- September 2001
The Flyer - September 2001
President Vacant Vice-President Paul Broome Secretary Pam Ratliff Treasurer Marty Young
Directors Jim Root, Penrod Turk, Patrick Hubbard,
Earlene McClure, Jeff Page, June Williams and Past Presidents
Herb Roberts
introduced our August speaker with a very modest bio: 50 years in aviation; 8,400+ flight hours in military and
civilian aircraft as a flight instructor and air show pilot; on faculty of Auburn and U of OK; 27 years in DC as
a representative of Boeing and Cessna; and years of service in the Shawnee Mission CAP Squadron. Impressive and
brief, but no indication of the subject that Wilmot "Dusty" Rhodes would fascinate us with. We have all
heard of systems to launch aircraft from 0 to safe flight speed such as launches from dirigible trapezes, shipboard
catapults, and JATO; and systems to slow aircraft from flying speed to zero such tail skids, brakes, reverse thrust
and props, drag chutes and arresting gear. However, Dusty introduced a unique concept to us of launching and recovering
aircraft very few have ever heard of. The U. S., facing losses of convoys in WW II, turned to an idea studied by
Europeans as early as 1913. A young Army officer, Lt. Brodie, former civilian pilot and engineer, perfected the
system of launching and recovering light aircraft, initially the L-5, but later using the L-4 (Piper J-3), from
a cable strung between supports, first on land, then on ships. Videos made from WW II training films and handouts
with explanations got the idea across to us. Our speaker was involved in the flying aspects right from the beginning
training over 100 pilots to catch the cable. Dusty was there! Better air cover for the convoys slowed the development,
but plans for its use were made for the invasion of Japan. I have landed Jet Stars on the Johnson Ranch 65 ft wide
runway, some of you have used the 20 ft wide runway at Roosterville, but consider landing and taking off on a moving
300 ft. long shipboard runway or a 500 ft. long land-based runway only one inch wide! And consider that your engine
has died after you and your L-4 have been hoisted up and placed on the cable, and you have to get out, balancing
your feet on the gear strut, one hand in the cockpit on the throttle and the other pulling the prop! The system
was proved successful when two aircraft were launched from LST 776 in the invasion of Okinawa. The atomic bomb
rendered its further use unnecessary. Our acting president Paul Broome described the topic as unusual and interesting.
Understatement of the year! Thanks, Dusty!
Al St. Germain
Missouri State Senate Web Site: http://www.senate.state.mo.us
Missouri House Web Site: http://www.house.state.mo.us/home.htm
Put This On Your Calendar!
Flyouts: Flyout Committee Chair: Sarah McKinley
When you see RSVP, Sarah MUST know to arrange transportation to the restaurant.
Anybody desiring to be on Sarah's email list, please let her know.
September 15, Saturday-MPA South Central Chapter Air Show at West Plains, MO
September 15, Saturday-Clay Co. Regional Airport. Fly-in breakfast 8:00 - 12:00.
September 15, Saturday-Kirksville, MO Airport Days.
September 22, Saturday-MPA Poker Run starting at Osage Beach,Grand Glaize Airport. Please
see the MPA NEWS for details. (July issue page 12 & 13.)
September 29, Saturday-Centerville, IA Pancake Days. Landing at 10:00, parade at 1:00 (bring
chairs). Lots of fun activities. Free pancakes until noon.
September 30, Sunday-Cottonwood Falls, KS, Chase County International Airport. Emma Chase
Café. Fly-in breakfast. Land 8:00.
October 7, Sunday-Topeka, KS, Bullard Airport. Landing 11:30 restaurant on field (Lunch Buffet)
October 13, Saturday- Stockton, MO Airport. Chili Lunch Fly-in (10-3) yum! yum! These guys
are always a lot of fun!! Opps!! Girls tooooo!!!!
October 14, Sunday- RSVP The Bridges of Madison County Festivel, Winterset, IA. Landing at
9:30 am of course bus tours all day (downtown parade 2-3 pm) ATT: Macho Men This is the Birthplace and Boyhood
home of John Wayne (1 block off the square.
October 21, Sunday-MPA Picnic Rainbow Air Village, Dearborn MO Airport. Landing 12:00 Noon.
Bring Covered Dish & RSVP
Please RSVP to Sarah McKinley at 816-320-3462 or E-Mail Herb at herb9649@yaboo.com.
Also the morning of fly-out you can call: 816-781-7194 - Roosterville Airport.
Airborne Communications is 122.75. Remember that our minimums are 3000 and 5.
Programs: Program committee chair: Herb Roberts
September 26 - Sgt. Pepper Burns of the KCPD Helicopter Unit. He will talk
to us about the history of the unit and tell of some interesting things that have happened.
October 24 - Tom Bartels of the FAA will give us our yearly talk on winter weather and the
effect it has on flying and the airplane. November 14 - Chuck Zuvers will talk about the Flying Fez, the flying
unit of the Araat Shrine that transports burn victims to hospitals at no charge.
January 23, 2002-Mr. Lee Lamar was a B-24 bomber pilot during the 2nd WW and was shot down
over Italy. He was captured and spent the rest of the war as a P.O.W. He will tell about his experiences and
will have some artifacts to display. Should be very interesting.
DINNER RESERVATION INFORMATION
The Christmas Dinner is not far away. The reservation date is made for December 12th at V's Italiano
Restaurant, 40 Hwy, Independence MO.
The Thanksgiving Dinner will be on November 14th at Jumpin Catfish, Lee's Summit MO, off of 350 Hwy
September 26, 2001 - at DAV, 8787 Old Santa Fe Road. Reservations MUST BE MADE by SATURDAY,
September 22, 2001, if not on the permanent reservation list. Special dietary needs can be accommodated at the
time of the reservation. Please call JUNE WILLIAMS AFTER NOON at 816-224-3241 to make your reservations. Our menu
will be: Lasagna, Carrot's, Salad and dessert.
Meeting time: Social from 6:00 to 6:30 PM. Dinner at 6:30PM. Cost is $12.00 per person.
We regret to inform you of the recent loss of the Mother of John "Jack" Gress.
| W hy I nstruction N ever G oes S outh |
In the last 3 years there were NO accidents involving a WINGS participant. Just looking at this information, isn't it worth the 3 flying hours and a safety meeting to avoid a costly accident? Participate in the WINGS program. It's better than a BFR. |