May 10, 1972, A/C 916 EAL DC-9

Honor, integrity, pride, fellowship — The rEAL Flight Crew!
The Official Newsletter of The Silver Falcons
Volume 12, Number 1
www.silverfalcons.com
Winter 2008
May 10, 1972, A/C 916 EAL DC-9
On fire at gate 17 at the old Atlanta Terminal.
Capt. J.J. McCulloch, FO L.S. Jones
FLT 370, ATL to GSP
See the rest of the story on page 20
The rEAL Word | Winter 2008 1
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Silver Falcons,
P.O. Box 71372
Newnan, GA
30271
Board of Directors
Bill Vaden
Vice President
Tel: (770) 939-2774
Fax: (770) 939-2774
Stuart Hughes
Director & Database
Coordinator
Tel: (770) 229-2784
skyking@comcast.net
southmetro@mindspring.com
Hank Sanak
Vice President
Sandy McCulloh
Director, E-Mail Editor
Tel: (770) 487-4255
Tel: (770) 491-0727
hsanak@numail.org
silverfalcons@bellsouth.net
Ron Mussig
Secretary
Dick Borrelli
Newsletter Editor
Tel: (770) 973-7093
Tel: (770) 254-1748
Fax: (770) 254-0179
ronm@agmtax.com
Jerry Frost
Webmaster
Tel: (770) 947-6367
Fax: (770) 577-9726
gvfrost@comcast.net
conob@numail.org
Joe Zito
Financial Officer
Tel: (770) 252-0761
Fax: (770) 252-0758
Cell: (678) 523-1235
jezdc9@numail.org
The opinions expressed in The rEAL Word are the opinions of individual members
and do not express the opinions of the BOD or the organization.
Newsletter layout by KFD&P; 770 474-1953; kellie@kfdp.com; kfrissell@mac.com
The Silver Falcons is a group of former Eastern Airlines Pilots and Flight
Attendants who honored the picket line in 1989. It is incorporated and registered as
a nonprofit organization in the State of Georgia. The Silver Falcons is also
registered as a tax exempt organization with the IRS.
Dues are $25 per year for a Charter member and $10 per year for an Auxiliary
member. A life membership may be purchased for $500 for a Charter member and
$200 for an Auxiliary member. Dues and all correspondence should be mailed to:
The Silver Falcons, P.O. Box 71372, Newnan, GA 30271.
A quarter page ad for one year (Four issues) is $250. A half page ad, either
horizontal or vertical, is $500 a year. Every attempt will be made to put these ads
on the outside of the page rather than toward the middle. The back cover and the
inside of the front cover will be offered for full page ads only and will cost $1000 a
year. If you have a special event that needs attention for a short time, we will accept
single issue ads at $62.50 for a quarter page, $125 for a half page, and $250 for a
full page (If available). We will not decrease the content of the newsletter, but will
increase it’s size to accommodate our advertisers. Every attempt will be made to
insure that there is no more than one ad per page. The editor will have the right to
reject any ad that he deems objectionable, although we do not anticipate this as a
problem. All ads must be in black and white since we do not have color capability
at this time.
It will be the responsibility of the advertiser to supply a print ready ad to the editor
at least thirty days prior to publication of the newsletter. Every effort will be made
to accommodate any specific requests you may have. Publication dates are January
15, April 15, July 15, and October 15 each year. All materials can be mailed to The
Silver Falcons, P.O. Box 71372, Newnan, GA 30271, or contact Dick Borrelli at this
address, by fax at (770) 254-0179, or by E-Mail at conob@numail.org if you plan
to participate. Deadline for ads is at least 30 days prior to the publication dates
stated above.
2 The rEAL Word | Winter 2008
As the new year begins, I welcome the
opportunity to serve as president of this
revered organization for 2008. Joining
me as new officers this year are Hank
Sanak, Sandy McCulloh, and Stuart
Hughes. Our financial position is as
strong as ever, thanks to the fudiciary
policies of the past and the able
management of Joe Zito, who continues
as Financial Officer. Dick Borrelli
(with some big-time arm twisting) continues to publish this
newsletter, hopefully until a replacement can be found. Jerry
Frost does a great job as our webmaster. These are the men who
keep this organization “alive and well”.
As more of our membership “flies west on their final check
ride”, our numbers diminish, but our will to continue and fight
for what’s right remains strong. I’m sure that you, as well as I,
feel honored to be associated with the The Silver Falcons, all of
whom have displayed high moral character with their actions in
the past, particularly since March, 1989. One of my goals this
year is to increase members’ participation in all affairs of our
organization. Send us your ideas and suggestions on how we can
better this association. Change for the better is good and I live
with an open mind to them.
Our 2007 convention was a huge success, due in large part to
the Chicago-based EAL Pilot Group. Thanks, guys and gals.
Another goal of mine is to increase our attendance at our annual
conventions. This year we moved to a later date(Nov.6,7,and 8)
in hopes of affording more members and guests the opportunity
to attend. The setting is at a first class resort hotel in the Panama
City, Florida area, so the weather should be nice and cozy. Our
convention affords us the opportunity to renew old
acquaintances, relive forgotten past experiences with our
colleagues, pay homage to those no longer with us, and create
new memories. Great food and drink is always a highlight of the
SF conventions. So mark your calendars now, invite your
friends, bring your relatives, and let’s make this our best
convention yet!
In closing, I would be remiss if I didn’t express our appreciation
to our outgoing president, Jim Holder. He has spent countless
hours in the past, in so many ways, contributing his time to
better this organization. Jim is unsurpassed in his
communication skills and will be a hard act to follow, but I trust
he will continue to provide his expertise and advice on SF
affairs. Have a happy, safe, and healthy year, and I hope to see
all of you in Panama City,if not before.
Bill Vaden, President
THE EDITORIAL
As we begin the new year we bid farewell to the old and welcome
the new. After a dedicated and hardworking tour as our President
Jim Holder is stepping down and turning over the reins to Bill
Vaden. Dave Hamon is also stepping down as our secretary. Both
of these gentlemen have been outstanding in their jobs and deserve
our thanks and appreciation. The new line up of officers for the
coming year will be President; Bill Vaden, Vice president Hank
Sanak, Secretary Ron Mussig, Director Sandy McCulloh, and
Director Stuart Hughes. These gentlemen are outstanding choices
for these positions and will do a great job.
Once again out Christmas dinner was an overwhelming success
with over ninety people attending. A grand time was had by all and
numerous door prizes were awarded. As always, Petite Auberge
provided us with absolutely delicious food and service. Sandy and
Leah McCulloh will be hosting it again next year and it can only
get better Mark December 5, 2008 in you calendars now and plan to celebrate Christmas
2008 with us in Atlanta! The prize for the couple travelling the longest distance was awarded to Cheryl and Jim Furlong who came all
the way from Washington State to attend!
both union members—does the word scab come to mind?) to return
to work. Even worse than that, Presidential Candidate Mike
Huckabee deliberately crossed a union picket line to appear on the
Jay Leno show! I believe he said he didn’t really understand what
it was all about and thought the strike had been settled even though
he had to walk past picketers to enter the building. Can anyone that
stupid actually hope to be President? I guess we all know where he
stands on labor! Congratulations to David Letterman—he is my
hero!
As always, the opinions expressed in the editorial are my own and
do not reflect the opinions of The Silver Falcons or the Board Of
Directors. All rebuttals and differing opinions will be published at
the request of the author and guest editorials are welcome.
Dick Borrelli, Editor
The McGarveys and the Gordons are putting
together a convention package that may very
well exceed the fun and activities of all previous conventions. Once again mark your calendars for Thursday November 6 through
Saturday November 8, 2008 and plan to come
to Panama City Florida for the greatest party
of the year. We are being hosted once again by
Marriott and the accommodations are truly
first rate. It will be at the Marriott Bay Point
Golf Resort & Spa and will last a full three
days with check out Sunday morning. On
Thursday an all day bus trip to Pensacola to
visit the Museum of Naval Aviation is
planned. This will be voluntary and will be at
the expense of those attending since busses
will have to chartered. Lunch at the museum is
planned. Even if you have visited the museum
before it’s still worth seeing again! We will
have more about this in future newsletters, but
sign up for this as well as sign up for golf on
Friday will have to be done pretty early for
planning purposes. Continue to check our web
site for convention updates.
It just doesn’t feel like an editorial without
whining and complaining about something, so
here we go. All of you are aware that the television writers union has been on strike and,
from what I understand, justifiably so. David
Letterman settled with the union and went
back on the air with the blessing and participation of the writers. Jay Leno and Conan
O’Brien both crossed the picket line (They are
The rEAL Word | Winter 2008 3
2008 SILVER FALCONS CONVENTION • BAY POINT
The Silver Falcons 2008 Convention will be held at the
Bay Point Marriott Resort in Panama City Beach,
Florida from Thursday, November 6, 2008 until
Saturday, November 8, 2008 with Check out Sunday
November 9. The room rate is $109 per night and the
rate is good for seven days before and seven days after
the convention. The convention fee this year is $195 per
person. Unlike previous conventions when Thursday
was an early check in day for golfers and an open day in
the hospitality suite, we have planned voluntary activity
Thursday for anyone wishing to participate. A chartered
bus will be available for an all day trip to Pensacola to
visit the Naval Aviation Museum with lunch at the
museum. The cost per member for the bus will be
determined and published at a later date, but is estimated
to be about $50 per person. This will be an individual
expense to those members participating. We will
probably need this information at a fairly early date to
determine the number of buses required and to
coordinate with the bus company and museum. Once
again the golf course is on the property making the
tournament a simpler event with no transportation
required. The location is outstanding and is within an
easy drive for most of our Southeastern members.
Airline service is available to Pensacola, Tallahassee,
and Atlanta with the option of renting a car to complete
the trip. Jack and Shirley Gordon and Ed and Kathy
McGarvey are doing an outstanding job of setting this
up and it ought to be another rousing success. We look
forward to seeing everyone in Florida is 2008! Visit the
hotel web site at: www.marriottbaypoint.com
4 The rEAL Word | Winter 2008
MARRIOTT RESORT • PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Check in Wednesday
Museum trip Thursday morning (All day trip)
Hospitality suite open all day Thursday and
Thursday evening
Golf Tournament Friday and cocktail party/dinner
Friday evening
Hospitality suite open all day Friday
Business meeting, spousal activities, and banquet
Saturday
Hospitality suite all day Saturday and after
banquet Saturday night
Breakfast and checkout Sunday
As always, one price covers all. Your convention
payment covers all drinks and snacks at the
hospitality suite for the entire convention, the
cocktail party/dinner Friday evening, continental
breakfast Saturday, catered lunch Saturday, Spousal
event and luncheon Saturday, Banquet Saturday night,
and breakfast Sunday morning. This is by far the best
bang for the buck in the convention business. The only
additional expenses are the cost of the museum trip and
golf fees. Everyone is responsible for their own meals
Thursday (Free day) as well as breakfast and lunch on
Friday.
The rEAL Word | Winter 2008 5
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM
Article and photos by Eric Hehs
This article appeared in the April 1998 issue of Code One
Magazine.
The National Museum of Naval Aviation bills itself as one of the
world’s three largest aviation museums, but it is second to none in
many respects. Located on the grounds of Naval Air Station
Pensacola on the southwestern tip of the Florida panhandle, the
museum’s visitation reached the one million mark in 1997. More
than 130 beautifully restored aircraft, artifacts, and memorabilia
tell the story of almost nine decades of US Navy, Marine, and Coast
Guard Aviation.
NAS Pensacola is a fitting place for the museum. The air station
encompasses the historic Pensacola Navy Yard, which dates back to
The museum traces
its own roots to 1955
when Capts. Bernard
Strean and Magruder
Tuttle, two officers
assigned to the
training command at
NAS
Pensacola,
decided to create a
museum that would
preserve the history of Naval Aviation. The first effort was located
in a tiny World War II-era building that had enough room for only
a handful of small aircraft. Beginning with 8,500 square feet, only
a half dozen small, but historic, aircraft were on display, along with
astronaut Scott Carpenter’s Aurora 7 Mercury capsule. The
museum compensated for its lack
of space with heavy reliance on
scale model replicas.
In December 1962, the Secretary of
the Navy announced the official
establishment of the Naval
Aviation Museum. Its charge was,
and still is, to select, collect,
preserve, and display appropriate
memorabilia representative of the
development, growth, and historic
heritage of Naval Aviation. The
museum began accumulating more
and more aircraft and eventually
opened its doors to the public in
1968. The Naval Aviation Museum
Association,
a
non-profit
organization, was established to
support the construction of a new
facility. Incorporated under Florida
law in 1966 as a non-profit,
educational organization, the Naval
the early nineteenth century.
Pensacola, known as “The Cradle
of Naval Aviation,” succeeded what
was termed a naval air encampment
at Greenbury Point in Maryland as
the training site for naval aviators in
1914. It was Pensacola, however,
that was designated as the first
naval air station in the United
States. Naval Aviation training still
begins today aboard the wide
expanses, runways, and hangars of
NAS Pensacola, which is also home
of the Navy’s Blue Angels flight
demonstration squadron.
6 The rEAL Word | Winter 2008
OF NAVAL AVIATION
Angels Atrium adjoining the two
wings. A mezzanine level contains
many more displays. The buildings
surround outdoor display areas. A
free tour bus takes visitors to a
separate aircraft flight line display
area and restoration facility.
Aviation Museum Foundation continues to be the economic engine
for the museum.
A new 110,000-square-foot
building was completed in
1975.
Subsequent
expansions have increased
the size to about 300,000
square feet. The most recent
addition to the museum is its
$14 million expansion,
which includes a new
entrance hall, a 525-seat
IMAX theater, the Naval
Aviation Monument, and the
production of an IMAX film
dedicated to Naval Aviation.
An F-14 greets visitors as
they approach the museum.
The entrance hall, called the
quarterdeck, has the striking
Spirit of Naval Aviation
monument as a centerpiece.
Atop a granite and marble
base, five seven-foot tall
bronzes represent naval
aviators from World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert
Storm, each struck in period flight gear. Overhead, five aircraft
from corresponding periods highlight aviation’s progress. The
monument was unveiled at the National Air and Space Museum in
Washington in December 1994.
The museum complex comprises the Quarterdeck, the IMAX
theater, the south and west wings, and the spacious Pensacola-Blue
A ticket for the IMAX film takes
visitors into a theater with a screen
that reaches almost seven stories in
height and eighty-five feet in width.
Vivid visual effects and a 15,000watt sound system put viewers in
the middle of the action. Opened in
July 1996, the theater presented the
classic IMAX film, To Fly! That
November, the theater held the
world premiere of the museum’s
own film, The Magic of Flight. With
Naval Aviation as a vehicle for
exploring the allure of highperformance flight, the film includes
breathtaking in-flight sequences of a
Blue Angels air show. In its first year of operation, the theater
entertained almost 400,000 viewers.
The south wing holds a
variety of aircraft that cover
every age of Naval
Aviation. The area is
dominated by a Curtiss NC,
a large four-engined flying
boat built at the end of
World War I. The NC-4 on
display is the first airplane
to cross the Atlantic in May
1919, a full eight years
before Lindbergh’s epic
flight. The trip was
completed in three legs and
took seventeen days. The
area also includes the
Curtiss A-1 Triad, the
Navy’s first aircraft. The
airplane is the waterborne
version of the basic Curtiss
pusher used by Eugene Ely
in the first shipboard launch
and arrested landing in
November 1910. The A-1 is
also credited with many other firsts in Naval Aviation, including the
first use of airborne radio and several speed and endurance records.
Other early naval aircraft in this area include a JN-4 Jenny,
Thomas-Morse S-4C Scout, Fokker DVII (a German biplane
fighter from World War I), French Hanriot and Nieuport fighters, a
Sopwith Camel, TS-1, F6C-1 Hawk, RR-6 Trimotor (the Ford
Trimotor was used by the Navy and Marines from 1927 to 1931),
The rEAL Word | Winter 2008 7
NAVAL AVIATION MUSEUM, cont.
N2C-2 Fledgling, N2Y-1, F9C Sparrowhawk, FF-1 Fifi, F3F, F4F,
and N2S Kaydet, along with many others from the era.
H05S, the first helicopter to use metal rotor blades.
The Pensacola-Blue Angels Atrium adjoins the south wing. The
atrium, which features a diamond formation of Blue Angel A-4
Skyhawks hanging from the ceiling, is one of the most visually
stunning spaces of any museum in the world. A bright yellow
Stearman S2S, a World War II-era trainer actually flown by Naval
Aviator and former-president George Bush, decorates one corner of
the area below the Blue Angel formation. (Bush’s flight log is on
display near the airplane.) The spacious atrium is often used for
public events.
Beginning in 1990, the museum embarked on an underwater
recovery effort in Lake Michigan where, during World War II, a
pair of training carriers served to indoctrinate pilots in shipboard
operations. The lake revealed aircraft that were extremely rare or
nonexistent, including an SB2U Vindicator, only one of which
survives today. Several versions of the SBD Dauntless and F4F
Wildcat were also recovered. Another underwater find in the Pacific
was a rare Grumman F3F, the last biplane fighter to serve Naval
Aviation. Several of these aircraft are being restored in the
museum’s adjoining restoration area, which is reached by free bus
tours.
The Museum’s west wing houses an exact replica of the flight deck
and superstructure of a famous light carrier, USS Cabot (CVL-28).
The extensive combat record of the carrier is proudly displayed just
as painted on the original ship. The carrier’s deck is occupied by
several World War II aircraft, including an SB2C Helldiver, F4U
Corsair, TBM Avenger, F6F Hellcat, and an F8F Bearcat. Several
Japanese fighters are also on display in this area including an
N1K2-J Shiden Kai, code-named “George,” and an A6M-2B Zero.
The museum restaurant provides a great place for a lunch break in
a historical setting. The restaurant, a reconstruction of the officer’s
club at Cubi Point Naval Air Station in the Philippines, contains
more than 1,000 of the famous club’s squadron and unit plaques,
tracking almost forty years of deployments to the Western Pacific
by a variety of squadrons and carriers.
The mezzanine level contains many interesting displays, including
a recreation of World War II-era small-town America. The upper
level allows visitors to view the airplanes from above. The aboveground-floor areas also contain many unique displays, including
the interior spaces of an aircraft carrier, a World War II-era jungle
airstrip, a motion-based flight simulator, and an area dedicated to
enlisted pilots who served in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast
Guard from 1916 into the early 1960s.
Visitors with an interest in helicopters will not be disappointed. The
museum’s collection includes an HNS-1 Hoverfly, the Navy’s first
helicopter; an HO3S, which happened to be the first helicopter
flown by the British armed forces; a TH-13M Sioux, a derivative of
the Bell model 47 made famous in the television series MASH; two
CH-19 Chickasaws, the first helicopter used for transporting
troops; an HTE-1, used for training; two UH-25 Retrievers, used
for transport and rescue missions during the Korean War; and an
After lunch is the perfect time to hit the jet age of Naval Aviation.
The south wing and outdoor collections include an FH-1 Phantom,
the Navy’s first jet; FJ-1, a progenitor of the Air Force’s F-86 Sabre;
D-558 Skystreak, a high-speed aircraft that probed the edges of the
sound barrier in the late 1940s; F7U Cutlass, which incorporated an
unusual tailless design; F2H Banshee, which saw combat in Korea;
F9F Panther, Grumman’s first jet fighter and the leader of a long
line of aircraft that provided the bulk of the Navy’s fighters for
several years; F3D Skynight, the first all-weather fighter to use jet
propulsion; FJ-2 and FJ-4 Furies; F9F-6 Cougar, the swept-wing
follow-on to the Panther, F-6A Skyray, an all-weather interceptor;
F-11 Tiger; A-3 Skywarrior, the largest and heaviest aircraft
designed for carrier use; and an F-8 Crusader, the first operational
carrier-based aircraft to exceed 1,000 mph. Also on display are
aircraft of the modern era: an F-4 Phantom II; AV-8A Harrier; F/A18 Hornet; A-6 Intruder; A-7 Corsair II; F-14 Tomcat; and the
Navy’s version of the famous F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Most visitors head to the museum’s excellent gift shop before
pulling anchor. A historical collection of Navy flight jackets,
patches and equipment is on display just in front of the gift shop
entrance. Inside, visitors can purchase their own flight jackets or
select from a variety of books, clothing, models, posters, and other
items to remember their experience at the world’s greatest museum
of Naval Aviation.
Eric Hehs
The National Museum of Naval Aviation is open daily except
holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
The museum’s website: www.naval-air.org
8 The rEAL Word | Winter 2008
DO IT YOURSELF FLYING IN AFRICA
Forget small group tours ... wouldn't you rather be in
charge, captain?
by Wendy Perrin
Some of us are pilots,
some aren't, but if you
have a friend who flies,
even your least-favorite
brother-in-law, here's a
fabulous way to tour
southern Africa by air.
Hanks Aero Adventures
(no, it's not so casual an
operation that it should
be punctuated "Hank's
Aero Adventure") is a
Johannesburg company
run by American pilots
Nick and Christina
Hanks. It has for 10
years been putting
competent
U.S.
lightplane pilots into its
several Cessnas and
Pipers, giving them three or four days of bush-flying training, and
acquiring for them a good-for-90-days South African pilot's
license.
Off you go, then, on a "Self Fly Safari," on a route that you and
your co-travelers have laid out or that the Hankses have designed
for you. They provide all the charts and necessary airport and radiocommunication information, and a typical aerial trek lasts for two
weeks, though it's up to you where and for how long you want to
go. You're the boss, and it's an aeronautical "Great Drive."
The Hankses select luxury lodges for overnights, and the accent is
on the ground adventures, not on endless flying. Flight legs are
short, daytime, and only in good weather. Land, park, have a drink
and stick around for two or three days.
This looks to me like something of a bargain, and here's why.
So why do I think such luxo-flying is a bit of a bargain? If a couple
rents a Cessna and spends two weeks winging around like latterday Beryl Markhams , it'll cost them $800 to $1,200 a day,
depending on the accommodations they select, and that includes
everything but gas for the airplane. If two couples share an
airplane, that cuts the direct airplane-related expenses in half.
(Hard to be specific about what those costs would be, since they'll
vary depending on hours and distances flown, but the Hankses can
quickly work you up an estimate.)
A typical luxury lightplane southern African tour with a
professional pilot c osts about $1,500 a day per couple in the high
season. You'll be part of a small tour group and you'll travel on its
schedule, not your own. Wouldn't you rather be in charge, captain?
Contact Hanks at www.selfflysafari.com .
LAYABED
The following Silver Falcons and family members are currently
under the weather and would appreciate calls, cards, and visits from
friends. A card or a friendly voice can do wonders when a person is
really hurting!
It’s easy to get on the Lay-A-Bed list. All it takes is a bad headache
and a big mouthed friend. Getting off the list is another matter
altogether! No one ever tells us when they get well!
Therefore we have had to make rules to control this situation. In the
future:
1. When the flower dies, take your name off the lay-a-bed list
whether you are sick or not.
2. If you are still sick, put your name back on the list and we will
send you a new flower!
3. When the new flower dies, go back to rule one!
Capt. Walt Shelton
2145 Hampton Trail
Conyers, GA 30013
(770) 483-1019
Capt. John Litzenberger
6837 NE Hwy 17
Site #264, Arcadia, FL 34266
(863) 993-9934
johnlitz@desoto.net
I've never flown in Africa, but I imagine it must combine the best
of American private flying - the simple no-radio freedom of
uncontrolled skies and whatever tiny runway you choose to land on
(when you're flying in good weather and not at airliner altitudes, of
course) - with the added allure of fantastic safari destinations.
Where can you go? The Kalahari Desert, the enormous Okavango
Delta, Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River for white-water rafting, the
Great Rift Valley, Mozambique, South Africa's Kruger National
Park - you name it, they're all accessible by Cessna.
Self-Fly Safaris also has packages that include an experienced local
co-pilot/guide, if you want to fly but are leery of doing it solo so far
from home, as well as group tours where as many as eight
lightplanes at a time will go off on a leadered tour.
The rEAL Word | Winter 2008 9
THE 2007 SILVER FALCONS
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our Ninth Annual Christmas Dinner was a resounding success.
The weather was good, the traffic was OK, even for those coming
up all the way from Newnan, and the Petit Auberge, as always,
provided wonderful service and delicious food!
Our thanks to all who came, Leah and I will again host the event
next year and we look forward to seeing all those happy faces
again for another Great Dinner Party.
Merry Christmas to All.
Best regards,
Sandy McCulloh
I know everyone will tell me it’s too early to start making plans
for next year, but we will all begin using a new calendar in a few
weeks and IT IS NOT to early to circle the date DECEMBER 5,
2008 so that you can be ready to attend our TENTH ANNUAL
Dinner, same time, same place...
Aubrey & Mariann Reed
Betsy Biddle, Ethel Sales, Carrie Reagin
Sandy McCulloh
Jim & Cheryl Furlong
10 The rEAL Word | Winter 2008
CHRISTMAS PARTY AT PETIT AUBERGE
Bill & Caroline Bennett
Bud & Adolyn Robbins
Dick Borrelli, Carrie Reagin, Jim & Cheryl Furlong
Bob Nichols, Aubrey Reed
Darlene & Hank Sanak
The rEAL Word | Winter 2008 11
Caroline & Bill Bennett
Darlene Sanak
John Heilman, Nick Roberts, Clyde Biddle
Cheryl Furlong, Brenda Roberts
12 The rEAL Word | Winter 2008
Cecil & Ethel Sales
Jim Holder & Carrie Reagin
Dick & Jane Borrelli
Dorris & Howard Tucker, Hank Sanak
The rEAL Word | Winter 2008 13
Paul & Duane Fischer
Dick Borrelli, Virgil Tedder
Ron Mussig, Jan Vandette
Mike & Jan Vandette
Judy & Bob Maddox
14 The rEAL Word | Winter 2008
Jean Gordon, Rachel & Ken Anderson, Duane Gordon
Eileen & Joe Zito
John Heilman, Nick & Brenda Roberts
Marlene Teel, Carrie Reagin, Betsy & Clyde Biddle, Don Teel
The rEAL Word | Winter 2008 15
Virgil & Alice Tedder
Collins & Kathryn Bomar
Sue & Bob Nichols
Ron & Linda Mussig
Howard Tucker, Duane & Jean Gordon
16 The rEAL Word | Winter 2008
Kip & Stephanie Meeboer, Aubrey Reed (middle)
Jan & Mike Vandette, Linda Mussig
Steve & Lamorra Stevens,
Bob & Judy Maddox
The rEAL Word | Winter 2008 17
LOTS OF LETTERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS!
MORE INSIGHT ON THE N 8916 STORY
FROM FALL 07 rEALWord
Gentlemen,
Dick, With reference to the picture in the Fall 2007 edition of
the Silver Falcons Newsletter: the pictureof old N 8916 in the
bone yard was sad. However, I might mention that the fire did
not take place at the hangar, but parked at Gate # 17 at the old
Atlanta Terminal Building.... and, it was NOT causedby the
APU. I know. I was the First Officer that morning on the flight.
It happened early in the morning prior to dawn on the 10th of
May, 1972. Capt. John J. McCullochwas the captain that
morning on originating Flt # 370 from ATL - GSP - CLT - DCA.
Needless to say that particular aircraft did not start the trip that
morning. If you should be interested in further information
about that incident hopefully, I might be able tofind my original
“Flight Report” filed with the company...... and even possibly
the old 35mm slide picture showing it afire and burning on the
ramp. It might take a bit of heavy-duty searching throughour
storage unit to find them....... and can’t promise they might have
been tossed, but I could look.
Best, Larry Jones
rEAL, Capt, Ret.Aboard S/V Flying Cloud”On the hook” @
Cocoa Village AnchorageCocoa, FL
INTERESTING ANNOUNCEMENT
IN SPEEDNEWS
Subject: EASTERN AIRLINES
I saw in Speednews:
“Eastern Airlines name and trademarks (incl. mainline, shuttle,
express and Ionosphere Club) were sold by the Estate to a
Miami based investor group l ed by ex-BWIA President and
Chautauqua CEO; startup is planned in ‘09 with A319s. OUT
OF THE ASHES!!!!
GREETINGS TO ALL SILVER FALCONS AND
BEST WISHES TO ALL FOR A GREAT 2008.
As we are entering 2008 I sincerely want to express my personal
thanks to everyone. When the organization was formed back in
September, 1996, many members donated a good amount of
their money to get The Silver Falcons going. This generosity
still exists today. Through many members donating to the
Flower Fund, we have been able to offer donations, flowers and
the like to members who have experienced illness, surgeries, etc.
At times, the Flower Fund has dwindled some causing a
negative cash flow.
The Silver Falcon membership has come through with ample
donations tom offset any shortages in the Flower Fund. This is
absolutely wonderful! You have shown the true meaning of
caring for your fellow members.
Our 2007 Convention in Oak Brook, Il, was a huge success! The
18 The rEAL Word | Winter 2008
Marriott facility was really very good and Jayne Kellan of the
Marriott did an excellent job in handling our convention. Our
membership increased by a dozen new members from the
Chicago Pilots and Flight Attendants. My thanks to all
concerned.
Joe Zito,
Finance Officer,, The Silver Falcons
INFO - PRESIDENT TODAY SIGNED
AGE 65 INTO LAW
NOTICE Number: NOTC1079
Subject:
President Today Signed Age 65 Into Law, Affecting Pilots Under
Part 121
Purpose:
This InFO announces the “Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots
Act” (the Act), effective immediately, December 13, 2007, and
highlights key provisions of the Act.
Background:
In November, 2006, the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) revised the maximum age for certain pilots
in international operations from age 60 to age 65. Until
12/13/07, the United States, an ICAO member state, limited its
pilots operating under Title 14 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) part 121 to age 60. Now those pilots may
continue until age 65, as specified in the Act.
Discussion:
Key provisions of the Act include the following:
■ As of 12/13/07, part 121, § 121.383(c), specifying age 60,
ceases to be effective.
■ A pilot age 60+ acting as pilot in command (PIC) in
international operations must be paired with a pilot under age
60 (consistent with the current ICAO requirement).
■ In domestic operations both pilots may be age 60+.
■ It permits the continued employment of a pilot who reaches age
60 on or after 12/13/07.
■ It permits the employment as a new-hire a pilot who reached
age 60 before 12/13/07.
■ A pilot age 60+ will not be subjected to different, greater, or
more frequent medical exams.
■ Any pilot age 60+ must hold a first-class medical certificate,
renewable on a 6-month cycle.
■ Any air carrier employing pilots age 60+ must adjust its
training program to ensure such pilots’ skill and judgment
continue at acceptable levels.
■ Any pilot age 60+ must undergo a line check at 6-month
intervals.
■ For a pilot age 60+ acting as second in command (SIC), a
regularly scheduled simulator evaluation may substitute for a
required line check.
Recommended Action:
Directors of safety, directors of operations, chief pilots, trainers,
and pilots under part 121 should be aware of the Act and should
collaborate immediately in implementing its provisions.
The exact language of the Act can be downloaded at the
following public Web site:
■
In the “Search Bill Text” box click on “Bill Number,” enter
“HR 4343” and click Search.
An InFO contains valuable information for operators that should
help them meet certain administrative, regulatory, or operational
requirements with relatively low urgency or impact on safety.
For more information on this and other InFO’s please go to the
following URL:
You have received this notice from FAASafety.gov because you
have selected “General Information” in your preferences on
your FAASafety.gov account.
Safety is a learned behavior...Learn to be safer at the Learning
Center found on FAASafety.gov
DEDICATED TO ALL THOSE WHO FLEW
BEHIND ROUND ENGINES
We gotta get rid of those turbines, they’re ruining aviation and our
hearing.
A turbine is too simple minded, it has no mystery. The air travels
through it in a straight line and doesn’t pick up any of the pungent
fragrance of engine oil or pilot sweat.
Anybody can start a turbine. You just need to move a switch from
“OFF” to “START” and then remember to move it back to “ON”
after a while. My PC is harder to start.
Cranking a round engine requires skill, finesse and style. You have
to seduce it into starting. It’s like waking up a horny mistress. On
some planes, the pilots aren't even allowed to do it.
Turbines start by whining for a while, then give a ladylike poof
and start whining a little louder.
Round engines give a satisfying rattle-rattle, click-click, BANG,
more rattles, another BANG, a big macho FART or two, more
clicks, a lot more smoke and finally a serious low pitched roar. We
like that. It's a GUY thing.
When you start a round engine, your mind is engaged and you can
concentrate on the flight ahead. Starting a turbine is like flicking
on a ceiling fan. Useful, but hardly exciting.
When you have started his round engine successfully your Crew
Chief looks up at you like he’d let you kiss his girl, too!
Turbines don't break or catch fire often enough, which leads to
aircrew boredom, complacency and inattention. A round engine at
speed looks and sounds like it’s going to blow any minute. This
helps concentrate the mind!
Turbines don't have enough control levers or gauges to keep a
pilot's attention. There's nothing to fiddle with during long flights.
Turbines smell like a Boy Scout camp full of Coleman Lamps.
Round engines smell like God intended machines to smell.
770 643-7648 / 800 965-3168
Fax 770 643-7650
The rEAL Word | Winter 2008 19
THE FALL AND RISE OF #916
In the last newsletter I published a picture of an Eastern DC-9 on
the scrap heap at the Mojave bone yard. The hulk no longer exists.
The gentleman who took the picture has given me access to other
photos which are published on this page. 916 was a proud ship that
survived for an additional thirty years after burning in Atlanta. I
flew it many times. Larry Jones has generously shared his records
with me and also sent the cover picture of 916 burning at the gate.
This is my tribute to a gallant lady and to the flight crews who flew
her as well as to the professionalism of Capt. Larry Jones and Capt.
J.J. McCulloch.
On May 10, 1972 Eastern Air Lines plane #916 was parked at the
gate in Atlanta preparing for departure. While preflighting the
aircraft Captain J. J. McCulloch and First Officer Larry Jones
noticed a small amount of smoke in the rear of the cabin. They were
unable to determine the source and all efforts to extinguish it failed.
Eventually the aircraft was consumed by fire. The NTSB
determined that a faulty latch had short circuited an electrical
switch that was inaccessible to the crew and that the crew had done
everything in their power to resolve the problem. The fire
department was called, but it was too late to save the plane.
At about the same time aircraft #961 was destroyed in a landing
accident at the Fort Lauderdale airport, breaking into three pieces.
Eastern Maintenance took the pieces of #961 and combined them
with the hulk of #916 and resurrected #916 to fly with Eastern until
the end. Eventually
#916 ended up in the
Mojave bone yard
and was broken up
and destroyed. I
have
found
a
number of pictures
of #916 in the bone
yard as well as a
picture of it burning
at the gate in Atlanta
in 1972. Larry Jones
has
generously
provided me with
his files and the
following information is the result.
Aircraft #916 was an interesting part of
Eastern history and its story deserves to
be told. My personal thanks to Capt.
Larry Jones, Capt. J. J. McCulloch, and
to rob@aa777.com who provided me
with the pictures. Rob’s web site at
www.geocities.com/afwjr/index.html
is well worth a visit.
20 The rEAL Word | Winter 2008
#916, cont’d.
The rEAL Word | Winter 2008 21
#916, cont’d.
22 The rEAL Word | Winter 2008
#916, cont’d.
The rEAL Word | Winter 2008 23
An Apology
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Signed,
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9550 W , Illinois 6001
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Rosemo 700
-1
847-292
This full page ad was placed by ALPA
in the Dec. 30 Chicago Tribune
24 The rEAL Word | Winter 2008