LEADER'S WORDS

By Ron Dietes, Squadron Leader

     Thank you to the people that gave their weekend to attend the CAF Winter Staff conference in Midland on Feb 18-19.  We tried to attend as many breakout sessions as possible.  Some of the sessions I attended were pretty much a repeat of what I heard at the Summer Conference.  Although I did not attend these two sessions, I heard the two best sessions were the Finance and Safety presentations.  There were a couple of changes to the Pilot proficiency (now called Pilot Pro) and multi-engine formations regulations, which were discussed in our ground school this past weekend.  The good news is that Grant was approved to be an IP, so he can conduct our Pilot Pro checks right here in San Marcos.  Way to go Grant!

     Bob Gardner and Richard Garcia are still heavily involved in the Fund Raising effort.  He has been talking and working with John Lage from Midland.  Hopefully, we will soon see some benefits of all that hard work.  Although we have not been successful in obtaining sponsors, Bob and Richard have learned a great deal and hope to utilize that knowledge in the future efforts.  Remember folks, this is probably the most important thing we can do for the Yellow Rose.  It is absolutely essential to keeping the Rose flying and will allow us to continue educating the young people we meet at air shows and the places we attend.  We are also thinking about the CAF Ride-for–Hire program.  Although there are many hurdles to overcome, we’re seriously considering this program to help increase our finances.

     Grant is working on the Airshow schedule and you should see what he has accomplished elsewhere in this newsletter.  He is also busy gathering the pilot information since Midland is no longer going to keep that information for the units.

     We are just about finished with the “B” Inspection.  Hopefully, we will have the Rose ready for the maintenance flight on Saturday Mar 4th.  If not Saturday, then we’ll try for Sunday.  Hopefully everything will be OK and then all we will need to do is clean the Rose for the flight to Brownsville on Friday March 10th

     I just wanted to thank member Curtis Hall, who traveled from Houston and Dennis Shields who flew in from Washington DC to attend our Ground School.  I think you two guys  deserve a BIG ATTA BOY!   These two guys are friends of Greg Young.

Maintenance Matters

By Jim Liles, Maintenance Officer

Well, the Rose is almost ready for another air show year.  Since the last report, we have changed two cylinders on the right engine.  Both of these were the hard ones, number 1 and number 7.  On number 1 the dog house (air intake) has to be removed and on number 7, the oil sump has to be removed.  This has been accomplished now all we have to do is put everything on that was removed to accomplish the cylinder changes.  The Rose will need to be washed prior to going to Brownsville and that is coming up soon.  I want to thank everyone for helping out to accomplish the cylinder changes, as they were not easy and it took most of February to get the job done.

PX Report

By Greg Young, PX Officer

The 2006 Airshow season is upon us and I have been ordering and receiving various items for the PX inventory. I am stocking the inventory with items that continue to sell well and have already received such things as the 50 caliber shells, various types of wings, and the popular snap together models. Of special note to squadron members I have all the "Rose uniform items" (crew shirts and hats) in stock so if you need these items, please contact me. The TShirt design will be updated shortly. Other than that I am looking forward to a safe and production seaon. That's it PX wise.
Happy Landings.....

SAFETY FIRST

By Jerry Taylor, Squadron Safety Officer

The above cartoon was copied from my B-25 training manual. It coincides with part of my safety presentation from the ground school. Let's discuss the bomb bay. If you watch its operation, it can be the second most-dangerous place around our plane, with the first being the rotating props. Even with the "fail safe" clip in place, is it a good practice not to walk through it, especially with the engines running. That clip simply blocks the manual handle from being depressed-nothing to prevent the doors from closing. The hydraulic system is still able to operate and we have been known to have some problems with our hydraulics. The pressure created during flight or engine operations does not immediately drop to zero when the engines are turned off and the pumps are stopped. My advice is to stay out of these doors, unless absolutely necessary and you are sure that they are secured and safe. One sure way to secure it is to block it off with the manual handle, but this is not good because it can trip the manual mechanism past center and it will not close automatically in the hydraulic operation. It takes three people to then get it straightened out and closed The question arose about the safety of unloading the PX and allowing spectators to be in the bomb bay shortly after arrival at a performance. Ron explained that the pilots try to bleed off the pressure before allowing the Rose to be unloaded and viewed. However, it is a good idea to check the pressure before entering the bomb bay. Just be careful and use common sense.

MINUTES of the February 14, 2006 MEETING of the YELLOW ROSE SQUADRON

Compiled by Dave Howard, Squadron Adjutant from notes taken by Letty Deites

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 1811. Other officers present were Finance, Maintenance, Ops, Adjutant, PX, and Publicity. Sixteen members were present. Minutes from the previous meeting were accepted as published in the last Briefings.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

The CAF Winter Staff Conference is this coming weekend at the MCM Grand Hotel in Odessa. Our B25 ground school is the following weekend, Sunday the 26th , at 0900. We have 3 weeks left to finish the B inspection before Brownsville.

 

REPORTS

 

Adjutant: We presently have about 40 members renewed for this year, a good start.

 

Operations: Grant updated the schedule for the upcoming air show season. Brownsville is 11-12 March. Jasper has run out of money. He's working on Kingsville. Burnet is April 8. The Doolittle gathering in Dayton is not planning for B25 fly-ins this year. It was suggested that we consider holding the next one in San Marcos instead of an air show. Fort Smith is off. Dyess is probable. Tyndall is unknown. Holloman's next air show is next year. The new fire suppression system upgrade project is proceeding, with a test of the new automatic air compressor next week. Grant collected money for the chaplain in Iraq mentioned in the last Centex newsletter who needs the DVD video camera.

 

Finance: Judy reported the details of our recent expenditures and deposits. Our ANUAC and the 6 months hangar rent has been paid. We are expecting substantial expenses this month for maintenance, repairs and PX re-stocking. We appear to be on-track with our budget.

 

Maintenance: The B inspection is moving along very well. The "dog house" is back in place on the right Wright. Replacement of the #7 cylinder begins early next week.

 

PX: The new "Crew" caps are on order and should be here in time for ground school. Crew shirts are available now. Fifty caliber dummy rounds and pins have been ordered. New T-shirts are still being decided. Yellow was suggested.

 

Publicity: Our first big sponsor contact has declined to participate. Other corporations are being considered for possible sponsorship. Bob is asking for help in researching contact points in large and small enterprises that we might approach to underwrite stops along routes to our air shows or short tours. He emphasized that as fuel prices rise we get fewer traditional air show appearance opportunities to raise money, so the threat to our existence is doubled! We need to all get involved in fund-raising by feeding him accurate contact information, based on our personal relationships or our knowledge of areas the Rose might visit.

 

The B-25 flight simulator CD is nearly ready for sale. He plans to have 25-50 copies ready for Brownsville.

 

Adopt-an-Airport: Mike says the airport entrance is now clean. The next project will possibly be to police the ramp.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

We're reconsidering the "rides for hire" alternative to raise money. We are short of co-pilots, but Ron and Grant could cover that for the present.

Operations Report

By Grant Lannon, Operations Officer

We completed our annual ground school on Sunday February 26th and over 35 people in attendance.  Thanks to everyone who wanted to make sure they were current on the operation of the Rose.  Many of us went to the winter staff conference on the 17th-19th of February in Midland.  Here are some of the main points of the meetings I went to:

 

Lage:  get rid of patches and items that have “Confederate” on them

Blalock:  Code name Bravo is back and the discount for active duty military continues

Crites:  CAF 50th anniversary celebration in Las Vegas, July 2007

Stenevik:  Computerized form 100 demonstrated -Invitations to use it will be out soon -FAA PPEs without a CAF Designated Examiner don’t count for a Pilot-pro -Copilots are pilots for the requirements of the Pilot-pro

Rozendaal:  Local FEB is the controlling authority to make sure that pilots are safe

Formation Committee:  Photo ship is not a “formation lead” -Will be some kind of training for a photo ship pilot in a CAF aircraft -Airshow trail circuit flying is not formation -Ensure that current formation rules for CAF multi-engine aircraft are enforced

 

     We had fun visiting the American Legion after the meetings were over and are amazed that the people there are starting to call us by our first names—we can’t understand why!

     I have been designated a “Highly Qualified Pilot” so we can do our Pilot-pros internally within the squadron.  While they are only required once every two years, we are setting a goal to accomplish them every year prior to the start of the airshow season.  I am also collecting all the records relating to our pilots.  It is now our responsibility to make sure that the pilot paperwork is up to date and that we know what their recent flying experience is to make sure that everyone is safe.  As pointed out in ground school, it is everyone’s job to make sure if they see an unsafe situation, it is pointed out to people who can do something about it.  Your first step is to report it to a member of the staff.  If you feel that person is not responding properly, go to another staff member.  We should be able to keep our own house in order first.  If that doesn’t work, turn in an anonymous safety report to the CAF Safety Reporting System (SRS).  You can find information about that on the members website (www.ghostsquadron.org)

 

AIRSHOW SCHEDULE:

 

I am still working on getting us scheduled and it is a lot of work.  Many airshow committees wait until the last minute to decide what aircraft their budget will cover.  I have discovered that Howard used to list all shows that we wanted to go to and that is not the way to get the information out accurately.  I have pared the schedule to the shows that we are most likely to attend.  Meanwhile, both Clif and I are trying to contact other venues.

Event	Date	Confirmed	Duration
Brownsville Fiesta	Mar 11-12	Confirmed	2 days
Burnet	8 April	Confirmed	One day
USAA Spring Flyover	6 May	Confirmed	Single Event (Sat)
Temple	May 5-7	Confirmed	two days
Hondo EAA Fly-in	May 12-14		three days
Dyess AFB	21 May	Confirmed	One day (Sun)
Ada, OK Fly-in	18 Jun	Confirmed	One day (Sun)
Alice TX fly-in	2 Sep	Confirmed	One day (Sun)
Midland Fina	Oct 7-8		two days
Wings Over Houston	Oct 21-22		two days
New Braunfels	Oct 20-21		two days

A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS

By Judy McMillan, Finance Officer

     Payment of the 2006 dues for the Yellow Rose Squadron was due in January.  Everyone does not take the time to pay his or her dues after the first notice so we continue reminding everyone until the March newsletter.  If you haven’t paid your dues by the middle of March, you will no longer receive the newsletter and your name will be removed from the email distribution list.  For many Yellow Rose supporters, receiving the newsletter and being included in email broadcasts are the only connections with the Squadron and to some, the amount of the dues may seem a lot for just that.  However, if you are not able to be an active participant in Squadron activities for various reasons, please be aware that your support is very important to the Rose and very much appreciated by all other Squadron members.

     Every show we attend and every activity we plan is for the purpose of raising funds to keep the Rose flying in order to continue teaching her history to younger generations.  Every contribution is important.  If you haven’t sent your dues or have considered dropping your support, I ask you to reconsider.  In fact, I ask you to consider sending an additional contribution with your dues.  For me, walking into the hanger at the San Marcos Airport and seeing the Rose sitting there under the hanger lights, looking as elegant as she always does is by itself, worth $50.     

 

Thanks

WWII FIGHTER ACE, AUTHOR, ROBERT L. SCOTT DIES AT 97

By Jerry Taylor

Retired Brig. Gen. Robert L. Scott died early Monday at the age of 97.  Scott was known for his book, “God is My Co-Pilot”, which he wrote in 1943.  Subsequently, he has written other books and continued active in aviation activities, working as a volunteer at the AF Museum of Aviation at Robbins AFB.  When the Air Corps took over the Flying Tigers in WWII, Scott was named the commanding officer, and shot down 22 enemy planes with his P-40, but received credit for only 13.  He flew an F-15 on his 88^th birthday, and a B-1 on his 89^th.  Bob, as he liked to be called, was a CAF member since 1964.  He also was no stranger to the Yellow Rose.  In May of 1998, Chas. Greinke, Ron Dietes, and myself took the Rose to Randolph AFB for the AVG Reunion.  Because of the smog from the fires in Mexico, we were the only WWII Warbird at the reunion.  Even though nearly ninety, he crawled from one end to the other of our Rose. He and I became friends and communicated frequently until recently, when he became ill.  Every time we talked, he asked us to bring the Rose to Georgia.  I am proud to have known him and he will be missed.

New Members, Friends and Cadets

By Judy McMillan

The Yellow Rose Squadron has two new members. 

     Dennis Shields of Springfield, VA joined in January.  Dennis is a transportation specialist and a student pilot.  He is acquainted with Greg, Curtis, Grant and Ron and is eager to help in any way he can from long distance.  Welcome, Dennis; thanks for your support.

     Chuck Throop is another new member that many Squadron members have already met.  Chuck worked in Information Technology for the VA and the State of Texas before he retired.  He served in the USAF and has a Commercial Pilot’s certificate.  He and his wife, Pat, live in San Marcos.  Chuck is already involved in activities in the hanger.  We’re glad to have him in the Squadron.

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

2006 GROUND SCHOOL

By Ron Dietes

     Grant Lannon, Tim Black, Jerry Taylor, Jim Liles, Dave Howard and I were the presenters for the 2006 Yellow Rose Ground School.  We had a very good class this year with 33 members and guests attending the session.  Some of the topics discussed were:  Electrical System, Hydraulic System, Flight Controls, Powerplant, Engine Oil System, Crew Resource Management, Intercom, CAF Regulation changes, Landing Gear System, Propellers, Fuel System, Environmental, Performance Limitations and Safety.

     The next class is scheduled for Sunday Feb 25th 2007, so mark your calendars.  After lunch, we adjourned to the hangar for a show and tell.  A big thank you goes to Jim Liles for arranging lunch and thanks to Letty for the excellent cheese cake and cookies.

 

Images from the recent Ground School

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

The following two letters were received by the Squadron and need to be shared with all of our members.

                               5th Battalion, 14th Marines

                               4th Marine Division

United States Marine Corps

 

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Commemorative Air Force;

 

It is with our greatest appreciation we give a big Ooh Rah for the selfless contributions you have made to the men and women of the 5^th Battalion, 14^th Marines. Your generous donations will keep Marines in touch with their families and friends while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom in provinces located all across Iraq. We truly thank you all for your patriotism and support.  It is an honor to serve and protect our great nation.

 

Semper Fi,

RP2 Gregory S. Knight

5/14 Chaplains Office

Camp Fallujah, Iraq

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2006 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