The Flabob Express Makes an Historic Trip
Our first dinner meeting of the new year on January 15 started off with a fascinating presentation of the adventurous trip of DC-3 Flabob Express' trip from Riverside's Flabob Airport in May 2019 to the cliffs of Normandy, France to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of D-Day on June 6 plus the 70th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. The total U.S. based DC-3 planes making the trip numbered 14.The crew of the Flabob Express spent many months preparing for this historic trip, with private and corporate donations making it possible. The Flabob Express touched down in seven different counties, each with their own unique set of logistical and aviation challenges. Those countries included: the United States of America, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
The crew faced numerous challenges including weather, broken airplane parts, lots of bureaucratic paperwork plus learning to deal with the private European air traffic control system. Unfortunately, a broken carburetor in England caused the Flabob Express to miss the June 6 festivities in France, but they joined up with the group a couple of days later. After all anniversary celebrations, the Flabob Express and the other planes safely made the journey back to the U.S.
The Flabob Express Box Score:
6.5 Weeks, 98 hours flown, 9,500 gallons avgas, 70 gallons oil, two flat struts, six bad intake tubes, two bad generators, one bad carburetor, 13 border crossings and two North Atlantic crossings.
Thank you so much to our presenter Bill Tymczyszyn, one of the crew on this historic trip, for sharing this adventure with us.
Our wonderful 2019 Holiday Party
The Del Amo Flyers Holiday Party was full of holiday charm with a good time had by all! Everyone cleaned up quite nicely for this festive occasion at PVGC. Vince and Heather La Duca created the beautiful and illuminated table decorations that brought the holiday spirit to every table. We enjoyed wonderful fellowship, delicious food, along with terrific entertainment by the live band who kept the dance floor hopping. Steve Sappington thanked all the volunteers that contributed this year’s successful fly-ins, dinners and events. He also thanked the 2019 Board of Directors for their service, but delayed the announcement of the 2020 Board until January, as a couple vacancies are in need of galant volunteers.
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.Frank Robinson's vision was to produce the world’s highest quality, most reliable helicopters in the most efficient, cost-effective way possible. It became apparent over the years that their helicopters, in addition to personal use, would become useful in many commercial operations worldwide, including police, news agencies, cattle herding and cargo hauling. The R-66 Marine is also equipped with inflatable floats for over water travel.
Safety and training is a huge focus with Robinson Helicopter Company, with intense training available domestically as well as overseas. There have even been several Around-the-World trips taken in both the R-44 and R-66 Turbine. Since Robinson discourages any high risk flying, they are very happy when those trips are completed! The company continues to expand with various types of R-22's, R-44's and R-66's with more specialized purposes. There is also a focus now on manufacturing diesel helicopters. To date, Robinson Helicopter Company has delivered over 12,000 helicopters worldwide.
They manufacture over 300 units a year and sell most of them overseas. It is a terrific benefit having Robinson based at KTOA, ensuring many years of local flying opportunities for all of us. We thank Kurt for sharing with us about the past, present and future of his thriving company, in addition for the opportunity to tour his facility in February.
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.