FEBRUARY, 2013
NEWSLETTER
TAKE A TRIP ON AIR FORCE ONE
On Saturday, March 23rd the Candler Field Museum will host its annual Benefit
Dinner featuring retired Air Force Colonel William Leachman.
Col. Leachman was the commander of the squadron that maintained Air Force One
and several other airplanes used to fly our government officials. He has a very
interesting slide presentation with pictures and stories of past Presidents and their
use of the Air Force One aircraft. Col. Leachman will tell the audience how a trip
for the President is planned, how much it costs, and all associated problems and
challenges that go with transporting VIPs. This is a story you will not want to miss.
Ticket prices are $50 per person with the proceeds going to Candler Field Museum.
Your ticket includes an excellent dinner served by the Barnstormer's Grill and the
chance to purchase raffle tickets on several interesting items. So, put it down on
your calendar - Saturday, March 23rd beginning at 6 PM at Candler Field Museum
in Williamson, GA.
TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS PLEASE CLICK HERE AND GO
TO THE "JOIN MUSEUM" BUTTON
WACO 10 DONATED TO
MUSEUM
This beautiful 1928 OX-5 powered Waco 10 was recently donated to Candler Field
Museum. Steve Sachs who lives in Lebanon, TN, recently completed a full
restoration on the airplane. Steve decided to donate the Waco so other people can
enjoy seeing it on display and watching it fly.
The airplane was disassembled and trailered to Candler Field last month. Museum
members Bill Hammond, Clay Hammond, Nate Hammond, Sam Alexander, Glen
Marsh, and Drew Walker volunteered to disassemble the airplane and bring it
to Georgia. Currently, the Waco is being reassembled by museum member Bill
Hammond and other volunteers. We hope to fly the airplane by the end of this
month.
The airplane will be flown at special events. The museum is very appreciative of this
donation by Steve. You may remember that Steve also donated a Model T fuel truck
to the museum.
Steve Sachs pictured with the disassembled Waco 10. Pictures courtesy of Clay
Hammond. See the article below for more about Steve.
The following excerpts are taken from an article written by Jake Bell, a native of
Danville, KY. Jake wrote the article for a journalism class. He is now a first officer
with Express Jet.
All Things Airplanes:
Steve Sachs and his passion for flying
by Jake Bell
Steve Sachs might just be one of the luckiest pilots on earth, and he has certainly
spent his fair share of time in the skies above it. In the over 31,000 hours in his
logbook–that’s the equivalent of 3 1/2 years aloft–he has only had one emergency.
And that one, well, he was lucky.
Sachs was flying a de Havilland Beaver for the Army over the deserts of Iran one
afternoon in the late 60s when the big Pratt & Whitney out front began to spew oil in
all directions. The engine was running fine, but the fact that it was jettisoning all its
lubrication meant a landing was going to happen sooner rather than later. By virtue
of their desolation, deserts offer ample space for forced landings, but they offer far
less in the survival department. That is, unless you have Sachs’ luck.
Whereas most pilots with average fortune would have been searching for ways to
survive following a forced landing in the desert, Sachs did what any smart pilot
would have done if given the same choice in that situation. He simply sat the Beaver
down in, of all places, a watermelon patch.
That’s right, a watermelon patch in the desert.
“We actually did land in the desert in a melon patch,” says Sachs with as
nonchalant a chuckle as anyone could muster, as if that happens every day. “So that
was a pretty interesting little flight.”
Nowadays, the soft-spoken Sachs, whose open manner and laid-back humor make
him both approachable and relatable, spends most of his time at his home at the Fall
Creek Airpark near Lebanon, Tenn. It’s a community as unique as Sachs’ forced
landing history. The entrance to Fall Creek isn’t flashy or extravagant or
particularly inviting. In fact, it’s quite the opposite and is more akin to the entrance
of a sketchy section of middle Tennessee woodland than a pilot’s paradise.
It’s just the right place for somebody like Sachs, whose house sits at the north end of
the runway, perched picturesquely in the woods next to his faded green hangar.
Inside the hangar, Sachs tools around in a pair of dirty blue jeans and an oil stained
Niagara Falls Canada sweatshirt. He is working diligently to finish up an annual on
a friend’s Cherokee 180 so he can get back to work on his pride and joy; a gray, 1946
Stearman, whose 220-horsepower Continental W-670 engine sits mounted on a stand
next to the wing like a piece of mechanical modern art. It hasn’t been running right
since it tangled with the hangar door two months ago, and those two months were
chock full of great flying days.
Sachs flew for the Army for four years with the goal of one day flying for a major
airline. Once out of the Army, and with more than enough flight time, Sachs was
hired by Delta and continued to fly for the National Guard. Sachs’ career at Delta
spanned 30 years, where he flew the DC-8, DC-9, 727, 757 and 767. He retired in
2003 at the then-mandatory age of 60.
If you think Sachs’ flying career is impressive, just ask him about working on
airplanes. Having always been mechanically minded, Sachs picked up an A&P in
1993. He is now an IA as well, and one with a reputation for knowing pretty much all
things airplanes.
A tour of Sachs’ 50-by-72 foot hangar will take the better part of a couple of hours
and will uncover as much of Sachs’ knowledge as it will interesting parts.
The hangar itself is like a small museum. There are airplane parts literally
everywhere and Sachs is quick to point out that it is not usually so cluttered, as if
that’s a bad thing.
All the requisite tools and machines you would expect in a maintenance shop are
along the back wall. A Stearman aileron hangs on the wall next to a collection of air
hoses and a Boeing 757/767 flight deck poster. A wonderful plethora of assorted
nuts, bolts and fasteners are everywhere; some are organized neatly in little boxes
and some are scattered about on work benches and tables.
A parts cart near one wall holds numerous quarts of Aeroshell, a few random
magnetos, two Stearman props, a red spinner and, among other things, a radiator
that will cool the Curtiss OX-5 V-8 engine that will power Sachs’ 1928 Waco GXE,
which he is currently restoring.
The Waco’s truly stunning navy blue and orange fuselage sits nearly complete on the
floor near the work bench. When Sachs is finished with it, the airplane will be almost
entirely stock. And yes, for you Waco aficionados, he does plan to use the original
Curtiss engine.
When the Curtiss OX-5 was introduced in 1915, it became the world’s first mass-
produced airplane engine despite its reputation for being less than reliable. Sachs
has modified the engine with electronic ignition (the FAA even approved it) in hopes
of keeping the prop turning with the dependability you want in an engine propelling
such a beautiful, classic airplane.
“In 1930, this was the most common airplane in the United States,” explains Sachs.
“And of the ones flying this horrible ol’ engine, there are probably seven or eight in
the whole country right now, and that’s all.”
Although well into retirement, Sachs stays busy in his shop. He performs around 15
annuals each year, and he makes a habit of completely restoring or rebuilding one
airplane per year. Over the last few years, he has turned out a Waco, two Stearmans,
three Piper Cubs and various assorted Citabrias, Scouts and Champs.
Sachs regularly gives airplane rides to kids through the EAA’s Young Eagles
program, and throughout the 20 years he has owned his Stearman, he has
introduced over 1000 people to the pure joy that is flying around in a World War II
era, open cockpit biplane.
“There are very few times it goes up and stays straight-and-level,” says Sachs. He
pauses and begins to smile. “It does have an extra set of seat belts because we do a lot
of aerobatics and I don’t want the kids to fall out. I don’t want anybody to fall out.
The paperwork would be awful.”
Fortunately Sachs hasn’t lost anyone yet, and, he adds, essentially no one lands
without a smile on their face, even when they got what they weren’t expecting.
Take, for instance, the day Sachs spent most of the afternoon giving rides to guests at
an airpark neighbor’s wedding. It had been a long day of flying when the groom’s
80-year-old mother showed up and wanted a ride in the Stearman. Sachs agreed
and, once in the air, he asked if she would like to do some aerobatics.
“OK,” was her only reply.
“That’s a strange answer,” thought Sachs, so he asked again just to be safe. He got
the same response, so he began to wring the airplane out. After a few minutes, Sachs
and the old lady landed and her son came running up to the airplane.
“Why were you doing that,” he asked, amazed that Sachs had done anything beyond
simply flying straight and level with his 80-year-old mother.
“I asked your mom if she wanted to do aerobatics,” replied Sachs.
“She didn’t have her hearing aid in,” exclaimed the son. “She didn’t have a clue
what you were saying!”
Sachs is pretty sure she enjoyed the ride.
Of all the rides he has given, Sachs has confirmed that at least two kids began to
seriously pursue careers in aviation. It is almost certain that, in a time where flying is
as expensive and prohibitive as it has ever been, those kids are dreaming of a career
like Sachs’.
Come to think of it, Sachs isn’t just one of the luckiest pilots on earth, he is one of the
luckiest people in general.
“Most of my flying has been a heck of a lot of fun,” he says. “It’s been an incredibly
fun career. I can’t imagine doing anything that could be as rewarding.”
FLABOB NEWS
(news from our sister airport located in Riverside, CA)
Flabob Antique Airplane Association Clubhouse
by Jon Goldenbaum
Flabob’s Antique Airplane Association Chapter recently completed the renovation of
an airport office to be used as a new headquarters and clubhouse. The two room
office suite had been in decay for years and was suitable only for rough
storage. The Flabob AAA chapter was formed over 40 years ago by Flabob
aviation notables including Ray Stits, Ed Marquart and Bill Hill; but interest
decreased and it eventually became inactive. Flabob’s rebirth after Tom Wathen’s
purchase of the airport ten years ago led to renewed interest in antique
airplanes. Soon, numerous vintage airplanes were restored on the field and the
population of antiques grew. Enter Mark Lightsey, who’s well
known Aerocraftsman restoration shop moved to Flabob and began cranking
out award winning Travel Airs, Waco’s and Stearmans.
Mark, assisted by former San Diego AAA chapter president Don “Pops” Newman
had the vision of re-activating the chapter and a year ago the charter was re-issued.
The chapter immediately set out to improve the grass infield as a grass runway
suitable for operating antiques with long time Flabobian Travis Gammill taking
charge as grounds keeper. Soon the chapter’s primary goal of establishing a large
antique fly-in at Flabob resulted in the highly successful Flabob Flying Circus with
over 120 vintage aircraft participating. The success of the Flying Circus insured that
it will now become a major southwest annual event. The Chapter realized it needed
a permanent location for meetings and venue for Flying Circus headquarters, so they
negotiated with the airport to secure the derelict office in return for the chapter
taking on a full facility restoration. Two months after starting the project, the place
looks new with fresh drywall, tile flooring, paint, windows, complete re-wiring and
furniture to include a me eting area, conference room, bar and lounge. Mark your
calendar for next year’s Flying Circus: Sept 26th through 29th then stop by for a
tour of the new Flabob AAA clubhouse.
For more information go to www.flabob.org
STORY OF JOHN ORR
A couple of months ago I received a visit from two special pilots - Johnny Orr, Jr.
and Charlie Weems. Both of them had a story to tell.
Johnny worked at the original Candler Field for Beeler Blevins. Beeler Blevins had
built the second hangar on Candler Field around 1925 and Johnny worked for
Blevins beginning in 1943. After working a full week, Johnny had the option of
working the weekends. In exchange, he got to fly 1 hour in a J-3 Cub. He also
earned time in a Monocoupe in exchange for keeping the airplane clean. In 1955,
Johnny was hired at Eastern Airlines flying the Martin 404. He recounted stories of
flying the old radio range approaches. Johnny brought me pictures and stories
about another early aviation pioneer - Colonel Emmett Plunkett. Plunkett started
his career with the famous Mable Cody Flying Circus. His story will be shared in a
future article.
Along with Johnnie was another notable pilot - Charlie Weems. I have known
Charlie for quite some time but did not realize his aviation
accomplishments. Charlie was the very first pilot for the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, and Firearms. The bureau eventually acquired 10 airplanes mostly Cessna
172's, Cessna 182's, and Cessna 210's. They were used widely for
surveillance. Charlie ended up being the Chief Pilot for the Bureau prior to his
retirement.
Left to right - Charlie Weems, Johnny Orr, Jr., Johnny Orr 4th.
ENGINE DONATED
Museum member Don Swords, owner of Don's Dream Machines, built up a mock
Continental 65 engine to display at the museum. As you can see from the picture
below the engine is absolutely perfect. Bill Hammond mounted the engine on the
stand shown so that it can be moved and properly displayed. Our thanks to Don for
this donation.
For more information on Don's Dream Machines please go to
www.donsdreammachines.com
EASTERN AIRLINES NEWSLETTERS
Museum member Skipper Hyle brought a stack of old Eastern Airlines newsletters
to me several months ago. They date back to the first days of Eastern. The
collection belonged to Skipper's grandfather Frank Isreal Cauthorn. Skipper
recounts his grandfather's days with Eastern below.
"Frank Cauthorn was born in 1912, one of seven brothers. They all lived upstairs
above Cauthorn's Store at the corner of Charles City Road and Miller's Dairy Road
in the eastern end of Henrico County, outside Richmond, VA. The store had been
there since the end of the Civil War and was the typical country store that sold
everything.
Finishing school at the 8th grade he helped around the place as kids were expected to
do. In 1927, after Lindbergh, the city and the county decided they needed an airport
and took Miller's Dairy about a mile down Charles City Road, it was one of the
places Lindbergh stopped when he toured the country. About the same time, Harold
Pitcairn was awarded CAM 19 and Richmond became a stop.
In 1928, Sid Shannon was the station manager (later to retire as VP, Operations,
Eastern Air Lines) and offered this kid (grandpa) a job since he would leave the
mule in the field and help turn the mail planes anyway. So, he became a mechanic's
apprentice.
In 1930, Mr. Pitcarin sold the mail routes to GM and they became Eastern Air
Transport.
In 1932 he got his A&E (airplanes had engines then). A&E is a misnomer, they did
what was needed. From loading, deicing (manually), pushing up the airstairs,
parking, and fixing the airplanes. Somewhere in there, his little brother, Mike, was
also hired at Richmond station. Mike did 32 years, retiring as Station Manager of
Cleveland.
Grandpa lived off the end of runway 16 and would walk down the railroad tracks to
the airport for work.
In 1949 he was transferred to Miami and soon after moved out of line maintenance
to the Engine Shop. There he stayed until 1972 when he was retired medically.
He worked on the PA-5 and the DC-3 hanging in the NASM when they flew the line
and the last aircraft he worked on was the L1011, so all the way from open-cockpit
biplane to TriStar."
We are in the process of scanning all of these newsletters and placing them on our
website. Please visit www.peachstateaero.com and click on the Candler Field Museum
and go to Photos and Old Documents section to view these newsletters.
CANDLER FIELD FLYING CLUB
The Candler Field Flying Club will have its quarterly safety meeting on
Saturday February 16th at 10:30 AM in the library at Candler Field Museum. All
members should plan to attend. If you have any interest in joining this active flying
club you are also welcome to attend. For more information on Candler Field Flying
Club please go to www.candlerfieldflying.com
JENNY UPDATE
Most of you know that we are rebuilding a Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" that will reside at
the Candler Field Museum. Brian Karli sent me this picture last night showing the
latest progress. We hope to fly the airplane in the late spring or early summer.
If you would like to see Brian's blog and a detailed discussion of the construction of
the airplane please go to :
http://curtissjennyrestoration.blogspot.com/
FACEBOOK PAGE
Please CLICK HERE and go to our Facebook page. Click on the "Like"
button and you will receive museum updates when we update the page. This
is a very effective way for us to communicate with you.
Barnstormer's Grill has a new menu. Please visit and try our new items.
We also do catering. Let us host your next event or cater it onsite.
go to www.barnstormersgrill.com