Summer is Starting to Show Up – Temps were pleasant during breakfast and the BAF helped circulate the air throughout the morning. The regular breakfast crew was back in force and kept the serving line going with minimal delays. We ended up with about 58 in attendance for the meeting and 44 breakfasts sold.
Call to Order – President Dick Keyt called the meeting to order and asked to recognize guests in attendance. Jake S. flew in the Navy and currently has a Stinson. He is a CFI/CFII. Del Hacker (Corky) and wife Helen recently moved in to Tim Kurcz old house. He is a retired American Airlines Mechanic with A&P/IA. He has a commercial certificate and CFI. He owns a Bellanca Viking and RV-3B. Christian Klein lives on Bellechase and is an American Airlines Airbus captain. He has a son in the Air Force Academy. Abe Holderman returned with his son Alistair who wants to get his pilot’s license when he is old enough. Jim Crain mentioned long time EAA 983 chapter member and Vice President, Chip Mull, was in attendance. He has many stories of flying helos in Vietnam.
Dick recognized the breakfast and setup crew for another tasty service.
Youth Programs – Mason Vickers reported he is continuing his training with Mike Hustak. Congrats Mason on his Solo at KGDJ!
Project Reports – Pat Hoyt announced his Zenith 750 is about ready to get Airworthiness Inspection. This will be Pat’s 2nd Zenith. When asked if he would do a 3rd one he heard rumors of Zenith putting out a 4 place design and did not rule out that potential build.
Lawrence Ryan is progressing on his Zenith 750 Cruzer working on wiring Dynon HDX and leaning on Pat Hoyt’s expertise.
Sam Butler previously mentioned the purchase of a Rans S-21 kit from another builder. It is mostly assembled. Sam was able to overcome the long lead time for a Titan IO340 by finding a builder who still had one in a crate and they were able to make a deal. Sam is thinking he could be flying by the end of the year.
Safety Minute: Bob Pastusek spoke of a day where there were 4 airplanes in the pattern at 0TX1; Two were on the radio and two were not. The two on the radio were talking between them giving position reports of the other two. Bob said it was nerve racking for the pilots not knowing where the others were sometimes. He requested that all pilots with radios to use them. Martin Sutter added that looking heads down at ADS-B targets is not sufficient. There needs to be constant awareness for non transmitting aircraft (radio and ADS-B Out).
One of the newer Pecan residents raised concern about the deer population. There was much discussion on attempts to cull the herd but they are a fact of life at the airpark and all times of the day. Someone mentioned that a common practice is to call ahead to a neighbor to run their golf cart down the runway sides to clear them out before landing.
Another tip mentioned for situational awareness is to use the CTAF frequency to turn the runway lights on even in day time. This allows taxiing aircraft and PPOA grounds crew awareness of aircraft taking off or landing.
Runway 19 GPS Approach: Bob Pastusek is collecting new applications for instrument rated pilots who want to use the approach. You can only use the approach if you are signed up. Please contact Bob directly.
September Fly In: Bob Pastusek said the site plan is pretty well locked in. If there are any requested changes they need to go to Tom Thibault. Flyers printed by Bill Eslick are available to distribute to nearby airports.
Program: Laird Leavoy – Decorated Air Force Pilot Father
Dick introduced Laird Leavoy who he met through the Daedalians, a fellowship organization for former military aviators. Laird spoke about his father, Air Force Lt Col (Retired) Les Leavoy, a highly decorated Air Force combat fighter pilot who saw combat in three wars. He served our great nation for 34 years, all from the cockpit of fighter aircraft. Les saw his first combat in Europe at the tender age of 19 in a P-47 Thunderbolt. Twenty years later as an F-100 Super Sabre squadron commander, he led some of the first combat missions over North Vietnam, serving three tours in that conflict.
Laird said his father was his best friend and hero. His story is quite remarkable. Les was sworn in to the Army Air Corp in November of 1942. He started his flight training in J-3 Cub and eventually transitioned to to the PT-23 and BT-13 for elementary training. Les was assigned to Spence Army Airfield in Georgia for advanced training where he flew the PT-19, AT-6, and P-40. He got his wings in April 1944 and was assigned to fly the P-47. He was sent to England in October 1944 and eventually ended up in Belgium joining the 397th Fighter Squadron. Their principal role was Close Air Support and Interdiction where they would bomb anything carrying supplies to enemy troops. By the end of the war he had completed 122 combat missions while earning the Distinguished 
Flying Cross and seven air medals. Following the war Les was assigned to the Michigan National Guard where he flew the P-51. He was called to active duty when the Korean war broke out and he started flying the F-84C at Luke AFB. He had several stints at Luke and overseas as the Korean war wound down. He got checked out in the F-100F in 1958 and went on to fly it until 1976 including combat missions in Vietnam. In the final years of his Air Force career he continued assignments at Luke and the Texas Air Guard primarily as an Air Force Advisor. His Air Force career was highly unusual to have stayed in the cockpit all those years never seeking an administrative leadership role. In retirement he got involved in civil aviation as Chief Pilot for several companies in San Antonio. He retired from flying in 1990 with 11,500 flight hours over 48 years. He was a pilot’s pilot!
Laird has written (with MG (Ret) Hank Smyth) a book about his father’s exceptional military career. Laird brought several free copies for any current or retired military attendees who wanted one. He encourages donations to the 23rd Flight Order of Daedalians which helps fund youth flying careers.
VMC/IMC Club
Tom Woodward (VMC) and Dick Keyt (IMC) were facilitators for this month. There was a good turnout with about 15 pilots and lots of great discussion. Tom Woodward collects a roster of all attendees for FAA Wings Credit.
Thanks to all who stayed to store the tables and chairs and help put the airplanes back in the hanger.
