From the Inbox: IAC Member Collegiate winner of Air Race Classic

We're always glad to get emails like this in the Inbox about Indianapolis Aero Club Members!

Indy Aero Club Members,

I would like you to be aware of some BIG NEWS regarding member Kaitlin Mroz and the Womens Air Race Classic 2010.  This year was Kaitlin's third year participating on Purdue's team.  She was one of the seniors on the ground crew.

Of all 58 participating teams regardless of class, Purdue placed 4th overall.  Of all collegiate teams, Purdue WON THE COMPETITION, coming in FIRST PLACE.    Purdue beat out second place collegiate Indiana State (8th place overall), third place Southern Illinois (9th place overall), and fourth place Embry Riddle (10th place overall).

She attended the closing ceremonies and awards banquet in Frederick, Maryland with other teammates and received the trophy for the team.  In the press conference, the pilots credited their win to the superioir performance of the ground crew to navigate them around some pretty bad weather.

Another interesting side note,  one of the pilots for Indiana State University's team who finished second of all collegiate teams, Kay Brown, has been freinds with Kaitlin for approximately 15 years as they grew up only blocks away in Avon.  Kay recognized her passion to fly and took flight lessons because of Kaitlin's passion for flight.  I am proud of both these young women!

Kaitlin will never brag on herself, but it is a HUGE VICTORY not only for Purdue, but for the Indy Aero Club and I believe all members will enjoy the news!

Attached is a picture for your pleasure. Kaitlin is in the gold shirt on the far left.

Best regards,

Richard Mroz

Another note:  Some members might remember that Kaitlin won the Indy Aero Club scholarship to the Space Academy a few years back!

Saturday, Sep 11, 2010 - EAA Chapter 2 Young Eagles Rally, Fort Wayne, IN

Saturday, Sep 11, 2010 - EAA Chapter 2 Young Eagles Rally, Fort Wayne, IN: "Registration from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM (Noon). Flying will be from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM, weather permitting. Contact: David and Laramie Resler 260-693-6191
* Trip Calculator! Print out a Flyer! Get more details! Can't fly? Get driving instructions!
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Saturday - Sunday, Sep 11-12, 2010 - Putnam County Airport Appreciation Days, Greencastle, IN

Saturday - Sunday, Sep 11-12, 2010 - Putnam County Airport Appreciation Days, Greencastle, IN: "Fly-in with display aircraft. Young Eagle Rally; Food; Airplane, Helicopter and Hot Air Balloon rides;Vendors. Dixie Chopper Radio Hour with Dinner and Hangar dance Saturday evening, 6:00-9:00 pm (local). Contact: Duane Skoog 765-363-2093, gdskoog@yahoo.com
* Trip Calculator! Print out a Flyer! Get more details! Can't fly? Get driving instructions!
"

Saturday, Sep 4, 2010 - Fly/In Cruise/In, Marion, IN

Saturday, Sep 4, 2010 - Fly/In Cruise/In, Marion, IN

via FunPlacesToFly.com Aviation Events on 9/2/10

Saturday, September 4th, 2010 is the date for the 20th Annual Fly-In Cruise-In at the Marion Municipal Airport in Marion, Indiana. The action starts early at 7:00am and runs until 2:00pm. This annual event features antique, classic, homebuilt , ultralight and warbird aircraft as well as vintage cars, trucks, motorcycles, and tractors. An all-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast is served, with all proceeds going to the local Marion High School Marching Band. FREE Registration. Contact: Ray Johnson 765-664-2588, FlyInCruiseIn@indy.rr.com
* Trip Calculator!  |  Print out a Flyer!  |  Get more details!  |  Can't fly? Get driving instructions!

The B-25 Heart

Our picnic on August 10th yielded a number of wonderful stories and experiences.  I invited my friend, Alan, that shares a love for aviation history to the picnic. Alan and I used to work at Thomson together.  He pulled this lovely trinket out of his pocket and proceeded to tell me the story behind it.  I asked him to write up the story in his own words.  Here's the photo I took - and Alan's story:

    Sometime in late 1943 a B-25 Mitchell bomber was severely shot up over Papua New Guinea.  The crew managed to get her back to the airstrip outside Buna but she never flew again. Towed to a spot alongside the runway she became a parts supply to keep the other B-25s flying.

     In early 1944 Theodore (Ted) Francoeur was at a field hospital next to the airstrip near Buna waiting to be evacuated back home. He had spent the year before with the 32nd Infantry Division, along with an Australian division, crossing the Owen Stanley Mountains on foot from Port Moresby to drive the Japanese out of Buna. That effort took the better part of a year and when it was over only 3,700 of the 15,000 men in the 32nd were left standing. Ted was at the field hospital recovering from starvation, malaria, dysentery, and a number of other jungle related ailments.

     To pass the time he did what many of the other men in the hospital did, they made little items to send back home to loved ones.  In Ted’s case he took a small piece of a window from that B-25. Using a pen knife to shape it and a piece of wool to polish it he fashioned a small heart. He sent that heart to his sweetheart Ilene Summers in Michigan. When he returned home in late 1944 they married.

     The picture you see here is that heart made from a tiny piece of that B-25 Mitchell. It’s a little bit of WWII history, a little bit of the B-25’s history, and a little bit of my parent’s history.    

                                           Alan Francoeur

Indianapolis Aero Club Scholarship Winner: Jon Nance

The Indianapolis Aero Club recently sent Jon Nance to Space Camp in Alabama.  Jon was present at our last meeting, the picnic at Indianapolis Executive Airport, on August 10.  Jon was kind enough to send us links to all of his pictures from Space Camp:

Jon's camera: 
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=193545&l=7ca978d2dc&id=548269572

Space Camp Cameras:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=193567&id=548269572&l=9348b69243
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=193569&id=548269572&l=2f8d9ce8bd
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=193570&id=548269572&l=1003ad9eff

Jon also delivered a very well prepared thank you speech, and he was kind enough to send us a copy of the speech so we could post it and share it with those unable to attend.  We look forward to hearing future success stories from Jon.


Jon's speech:

How many 17 year olds do you know that can say they know what it feels like to be in microgravity?

Can say they’ve overcome their greatest fears to the point of being fearless?

Can say they’ve hand built and lithium hydroxide canister out of spare parts on an international space station?

Have breathed underwater?

Have made the greatest friends of their lives… most not even from this country?

Have their eyes opened up to a point beyond belief- to be open minded and respectful of cultures they never thought of before?

Have built a rocket, a fireproof shield, a couple parachutes, an unbreakable bridge- all with household materials?

Have felt 4 g’s of force on their body?

Have found their passion that they’ve never thought they would ever be passionate about?

How many do you know?

Ok, now how many do you know did it all in 7 days? Well, now you know one.

UPCOMING EVENTS @ Indy Exec: August 26, 2010

Eagle Flyers Inc     On Thursday, August 26th and Friday, August 27th   Eagle Flyers, Inc. and Montgomery Aviation invite you to experience General Aviation at its best in two very different ways.   Cirrus SR20 Demo Days   Cirrus Aircraft will be on hand to re-introduce the SR20 to you!  Whether you're a new pilot looking for the perfect plane for your private and instrument training, a CFI hoping to better understand the capabilities of this exciting aircraft, or someone looking to upgrade to the latest and greatest general aviation has to offer in modern avionics and amenities - this opportunity is for you.    Demonstration Flights will be held:   Thursday, August 26, 2010                                              RESERVE YOUR DEMO SLOT TODAY: 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM                                                              Email Carl Winkler or Michelle Dannels   Friday, August 27, 2010 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM   Presentation by Aerobatic Performer Jacquie Warda   Come and hear the amazing story of Jacquie Warda and see her Pitts S-1T "Red Eagle".  Jacquie has performed in over 100 air shows from coast to coast over the last six years and has competed four times in the Reno Air Races.  What is even more amazing is that she didn't begin her aerobatic flying career until she was 50.  You can learn more about Jacquie at her website - or better yet - come see her at Indy Exec.   Come hear from Jacquie and see her one-of-a-kind plane:   Thursday, August 26, 2010 6:30 PM Indianapolis Executive Conference Room   Both events will be held at: Indianapolis Executive Airport [KTYQ] Montgomery Aviation  11329 East State Road 32 (6 1/2 miles West of 31 & 2 1/2 miles East of 421) Zionsville, IN 46077 317-769-4487

 

 

August 10, 2010 Meeting: Picnic w/Indiana Air Search and Rescue

The Indianapolis Aero Club welcomes Indiana Air Search and Rescue and their UH-1 helicopter for the August 10th meeting.

Location:  Indianapolis Executive Airport, 11329 E State Road 32, Zionsville, IN 46077
Date: August 10, 2010
Picnic: 6:00 pm - Speaker:  7:00 pm

Cost - $10.00 

Please RSVP to: John Brill
H: 317-877-7777  C: 317-501-8610
Mail to:  107-A Knoll Ct,  Noblesville, IN 46062
email:  jwbrillsr@aol.com 

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July 13, 2010 Meeting Speaker: Roger Bitzer, Grissom AFB Museum

The Indianapolis Aero Club welcomes Roger Bitzer, Grissom Air Force Museum as it's speaker for the June 13th meeting.

Location:  Marten House, 1801 West 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260
Date: July 13, 2010
Cocktails: 6:00 pm - Dinner: 6:30 pm - Speaker:  7:00 pm

Advance or Reservations - $20.00  At Door - $22.00
1st time guest - $10.00
16 or under $10.00

Please RSVP to: John Brill
H: 317-877-7777  C: 317-501-8610
Mail to:  107-A Knoll Ct,  Noblesville, IN 46062
email:  jwbrillsr@aol.com

Bio: Roger Bitzer –Executive Director – Grissom Air Museum (EAA-1024987)

After retiring from Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Roger Bitzer enlisted his time as a volunteer at the Grissom Air Museum .  He was instrumental in assembling the Museum’s latest acquisition a TA-4J Navy Skyhawk.  Bitzer was able to locate two of the pilots that flew the museum’s TA-4J and last May invited the last assigned pilot to give a talk at Montgomery Aviation’s hangar at Grissom RAFB.

Bitzer is currently with an all volunteer team that is restoring a 1946 Piper J3 Cub. The Cub (N98788) was based out of Shank Airport (near Indianapolis ) and was used by the “Bottom & Lamb” flying school.

After the Executive Director resigned to accept another position Bitzer volunteered to assume the Director’s responsibilities until a new director could be found.

In 1965 Bitzer was a radioman on a P-2V “Neptune” that was a support aircraft in the drone operations of the “ Atlantic Fleet Weapons Range ”.  Later he because involved with the launch & recovery of F-9J “Cougar” target drones.

He was stationed at Roosevelt Roads Naval Air Station, Puerto Rico.

Roger Bitzer currently lives on Lake Manitou in Rochester , Indiana

B-17 bomber makes a stop at PU airport - WLFI.com

B-17 bomber makes a stop at PU airport - WLFI.com: "

WLFI.com

B-17 bomber makes a stop at PU airport WLFI.com The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) brought its B-17 Flying Fortress Aluminum Overcast to the Purdue University Airport. ...

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FW: Eagle Flyers Inc. Event

Frankfort Municipal Airport 50th  Birthday Celebration Open House and Fish Fry Saturday, June 26, 2010       4-8 pm Montgomery Aviation and the Frankfort Police host this event to benefit Generation Rescue in the fight against autism!   Enjoy a fish dinner, Frankfort Airport history, Planes on display, Kids' activities, Door prizes and birthday surprises!    Free Admission!   Fish fry tickets: $8 adults, $5 children ages 6-12 Available at the Frankfort Airport, Frankfort Police Dept., or City Clerk office.      Adult tickets $10 at door.     Montgomery Aviation  Eagle Flyers Inc 3009 W State Rd 28 Frankfort, Indiana 46032 765-654-6275

 

Classic airplane – 1929 Ford Trimotor — will take passengers for a ride this ... - Muncie Star Press

Classic airplane – 1929 Ford Trimotor — will take passengers for a ride this ... - Muncie Star Press: "

Classic airplane – 1929 Ford Trimotor — will take passengers for a ride this ... Muncie Star Press A few years ago, when rides were offered here in a World War ll-era B-25 bomber, a flight was hundreds of dollars. "This is an airplane that just about ...

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Reserve Your Seat Today

	Relive the excitement - Fly the Ford EAA's fully restored 1929 Ford Tri-Motor - featured in the film Public Enemies - is coming to your area! You can experience air travel as it was in the "golden age of aviation" when you fly in the world's first true passenger airliner. With only 9 seats, each with a window, passengers are given a rare glimpse of a unique flying machine that paved the way for air travel today. Reserve your seat today by calling 1-800-843-3612 or visit our website at www.flytheford.org. Please forward this e-mail to friends or associates who might also enjoy a unique flight experience in a Ford Tri-Motor. Can I bring a camera? Yes, you are encouraged to bring cameras and camcorders on board. Are there any special considerations for children? An adult must accompany children under the age of 16. Children under the age of 2 can be carried free of charge in an adult's lap. Tour Dates: June 17 – 20, 2010 Destination: Muncie, IN Airport: Delaware County Regional Airport Flights are $50 for EAA members and $60 for non-members.
	© Copyright 2010 Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc. 3000 Poberezny Road, Oshkosh , WI 54902 800-236-4800 :: 920-426-4800 If you do not wish to receive further emails from EAA, please email membership@eaa.org. We welcome your questions, comments and suggestions to webmaster@eaa.org. Privacy Statement

 

June 8, 2010 Meeting Speaker: LTC John Klatt

The Indianapolis Aero Club, in association with the Indianapolis Air Show, welcomes LTC John Klatt, Air National Guard and aerobatic performer as it's speaker for the June 8th meeting.

Location:  Marten House, 1801 West 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260
Date: June 8, 2010
Cocktails: 6:00 pm - Dinner: 6:30 pm - Speaker:  7:00 pm

Advance or Reservations - $20.00  At Door - $22.00
1st time guest - $10.00
16 or under $10.00

Please RSVP to: John Brill
H: 317-877-7777  C: 317-501-8610
Mail to:  107-A Knoll Ct,  Noblesville, IN 46062
email:  jwbrillsr@aol.com 

Lieutenant Colonel John Klatt, Pilot

As a child growing up in Duluth, Minnesota, John Klatt dreamed of learning to fly. And thanks to the Air National Guard, he’s now living the dream as one of the top aerobatic pilots in the country, for the ANG’s “Guarding America, Defending Freedom” aerobatic team.

As the youngest of seven children, John did his early flying by chasing around the house trying to be a part of whatever his older brothers and sisters were up to. He quickly learned that; toy airplanes do not flush well, bee catching is risky business, and dogs pretty much eat anything. However, his favorite pastime was listening to his aircraft mechanic Father’s aviation stories and dreaming about the day when he would be able to fly.

John got his first “hands on” experience in aviation by washing airplanes to earn money for flying lessons. He spent his summers pumping gas to pay for flying lessons, earned his private pilot ratings and graduated from the University of Minnesota.

He has flown a wide variety of aircraft. His commission in the ANG gave him the opportunity to fly C-130 military transports delivering crucial supplies during Operation Desert Storm. John later transitioned from the C-130 into the F-16 “Fighting Falcon” and has completed three combat tours flying F-16’s in Iraq. John has logged more than 2,000 hours at the controls of the F-16, and is assigned to the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth, MN.

Along with his military career, John began actively training for the long and difficult journey toward becoming a professional aerobatic performer. He was drawn to the world of aerobatics because of the high-degree of concentration and mental toughness it requires. He is a top performer in unlimited class aerobatics, and is recognized as one of the top ten unlimited class aerobatic pilots in the United States.

flyindiana: Officials considering name change from Mount Comfort Airport to ...

flyindiana: Officials considering name change from Mount Comfort Airport to Indianapolis Regional Airport.

via Twitter / flyindiana on 5/25/10

flyindiana: Officials considering name change from Mount Comfort Airport to Indianapolis Regional Airport.