ROBINSON - OUR PRODUCTIVE NEIGHBOR AT KTOA!

We had a great turnout for our November 20 dinner with speaker Kurt Robinson, President and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company. Kurt started out by sharing a bit of what it was like growing up in the Robinson household on Longhill Drive in Rancho Palos Verdes. In 1973, his living room, family room and garage served as the beginnings of the very successful Robinson Helicopter Company started in their home by Kurt's father Frank. Kurt didn't think it was unusual, doesn't everyone have a budding business developing in their family home? Doesn't everyone have technical drawings all over their dining room table? Kurt shared with us about the expansion of the business that would eventually take them to a 600,000 sq. foot manufacturing facility located at Torrance Municipal Airport. Clearly Frank Robinson, trained as an aeronautical engineer in Seattle at the U of W, had the determination and vision to make it happen.

Adventurers charmed by Alamos

On Friday, November 1, seven airplanes and 21 people arrived in Alamos, Sonora, Mexico for a relaxing fun and sun filled long weekend. All entered the country officially in Guaymas, then upon arrival at Alamos, we got the party started with margaritas and snacks in the huge 12 plane hangar. The weather was warm but nice with evenings quite pleasant. The weekend included delicious dining choices at several dining locations where no one went hungry....or thirsty for that matter!

The group was entertained nightly by a variety of authentic Mexican musicians, including the vibrant Ballet Folklorico (dancers, singers and musicians, 60 people in all) from the nearby town of Navojoa. For the early risers, on three mornings we had the option of taking a guided walking tour through various parts of town, plus we were treated to an Alamos history talk one late morning. Those interesting walks and talks were led by Hacienda de los Santos owner Jim Swickard or his son-in-law Ramon Alcantar. The Sonoran Cooking Class and the Tequila Class were well attended by eager learners! Hiking, horseback riding and bicycling were popular options too as was lounging and swimming at the numerous pools. A dozen folks boarded a tram to visit the local cemetery where the Day of the Dead (October 31 – November 2 each year) traditions were taking place which included prayer and remembrance of friends and family members who have passed way. It was a memorable experience not to be forgotten! The Swickard/Alcantar families and staff at the Hacienda de Los Santos were quite attentive to the needs of the group, tending to every little detail!

After Alamos, two planes took off for more adventures, one to El Fuerte to catch the train up the mountain to visit Mexico’s Copper Canyon (larger and deeper than our Grand Canyon), and another headed to San Carlos for beach and sailing fun! Travelling to Mexico often includes additional challenges for pilots….and this trip was no exception! However, those challenges were resolved and all planes that travelled returned safely.

Thank you to Patti and Tom LaGrelius for organizing such a memorable trip.

The October 2019 Mystery Fly-In

Sightseeing and Cyclones in Sacramento

On the last weekend in September, 15 DAFers assembled in Sacramento for our September Fly-In.  The marine layer in Torrance forced some later-than-planned departures, but everyone was able to make the Friday night Happy Hour.  Our group then wandered over to the annual Farm-to-Fork street fair that was happening just a block from our hotel.  Getting hungry, most of our group met up for an impromptu dinner at the nearby Il Fornaio where we were seated in our own private dining room.

On Saturday morning, Steve Sappington made arrangements for everyone in the group to rent bikes and tour along the American River trail.  The cool, partly cloudy weather was perfect for the bike ride.  Everyone completed the 20 mile ride unscathed except for a couple of minor falls (although your author was seriously contemplating heading to the hospital after the ride for an emergency butt replacement).

During Happy Hour on Saturday night, just about everyone received an emergency blast on their phones.  It wasn't an Amber Alert, but an alert from the National Weather Service issuing a tornado warning.  That's right - a tornado alert in Sacramento!  Although advised to seek shelter, the DAFers did what DAFers do - run outside to see what was happening.  One part of the sky had a glowing green hue, the other part was black (except when lit up by the frequent lightning).  We all walked to the nearby restaurant for our planned group dinner and seated in a covered patio right overlooking the river.  Normally this would have been a perfect spot on a late September evening, but the wind and rain forced us to move to a more sheltered table (the restaurant staff was very accommodating).  Following a great dinner, we went back to the hotel and enjoyed a well-deserved nightcap.

The weather on Sunday morning couldn't have been more different - a crisp but sunny fall day.   Many in the group walked over to the California Railroad Museum (a great attraction), while some went over to the State Capitol and toured the grounds. And then everyone flew or drove home under sunny skies.

Thanks to Larry and Jodie for hosting the fly-in, and to Steve for arranging the bike ride.

FASCINATING ADVENTURES OF TWO BRAVE FIGHTER PILOTS OVER NORTH VIETNAM

Our September 18 dinner meeting presentation offered the dynamic duo of Col. Robert Ettinger and Col. Roy Martin who both served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. We enjoyed hearing about the adventures they both had during their tours of duty. Col. Robert Ettinger started out the presentation by discussing the nine month period he flew F-4’s in the late 1960’s in a period of the war called Rolling Thunder. During that duty he flew 100 missions over North Vietnam. Robert shared with us about enemy ground defense, their significant number of SA-2 SAM Surface to Air Missiles (one type they called the Flying Telephone Pole), plus their heavy concentration of Anti Aircraft Artillery.

Robert also discussed our defensive tactics against the SA-2 SAM. We learned about USAF tactics along with the Alpha Strike Force timeline. Alpha Strike Force limitations included distance to targets, reliance on aerial refueling and predictable ingress/egress routes. Just introduced to the Air Force was the first terminally guided air-to-ground munition called the AGM-62 Walleye, which included a TV guided glide bomb with a 1,100 lb. shaped charge. A constant challenge included being up against numerous MiG’s which complicated things, as their primary tactic was to disrupt the Alpha Strike Force. Robert also shared with us his Ettinger’s Rules of Survival. They obviously served him well!

We then heard from Col. Roy Martin who served in Vietnam from May 1972 – May 1973 as an F-4 fighter pilot. This period of the war included the names Linebacker I and Linebacker II and had some differences in focus than the previous Rolling Thunder period in which Robert served. At this later time, there was improved laser bomb technology which included higher release altitudes and more precise targeting. There were also improved air to air tactics against MiG threats. Linebacker II included the 11 Days of Christmas (December 18-29, 1972) when peace talks fell apart and we resumed bombing of North Vietnam. The Peace Treaty was signed January 28, 1973.

It was a terrific presentation which kept the audience focused on what Robert and Roy experienced during their two distinct tours of duty during the Vietnam War. A special thank you Robert and Roy for sharing with us this important time of their lives and for their service to our country.

Flyers Down to Rio

The Del Amo Flyers took a musical trip back in time with our 1930s  ‘Flying Down to Rio’ theme. The band In Contempt kept the toes tapping and the group dancing!  It was a colorful affair with many dressed for the Mardi Gras themed event and others in period outfits.  For dinner, Mitch Taylor provided his famous barbecue (thanks Mitch!) as well as great potluck items provided by all.  The Bosa Nova Del Norte punch was a hit as well. 

Also many thanks to the Hangar Potluck Committee led by Gary Palmer and Nancy Schunke, Mitch for the photo backdrop, all the setup and teardown helpers as well as those that staffed the event. We couldn’t have done it without you!  And a final thank you to all that attended, you made it a night in Rio to remember!