EAA South Central Ozarks Chapter 1218

Address inquiries, information, suggestions, or criticisms to the editor, Fred Kalhoefer, Route 1, Box 71, Macomb, MO 65702; phone (417) 683-2870; e-mail redbaron@getgoin.net.

Hello, Folks!
If you think this newsletter is late you are absolutely correct. It's so late, in fact, that John Smith decided he had to make an overflight of my farm last Sunday afternoon to come looking for his copy. Well, I really don't like to make excuses, but I am still suffering from the dog days of summer -- and then there was the annual on 2400K. Aside from the usual daily chores, I spent a lot of time at the airport in Mansfield working on the bird, trying to anticipate possible problems, and fulfilling requirements. I spent so much time there that I now think the expression, "I'm going flying," means you go to the airport to take the engine cowling off and change the oil and air filter in your airplane! But all joking aside, with the help of some great people like Bill Newton and Clint Allen we got the annual behind us -- and I am now out of excuses for why I shouldn't start the newsletter until tomorrow. The first annual since we've had this airplane was the helpful experience that I think Clint intended it to be for us. We know more about the airplane now, and we have more confidence in its safe flying condition.

As the first order of business, let me tell you about our next meeting. It will be a meeting that very few EAA chapters will have the privilege of enjoying. Two retired naval aviators, Wayne Spence, LCDR USN Ret., and Chuck Hiett, Lt. Col. USMC Ret., will tell us about their experiences while flying for the Navy in defense of our country, and for the freedom and liberty of all people on this earth. I have talked to both of them and know that you will be in for a real treat. I have mentioned it before, but again, if you have a video camera bring it and tape their presentation as this needs to be preserved for the flying community long after we are all gone. So come and join us on Saturday, September 8th at the White's hangar, have a delicious breakfast prepared by master chef Ron White, and hear what these two retired fighter pilots have to tell. Since we are expecting some people who have not been to the White's hangar before, here are the directions again. From Highway 60-63, take Highway 60 into the center of Willow Springs, where there is a four-way stop. Turn north on Highway 137. Go approximately 0.3 mile to State Route DD and turn right. Go another 0.3 mile to Sunshine Street and turn right. Go 0.1 mile to Bryan and turn left 0.1 mile to the hangar. If you like aviation, would like to get together with the finest bunch of people in the Ozarks, support the cause of aviation (such as preserving the heritage of flight and flying under as few restrictions as possible), as well as preserving our local airports, come and join us.


	The August meeting in session at Willow Springs

Young Eagles Rally at West Plains
At our last meeting, it was decided that Chapter 1218 will take part in the airshow event September 15th at West Plains Municipal Airport, which is sponsored by Missouri Pilots Association. We will have a Young Eagles Rally from 9:00 till 11:00 a.m. at the field. After this, the field will be closed at noon for the airshow. If you can make it, come and help with supervising and preparing the Young Eagles -- and if you can fly some kids, please do it. Perhaps your young passenger might someday follow in the footsteps of Neil Armstrong.

Oshkosh Memories
We also heard from three of our members who ventured to Oshkosh this year. Ben Hurtt spent the entire time there with his family. They have a great interest in Ultralights and helped drum up business for Gene Smith of Rolla and his great design, the Smith Basic Trainer, which was featured in our June issue.


Happy Faces: Ben Hurtt, Gene Pascoe, & John Zook share the Oshkosh Experience

Gene Pascoe and John Zook also attended Oshkosh. Things have changed so much since Gene was there the last time that he could not find the entrance! I am glad you got to go again, Gene, and see how much Experimental Aviation has grown. I hope having your picture taken with the EAA biplane will be the extra push you need to get yours finished and get back in the air again. John Zook was also accompanied by his grandson and says it was a great experience to really get to know him during these days that they spent together. Something else really special happened, too: John got a ride and an autograph from the founder of Experimental Aircraft Association, Paul Poberenzy himself. He was trying to hitchhike to the shuttle which would take him to the EAA Museum, when one of the officials flagged down a Ford Mustang for him. That car was driven by none other than Mr. Poberezny himself. Needless to say, John was elated to have such luck and right away asked Paul for his autograph. And he has a picture of himself in the car with Mr. Poberezny. Who could ask for a better momento of his first and only trip to Oshkosh at age 80?

Featured Member of the Month

Chuck Hiett

Charles Oliver "Chuck" Hiett was born in north Texas in 1928.

He joined the U.S. Navy as a combat aircrewman in 1945. The end of World War II brought a change in the Navy’s needs and he converted to Aerography (weather). In April 1949, Chuck became a Naval Aviation Cadet. He earned his Navy Wings of Gold and a Second Lieutenant's commission in the Marine Corps on 18 October 1950. He flew SNJs (AT-6s) and F4Us in training, then F9F Panthers during 126 missions in Korea.

During an instructor tour in F6F Hellcats at Corpus Christi, Texas, he was selected as the first Marine ever to join the Blue Angel Flight Demonstration Team in November 1953, where he flew F9F Panthers and F9F Cougars. He was flying the FJ-4 Fury in 1958 when he won the first all-service "Top Gun" trophy awarded at the Naval Air Weapons Meet in El Centro, California.

During his military career, Chuck flew 8700 hours in twenty-three different aircraft. He commanded VMA-324 aboard the USS INDEPENDENCE in 1963 and 1964, and VMA-311 in 305 missions at Chu Lai, Vietnam, in 1968 and 1969.

Having decided he did not want to make a career of the Marine Corps, he retired in August 1970 to take a job flying in the corporate world. Later, he flew non-scheduled and commuter charters.

Chuck and his son, James (an A&P and IA), started an FBO called Associated Air Services in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1979. They sold their business in 1990 and they both moved to Missouri where Chuck and his youngest son, Chuck Jr., are in the cattle business. They also own and fly a Grumman Traveler.

Chuck and his wife, the former Martha Audrey Winkler of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, recently celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. They have three children, including their daughter, Margaret. "It’s been a great life, with more yet to come," says Chuck.. "A real trip."

Who Is Bill Martin? A few months ago, I told you of the state of Bill Martin Memorial Airport at Ava and, since we are hearing from two naval aviators this month I would like to add the history of Vice Admiral Bill I. Martin, a native of Ava, Missouri, to this letter. I am sure that Vice Admiral Martin would have liked to attend our coming meeting, but he passed away in 1995 at the age of 85. We can read about his Navy career through the article reprint enclosed with these pages, which was first published in the Douglas County Herald. (Bill Martin File size: 6 kb.) When most people think of the Navy and the Marines, they think of ships and land combat forces. When we think of the Navy and Marines, we think of great aviation. I am sure we will hear more about Bill Martin Memorial Airport in the future.
	This photo of Admiral Bill Martin was taken at the original dedication of Ava's Bill Martin Memorial Airport in October, 1970.