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Event Report
Event Reports - EAA AirVenture 2004
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Thursday, July 29
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EAA AirVenture 2004
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Created:
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07/13/2004
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Updated:
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08/11/2004
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Link(s):
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N/A
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Article by Steen Staff
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Thursday, retired RCAF Col. Fern Villeneuve came by. Fern is a legend in Canada, the same way that Bob Hoover or Chuck Yeager is in America. He was instrumental in the early days of the jet era in Canada, and was the leader of the 431 Iroquois Squadron's 4-plane aerobatic team during the Prarie Pacific operation in 1954, which demonstrated the RCAF's skills to the public. In 1959, he was chosen as the leader of the legendary Golden Hawks F-86 aerobatic team. Not too much later he served with the Canadian Snowbirds. He was also involved in developing the method by which CF-104's would have dropped nuclear bombs from low level had the Soviets attacked Canada. Today, Fern is still actively flying, and serves as a Glider tug pilot for the RCAF air cadet training program.
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Famed Canadian test/exhibition pilot Col. Fern Villeneuve (Ret.) drops by to see us. Fern was instrumental in forming the first exhibition flying team of the Royal Canadian Air Force (the Golden Hawks, flying F-86's) and was the first leader of the Canadian Snowbirds. He still flies, towing gliders for RCAF cadet training.
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Paul poses with Fern in front of the Pitts Model 14. Fern also helped in the development of low-altitude bombing techniques for the CF-104.
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The original members of the RCAF 441 Squadron Aerobatic Team (the legendary Golden Hawks) in Nov. 1952. (L-R) F/Os Jean Gaudry (slot), Ralph Annis (left wing), Fern Villeneuve (right wing) and Gar Brine (leader). (RCAF photo)
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In 1997, the Canadian Mint issued a CAD$20 silver and gold coin with Fern's likeness on it. He's sort of a Canadian version of Bob Hoover.
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This plane, N241ST - (appropriately named "Symmetry") was built by Cory Bird - who just happens to work for Scaled Composites... Burt Rutan's company. The composites expertise shows!
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It is rumored that the whole plane is built to an accuracy of thousandths of an inch.
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Even the latches on the cowl are high-tech. This is why this aircraft won the Gold Lindy Award (Grand Champion, Plans-Built) as well as the Stan Dzik Memorial Award for Design Contribution. Good going, Cory!
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This plane is so slick it even has a retractable tailwheel.
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The airshow at AirVenture is world-renowned, and always opens with parachuters and the Star Spangled Banner.
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When the Poberezny's said they wanted to have a marshmallow roast, they really meant it!
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"Fast glide. Slow Control." Flying report, or a reminder?
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The USAF brought their newest airplane, the C-130J Hercules. While it obviously incorporates new technology, the basic C-130 design is now over 50 years old - and still going strong!
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Paul and John Goetsch pose with the C-130J. The 6-blade Dowty composite props are used to absorb the 6,000shp from each engine (up from "only" 4,300shp in the H model.)
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This Giles has a hot-rod paint scheme.
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The Giles 202 is typical of modern aerobatic monoplanes.
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Other entries in this series:
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We're heading up to Wisconsin!
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July
21,
2004
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Skybolt Flight - Melbourne to Oshkosh
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July
22,
2004
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Travelling to Oshkosh
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July
23,
2004
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Pre-Show Setup
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July
26,
2004
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Tuesday, July 27 - Opening Day
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July
27,
2004
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Wednesday, July 28
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July
28,
2004
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» Thursday, July 29
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July
29,
2004
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Friday, July 30
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July
30,
2004
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Saturday, July 31
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July
31,
2004
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Sunday, August 1
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August
1,
2004
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Monday, August 2
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August
2,
2004
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Skybolt - Return Trip
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August
2,
2004
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If you have any additions or corrections to this item, please let us know.
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