph

Lang

Charles

by Harry Franken

By November 6, 1899, Otto Lilienthal had died in a glider crash in Germany and Percy Pilcher had died in a similar crash in Scotland. Octave Chanute was experimenting with gliders in this country, but he was in his sixties and got other pilots to test his machines. Orville and Wilbur Wright would not build their first glider until the following year.

On November 6, 1899, Ralph Lang Charles was born in Middletown, Ohio. It didn't appear at the time that there would be much future for aviation, but Ralph Charles is still here to tell us that's not true. A recent story in the Columbus Dispatch tells us that since the day of his birth, Ralph Charles has made "seven airplanes, two speedboats, a pipe organ, and history. " And he's not done yet!

Charles recently passed his flight physical and has arranged to have a hangar built on the property where he lives near Somerset in Southern Ohio. He is going to buy a Cessna 150 and take to the air again.

"There's a flying bug and I've still got it. You never get over it, " Charles says. He made the remark when Don Peters, a retired Trans World Airlines Boeing 747 pilot, arranged for Charles to take his first ride in a jet â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a Hawker operated by Executive Jet Aviation in Columbus, where Peters' son works.

Peters and Charles have something in common. They both wore the uniform of TWA. In 1929 Transcontinental Air Transport offered "train-plane " service across the country â&#x20AC;&#x201D; coast to coast in 48 hours. Passengers rode a Pullman all night from New York City and arrived the next morning in Columbus, Ohio, where they walked across Fifth Avenue and boarded a Ford Tri-Motor headed west. They hopped across the country all day, boarded a train that night, and the following morning got on another Tri-Motor to go to Los Angeles.

This was also the time of the stock market crash and the beginning of the great depression. Ralph Charles was operating an aviation business and flying passengers and building airplanes and motors near Zanesville. His business went broke and he came to TAT looking for work.

He wanted to be a pilot, but there were plenty of those at the time and Charles was needed more as a mechanic. He went to work in the shop at Port Columbus.

Test Pilot Ralph Charles

PAGE 61 ..... TARPA TOPICS.... MARCH, 1997

Ralph Lang Charles...cont'd.

"Train-plane " was an innovation when it was started, but those were days of high competition. The airline also had a lot of public support and confidence because Charles Lindbergh had laid out its routes and allowed it to call itself "The Lindbergh Line. " The train and plane combination, however, did not save a lot of time. In March of 1930 United Airlines, which operated between the West Coast and Chicago, bought National Air Transport and extended its service to New York. Air transportation across the southern part of the United States was operated by a number of minor airlines which became American Airways. It had, as one person said, become time for the airlines to become fly-by-night businesses. In October 1930 TAT merged with Western Air Express to become Transcontinental and Western Airways.

Ralph Charles got his place in the right seat of a TWA cockpit on July 4, 1931. By that time he already had a lot of experience as a stick and rudder man.

He had hoped to become a pilot in World War I after being won over to a life in the skies while watching a barnstormer perform. Before he could head for the recruiting office in Cincinnati, the war ended.

Charles got a job as a welder at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company in 1920, a job on which he often saw Orville Wright in the plant. He learned to fly at the Rinehart-Whelan Aviation School in Dayton, soloing after two and one half hours dual.

Charles always had a knack for building things and soon built an airplane for himself. He had an engine failure on one of its early flights. He ignored the instructor's warning never to turn back when an engine failed on takeoff. He made a 180 and got the airplane back on the ground and never flew it again.

He next built a four-passenger airplane with the help of his brother-in-law. He had redesigned a Standard fuselage, installed a 180 HP Hisso engine and used Jenny wings. They needed to make money with the airplane, but they couldn't fly it in competition at the field against the pilots in Dayton. His brother-inlaw had lived in Findlay in northern Ohio and knew of a farm field used by barnstormers. Charles decided to carry passengers there when not busy at Dayton-Wright. The problem was, he had never been to Findlay. He decided to fly to Columbus and then follow the highway north to Findlay. He landed at Norton Field in Columbus during a military maneuver there. He had mechanical difficulties with his airplane and the mechanic at Norton helped him fix it. (Norton was just south of Port Columbus, where Charles would later fly for TWA.) Because of this, "My brother-in-law and I started out for Findlay late in the afternoon â&#x20AC;&#x201D; much too late, " Charles recalls. While they were on their way, it got dark. Charles knew only that he was to land at a field next to a gasoline station.

He saw the gas station and lined up with where the field was supposed to be. The plane got lower and lower, but did not touch down. "I poured the coal to her and we went around, " Charles recalls. The plane landed safely after the second approach.

Charles saw the next morning that he had just missed shocks of wheat that had been stacked in the field and he had stopped just short of a ditch that would have flipped his plane on its back. He had little time to wonder at his good luck. His brother-in-law had sold rides to the people who had come out to see the airplane on the ground and soon Charles was finding that the plane would become airborne from the PAGE 62..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

Ralph Lang Charles...cont'd. field with four heavy people on board.

"He just kept putting passengers in and handing money in to me, " Charles said. He returned to Findlay often, even learning how to fly there and back directly from Dayton.

He later worked at Wright Field for the Army in the winter and barnstormed in his hand built airplane in the summer.

Charles left Dayton when he leased the Wheeler Airport in Zanesville on Frazeysburg Road. That was soon after Lindbergh had flown solo from New York to Paris and Charles advertised in the newspaper for people to "do a Lindy " over the lake in his airplane by flying them over Buckeye Lake.

Charles also operated the Charles Airplane and Motor Company in Zanesville. When the depression hit, he couldn't even find anyone to buy his equipment. He left it all behind and moved to Columbus.

His years with TWA as a pilot were busy ones. He has kept all his log books and payroll records. He often flew well over 100 hours a month for the airline.

The years lead to a lot of hangar flying tales. Charles remembers approaching Columbus from the east and just over Zanesville the Ford Tri-Motor hit a wind shear line that flipped it on its back. He and the Captain were both on the controls in perfect unison to control the airplane. " "There were box lunches and passengers all over the ceiling, he recalls. Even though the train-plane period had ended, Charles says most of the shaken-up passengers got off the plane in Columbus and continued west by train.

Don Peters and Ralph Charles PAGE 63..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

Ralph Lang Charles...cont'd.

On another flight from Newark, the airplane was unable to get around a storm ahead of it and retreated until a landing was made in Maryland.

Charles noted in his log book on one flight that all three engines quit three times. "There was something wrong with the switches, " he says. The engines restarted while the plane was still flying.

He also flew with a captain who once just pulled back the throttles and waited for the airplane to come down. His log book notes that there were blowouts of the tires.

While still working as a mechanic in the hangar, he flew several times with his boss, John Collings, to Detroit, where the Ford airplanes were modified to allow loading luggage in the wings from the outside rather than over the heads of the passengers inside.

Looking over a list of early pilots with TWA, Charles remembers many who sat in the seat next to him.

"I can tell you a funny story about Ernie Smith, " he says. It seems that Smith did not like the repeated improper romantic advances made on Charles by one of the female passengers. He just happened to look " back one time "and Ernie just went back and bawled hell out of her.

Charles fondly remember Bill Bartles. "I flew more with him than anyone. They got used to the names of Bartles and Charles, Battles and Charles. " He smiles at the mention of the name of another former captain, but will explain it only by saying, "Just say I knew him very well. " Charles flew on the first night flight out of Columbus to Newark. From his log book it would appear that the date was March 5, 1933. He pretty much flew from then on at night. The only radio on board was for communications.

As a co-pilot he took care of the needs of the passengers, loaded luggage, and performed several other ground jobs. He wanted to find out about rumored formation of a pilots union, but even after going to " the home of one of the captains, he said, "I just couldn't get any sense out of him. That's how co-pilots were treated at the time. Charles said he did get friendly treatment from Lindbergh, who had an office at the small TWA facility in Newark.

Charles got to handle the controls on one flight on the new DC-1.

Charles left TWA in 1933. Because of a brand new house and baby, he didn't want to make a required move to Kansas City. He worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad and operated a small machine shop and welding service in a building behind his Columbus home.

He then took a job flying with Caribbean Atlantic Airlines in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He says things had changed since he was reluctant to leave Columbus for Kansas City. Caribbean Atlantic was operated by Dennis Powelson, another former Zanesville flier, whom he had taught to fly. Powelsen bought his machine shop as part of the deal and it was crated and shipped down by boat.

Charles flew Stinson Tri-Motors for several years out of San Juan to St. Thomas and St. Croix. It was a

PAGE 64 ..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

Ralph Lang Charles...cont'd.

"Miss Buckeye" happy time flying in the sun over crystal clear tropical waters. Charles remembers seeing huge schools of whales. On one trip he counted 15 of them. He also remembers seeing huge manta rays just below the surface of the water. While retrieving a Stinson Tri-Motor from a forced landing site in Cuba, enroute back to San Juan, he lost an engine and had to order a mechanic to jettison a heavy load of gift bananas from the locals he had given rides to there. He wasn't sure he could stay aloft when he noticed the bananas were being thrown out one at a time.

When World War II put an end to most civilian flying in Puerto Rico, Charles returned to Columbus.

A friend, B. Lee Miller had been a fixed base operator in Columbus. People in the city referred to him as "Mr. Aviation. " Lee at one time had been a barber.

His eyes were not good enough for him to pass the physical to fly for the Army or the Navy, but he was hired as chief test pilot for Curtiss-Wright, which had built a huge plant at Port Columbus.

Ralph Charles was 44-years-old at the time, but Lee Miller saw him as a man with a lot of experience who could make an important contribution to the war effort.

The plant was building the Navy SB2C Helldiver and the SC-1 observation plane at the time. Each plane had to pass a series of tests before being sent to the armed forces. Charles amazed people at how many airplanes he could test in a short period of time.

He was testing his 1,051st airplane for Curtiss-Wright, an SB2C number 98230 on August 13, 1945. It " was a short flight â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 15 minutes. "The tower called and said to bring her back, the war's over, Charles PAGE 65..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

Ralph Lang Charles...cont'd. remembers.

(Lee Miller stayed on the job and the plant was taken over by North American Aviation. His testing included the Navy's Vigilante and this man who couldn't pass the military physical examination logged hours of supersonic time.)

Charles opened an automobile wheel alignment service after the war. There would be a lot of work to do on the old cars after gasoline became available and before Detroit started turning out new cars.

One day he went with a friend to the home of Ethel and Walter Miles near Columbus. Miles operated a series of theaters and had moved one of their organs to their home. Ethel started to play the organ and Charles remembered that as a small boy he liked to go to the local movie theater, not to see the silent movies, but to listen to the organist.

This man who could build airplanes without plans or blueprints, decided he wanted to make an organ.

He was 63-years-old at the time and planned to have an organ to play by the time he was 65.

He started with the salvaged pipes from the old Lincoln Theater in Columbus and by making and adding new parts, he soon had an organ that was much too big for his house. He and his wife, Leona, moved to the house near Somerset in 1970. (His wife died in 1995. The couple had been married 70 years.)

The organ is in the basement of his home and the fan that makes connections are in different parts of the home, some hidden and Charles plays the organ for relaxation and amusement and several to provide concerts for different groups. There is seating for 50

wind for the sound and the electric some in view of the 559-pipe organ. times a year invites other organists in people in his basement.

Ralph Charles loves music. He also hears music in the sound of an airplane's gasoline engine and the whisper or roar of a jet. Joe Van Balen, a dentist, lives about a 10-minute walk from Charles. Van Balen is building a Super Cub in his garage. He has a son who has worked in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on the only Stinson Tri-Motor that is still flying. They like to spend an afternoon talking about flying.

Ralph Charles is healthy. He needs glasses only for fine reading. On a recent day he went upstairs from his basement to get something he had forgotten. A World War II Army pilot who was in the basement at " the time remarked that, "He takes those steps like a 20-year-old.

There is Joe Van Balen's Cub and there is the jet ride in the Hawker. Former TWA pilot Ralph Charles is still bitten by the flying bug.

"Flying is a magic carpet, " he says. Amen....End

The author of this article, Harry Franken, was a reporter for several Columbus, Ohio newspapers and wrote a lot about aviation. He is co-author of "The Tibbets Story," a biography of General Tibbets, and other books. Also, Ralph Charles joined TARPA in December and, I think, may be close to being our oldest member. He was not on the published seniority list - probably because co-pilots were not added at that time....... Don Peters

PAGE 66..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

CAPTAIN JESSE ALLEN FISER JUNE 13, 1930 - OCTOBER 5, 1996 Jesse Fiser was born and raised in Morrilton, Arkansas. He attended the University of Arkansas before enlisting in the Air Force. As an Aviation Cadet, he served with Bob Garrett, later TWA Captain and present TARPA Medical Coordinator. Later during the almost forgotten Korean War, Jesse flew F-86 Saberjets in the same squadron with another Arkansan and TWA Captain to be, John Trice. Jesse joined TWA on October 31, 1955. He made many friends over the years, but he stayed especially close to his classmates, Ron Ronholm and me. During his 35 years with TWA, Jesse flew almost every plane in the inventory, from the DC-3 to the Boeing 747. Jesse joined TARPA before retiring and attended many of our conventions, including the last at Boston, less than a month before his untimely death. In recent years, Jesse performed various volunteer services in his community and was twice named "County Volunteer of the Year" . Captain Fiser is survived by his wife Jane, a former TWA Hostess, two children, Jill and Jamie, and four grandchildren.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; John P. Gratz

PAGE 67..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

Flown West, contd.

CAPTAIN FRANK BUSCH June 6, 1904 - October 16, 1996 Frank Busch, went west early Wednesday morning, October 16, 1996, at his home in Camarillo, Ca. Frank was born on June 6, 1904, on board ship en route from Sydney, Australia to Vancouver, British Columbia. He spent his early years in Pasadena, California, and later graduated from USC in 1927, with a BA Degree.

His parents expected him to go into the family enterprise, The Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company; however, Frank had discovered the airplane. He began taking flying lessons after graduating from USC, and soloed in a OX-5 Eaglerock shortly thereafter.

He flew around Southern California and Northern Mexico for a couple of years, and then enlisted as a cadet in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was in the first class of cadets to graduate from Randolph Field, the Air Corps Primary Flight School, and graduated from advanced training at Kelly Field as a Second Lieutenant Air Corps Reserve. He was posted to March Field which was under the command of Major "Hap" Arnold at that time.

When the U.S. Post Office Department temporarily canceled the private airmail contracts in February 1934, the Air Corps was given the task. Frank was assigned to fly the mail on the leg from Milford, Utah, to Las Vegas and return on a regular basis. The flying was nearly all nighttime and the equipment used was the ungainly, open cockpit, Keystone Bomber of that era.

By the first of June 1934, after four months of flying the U.S. Mail in terrible weather, the Post Office saw fit to renew the mail contracts with private companies. Frank went back to his duties at March Field and when his enlistment period was up he went looking for work with the reorganized airline companies.

On April 24th, 1935, Frank went to work as a co-pilot for TWA. In 1939 he checked out as Captain and in 1940 he became a check pilot. He worked in that capacity until 1942 when he became Chief Flight Instructor at the Eagle's Nest, a TWA - run operation at Albuquerque, N.M., to instruct U.S. and U.K. military pilots in the operation of four engine aircraft.

PAGE 68..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

Flown West, cont'd.

Once the Eagle's Nest was operating smoothly he was transferred to Washington, D.C., to assist in setting up TWA's new Intercontinental Division (ICD). He later became Chief of that Division.

After WW II, Frank was promoted to General Manager of Operations TWA. Then in March of 1956 he was appointed V.P. of Flight Operations.

When Frank retired in 1964, his colleagues gathered in New York's Union League Club to wish him well. He was lauded for his war time service and for his dedicated work for TWA. Following his retirement, his sloop "Skeeter" was a familiar sight along the California Coast and around Catalina Island. He could be seen often on the golf course at Las Posas Country Club. In recent years he returned to his first love - the airplane, and his Cessna Cardinal (604 Foxtrot Bravo) could often be seen or heard around Southern California skies.

He is survived by his wife, two children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

by Bill Towner

F/E WILLIS M. PATTERSON December 30, 1916 - September 23, 1996 Willis M. "Pat " Patterson, 79, 1121 Greensview Drive, Wooster, died Monday morning, Sept. 23, at his home after an extended illness.

Prior to World War II, he was a flight instructor for the Goodyear Executive Club and during the war, was a pilot for the Air Transport Command. Following his discharge from the service, he became a pilot for TWA in the intercontinental and domestic division.

Although his time with TWA was not long - the friendships he enjoyed remained with him always.

by Nina Patterson

PAGE 69..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

Flown West, cont'd.

CAPTAIN C. RITCHIE BEIGHLIE October 15, 1921 - December 29, 1996 C. Ritchie Beighlie was a lucky man. Life gave him what he deserved and more than what he wanted.

He was born to humble beginnings in Brookings, SD. He spent his youth in Rock Rapids, Iowa, and Washington, D.C. When the war came, he joined the Navy and flew B-24 Liberators and anti-submarine missions over the English Channel and off the coast of Natal, Brazil. After WW II, in 1947, he was hired

by TWA and began flying the DC-3. While in Kansas City, Missouri, he met his future wife Shirley A. Williams. They married in Minnesota in March in 1949. Soon Thomas was born, in 1950, followed by Bruce in 1955, and Beth in 1960. His distinguished aviation career was verified by ratings on the DC-3, Martin 202 & 404, Lockheed 49, Boeing 727, 707, 720, and 747, Convair 880 and 990. He retired as an International Captain on the B-747 after 34 years with TWA. He also served as Office Manager for the New York office of the ALPA. His last request was not to mourn his death, but to celebrate his life. He clearly loved life and his family. He was a dancer, golfer, hat collector, surfer, sailor, pilot, joker, husband, father and friend. He rose to a fulfilling career, enjoyed the love of his family and friends and died peacefully without infirmity. This is all he asked of life and he gave us so much more. He will be missed. Please take a moment and honor his last request by loving life and those around you.

Thomas W. Beighlie, DVM PAGE 70..... TARPA TOPICS.... MARCH, 1997

Flown West, contd.

CAPTAIN JACK DAVENPORT September 27, 1912 - December 3, 1996 Jack could hardly not have aviation on his mind and in his heart. From the time he was ten years old his playground, his hangout, his interest was at Old Richards Field, a 153 acre Air Port, located on Davenport Road, 800 yards south of Blue Ridge Boulevard. By the end of 1922, two hangars, each 66 by 120 feet and able to accommodate six airships, had been built there. By 1923, 175 reserve officers under the direction of Major C.L. Tinker were in residence.

Subsequent Army air maneuvers thrilled and terrified Raytown residents. But as aviation activity increased, they grew accustomed to the cough and sputtering of the Jennies. The school south of the field was in the direct path of the north-south flight pattern. Recesses and noon hours were occasions for students to yell and wave to low-flying planes. Pilots waved back, often reaching for the plane's throttle to race the engine from a rumble to a roar.

The minister conducting Jack's services mentioned that Jack had built this contraption of a glider, tied a tow rope to it, hitched it behind a car and attempted to fly. I asked Dudley Talley, his childhood buddy, about this. I guess Dudley had helped build this when they were in Raytown High School, but it was another of their chums, Carl Phiffer, who drove the tow car. It did cut loose as it was designed to do, but, rather than taking magnificently to the air, it nosed straight into the dirt.

Jack was still a teenager when he scraped together $200 and bought this second hand Eaglet. Milton Gault gave him four hours of lessons and he was soloing. Dudley would fly with Jack in his Eaglet, a 500-lb. monoplane, communicating with each other through the gosport. A few years later Jack bought a " Monocoupe and Dudley and Jack could sit side by side; occasionally Jack would fly "under the hood while Dudley monitored his positions. They used grass strips, no runways, no lights. Jack, as usual, PAGE 71..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

Flown West, cont'd. figured out a way to put lights on his mono. He bought two spot lights, the kind we used on our Model A's, placed the generator up between the landing gear, and whittled a little wood prop that balanced and spun on the generator in order to keep it charged. Now the girls at the Swope Park drive-in would know who was pelting them with streamers of toilet paper from above.

Jack was given his commercial transport certificate Jan. 20, 1941 and checked out on TWA's DC-3 Feb. 20, 1941, the DC-2 on Feb. 22; then flew these two aircraft out of KC until February of 1943. He then became an instructor for the military within the ATC, a part of TWA's involvement in the war effort. Checked out on the C-60's and flew those for a while, finally checking out on the Connie in January 1956.

Jack was truly a gentle, considerate man. A respected Captain, handsome and single during our DC-3 days (all we hostesses had a crush on him). Later flying the Connie's to Washington with Capt. Jack the crew could count on dinner at Hogates. Jack loved seafood. Usually on our way back to the airport on our way home we would go by the wharf and buy more of the seafood to bring home with us.

Save A Connie is so appreciative of Jacks' interest, his regular attendance at our events, as well as his generosity. We intend to keep that Capt. Jack nose art shined up as long as there are blue skies to fly.

by Ona Gieschen

CAPTAIN FREDERICK OPEL July 26, 1924 - November 10, 1996 Fred joined the Navy as Apprentice Seaman on December 8, 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor. He became a Naval Aviation Pilot and was an enlisted man with the same flying qualifications as an Officer. Fred flew for the Navy in WWII, Berlin Airlift, Korea and as a Reservist, he made flights to Vietnam. His last duty in the Navy was as CO of Squadron VR-872. He retired as a Commander. He joined TWA in 1953 and retired in 1979. He flew Captain on the Connie and B-707 and was an instructor in TWA's Training Center in Kansas City. He is survivied by his wife Jeanette, four children and eight grandchildren.

PAGE 72..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

Flown West, cont'd.

CAPTAIN HENRY H. HENLINE July 25, 1919 - August 8, 1996 A Palatine resident, Captain Henline flew for Trans World Airlines, Inc. for 34 years. When he retired in 1976, he was flying European routes. In his retirement, he and his wife, Virginia, a former TWA manager of passenger services at O'Hare, traveled the globe.

Mr. Henline, a native of San Francisco, graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. a member of Phi Delta Theta, he became interested in flying private planes through a fraternity brother and began working at airports. He later took post-graduate courses at Columbia University in New York and the University of Kansas City. During the early years of World War II, he taught Army Air Force cadets at the Ithaca Airport, joining TWA in 1942.

F/E RAYMOND A. HANSEN July 2, 1916 - November 17, 1996 After graduating from Leavenworth, Kansas High School in 1939, he worked for TWA in Kansas City, MO. In 1940 he left TWA and was hired by Mid Continent Airlines as a Mechanic and later as a Crew Chief stationed in Huron SD, Bismarck ND, Minneapolis and Kansas City. After the flying industry mushroomed, he applied back to TWA. He was in the first class of Flight Engineers on the Connies, earned his A & E license, and later his pilot license. R.A. flew on the first Connies, the 707's, the 727's and 747's around the world. He leaves his wife of 56 years, two daughters and five grandchildren.

PAGE 73 ..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

Flown West, cont'd.

CAPTAIN MELVIN D. RISTING August 24, 1922 - October 3, 1996 A native of Slayton, MN, Mel was a Captain with TWA for 29 years and a bomber pilot during WW II. Flying was his passion. He lived life to it's fullest, traveling the world, enjoying friends and family and relaxing with his favorite hobbies of golf and fishing. He is survived by his loving wife Donna, five sons and daughters-in-law and six grandchildren.

I N MEMORY OF CAPTAIN MELVIN C. PHIPPEN September 7, 1916 - October 19, 1996

OF

IN

MEMORY

F/E JAMES JEWETT January 18, 1924 - December 5, 1996 OF

IN

MEMORY

CAPTAIN ROBERT C. CLARKE February 25, 1927 - November 1, 1996

I N MEMORY OF CAPTAIN EDWIN ARBON October 16, 1929 - August 17, 1996 PAGE 74..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

Flown West, cont'd.

CAPTAIN LEO SMITH May 22, 1923 - November 24, 1996 Capt. Leo Smith was born 1923, in Alamogordo, NM. He had two distinct careers. Joined the Air Force in 1942 as a Fighter Pilot then transferred to the Troop Carrier Command. Was involved in 9 out of 13 major campaigns of the European and Mideastern Theaters including the invasion of Holland, Italy, France, and Sicily. He was awarded a long line of Medals with Stars and Oak Leaf Clusters.

After the war he was sent to Greece during the Civil War. From there to the Berlin Airlift, from there he ran the Airforce Survival School in Goose Bay Labrador.

He joined TWA in 1953 covering 24 years. Was Copilot on the midair collision over Danbury, CT with Eastern and TWA. Being a Sports Car enthusiast he raced and won many trophies and was an instructor in the Sports Car Racing Circuit on the eastern S.C.C.A. After retirement he was an advisor for three years for a distillery in the Dominican Republic.

Was on the Noise Abatement Committee in Scottsdale, AZ. He and his Hostess wife, Betty, of 41 years, moved to Bonita Springs, FL, where they became active with the S.W. TWA Seniors and also TARPA. On November 11 Capt. Leo Smith was sponsored by Capt. Chuck Tiseo and initiated into the Naples Quiet Birdmen Hangar. On November 24, 1996 Leo took his last flight WEST due to his heart.

by Chuck Tiseo PAGE 75..... TARPA TOPICS.... MARCH, 1997

Flown West, cont'd.

CAPTAIN STANLEY B. COREY March 28, 1920 - October 16, 1996 Born in Washington, DC, raised in New York and attended Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT where he began flying in his Junior year. He graduated in 1942 and joined the NAVY where he was a flight instructor in Pensacola, Florida during WWII. He became an airline pilot after the War and took early retirement from TWA in 1973 for medical reasons. During his retirement he became involved in building airplane models that flew and was a member of the Model Aeronautics Association. He always felt that actual flying was easier than flying models.

He died at his home in Greenwood, South Carolina. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Billie Corey, four children and six grandchildren.

by Stanley B. Corey, Jr.

IN MEMORY OF CAPTAIN EDWARD L. CAVANAUGH November 4, 1920 - September 22, 1996

I N MEMORY OF F/E NEAL REINWALD June 8, 1933 - November 19, 1996

PAGE 76 ..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

THE

LONGEST

FLIGHT

January 5, 1960! A day that will live in memory ... for Captain Jack Weiss, Flight Engineer Jay Palmer and myself. We were the pilot crew on flight 349 which operated between Philadelphia and St. Louis with a stop in Pittsburgh. Jack had flown the PHL-PIT leg leaving the St. Louis leg for me and, as I crawled into the left seat of the 749A model Lockheed Constellation, I had no reason to suspect this leg would be any different than so many other Captains had let me fly. St. Louis, in the grip of a huge polar air mass, had temperatures in the teens but skies were viciously clear. There was a stationary front located along the Ohio River and warm southerly air flowing over this front had created a huge pocket of ground fog that put TWA stops at CMH, DAY and IND at or below landing minima, but who's to worry?

Flight 349 was non-stop to the Gateway City and even with very strong westerlys in the cold air north of this stationary front our altitude of 8,000 feet presaged less fierce winds and it looked like scheduled flight time was likely.

As we started the engines Jay mentioned the cabin door light had come on and quickly went out and we were glad the last passenger to board had indeed boarded. How wrong we were! When we finished the "After Starting Engines " check list the cockpit-cabin door opened abruptly and one of our hostesses entered.

"I .. we have a problem, " she hesitatingly started. "The man ... who got on ... the one that we opened the door for ... he seems real odd. " "Odd? " Jack questioned. "In what way? " "Well, he's sitting in the window seat by the door and he has this package in his hands.

He won't let me take it or put it anywhere ... and, well, I don't know. " Her voice trailed away.

Jack, Jay and I exchanged querying looks until Jack finally said something to the effect he guessed he had better go back and check it out. Now when Jack let the copilot fly, Jack let him make all the decisions, but this was a decision of command authority and I was so glad Jack could draw that line as fine as he had. Besides, I knew the last place I wanted to be was in back talking to a ` weird' passenger ... even as the thought began to take shape that where I really wanted to be was someplace other than on Flight 349. Jay and I must have talked about something while Jack was in the back, but not a thought of what it was about can now be remembered.

In a few minutes Jack came back, climbed into the right seat and looking at me asked, "Ready to taxi? "

PAGE 77..... TARPA TOPICS.... MARCH, 1997

If he meant as for as check lists, et al went, the answer was yes. If he meant mentally the answer would have been a resounding "No!" but I must have nodded because Jack requested and immediately received a clearance to taxi to Runway 23 at PIT. As we made the short taxi to the run up pad, Jack said, "He's a Colonel ... in the army (ours or theirs I wondered). He missed Christmas and is going home to have his Christmas with his family."

"But the package," I blurted. "What's in the package?

"Well, it's not in gift wrappings but it's just a bit bigger than a cigar box ... I figure it's a gift for his wife ... or kids." While this sporadic conversation was taking place I must have been left-righting the magneto switches and whatever else was necessary since I now was taxiing into position on Rwy 23 and Jay was mouthing the last item on the "Take Off" check list. Slowly, I eased the throttles forward, watching the manifold pressure climb but I confess my mind was on many things other then the mechanics of taking off. I could actually feel the muscles in my forearm begging me not to push the throttles any further forward Too late! We had used all the V's and all I could do was rotate and then ask for "Gear Up." Cleared to make a right turn and direct to Tiverton we quickly and almost silently climbed to our 8,000 foot cruising altitude. "Set Cruise Power," I said and Jay immediately eased the throttles and props back.

Crash! Bang! POW! The three of us went upright in our seats! I quickly took the plane off autopilot and checked the instruments even as Jack and Jay were duplicating my actions. Before we had time to determine what problems we might have the cabin door burst open. It was the same hostess. Perhaps the terror in our faces gave us away because she quickly blurted, "It's okay ...there's nothing wrong! I was taking trays from the galley and I dropped them." The galley on the 749A was the metal-floor area immediately aft of the 8-seat club type seating area aft of the cockpit. That we could hear the clamor caused by half a dozed trays falling surprised me. Unfortunately, this was not to be my last surprise for the flight. As the young lady departed we slowly settled back into our seats. Each with an unprintable suggestion as to what fate might befall her, should we hear from her again that evening.

We passed TVT and ATC instructed us to change to Indianapolis Center. Jack acknowledged the call, cycled the VHF receiver to the new frequency but before he could contact Indianapolis we had an interruption. " BRNNNNNNNNNNNNNG " RED LIGHT "BRNNNGGGGG FLASHING! The red fire warning light was glowing fiercely on Number 3 engine and that damned fire warning bell was blasting our ear drums obscenely. MKC Training would have been proud of us however. Even though the flame on the right side of the aircraft was bright enough to read by, Jack went through the "Engine Fire" check list item by item, our heads ringing from the fire bell long after it was silenced. As most frequently

PAGE 78 ..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

happens, somewhere along the way the fire warning light went out and we were happy that we wouldn't have to don oxygen masks prior to firing CO 2 into the engine nacelle.

Surprising what joy can be taken from such minute considerations, n'est ce pas? Without thinking or even asking Jack, I eased the other throttles back and started a descent toward the glow of lights beneath the low fog that covered the Port of Columbus Airport.

"Jack," I began ... "I'm not all that religious, but I think this is a sign from YOU KNOW WHO and we better get this thing on the ground, agreed?"

"I'm with you Hank, "he answered. "I'll get a clearance."

ATC immediately cleared us to 5,000 and as we started down Jack got the CMH weather from the company (we still had TWA radio I believe). CMH as well as Dayton and Indianapolis all were kaput. Ceilings of zero to one hundred feet and visibility's of less than an eighth of a mile. Yet I could swear I could see the runway lights of the long concrete at Columbus.

Not vetoing my decision to land, which now even I was reassessing, Jack opened up a new kettle of worms.

"If we try to land ... and this guy realizes ... if he ...er, has something in the package you know (No Jack, I did not know ... and I did not want to find out) he could, well maybe, pull the trigger."

"Jack, if you grew a ratty beard, you could become a damned good terrorist," I thought, but finally reluctantly agreed. Even in my wildest fantasies I never had problems with a zero-zero landing, I wasn't real sure I wanted to try one tonight. "Well, see if you can get us a clearance at 4,000 ... it's well above the MEA, we are still on top, and the winds might even help," I suggested.

Reaching 4,000 Jay set 1400 HP and as we passed over the inverted 'martini glass' image the streets of Anderson, Indiana make at night, I mentally calculated we could still arrive in St. Louis by 2100 which was schedule. That is ... if we arrived. The latter was not a particularly pleasant thought, but is one I found out later Jay and Jack also entertained.

I thought about Mary Lee and each of our five kids ... and I guess I promised You Know Who that maybe I'd be a better guy if He threw in a little help.

As we passed Indianapolis, the fog bank had actually thinned and city streets as well as Rwy 22 were visible. At 4,000 feet we found we had been caressed by the caprice of Mother Nature and actually had a 5 or 10 knot tailwind, so the final decision was, "St. Louis or bust!" Not an especially good choice of words but that was it.

Brazil, HUF, and then the Wabash River passed behind us and as we neared Vandalia, Illinois, our 'worrywart' hostess entered the cockpit for perhaps her 4th or 5th visit since we put out the fire. Each previous time she had brought a query from the

PAGE 79 ..... TARPA TOPICS.... MARCH, 1997

passenger which was, "When are we getting to St. Louis?" I can frankly say I agreed with whoever it was that said, "Kill the messenger!" Every time we heard from her it was bad news. The frequency of his question led us to wonder if after all our suspect passenger might not be a sporting type! Perhaps the package he bore was triggered by a timing device. If we beat schedule, we won ... if not? "Hell, I thought ... the Connies are being phased out by the jets ... another couple of inches of manifold pressure won't hurt," and I inched the throttles forward.

This time the young lady was carrying something in her hands and as she entered the area behind the flight engineer seat and between mine and Jack's we could see she bore a dark, box-like contrivance with what looked like a switch on the top side. Even as we stared, aghast in wonder, she moved the switch and we could hear a 'purring sound' come from the box as she said in a rather high pitched voice, "this is ... this is what he had in the package!"

Before she could finish Jack's hand quickly moved the switch back to the original position and the box stopped purring.

"No ...NO," she said, returning the switch. "It's all right ...it's O.K. Six eyes were riveted to that infernal box the young girl held. No thought was given to looking out the window or at anything other than the box. And as we watched, we saw a portion of the top raise slowly, and as it rose, a small, green, rubber-like hand " reached from the bowels of the box, grasped the switch lever, moved it to the "off position, and then retreat slowly back into the box! The damn clown had purposely created an aura of tension by his actions to make this little cybernetic toy become an even more devilish ploy. We had indeed been duped by his, "Gotcha!"

The few minutes of flight left passed swiftly and soon we were in the STL operations office telling everyone of our experience. One of the listeners was ol' Vern Rodeberg (my golf pro) who was crewing a flight to New York. Rodey listened intently, but several days later I received a call from Rodey. It seems that when he arrived in New York he had watched a 'late' show on the television and one of the guests had this exact same toy box that did no more than shut itself off after being started. Rodey said he was 90% convinced that I, having been in New York just the previous night had seen the same program, and the story you just heard was a product of my mind.

I protested adamantly! "Would I lie," I questioned. "Would I make something like that up ... damn Rode," I said, "I swear what happened was the truth ... it happened!

To this day I cannot be sure whether Rodey believed me or not. I think he still wonders if the story I just related was true ... or did I make the whole thing up? Rodey still wonders! How about you?

PAGE 80..... TARPA TOPICS.... MARCH, 1997

Anthony Arenas 1306 N. Lincoln Ave. Urabana, IL 61802

Capt. Charles E. Macnab, Editor TARPA TOPICS 1865 Penny Royal Lane Wentzville, MO 63385

Dear TARPA: I am writing to express my gratitude to the TARPA pilots for the $1,000 scholarship recently granted to me. As you might know, I was raised in a TWA household and was fortunate to meet many TWA pilots while growing up. Those pilots and of course my father, set the example that inspired me to pursue a career in aviation as a pilot. Thanks to your generosity that ambition is a little closer to reality.

Once again, many thanks to your fine organization. The money will be put to good use.

Most Sincerely,

Anthony J.P. Gratz R.W. Dedman R.C. Sherman R.A. Davis H.A. Jacobsen C.E. Macnab L. Burns P.B. Can D.M. Davies

PAGE 81..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

R.N. Buck P.O. Box 689 Moretown, Vt. 05660 USA 10 December 1996 Dear Walt Quite a surprise when the TARPA magazine arrived and I saw my ugly puss heading an article by you.

I remember that Frankfurt trip well and the great old PRT engines - what a wonderful experience when we went from them to the jet! Like dying and going to heaven.

I liked the other articles very much and realize you spent a lot of time and effort getting them together. As Hereford is a hero of mine I especially enjoyed the piece on him. I flew as his copilot both out of SFO and later NY. He taught me a lot and, as you mentioned, was free with giving time. I remember my first Flight 3 out of Newark with him. That was a midnight departure with stops at PT, CO, DAY, IND, STL and KC, a real ball breaker. As we got on at Newark Hereford, in his inimitable way and voice said, "I don't believe in staying awake all night, so we'll swap legs, you sleep one and I fly, then I sleep and you fly. " I' m amused, thinking back on that, of the recent NASA studies saying cat-naps are a good thing and should be allowed. Where have they been all these years!

While I enjoyed the article on me, something like that is always embarrassing to me because I don't believe one pilot better than another with few exceptions. I don't know how to do it, but I'd like to see an annual award to an airline pilot and it would be to a pilot that just retired, that no one ever heard of, that flew his trips year in and year out, never hurting an airplane or a passenger, and quietly, unknown retired. That's the pilot who is my hero - and there are lots of them.

I' m okay and working hard on a revised edition of Weather Flying - the 4th addition - that McGrawHill is to bring out this summer. In the meantime my memoirs are set aside, but by Feb 1 I hope to get back to them.

Thanks for all your loyalty, friendship and inspiration. You've done a great job with yourself and we're all proud of you.

All the best, Bob Buck

PAGE 82 ..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

January 24, 1997

Hi , Chuck: Am enclosing a Peter Arno cartoon I thought you may get a charge out of. He was one of the best.

I recently received a very nice letter from Mrs. Trimble thanking me for my tribute to Larry, in the Nov. TOPICS. I wrote her back telling her how much I appreciated her kind words.

By the way, I want to apologize for referring to the Boeing Stratoliner as a "Stratocruiser " !! in the same letter. I can't imagine how that one slipped by me... I certainly knew better. Sorry!

Regarding the enclosed "Getting There... Over There " it was written in connection with the 50th anniversary of the International Division so is a little overdue.

It differs from my usual stuff in that each one of the three incidents mentioned really happened.

If you care to use it I'm also enclosing a picture of the Montecassino Abbey which is described in the article. Would appreciate getting it back as it is part of an article I have from a National Geographics dealing with the battles of Cassino during the Allied invasion of Italy.

If a picture is desired for the first incident "The Thrice Blest Flight " I' m sure you have lots of pix of C47s in their "war paint. " If not, there is one on page 117 of "Legacy of Leadership. " Finally I'm enclosing a humorous card with a message entitled "... Life... down the line some time.

"

which you might want to use

Very best regards,

Goldy... Thanks much for the "stuff" .. we will use it down the line ... no room in this issue.. Ed

PAGE 83..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

100 Railroad Avenue Swedesboro, N.J. 11 October 1996 John Gratz, President, TARPA 1646 Timberlake Manor Pkwy Chesterfield, MO 63017 Dear John, Over the past year Dick Guillan and I have had conversations and correspondence concerning ways to inform new retires about TARPA; some of which were discussed at the meeting in Boston. On the morning after the convention another idea came up and he suggested I forward it to you for consideration.

Making new retires aware of TARPA is the first step, the next is getting them to want to join. How about asking members who choose not to retain their magazines to give them to active employees with the suggestion that they be passed around or left in crew rooms for others to read. Not only will pilots nearing retirement be introduced to the scope of our activities but new hires will learn about the years of yesterday thru the interesting history articles. Many of us still have friends on the premises who would enjoy receiving a copy with a note to "please pass it on " .

Enclosed is the summer issue of Captain Schoelzel's JFK newsletter. On page two is my pitch for members. He is still looking for articles on what it was like to fly in the old days.

Sincerely,

Lew Whitaker

Enclosure: Flight Ops Newsletter Copy: Captain Hugh Schoelzel, GMF, JFK

The following page displays the letter Captain Lew Whitaker mentions above .. Ed

PAGE 84..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH , 1997

Dear Hugh, Did you ever sit in the cockpit and catch yourself looking out the side window for the rear view mirror?

Funny feeling. When you asked me to write an article about flying in the old days I felt that same funny feeling. No mirror. The scrapbooks with pictures of Piper Cubs and Super Connies were not really that exciting and besides there are plenty of good flying stories that can be heard first hand almost anytime.

Just ask one of the thousand or so crew members due to retire in the next few years.

What, however, do those people see when they look forward? When I meet former colleagues they always ask if I miss flying. The answer - "no " - is a real show stopper because they often find it difficult to believe that I am content to be out of the cockpit when so much of my life was spent in a vocation I truly loved. Let me write a little bit about looking forward.

In 1987 Captain Bob Young, EAL retired, wrote a letter to the editor of ALPA magazine concerning retirement. I still have a copy. His advice: "Don't fight it. Retirement is an opportunity to break out of the rut and put a little excitement into day-to-day living. Take a trip on a tramp steamer, start a stamp collection, buy a motor home, go somewhere you have never been, or write a column for the local paper.

If you're making plans or working on a project you'll never be bored, you will be busy, life will be a challenge, and you will be having fun. Watch your health. Don't make eating a rich meal the big event " of the day and ration those beers. You won't look sexy with a big belly. He went on to tell about his travels, his friends, his newspaper column, and his dance club. When I came to the end of his letter I noticed that he had retired the year I hired on - 1964. For 23 years, while I was working, he was playing!

I knew right then I wouldn't have any trouble when it came time to leave.

I do miss two things: the camaraderie and the jokes. Personal relationships are a very import part of life and life without humor is bleak indeed. The airline community is a source of both and I've tried to maintain contact by calling one former crew member each week. They always seem pleased to be remembered and we often talk for an hour or more. The TWA Active Retired Pilots Association (TARPA) publishes a yearly directory which, once you're off the property, is the only source of addresses and phone numbers. Neither TWA nor ALPA will forward your mail or give out contacts. Join several years before retiring ($25) and use it as a resource to help with the decisions you'll have to make as your career draws to a close. The retirement process is not as simple or as well organized as the hiring " routine, and you can get lots of good information from those who have "been there, done that .

Everyone's finances are different; but the 70% of previous income rule is pretty good. There are no social security taxes, no uniform expenses, no union due, and no commuting costs. Keep track of your spending habits the last year or two and then make a budget. It will give you confidence.

Learn to read. Be curious. Think of retirement as a continuous pay assignment. It's the ultimate candy store.

Sincerely, Lew Whitaker Clasof'64

PAGE 85..... TARPA TOPICS ....MARCH, 1997

Members of TARPA I'd like to thank you for your contribution to the TWA Retirement Foundation. It is a wonderful memorial to Richard. I know he would be honored. Thank you for all your kindness through the past months.

Marjorie Campbell

January 21, 1997

Dear Captain MacNab, I am sending by Fed Ex a photo of the old Albuquerque Terminal - early thirties - with a Tri-Motor Ford parked to the side. For sentimental reasons I would like to have it returned. It's the only one left of Larry's memorabilia. Hope it helps and good luck. For more accurate historical information may I suggest you contact (Name omitted).. He published several books on Albuquerque's development.

Sincerely, Helene Trimble Ed Note: We could not use Helene 's photo-painting of the Ford Tri-Motor in front at the old adobe terminal in ABQ in this issue. We will try to use it in the July issue of TOPICS.

Thank you Captain MacNab, Captain Bob Widholm and Captain Ed Betts for coping with all the material I sent you all regarding my late husband Captain Raymond W. Wells demise and career on December 14, 1994 and which write-up

by Captain Bob Buck appeared in the November issue of TARPA in 1995.

How kind of all of you and for the offer of Captain Edwards to participate in that write-up.

I' m very busy with two clubs, church and judging art shows all over the state here.

Many good wishes for a great new year!

Bettine Esmond Wells Son Gregory E. Wells Daughter Pamela Wells Sands and Family

PAGE 86..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

INTRODUCING MEDICARE

A

NEW

SUPPLEMENT

PROGRAM

Exclusively for TARPA Members and their Spouses

The cost of medical treatment can be very ' expensive. Medicare can help, but it doesn t pay for all costs—leaving deductibles, copayments and other expenses to come out of your own pocket.

That's why you need a Medicare Supplement plan—to help pay the expenses Medicare doesn ' t cover.

Endorsed by:

Another Valuable Benefit Of Your TARPA Membership ▪ Available to TARPA members and their spouses age 65 and older and enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. • Ten Plans Offered - each plan offers standard hospital and medical benefits. Some plans include benefits Medicare doesn't cover, like the Medicare Part A and B deductibles, outpatient prescription drugs and foreign travel. no health • Guarantee Issue - there are questions to answer and you cannot be turned down because of your health.

Go With A Name You Can Trust TARPA Fill out the coupon below and send it in for a No Obligation Medicare Supplement Insurance Quote OR Call Berkely Association Services toll-free at: 1-800-331-2794 Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (EST)

Underwritten by Monumental Life Insurance Company Rated A + by the A . M. Best Company for financial strength and operating performance

PA GE 87................ TA RPA TOPICS.... MA RCH, 1997

Retired

Airline

Pilots

Association

Responding to requests from RAPA members, Alexander & Alexander has teamed up with Delta Dental Insurance Company to offer you this valuable dental coverage.

Under this plan, you have the freedom to choose any dentist Whether you use a Delta Dental participating dentist or a non-participating dentist, the benefits are exactly the same. There is a $50.00 calendar year deductible per person, no deductible for diagnostic and preventive services, and a $1,000.00 calendar year limit on the total benefits payable to each insured person for covered services.

Upon enrollment, you will receive an enrollment package containing your identification card, claim forms and a schedule explaining the maximum allowance for each dental procedure. Claim forms are to be submitted at the time of treatment. If you go to a Delta Dental participating dentist, they will complete and submit the claim form for you. You will be responsible for the difference of what the dentist charges to the allowance that you receive from Delta Dental.

The 6-month premium is: RAPA Member: $91.02 RAPA Member & Spouse: $163.44 RAPA Member, Spouse & Dependent*: $253.08 *Dependents include your spouse and unmarried dependent children from birth to the end of the calendar year in which they turn 25.

Take advantage of this valuable dental coverage now available to RAPA members and enroll today to avoid delays. Your next opportunity to enroll will be April 1997. Simply complete and sign the enclosed enrollment form. Make your check for your 6-month premium payable to Alexander & Alexander and mail it with your completed enrollment form in the enclosed envelope. For further information, please contact Howard Wincele at (305) 279-7870 or toll free in Florida only at (800) 762-2544.

PAGE 88..... TARPA TOPICS ...MARCH, 1997

BENEFIT

DESCRIPTION

PERCENT OF SCHEDULE

CLASS

DEDUCTIBLE APPLIES

I

Diagnostic & Preventive

l00 %

No

II

Basic Restorative, Endodontics Maintenance Dentistry & Oral Surgery

100 %

Yes

Periodontics, Major Restorative & Prosthodontics

100 %

Yes

Ill

Payment will not be made by Delta for the following: Treatment of injuries or illnesses covered by Worker's Compensation or Employers' Liability Laws; services received without cost from any federal, state or local agency, unless this exclusion is prohibited by law.

Cosmetic surgery or procedures for purely cosmetic reasons, or services for congenital (hereditary) or developmental malformations. Such malformations include, but are not limited to cleft palate, upper and lower jaw malformations, enamel hypoplasia (lack of development), fluorosis (a type of discoloration of the teeth) and andontia (congenitally missing teeth). This does not exclude services provided to newborn children for congenital defects or birth abnormalities or those services provided under Orthodontic Benefits if covered.

Treatment to restore tooth structure lost from wear; treatment to rebuild or maintain chewing services due to teeth out of alignment or occlusion; or treatment to stabilize the teeth. For example: equilibration, periodontal splinting.

Any single procedure started before the patient is covered under this program.

Prescribed drugs, medications or pain killers.

Experimental procedures.

Charges by any hospital or other surgical or treatment facility and any additional fees charged by the Dentist for treatment in any such facility.

Extra oral grafts (grafting of tissue from outside the mouth to oral cavities).

Orthodontic services (treatment or poor alignment of mouth and/or jaws) except as provided in the contract.

Services for any disturbance of the temporomandibular joint (jaw joints).

Treatment by someone other than a Dentist or person who by law may work under a Dentist's direct supervision.

Replacement of teeth missing prior to the effective date of the Delta program.

Insurance laws differ from state to state. Legislatively mandated provisions will be included in the group contract. Contact Delta Dental Marketing Office in your area with any questions regarding these provisions.

PAGE 89 ..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

An Indemnity Benefit Plan with: • • • ▪ •

No deductible for diagnostic & preventative Claim forms completed when you go to a participating dentist Maximum benefit limitations Claims are payable at 100 % of the schedule allowance You choose any licensed dentist

Indemnity Dental Plan Benefits Summary Voluntary Table of Allowance Program D93 Maximum Benefit: $1,000.00 per person per calendar year Deductible: $50.00 per person, maximum $150.00 per family

PAGE 90..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

RETIRED AIRLINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION Prescription Medications Pharmacy Benefit Card

Alexander & Alexander has made arrangements with the Pharmacy Services Group to provide the members and the associate members of RAPA with a Drug Benefit Card.

SAVINGS... CONVENIENCE ... QUALITY CONTROL You are assured that you will always pay a low price for name brand or generic medicine available in your community at your local participating pharmacy. Since pharmacies are rewarded for volume sales, this plan authorizes you to purchase at or below average wholesale price plus a dispensing fee. Their purchasing power benefits you.

Just present your card to a participating pharmacy. The pharmacist has computer access to this plan giving i mmediate information on the savings you are to receive.

The administration cost is $10.00 per person, per year. Just complete the enrollment application below and return it along with your check payable to Alexander & Alexander at: 7000 S.W. 97th Avenue, Suite 200, Miami, Florida 33173, (305) 279-7870. An identification card will be sent to you shortly.

PAGE 91..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH. 1997

LENSCRAFTERS VISION COVERAGE An Added Value for RAPA Members Alexander & Alexander has made an arrangement with LENSCRAFTERS nationwide for discounted vision services.

This is a fantastic opportunity to save money for Eye Exam, Frames, Lenses, Contacts and Lens options.

The administration cost is $10.00 per year, per person for RAPA Members and Associate Members.

No Identification Card will be issued. Your name will be placed on LensCrafters "on line" computer network.

To obtain the benefits at LensCrafters, identify yourself as a RAPA Member and provide your name and social security number. LensCrafters will then verify your eligibility.

It is important to take advantage of the current open enrollment and send your payment to Alexander & Alexander as soon as possible. The next enrollment will be limited to one time a year.

Complete the enrollment application below and return it with your check payable to: 7000 S.W. 97th Avenue, Suite 200, Miami, Florida 33173, (305) 279-7870.

Please allow 30 days after sending your payment before using this benefit.

PAGE 92 ..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

NEW MEMBERS and SUBSCRIBERS... WELCOME! (A) BROWN JR DONALD H. CAPT 314-469-0398

(THERSA) .....

(R) BUNDY PETER N. F/O 954-772-4686

(LOIS)

(R) BUNDY PETER N. F/O 508-627-9320

(LOIS)

(E) CHARLES RALPH L. MR. 614-743-1138

.... 13319 FAIRFIELD SQUARE DR. CHESTERFIELD MO 63017 ........... 1465 NE 53rd ST FT LAUDERDALE

FL

........... PO BOX 3042 EDGERTOWN

MA 02539

33334

....... 11621 STATE ST. 668 N. SOMERSET OH 43783

(R) CRAWFORD STAN E. CAPT 408-724-7083

(SUE)

(R) FAUSETT NORMAN L. CAPT 417-267-2197

(KAY) ......... .... 4960 HWY " H " HALFWAY

(R) HILLEBRAND WILLIAM J. CAPT 520-771-2288

(KATHLEEN) ...

(R) JAHAASKI RONALD CAPT 941-637-5760

(VERNA)

(R) JOHNSON CHET CAPT 505-821-3680

(ANNE)

.......7804 ACADEMY TR. NE ALBUQUERQUE NM 87109

(R) KIRSCHTNER E. R. CAPT 805-969-4582

(MARY)

............. 572 STONE MEADOW LN. SANTA BARBARA CA 93108

(A) MARK BOB CAPT 503-838-4459

(KAY DEE)

(R) MITCHELL BOB CAPT 602-585-6045

(PATTI)

.......9355 E. VIA DEL SOL SCOTTSDALE AZ 85255

(R) MITSCH WILFRIED R. CAPT 415-851-1372

(ERIKA) ..

...... 35 PALMER LANE PORTOLA VALLEY

CA 94028

.......6059 MERION CT BANNING

CA 92220

(S) NEAD HARRY MR

....... 53 VARNI ROAD WATSONVILLE

CA 95076

MO 65663

...... 8260 N. GRANITE OAKS DR. PRESCOTT AZ 86301-7450 ........... 700ANTALYACT PUNTA GORDA

....... 5350 MATNEY RD MONMOUTH

FL

33950

OR 97361

(A) O 'DAY LAWRENCE CAPT 407-381-8009

(PATRICIA) .....

(R) OLLIVER EPHE A. CAPT 215-345-0768

(ROBERTA) ............... 260 HILLINDALE DR. DOYLESTOWN PA 18901-4911

(A) RENO ALAN CAPT 913-897-4013

(FRANCES)............. 11906 W. 143 TERRACE OLATHE KS 66062

(R) ROBERTS DAVID A. CAPT 510-938-2606

(MARY)

.... 3936 S. SEMORAN BLVD, #140 ORLANDO FL 32822

........... 32 ECKLEY PLACE WALNUT CREEK

PAGE 93..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

CA 94596

NEW MEMBERS and SUBSCRIBERS ... WELCOME! (A) SCHEU BOB CAPT 908-464-6514

(PATTI) ............ 76 WENTWORTH DR NJ BERKELEY HTS.

(A) TAYLOR PAUL CAPT 415-924-2442

(MARJORIE)

(R) THELEN GARY W. CAPT 916-652-7623

(LOIS)

........... 52 PIEDMONT RD LARKSPUR

CA 94939 .67HIGLANDR

LOOMIS

(S) THOMPSON JIM MR 614-235-6682

07922

..... 37 N. EVERETT AVE COLUMBUS

CA 95650

OH 43213-1012

(R) ULRICH KURT J. CAPT 970-921-7177

(SHARI).............. 2400 BLACK CANYON RD. CRAWFORD CO 81415

(A) VORCE BOB F/O 415-856-7596

(PAM) ...

(A) YOUNG PETER A. CAPT 401-884-6598

(PATRICIA)

(A) YOUSCHAK WILLIAM CAPT 603-964-9834

(SHARON)

...... 2022 EDGEWOOD DR. PALO ALTO CA 94303 ........... 1515 SOUTH ROAD E. GREENWICH ....... 90 LOCKE RD. RYE

RI

02818

NH 03870

TO ALL TARPA MEMBERS I still have the TWA 800 memorial pins and tie bars for sale. The demand has not been great and the cause is a good one. The angel lapel pin is $7.00 and the tie bar is $10.00. Send more if you like. Make checks payable to Capt. R.W. Dedman and send along with a first class stamp to 3728 Lynnfield Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23452. You will feel better knowing that you have helped some of our own. Thanks.

Bob Dedman

A NOTE FROM BOB WIDHOLM If anyone knows where I could obtain a copy of THE MAKING OF AN AIRLINE, that's the red book that contains the photos of most TWA pilots, I would be most appreciative. It would help immensely in gathering the information for Flown West.

PAGE 94 ..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

CHANGE OF ADDRESS (E) ANDERSON, PRES. ALBERT C. NAV

(CHARLOTTE) ........ .... 6587 PINE VALLEY DR SANTA ROSA, CA 95409

(R) ANDRIJESKI VINCE CAPT. 408-867-2887

(CAROL)

(R) BEBEE DALE R. CAPT. 816-373-7462

(ZELLA)

(S)CONDON JERRY MR.

(RITA)

.......PO BOX 2815 SARATOGA

LEES SUMMIT

CA 95070-0815 ......... 5641 NORTHGATE CROS ING MO 64064

CIR 92 MANSFIELD ...........

GREENSBORO

NC 27455-2485

(A) COOK NORMAN CAPT 310-548-4494

(NANCY)

........... 3525 MULLDAE AVE . SAN PEDRO CA 90732

(R) DAVIS RICHARD A. CAPT. 702-294-0210 619-436-9060

(MARCIA)

........... 503 LAKE HAVASU LANE NV 89005-1051 BOULDER CITY

(E) DAVIS RUFUS CAPT.

.......PO BOX 1792 PALM CITY

FL

........... 25122 DANABIRCH DANA POINT

CA 92629

34991-6792

(R) DRAPER DONALD N. CAPT. 800-668-0706

(LINDA)

(R) DUNCAN ROBERT W. CAPT. 602-585-7675

(SANDY)

.......7826 E LAS PIEDRAS WAY SCOTTSDALE AZ 85262

(R) EVANS KEITH L. CAPT.

(DONNA)

....... 3172 SONATA DR LAS VEGAS,

(A) FEIL JIM CAPT. (KIM) 9013 702-363-6149

ROBINSON

RIDGE LAS VEGAS

NV 89121-4237 DR. NV 89117-5424

(R) FERRARO JOSEPH R. F/E 561-286-6660

(DONNA)

... ..... 3991 H SW GREENWOOD WAY PALM CITY, FL 34990

(S) FITZGERALD BOYD H. F/E 602-933-1842

(BARBARA)

........... 10822 ABBOTT AVE SUN CITY

AZ 85351

(R) FRANK GENE CAPT. 619-751-2100

(MARY)

.......P.O. BOX 725 BONSALL

CA 92003

(R) GASTRICH HENRY E. CAPT. 619-401-9969 TEL/FAX

(IRIS)

.......291 JAMACHA RD. #52 EL CAJON, CA 92019-2381

(A) GENTRY RUSS CAPT.

(MA V IS)

........... 48 DUNBAR RD PALM BEACH

FL

.......P.O. BOX 1549 PEPPERELL

MA 01463

(R) GORDON WILLIAM H. CAPT.

(R) HAMILTON DONALD L. CAPT. 805-296-9580

(JUDY)

33418-6827

.......22552 ARRIBA DRIVE SANTA CLARITA CA 91350-2219

PAGE 95 ..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH, 1997

CHANGE OF ADDRESS (R) HANKINS JAMES A. F/E 602-641-4989

(ROSE MARIE

596 LEISURE WORLD MESA AZ 85206

(R)HEWITT BARTON G. CAPT.

(RONNIE)

107 HAMPTON DR WASHINGTON

NC 27889-3258

(S) HUSAK PAUL MR. 602-778-0336

(VIRGINIA)

3535 W. CHIPMUNK DR. PRESCOTT, AZ 86301-7440

(H) KEELE BRIGITTE MRS. 210-630-1583

(LYMAN)

709 KERRIA AVE MCALLEN

(A) LANZ RILEY CAPT

TX 78501-1724

53330CHIPPENDALE CIR FORT MYERS FL

33919-2203

(R) LEE O. JERRY CAPT. 913-876-2444

(SHIRLENE)

(H) LEHRER MARY MRS.

(DAVID)

3691 SOUTHPOINTE DR CARSON CITY NV 89701-8424

(R) McWHORTER JEFF CAPT. 602-214-1835

(CAROLE)

15630 SKY HAWK SUN CITY WEST

(R) MILLER GEORGE D. CAPT.

(JANET)

1821 STABLEGATE AVE HENDERSON NV 89012-3247

(H) MILLER WINNIE MRS.

(C.O.)

7031 HIDDEN HILLS N SAN ANTONIO TX 78244-1516

(R) MOCK JAMES A. CAPT. 612-442-4447

(MARLENE)

30701 WHALEBOAT PL. AGOURA HILLS CA 91301

(R) O'BRIEN WALTER J. CAPT.

(JOANN)

I BLACKSMITH WAY SAUGUS MA 01906-4439

(R) PLETCHER PAUL PETER CAPT.

6963 FERGUSON RD. OZAWKIE,

4450 NE 23rd AVE LIGHT HOUSE PT

KS 66070

AZ 85375

FL

33064-7207

(R) PRINCE CARROLL O. F/O 602-876-0461

(MARIAN)

6110 PLEASANT RIDGE RD ARLINGTON TX 76016

(H) PUGH DOROTHY P. MRS

(ROBERT F.)

107 FOX VIEW PLACE CARY NC 27511-7263

(R) REYNOLDS RONALD E. CAPT. 602-502-2741

(CONNIE)

10040 E. HAPPY VALLEY RD, SCOTTSDALE AZ 85255

(E) ROUGE JOHN K. F/E 602-802-4272

(PATRICIA )

26201 S. BEECH CREEK DR SUN LAKES AZ 85248-7216

(R) SCHMIDT CARL M. CAPT. 619-745-2241

PO BOX 462647 ESCONDIDO,

PAGE 96..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH , 1997

CA 92046-2647

CHANGE OF ADDRESS (R) SCHULTZ PHILIPS. CAPT.

(HENNY)

141 DEER COVE DR PONTE VEDRA

FL

32082

(E) SHARP GARTH A. CAPT.

404 WEIGHTMAN RD, APT 27 MOUND CITY MO 64470-1722

(R) STEINBIS RAYMOND E. CAPT.

16078 WHIPPLE RD SYCAMORE

IL

PO BOX 630 OSAGE BEACH

MO 65065-0630

(R) THOMAS RICHARD E. CAPT.

(PAT)

60178-8844

(R) WALKER ERIC CAPT.

(SIGA)

548 SUNNYVALE DR HEALDSBURG CA 95448-3023

(A) WETHERELL RICHARD J. CAPT.

(DREAMA)

8951 BONITA BEACH RD., BONITA SPRINGS FL

(A) WETMORE STAN CAPT

PO BOX 1063 NEW MILFORD

(JOYCE)

(R) WINTERS JOHN R. CAPT.

(CONSTANCE)

(R) WULFERS ALBERT N. CAPT. 573-334-7512

34135

CT 06776-1063

GENERAL DELIVERY ORANGEVILLE ID

83 5 3 0-9999

645 S. SPRING, APT A CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO 63703-6496

(R) YECK KENNETH R. CAPT.

9 ROCKROSE WAY IRVINE

(JEAN)

CA 92612-2136

(R) YOUNG DONALD F. CAPT.

(NELL)

16 OAK SHADOWS LN APTOS CA 95003-3429

(R) ZIMMERS JOSEPH L. CAPT. 616-933-6560

(JANET)

6560 PENINSULA DR TRAVERSE CITY

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

THE NEW SECRETARY / TREASURER IS CAPT. PHIL BELISLE 3145 GEARY BLVD., BOX 705 SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94118-3300 TEL 415-567-9921 FAX 415-567-7147 DIRECT ALL. COMMUNICATIONS TO THIS ADDRESS

PAGE 97..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH , 1997

MI

49686

"Sightseer's" Observations Grand Canyon National Park Was this man-made?

Do you light it up at night?

I bought tickets for the elevator to the bottom -- where is it?

Is the mule train air conditioned?

So where are the faces of the presidents?

Everglades National Park Are the alligators real?

Are the baby alligators for sale?

Where are all the rides?

What time does the two o'clock bus leave?

Denali National Park (Alaska) What time do you feed the bears?

Can you show me where the yeti lives?

How often do you mow the tundra?

How much does Mount McKinley weigh?

Mesa Verde National Park Did people build this, or did Indians?

Why did they build the ruins so close to the road?

What did they worship in the kivas -- their own made-up religion?

Do you know of any undiscovered ruins?

Why did the Indians decide to live in Colorado?

Carlsbad Caverns National Park How much of the cave is underground?

So what's in the unexplored part of the cave?

Does it ever rain in here?

How many Ping-Pong balls would it take to fill this up?

So what is this -- just a hole in the ground?

Yosemite National Park Where are the cages for the animals?

What time do you turn on Yosemite Falls?

Can I get my picture taken with the carving of President Clinton?

Yellowstone National Park Does Old Faithful erupt at night?

How do you turn it on?

When does the guy who turns it on get to sleep?

We had no trouble finding the park entrances, but where are the exits?

Art Kelly sent these observations to Claude Thomas who passed them on to us....Ed.

PAGE 98..... TARPA TOPICS....MARCH , 1997