Naval Aviation History...
...and Name Badge Mystery
For our March dinner meeting, Jack Kenton presented a very interesting photo overview of "100 Years of Naval Aviation". Jack highlighted quite a few novel aviation prototypes, dating from the early 1900's to near-present day. Everyone learned a little something and enjoyed Jack's talk (unless you were a USMC aviator - in which case you were the brunt of a few jokes). Nice job, Jack. An otherwise perfect evening was flawed by the mysterious absence of the DAFer name badge locker. Without name badges, people were very confused, and had to resort to calling people "Big Guy" and "Honey". And as if this wasn't enough, the lack of name badges meant that there would no badge drawing for wine. When President Joe Cogan made this announcement to the already surly crowd, a near-riot almost ensued. It was only due to Joe's calming words, along with a promise to award four bottles next month, that disaster was averted. Unfortunately, none of this was adequately documented due to the incompetance of the substitute photographer for the evening, Larry Chapman.
Borrego Springs
Click to Watch Borrego Video
Afterwards, many of the participants were called upon be part of the first DAFer feature film - the exclusive preview of which can be found here. All in all, a very nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Thanks to Jodie Chapman for putting this together.
Planetary Rings (Plus Wings!)
The February program was presented by Dave Doody, lead Engineer for real-time flight operations of the Cassini-Huygens Mission at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Dave showed us "How We Got to Saturn, and What Cassini is Finding" in a very interesting and informative multimedia presentation. Peter found Dave's program inspiring, and is now exploring the idea of a Fly-In to Titan in early 2013. Wings were presented at the meeting to Jessenia Galvan-Lloyd (Mitch and Jan's granddaughter) for creating and presenting her scathing video documentary on the inner workings of the Mystery Fly-In Planning Committee (all committee members subsequently resigned in disgrace). Nice job, Jessenia, and congratulations.
North of the Border...
...Down Calexico Way
