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Warbirds and Flybys
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May 22, 2013
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USAF Academy Graduation 2013
|  Many of you have inquired about the plans for the flying associated with the United States Air Force Academy 2013 Graduation ceremonies. Since the USAF Aerial Demonstration Team (Thunderbirds) will not be flying because Congress-imposed sequestration, the Texas Flying Legends and WestPac Restorations have volunteered to provide World War II aircraft to fly over the Academy Stadium in conjunction with the traditional "hat toss" at the end of graduation ceremonies.
Although we would like to provide you with a firm timetable of events, the pilots must work with the FAA, military officials, and other agencies to coordinate flight activities around the flow of program activities in the stadium. Practice flights prior to Graduation are based on airspace availability and the weather. Please follow our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/wwiiaviation) for up-to-date schedule information including aircraft arrival times.
The public will have viewing access to some of these vintage aircraft at the National Museum of World War II Aviation on Memorial Day, May 27th, through Graduation on Wednesday, May 29th from 10 AM till 4 PM . You will be able to witness engine starts, aircraft movements, takeoffs and landings, plus flyby photo opportunities. Visitors will enter through the normal museum entrance and for a small fee be able to see the aircraft up close, take pictures, and visit the museum display area. This access will not include WestPac Restorations as a Docent is required for access into this active business area.
Aircraft will begin arriving Sunday, May 26th. At around noon, look toward the USAFA Stillman Field (parade grounds) and you may see four T-33 Shooting Star jet trainers practicing for their Monday flyby. These aircraft will land at the Colorado Springs airport and should be visible at the Jet Center. You will not be allowed access onto the Jet Center ramp to see the aircraft but may view them from outside the fence.
 Monday, May 27th is Memorial Day and there will be events throughout the city in honor of our veterans. Many in our community choose to visit the Air Force Academy cemetery where wreaths are placed for American military units. The four T-33 aircraft will participate in the Academy Organizational Awards Parade with a flyover of Stillman Field at approximately 1010 AM. Takeoff and landing will be from the Colorado Springs airport.
Monday is also the expected arrival of the Texas Flying Legends aircraft; keep an eye on our Facebook page for details. We expect they will practice for the Graduation Parade at approximately 4 PM on Monday afternoon. This could be a B-17 Flying Fortress accompanied by P-51 Mustangs. They could possibly fly over other Memorial Day events in the local area as well.
Tuesday, May 28th, could be a backup practice for the Texas Flying Legends at 6:30 AM. The Graduation Parade will be held at Stillman Field and the flyover is scheduled for 1010 AM. Some of the Texas Flying Legends aircraft will be on display at the Museum.
Wednesday, May 29th, is USAF Academy Graduation Day at Falcon Stadium. As usual, Interstate 25, near the Academy will be a no stopping or parking area, so many will be viewing the activities from the Briargate area or selected spots around the Academy. But if you want to see the aircraft up close and get great action photos, the place to be is the Museum ramp where you can be a part of the action and meet the pilots and crew. The Graduation flyover is scheduled for approximately 1230 PM and will include aircraft from the Texas Flying Legends plus our own Colorado Springs based B-25 Mitchell Bomber "In The Mood" and the historic P-47 Thunderbolt.
In addition to our Facebook page, you may also be able to keep track of events via your smartphone or the internet. Live ATC is an App for iPhones that will let you hear the Colorado Springs tower and Approach Control. You can also access these communications through www.liveatc.net.
We expect the visiting aircraft will leave immediately after graduation headed for the Pacific Northwest. We are inviting all our World War II veterans in the area to join us for this great aircraft event. We plan to video interview several of our veterans and capture their stories for future generations. Please visit the Museum website if you would like to comment or seek additional information. www.worldwariiaviation.org
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Potential Museum Donations
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Many of our visitors and newsletter readers ask whether their family or personal artifacts are something the Museum might be able to display or use in the future. Several of our stand-alone display cases were created around the artifacts of one individual who was important to not only the family but to the nation.
 We have some areas where we would like to tell a more comprehensive story through artifacts and displays. You can help if you or someone you know has things that should be historically displayed for future generations.
We are particularly interested in donations which support the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, WASPs, Marine Corps Aviation (Guadalcanal), North Africa Desert Air Force, Aleutian Tigers, and Flying the Hump. Our primary mission is the home front so artifacts which address factories, technologies, aviation and supporting equipment are also welcomed. This could include aviation-related vehicles and equipment.
We would be happy to discuss donations with you and carry on the legacy of your relatives and this nation.
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Major Donation Received
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In our last newsletter, we noted that a $300,000 donation had been received but at that time were not prepared to identify the donor. We can now announce that the Slattery Family Foundation of James and Jane Slattery generously provided the donation to support our K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs through 2014. Millennium Laboratories, founded and owned by the Slattery family, is based in San Diego, California. Mr. Slattery is the proud owner of the F7F Tigercat which is being restored by WestPac Restorations and will soon be certified to fly. Don't miss the engine runs and test flights which will take place in the next few weeks from the Museum ramp. Special thanks to Jim and Jane for their support of this dynamic educational program. 
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| Your Comments | Our visitors are a wealth of knowledge so Docents work to capture every detail which might be learned from veterans during their visit to the Museum. Many have agreed to follow-on visits where we can interview and video their stories of service to our nation.
We have put an iPad in place where you can sign up for this newsletter during the check-in process. Some have asked about a membership program and we hope to have that available in the next few weeks. Things are happening fast at the Museum as volunteers continue to build exhibits and construct displays. We are excited about the USAF Academy graduation flying opportunity and look forward to many visitors over the summer.
The Facebook page for the Museum is a great way to follow the daily activities including veterans' visits, new artifacts, and warbirds that may be visiting and could be seen during your tour. The Facebook link is http://www.facebook.com/wwiiaviation or click on the link above. In the footer below, you will notice a link to Update Profile/Email Address. Please take a moment to update your information so we can personalize our contact with you. Spread the word. This is your tribute to the greatest generation and the opportunity to educate the next generations. For Twitter users, you can find us at www.twitter.com/wwiiaviation |
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