August Newsletter

		Previous issues
BRIEFINGS
August, 2005	The Yellow Rose B-25 Squadron Newsletter	Vol. 08-08

SUMMER STAFF CONFERENCE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING NOTES

Compiled from reports submitted by Ron Dietes, Grant Lannon, and Greg Young

CAF Staff Officer Nominations

The group was concerned about the nominating committee only offering the same number of candidates as open officer positions. After a small discussion, no resolution was presented. Plus the bylaws state how the election will be conducted. Floor nominations are part of the process.

Access to Member Info

We discussed the possibility of having a place on the Members Only web site to access Member Name, Phone number and email address. The thought being quick access to a members phone and email information. This will be looked into. One of the concerns was access to data that could be extracted and then sold.

Airsho Ramp Concern

One of the members again brought up the condition of the ramp where the T-6 aircraft usually park during Airsho. That is still being looked into and several resolutions are being discussed. Headquarters knows it is an issue and will make attempts for a resolution. One of the problems is funds.

Summer Staff Content

We talked about ways to generate more content for the summer staff conference. One idea was to have more breakout sessions. Attendance seemed to be a little low and the group thought the break out sessions (Safety, Maintenance, Marketing) may generate more interest thereby increasing attendance.

Membership and Education

One of the members wanted to know what was done with the dropout information. Also what was being done to attract younger members? No real answers. But the questions would be passed to the appropriate headquarters personnel. Donna Blalock noted the benefits for recruiting new members (these are listed in CAF publications). For example, you get a free annual renewal if you recruit 5 new members. Currently, we are losing 2 members for every new member recruited. The highest percent of members lost is after one year. We need to follow up on members who drop that are listed in the spreadsheet sent by headquarters and see why they are not renewing. The number of members declined from 7,112 to 6,944. There are new member benefits, check them out on the www.ghostsquadron.org member website.

Marketing

Rusty McInterff said the goal of the new member benefits is to provide more than $160 benefit in coupons which offsets the cost of membership (check out the new benefits). Headquarters is planning on marketing the CAF aircraft as a block from headquarters (this can be powerful!!!-Grant).

Organization Awareness and Awards

What was being done to create Organization awareness and would it be possible to offer a person that has been a member for 20 years some incentive to converting to a life membership.

Operations

Bob Stenevik is trying to get permission to use an Air Transport Canada program on pilot decision making for our use. He is also attempting to qualify the CAF upcoming pilot proficiency program under the FAA Wings program so we can get a discount on our insurance. There will be an anonymous reporting system on-line done by a third (not CAF associated) party which will provide a redacted summary of incidents to use in mishap prevention. The majority of the upcoming programs are conceptual, but planning and coordinating are complete. The CAF focus will be on pilot training and proficiency, pilot decision making, ground safety, and airshow safety. The need for documentation of incidents was also stressed.

General Staff Meeting

The staff approved a permanent first year dues program for all active duty military of $100. Remember that absentee ballots need to be in 5 days before Airsho. Long discussion on permanently grounding the ME-109, which was approved. It will be on permanent static display in Midland. The aircraft is deemed to be a safety problem and continued air operations are too risky.

Headquarters Aircraft Scheduling

A discussion was held regarding the possibility of a common database for aircraft scheduling and bookings. There appears to be a lack of Command and Control regarding the scheduling of CAF aircraft.

Aircraft Parts Preservation

Could something be done to preserve the aircraft parts that are just sitting out in the weather. A task force needs to be formed to gather volunteers to sort thru the inventory and then build a parts database so units know what is available.

ICAS Attendance

A small discussion was held regarding the merits of attending ICAS. Should we go up as a CAF group or continue as we have in the past of each unit being on their own. No one had an answer, but most thought it would be better and more successful if we could put up a united front

Other

Ground breaking on the Commemorative Center will occur in August. This construction will adversely affect aircraft parking at Airsho

A new unit location map is almost complete and will be handed out at Oshkosh.

LEADER'S WORDS

By Ron Dietes, Squadron Leader

     Another month has gone by and we continue to keep busy. Grant Lannon, Jim Liles, Greg Young and I took the Rose to Midland for the Summer Staff conference and to leave her there for our rotation. Thanks to Mike Renck, Pat Jopling and Ken Udcoff for meeting us in Midland and attending the staff conference with us. Also thanks a whole lot to Mike Renck for flying us back in the U-11 and to Pat Jopling for driving us around in the van. We will bring the Rose back to San Marcos sometime near the end of August. One thing we found out at the conference was that we are not the only ones that have been affected by the cancellation of air shows this year. Many of the groups lost several air shows due to money concerns and other internal problems with the air show groups. Grant is still working on Cannon, so maybe that will come together. Grant is in Santa Fe for the next several weeks, but he will be following up with the Cannon folks and we’ll let you know as soon as we know.

     We have started working on other things that need to be done that we just don’t have the time to do when the Rose is in the hangar. For example, last Saturday we sorted rivets. I know what a tedious and boring job, but it needed to be done. Thanks to Jim Liles, Julie Pulcipher, Greg Young and I, we made a dent in the baggies that have been on the shelf since the move to San Marcos from San Antonio. Next we plan to tackle the parts area downstairs next to the maintenance room and once that is in order, we’ll attempt the upstairs parts storage area. Who knows, we may eventually know what we have on the shelves and in the bins.

     The fund raising effort led by Bob Gardner continues to roll along. Although I have not talked to him this week, I am hopeful that he will have something positive to report at our next squadron meeting on August 9th.

     We are planning to have another Squadron Safety meeting and it looks like it will be either August 13 or August 20th. Those dates are a Saturday. Hopefully we’ll have more on this topic at the regular August squadron meeting. Headquarters has put out a DVD and we would like everyone to view it. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

OPERATIONS REPORT

By Grant Lannon, Operations Officer

     As reported at the last meeting, we are in the summer heat airshow doldrums. The Rose is in Midland until September 1st and we have a lot of space in the hanger. The Texas celebration of the end of WWII will include a flyover of the capitol on September 2nd. Cannon AFB airshow is the 10th and 11th and we do know it is a scaled back version so we are trying to get a handle on that. Airsho is October 1&2 while Houston is the next weekend.

     The staff finished our investigation of the P-39 mishap and the CENTEX Flight Evaluation Board voted to prohibit the pilot from flying the P-39 in the future. The Flight Safety Board in Midland concurred with the unit FEB action to remove the pilot from flight status in the P-39 and removed the pilot from flight status in all CAF aircraft indefinitely.

     The action items in the investigation involved determining proper mishap notification procedures, maintenance write-up procedures, and methods of determining pilot proficiency. The notification procedures have been posted in the roster books in the kitchen and will be published in this newsletter. The FEB recommended that headquarters allow write-ups in the Form 100 by the pilot or other crewmember and that an initial disposition (grounding or not) be posted with the write-up. The CENTEX Operations officer will collect quarterly information on flying time from each pilot in the wing that flies CAF aircraft (P-39 and U-3A). If the pilot does not have relevant experience in a recent quarter, he will have to take part in another flight activity in the hanger so his proficiency can be evaluated by other Wing pilots/staff.

Jim Liles and Greg Young at work on Rose’s brakes.

Photo by Pat Jopling

SAFETY FIRST
By Jerry Taylor, Squadron Safety Officer

     As Squadron Safety Officer, it is hard for me to write a safety article of interest for all of our members from such varied backgrounds. However, it is necessary for us to continue to have safety stressed in our activities. The CAF has recognized this and recently added a staff position at headquarters to focus on safety. For the first time in recent history, this has caused information to be passed down to us through official channels, instead of rumor and/or word of mouth. This data allows us as a unit to examine our operation and correct, as best we can, any deficiencies that exist. We are even receiving pilot “there I was” testimonials when a mishap occurs, giving us a first-hand look at what caused the mishap and the decisions that led to its occurrence. In conjunction with this, a new Safety Reporting System Guide has been made available. Through this system, any member may report any safety issues that they feel need attention, without disclosing their identity. This system goes through a third party that removes identification and reports the issue to the CAF. For more on this guide, log on to the CAF members only website and look under Forms Archive, Training and Guideline Documents. This system is a long-needed method of sharing safety issues, and yet maintain anonymity.

     As an organization we stress and practice safety. Emergency situations are practiced in all potential situations, from fire drills to engine loss. We all attempt to be ready for the emergency when it happens, but we cannot practice panic. We are human beings, and there is no amount of statistics maintained on mishaps to tell us how we will react to a given situation. Decisions are made, and many times we look at a mishap and question why the person or people involved made the decisions that took place and caused it to happen. We hear of mishaps in all aspects of life, from the deaths of four adult leaders at the Boy Scouts National Jamboree to the death of the pilot in the crash of a P-51 at the EAA show in Oshkosh. All we can do is to continue to share ideas with one another and hope that when a situation does arise, each one of us will be prepared to meet it head on in a calm, safe manner and prevent loss of property or worse, injury or loss of life.

   As stated in Ron’s article, we are planning another safety meeting on either August 13 or 20. This is important, not only to flight crews, but to all members of the squadron. Please plan to attend.

ROSE TRAVELS AND ACTIVITIES

MIDLAND, JULY 15

By Greg Young

On July 15, 2005, a crew of four consisting of Ron Dietes, Grant Lannon, Jim Liles, and Greg Young took the Rose to Midland for our turn in the display rotation at headquarters. We had 3 passengers including a young man from Lithuania named Darius. Darius is now serving in the United States Army and was getting ready to do training in Alaska prior to service in Afghanistan. Our arrival in the Midland area was followed by a touch and go so that both Ron and Grant could stay current in the B25. Once on the ground, the Rose was towed into the CAF hangar where for once she was not the biggest airplane in the hangar as both the B29 and the C46 were also in there. We offloaded the Rose and it felt strange leaving her there. Oh well, the time will fly by and she'll be back home before we know it. We were greeted by Pat Jopling and Ken Udcoff and later Mike Renck joined us.

We checked into that old Odessa standby, the PARKWAY. Later we went to the host hotel for the CAF staff meeting and ate dinner there. Of course, we then landed up in the American Legion for several hours of typical Rose socialization. Darius was so happy he kept repeating he must have been the first Lithuanian to fly in a B25 although since the Russian Air Force used many B25s in World War II it is probable that some Lithuanians flew in them. The next morning after a city wide search we found a place to eat breakfast and then proceeded to the CAF staff meeting. After the sessions, we headed out to the Midland airport and flew back home with Mike Renck in the U -11. Another Rose mission was ended on a successful note.

NEW YELLOW ROSE MEMBERS

By Judy McMillan, Squadron Finance Officer

     The Yellow Rose Squadron has four new members.

     Jan Wagner, a private pilot and an Information Management Specialist (sounds like computers) for Lockheed Martin joined in May. Jan and his wife, Carla, live in San Antonio. Jan is interested in learning to care for the Rose, and assisting in caring for her at air shows and in other ways. Sounds like we have a new flight mechanic candidate. Jan was recruited by Jerry Taylor.

     Pat Jopling introduced two new members to the Yellow Rose. Brian Brown, an active member of USAF, lives in San Angelo. Brian is a real Colonel and the Squadron is happy to have his support. Mark Musheno is also active duty USAF. He and his wife, Erica, live in San Antonio. Mark also wants to learn to work on the airplane and help in any way.

     Murray Miller is the most recent new member. Murray is a friend of Shane Arnwine’s and works for USAA Insurance. Murray and his wife, Stacey, live in San Antonio. Murray is willing to help in any way he can.

     We look forward to the participation of all new members and hope they will speak up, step up and pitch in. Look for them around the hanger and make them feel welcome.

CAF FLIGHT SAFETY BOARD DECISIONS

Copied from CAF Flight Safety and Operations News

At the last meeting of the CAF Flight Safety Board, there were 4 aircraft mishaps on the agenda for review:

1. Incident: October, 2003. BT-13 taxied into a fire bottle and failed to report the incident IAW CAF 60-1, until November, 2004. The pilot was grounded when the incident was reported. The suspension of pilot privileges will be removed pending the Unit FEB recommending reinstatement of flying privileges.

2. Incident: March 19, 2005. Corsair gear up. The pilot will remain off flight status for a period of 12 months from the date of the incident. Carbon monoxide levels in the cockpit of this airplane and other fighters will be investigated.

3. Accident: April 18, 2005. Bell P-39 departed the runway on landing. The Board concurred with the unit FEB action to remove the pilot from flight status in the P-39 and removed the pilot from flight status in all CAF aircraft indefinitely.

4. Accident: June 24, 3005. Tora type T-6 taxied into a T-28 on a taxiway. The pilot was not available and remains grounded until the next Board.

PILOT QUALIFICATION AND RECURRING TRAINING CHANGES

Copied from CAF Flight Safety and Operations News

The General staff gave the green light to develop changes in our pilot training programs. The changes will be worked through the Operations Board and the Standardization Group. If we can get the work finished in time for the August meeting, we will ask for approval of the plan then. There are some issues with significant obstacles to overcome and all of the changes will require inputs form ane work at the unit level. This coordination and interaction will take time, so the actual changes in how you operate won’t be in place until the fall.

Minutes of the July 12, 2005 Meeting
By Dave Howard, Squadron Safety Officer

The regular squadron meeting was held at San Marcos in the Centex Hangar Ready Room. Squadron Leader Ron Dietes called the meeting to order at 1804. Officers present also included Maintenance, Adjutant, PX, and Publicity. Twenty three members and guests were present. Jan Wagner was introduced as a new member. Letty introduced her brother and sister, Tom and Mary Ann. Murray Miller also attended as a guest. Minutes of the May meeting, which had been inadvertently omitted from the last issue of Briefings, were distributed and approved.

REPORTS

Operations: In Grant’s absence, Ron reminded that the Dyess trip is weekend after next. This coming Saturday is a clean-up day to get the Rose ready. Mike Renck gave a firsthand account of the WASP reunion and museum dedication at Avenger Field. Five vintage a/c attended, three of which were from YR Squadron, including Ron’s and Grant’s T-6, Mike’s U-11, and Dave’s C-120. The other two were an L-Bird and an H-18 Twin Beech.

Finance (May meeting report with Judy’s update):       The April beginning balance was $15,761. Net income and disbursements added $2267, thanks to productive air shows at Burnet and Holloman. This left an April ending balance of $18,028. May activity to date has brought in $7184. Payables are estimated at $5700, including $3500 for repairs, $1000 for fuel, and $1200 for rent. Projected May ending balance, including payables, is $19,512. Balance in the “hands-off” accounts is $46,346.

Finance (June meeting report, received from Judy in absentia): The May beginning balance was $18,028. Deposits and disbursements netted $6517, reflecting the nice Holloman fee, so the May ending balance was $24,545. June activities to date have cost us $1313. Deposits in transit total $1900. Payables are estimated at $4420, including $2000 for repairs, $1200 for hangar rent, $720 for quarterly CAF insurance fee, and $500 for PX items.  Projected June ending balance, including payables, is $20,712. Balance in the “hands-off” accounts is $46,356.

Maintenance:       This week’s work needed is mainly clean-up and fixing the usual oil leaks after the Minden trip. Jim’s attention has been divided somewhat by the need to deal with the T-6 emergency AD inspections, requiring paint removal and dye penetrant testing of the wing attachment flanges on all the T-6’s and derivatives in the hangar. Ron also pointed out that we need to get a tire mounted on the spare wheel.

PX: Greg reported that Tyndall was a good trip, selling out of many items. We took in $840 at San Marcos, with light attendance. Minden was very good for a one-day show. The deposit was $1200, including $250 from cockpit tours.   He passed around one of the new low-profile hats several members have requested. More shirts and hats are on the way.

Publicity: Bob reported that the San Marcos Air Show was a big hit with the honorees. Dick Cole and several others expressed their thanks and a desire to remain involved with future functions. Bob reviewed the fund raising presentation slides describing the 5-year operating budget proposal. He and Richard presented a brief DVD which had been produced by Shane and USAA which includes interviews with Dick Cole, Bill Powers, Grant Lannon, and Sandy Sansing describing the role of our CAF activities in educating and preserving our warbird history. This DVD will be used as part of the fund raising material. The first presentation will probably take place in early July.

Adopt-An-Airport: Mike Colaluca is back from eye surgery and already reporting some improvement. He says the next task for the committee is some shrub/brush trimming.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Several members reported hearing a news item announcing that San Marcos has received notice from the FAA that a control tower is budgeted for 2006.

OLD BUSINESS

Cowden Ward’s offer at the last meeting to build a spec house as a fund-raiser for the squadron was again discussed. A floor plan for a Garden House example in the Marble Falls area was passed around. The target price would be $179,500. Since the Squadron itself probably cannot co-sign the note, it appears that the notion would require that one or more individuals act as co-signors. If any member is interested in this idea, he or she should contact Ron or Cowden for more details.

Sick Call: Welcome back, Mike!

The meeting adjourned at 1840.

2005 Yellow Rose B-25
Squadron Staff Officers

Squadron Leader - Ron Dietes

dietes.ron@heb.com

Executive Officer - Tim Black

tangblack@austin.rr.com

Finance Officer - Judy McMillan

heyjude@texas.net

Adjutant - Dave Howard

dave.howard@baesystems.com

Operations Officer - Grant Lannon (interim)

glannon@texas.net

Maintenance Officer - Jim Liles

james.liles@tstr.net

Safety Officer - Jerry Taylor

james_j_taylor@msn.com

PX Officer - Greg Young

tbolt52@hotmail.com

Publicity Officer - Bob Gardner

bob@rhga.com

Mar 12-13	Brownsville, TX
Mar 19-20	Luke AFB, AZ Cancelled
April 9	Burnet, TX
April 16-17	Holloman AFB, NM
May 7-8	Temple, TX
May 14-15	Tyndall AFB, FL
May 21-22	San Marcos, TX
June 3-5	Minden, LA
June 25	Dyess AFB, TX
Sept 2	Austin Flyover, End of WWII celebration
Sept 9-11	Cannon AFB, NM
Oct 1-2	Midland, TX
Oct 8-9	Houston, TX
Oct 21-22	Lavaca County Aerial Conference	Halletsville, TX

HAPPY 62ND BIRTHDAY TO THE YELLOW ROSE ON AUGUST 2ND