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View the pictures from this meeting. Nel is a principal at Conklin and deDecker. Her primary activities are focused on aviation tax issues: federal, state and local. Her expertise includes ownership cost analyses and she is instrumental in developing and supporting seminar services. Nel is also active in consulting with the IRS, FAA, and with numerous companies and attorneys on aviation tax issues. Her office is in Virginia. Nel was formerly the National Business Aviation Association’s Senior Manager for Tax Issues. Nel received her BA in Mathematics at California State University and Master of Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. |
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Our speaker on November 6 was Mr. Brian Finnegan, President of the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA). View the pictures from this meeting. Brian related how he had been delayed for 1 1/2 hours on the ground while Southwest Airlines dealt with a mechanical problem - an issue that he definitely understands. The bulk of his presentation was regarding the severe shortage of trained Aviation Technicians and Mechanics. The problem is mounting and there are so many factors that affect the issue - there doesn't seem to be a clear starting point to work from to design a resolution. Issues such as personal liability of the mechanic, perceived image in the industry of the mechanic, lack of training, unregulated duty time - the list goes on and on. Mr. Finnegan relayed that he views his complete task as the new President of PAMA being one to unite this segment of the industry and begin a calculated effort to effect a change in each crucial area until things are at a point whereby a solution can be formulated. The problem is that we need 5,000 trained and qualified mechanics per year just to keep up with attrition and growth. We had to start those people in the "pipeline" in 1992 for that to be possible today and it just didn't happen. 1992 was in the aviation 'slump' and nobody was adding people or budgeting more money for training. Pay rates are definitely an issue. The top end of a non-union mechanic pay scale (most of them are non-union outside the airlines) is around $22.00/hour plus or minus shift differentials. This would be for a person with upwards of 15-20 years experience. Our speaker from last month, Mr. John Kiker, stood and related that his grandson decided against the field because he could go down to the car dealership and make more money without the tremendous responsibility and liability undertaken by a licensed aviation mechanic. Not a simple problem! Brian is a graduate from Embry-Riddle University and is a licensed A&P aviation mechanic. An innovator in the field of accident investigation, Brian has founded organizations such as the General Aviation Air Safety Investigators (GAASI). This organization focus' on developing and honing the skills of the accident investigator. Brian got his baptism by fire as an accident investigator for Cessna Aircraft. During his four years at Cessna, he conducted over 100 field investigations. |
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View the pictures from this meeting. The October luncheon for HAAC was a special meeting indeed. Mr. John Kiker made an hour go by quickly as he related stories from the early days of his involvement in the Army Air Corps and the "Space Task Group" which later became NASA. John had many slides of various projects which were great to see and which none of us had ever seen about the early space program. He had a video of the testing by model aircraft of the theory involved with flying the shuttle orbiter on the 747. One shot showed the model set and the real thing side by side in one view - the crowd was asked which was the real thing and which was the model...no one spoke up. It was very hard to tell. Three tables in the ball room sported personal mementos from the space program. Some items were actual flown parts from the Apollo 11 and 13 command modules as well as Mercury, Gemini and Shuttle program spacecraft. There were large heat shield fragments from an Apollo, Mercury, and Gemini spacecraft - the real things! Many reference books, signed photos and much more. The most prominent feature on display was a model of the shuttle and liquid fuel tank which John had constructed to test the separation characteristics of those two items in flight. Mounted on its original launch stand, this FLYING craft was over six feet tall. It was constructed to require 25 of the largest Estes rocket engines and there were photos on hand of its flight. Possibly the best part of the program was last. Astronaut Robert "Hoot" Gibson flew from Tennessee at our request to present John with two special items. A framed letter from Gov. George Bush and a Senatorial Proclamation from the Texas Senate issued under Senate Proclamation Number 1465. Hoot and John are close friends and I wanted someone at a peer level in his field to present those special items. John received a standing ovation at the end of that presentation.... it was a great moment. John Kiker received his B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering at North Carolina State University in 1951 with an aeronautical option. He had received his civilian flight instructors permit in 1943 and instructed in and delivered the first Ercoupe off the line. From 1944-1959, he was a commissioned officer of the U.S. Army Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Base involved in the development of aircraft decelerator systems of all types. As a non-commissioned engineer, he worked with Gen. Albert Boyd at Wright-Patterson Air Base on secret modifications to the Boeing B-46 for which he has received a classified comendation which he is just now able to discuss. The B-46 (Enola Gay) was later used to drop the Atomic Bomb which ended WW-II. In 1959, he was asked to join a newly forming organization - the space task group - and in 1960, moved to Houston, Texas, in a group of the first engineers sent here to form what we now know as "NASA" and the Johnson Space Mission Control Center. While at NASA, Mr. Kiker was directly responsible for the parachute and descent systems for the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo spacecraft. In addition, he designed the landing system for the lunar module and the docking systems and mechanisms for the lunar module and the Apollo command module. He came to Houston as the Assistant Chief, Mechanics and Landing Systems Branch. In 1965, he became Chief, Landing Technical Systems Branch and in 1971 advanced to Chief, Mechanisms Branch, Spacecraft Design Division. As Chief, Mr. Kiker was responsible for providing technical direction and support to JSC program offices, the Engineering and Development Directorate and other division organizations on all problems relating to current and advanced spacecraft mechanisms. John's latest achievement while at JSC was the concept and theory development of the aerodynamics, systems, support and substructures to aircraft and orbiter necessary to fly the shuttle on top of the 747. This idea, his entirely, saved the manned space program over $40,000,000 and endless delay over the methods under consideration at the time. As Chief of Mechanisms, John was directly responsible for the primary shuttle mechanical subsystems for landing deceleration, crew escape, docking, teleoperators, separation devices, aerodynamic seals, hatches, latches and actuators. The list goes on and on. John has received much recognition from NASA and, after 31 years of public service, he retired in 1987. Not fully ready to give up his involvement however, he formed John W. Kiker Engineering and Consulting and has continued to work for NASA as a consultant until present and, also, as a consultant to the military on remotely piloted vehicles. |
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View the pictures from this meeting. The NTSB is a five member board of a very select group of people distinguished in their various technical and engineering disciplines. Chairman Jim Hall had been scheduled but was recalled to Washington. Mr. Hall thought enough of HAAC to send another board member instead of a lower level staff member. NTSB Member Black's presentation was full of details describing how the NTSB operates as an agency and with what authority and resources. A good many questions were answered of who they are and what they really do. The largest part of his discussion was of TWA Flight 800 which the Board has recently ruled upon. A full text of the ruling can be found at www.ntsb.gov under the heading of "Aircraft" - then "incidents" then follow the instruction on how to find that exact ruling. I read it and it is very interesting indeed. Mr. Black went into great detail with graphics not generally seen by the public describing the investigation of this tragic accident. In all, the NTSB spent some $46,000,000 dollars and the Board has no idea how much the FBI spent in addition to that figure. He related that they have some 93% of the complete aircraft comprising 3.8 million separate pieces of which they have specifically catalogued and tested over 800,000 in the various labs under their usage. He described in detail the processes by which the NTSB and FBI systematically excluded the possibility of a terrorist or other missile hit. The overall presentation lasted about 90 minutes but nobody moved. It was another great meeting for HAAC and one of which the membership can be proud! We are truly fortunate to continue to command speakers at this level in the aviation world. Please join us in October to hear history truly in our midst - Mr. John Kiker, NASA Retired. Mr. Kiker was of the very first group of engineers sent to Houston to form the manned space program and will relate various experiences of interest spanning over 30 years of space flight by our country. See you there! |
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Our speaker on August 7 was Gene Kranz, retired NASA Flight Director and author of the book, Failure Is Not An Option. View the pictures from this meeting. Mr. Kranz presented a very detailed play by play description of the events surrounding the Apollo 13 mission. The overriding themes of his presentation as well as the successful return of the Apollo 13 crew were Teamwork, Leadership, Trust and Values. He described the fortuitous hunch he had and based the decision to go around the moon instead of turning around and how it turned out to be the right one. He described the great feeling he got from seeing the relatively young team of mission controllers work together to analyze the situation and come up with solutions. (Average age: 26). This was a unique opportunity to see and hear this living legend in person tell the story of such a well known event in the history of the space program. Barnes and Noble was on hand selling copies of Mr. Kranz's book, Failure Is Not An Option, all of which were sold. Many people came with their own copy and Mr. Kranz graciously autographed every one of them. Click Here to purchase your own copy from Barnes and Noble. (A percentage of your purchase goes to HAAC)Mr. Kranz was born on August 17, 1933, in Toledo, Ohio, and received his BS Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Parks College of Saint Louis University in 1954. He was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force in 1954, and flew high performance jet fighter aircraft including the F-80, F-86, and F-100. In 1958, he worked as a Flight Test Engineer at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, for McDonnell Aircraft developing the Quail Decoy Missile for the B-47 and B-52 aircraft. He was discharged from the Air Force Reserve as a Captain in 1972. Mr. Kranz is married to the former Marta I. Cadena of Eagle Pass, Texas. The family has six children. In 1960, Mr. Kranz joined NASA Space Task Group at Langley Virginia and was assigned as Assistant Flight Director for Project Mercury. He assumed Flight Director duties for all Project Gemini Missions, and was the Branch Chief for Flight Control Operations. Mr. Kranz was selected as Division Chief for Flight Control in 1968, and continued his duties as Flight Director for the Apollo Program. He was the Flight Director for many Apollo missions including the Apollo 11 lunar Landing, and he led the "Tiger Team" for the successful return of the Apollo 13 crew. He performed as both a Flight Director and Flight Operations Director for the Skylab program, and, at its conclusion, was assigned as Deputy Director of Flight Operations with responsibility for space flight planning, training, and mission operations, aircraft operations and astronaut operations. In 1983, Mr. Kranz was assigned as Director of Mission Operations with responsibilities for all aspects of mission design, testing, planning, training, and spaceflight operations. Additionally, he was responsible for the design, development, maintenance, and operations of all related mission facilities, as well as the preparation of the Shuttle flight software. In this capacity, he was responsible for over 6000 employees with an annual budget of approximately $750 million. Mr. Kranz retired from NASA in March 1994 after 37 years of federal service. Current activities include consulting and motivational speaking to professional, civic, and youth groups. He is a Flight Engineer on a B-17 "Flying Fortress," performing at Airshows throughout the United States. Since retirement, he has completed building an aerobatic biplane. Mr. Kranz was a co-recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by President Nixon for the Apollo 13 Mission, and was designated a Distinguished member of the Senior Executive Service by President Reagan. 
Mr. Kranz is a New York Times best selling author. His book Failure Is Not An Option was published by Simon and Schuster in April, 2000. The book chronicles his work in Mission Control from Project Mercury through Apollo 13 and beyond. Click Here to purchase your own copy from Barnes and Noble. (A percentage of your purchase goes to HAAC) Mr. Kranz was the author of the "Spaceflight" section of the 1984 and 1988 World Book Encyclopedia.
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July's HAAC meeting was crowded and a great time for all. Three speakers took the podium to highlight activities of our organization and address the audience. Jerry Scott, HAAC Vice President, spoke of the late Al Johnson and his accomplishments through his aviation career and of the tremendous influence he had on the Houston aviation community. Each of the Al Johnson Memorial Aviation Scholarship recipients were introduced and given the opportunity to say a few words about their current studies and goals towards an aviation career. It was evident that these men and women were already proving themselves to be a cut above the pack and will be an asset in our field. (Read more about the sacholarship here.) 
Our featured guest speaker for July was Lt. John King with HPD's aviation division. John showed a video clip of police helicopters in action. This clip included actual footage of the use of FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) units and how they literally become the eyes of an officer on the ground. It was amazing to see this and hear the aerial observer direct an officer - in one case who did not have his flashlight and had literally stepped over a suspect in tall grass - back around to the exact point whereby the observer could say "he is right at your feet...." This system is a tremendous tool both for intervention and safety. Lt. King told us that HPD will this year receive two new helicopters and both will include FLIR units to total four such equipped aircraft in the fleet. 
Mrs. Ana Acosta of Raytheon Aircraft Services took a few moments to speak of the Challenge Air for Kids and Friends event which will be held at Raytheon on November 18, 2000 and in conjunction with HobbyFest 2000. Ana thanked all of the corporate sponsors from last year and asked that we all be prepared to be involved again in this wonderful event. To end the meeting, we saw a short segment of a PBS video which was of Gene Kranz describing the emotions in Mission Control as the Apollo 13 capsule came safely to splash down in the Pacific Ocean. Mr Krantz will be our featured guest speaker at the August 7 meeting. (See the details here.) |
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Margaret "Meg" Lonero, A.A.E., is Airport Manager for William P. Hobby - Houston Airport System. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations, maintenance and administration of the country's 40th largest airport. She explained the $7.8 billion economic impact of the Houston Airport System (HAS) and its three airports: Bush Intercontinental Airport, Hobby Airport and Ellington Field. View the pictures from this meeting. She detailed the expansion plan underway to address the pheonomenal growth in passenger air traffic since the mid-1990s for Houston's multi-airport system--the fourth largest in the U.S. and sixth largest in the world. Her presentation compared statistics showing how IAH and HOU differ in their markets served. For more, go to web site www.ci.houston.tx.us/has! Ms. Lonero has held numerous other management positions with the HAS including assistant airport manager at Bush Intercontinental Airport, airport operations manager at Ellington Field and airport operations superintendent at Hobby Airport. Prior to joining the airport system, Ms. Lonero was owner/manager of Clear Lake Aviation, Inc. in League City. Lonero has over 20 years experience in the aviation industry and is native to Nebraska. She holds a Master of Arts in Behavioral Science from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Houston. Ms. Lonero is an accredited airport executive and has her private pilot's license for both land and sea, single engine planes. |
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Brian E. Barents, 56, is Galaxy Aerospace Company's president and chief executive officer, a member of its board of director's and a founding member of the company. View the pictures from this meeting. Barents previously was president and CEO of Learjet Inc., serving in that capacity from 1989 to 1996. Barents joined the company at the time of its lowest fortunes, engineered its sale to Montreal-based Bombardier Inc. in 1990, and led a $400 million new product development initiative, reviving the company and setting it on a course for sustained growth. From 1987 until joining Learjet, he served as vice president-sales staff for Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. in Torrance, California, where he directed operations and sales planning, pricing, market research and the implementation of national marketing and sales training programs. At Toyota, Barents participated in the market introduction of the Lexus line of automobiles and the development of the Lexus dealership network. During a 12-year tenure at Cessna Aircraft Company from 1975 to 1987, Barents rose from regional sales director to senior vice president of sales, marketing and product support with responsibility for the company's full range of jet, turboprop and reciprocating-engine products. During that period, Barents participated in the development of new turbofan models, helping the company capture more than 50 percent of the light and mid-size jet market. Barents is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a degree in economics and psychology. Following his graduation in 1966, he was associated with General Motors in a management training program and did graduate work at the University of Michigan toward a master's degree in business administration. He joined the Air National Guard in 1966 and has flown several generations of tactical aircraft, from the F-84 to the F-16. He holds the rank of brigadier general and serves as the adjutant general for the Kansas Air National Guard, which operates a KC-135 refueling wing and a wing of B-1 strategic bombers. Barents is type rated in a number of business jet models and has more than 4,500 hours flight time. A past chairman of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Barents has been a leading advocate for industry legislative initiatives, including the repeal of the luxury tax on business aircraft, and for better public understanding of the role of business aviation in the national economy. Active in civic and community affairs, Barents has served terms as Chairman of the Wichita Chamber of Commerce and the Wichita /Sedgwick County Partnership for Growth, a public/private partnership formed to promote the economic development of the region. He has also served on the Governor's Select Crime Task Force for the State of Kansas. He serves on the boards of Kamen Corporation, Tristar Aerospace, Galaxy Aerospace, the National Aeronautic Association, Hospice of Wichita, Inc and United Way of the Plains. He is a member of the advisory board of the Flight Safety Foundation, The Wichita Children's Home financial advisory committee, The Board of Governors of Wichita State University and the immediate past president of the Kansas Food Bank board. |
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Our guest speaker for April was Andy Faletto, the Director of Flight Operations and Manager of Aviation Services for Memorial Hermann Life Flight. A 10-year veteran of the Houston-based program, Andy holds an ATP-helicopter rating and a private fixed-wing license. View the pictures from this meeting. Andy Faletto did an excellent job of describing Hermann Life Flight to HAAC members and guests. We are fortunate and all were surprised to learn that Houston has 2 of only 5 Level One Trauma Centers which are in Texas. There were lots of good questions and the members let Andy know that they appreciated the risks involved every time a Life Flight helicopter is dispatched. Era Ford, our new Historian, commented that we were sorrowed at their recent loss of three members of the Life Flight crew last July in the crash. All were amazed to hear that Life Flight dispatches some 300 missions per month with only three units. It was a great presentation from an esteemed member of our Houston aviation community. Andy has flown helicopters since completing Army flight training in 1971. His aviation work experience includes positions with offshore helicopter operations and helicopter manufacturer Messerschmitt Bolkow-Blohm. Andy, his wife and three children moved to Houston in 1986 after spending nine years in Anchorage, Alaska, where he was Director of Marketing for Air Logistics of Alaska, Inc. Following what appeared to be the likely collapse of the offshore oil support industry, Andy became a regional marketing manager for the helicopter manufacturer, Messerschmitt Bolkow-Blohm. One sales success included new BK-117 helicopters for Hermann Hospital in Houston. Andy was impressed by the "can-do" spirit of the staff at Life Flight and their dedication to the mission of helping others. He left MBB and began working at Life Flight in October 1989. Life Flight was one of the first aeromedical helicopter programs in the United States and the first in Texas. It has been in operation for 24 years. During that time, nearly 70,000 patients have flown in their helicopters. The program serves an area extending from Houston out to a distance of 150 miles. The service is owned and operated by Memorial Hermann Healthcare Systems, a private, not-for-profit corporation. Life Flight operates three air ambulance helicopters that are based at the Medical Center, Clover Field and Hooks Airport. Andy is a graduate of North Texas State University. |
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HAAC's speaker for March was Lt. Col. Stephan Higgs of the Texas Air National Guard. View the pictures from this meeting. Lt. Col Higgs kept the HAAC audience's attention with discussions of the role that the Air National Guard plays in the nation's overal defense structure. He described the challenges of finding and keeping qualified pilots in the squadron and shared many personal stories of life as a fighter pilot. Lt. Col Higgs showed us a video with fantastic in-cockpit views of the F-16's that the Air National Guard employs in action. The Texas Air National Guard's mission is to provide ready and responsive resources for national security and service to Texas and its communities, and its vision is to be a quality organization ready to serve Texas and our nation. Ellington Field features the 147th Fighter Squadron of the Texas Air National Guard, which operates F16 aircraft. The pilots and crew of the 147th have appeared at many local aviation events, including Challenge Air for Kids and Friends, and HobbyFest '99, and have provided spectacular performances showcasing the capabilities of the F16. |
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HAAC members and guests were treated to a very informative overview of the Civil Air Patrol activities around the Houston Area. We learned that in addition to the activities that CAP is popularly known for, CAP members serve our community well by investing time and effort into kids, giving them goals and setting a good foundation of morals. Dave also suggested that a CAP squadron based at Hobby would be a welcome idea. The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. It is a volunteer, non-profit, benevolent organization made up of aviation-minded adult and cadet members committed to serving the nation. CAP was organized Dec. 1, 1941, as part of the U.S. Office of Civilian Defense. During World War II, its members provided orientation flights to thousands of prospective aviation cadets and recruits. Members also flew more than 24 million miles on coastal patrol. They summoned help for 91 ships in distress and 363 survivors of submarine attacks. They continue to serve our country in valiant and courageous ways from coast to coast. The organization became a permanent peacetime institution on July 1, 1946. On that date, President Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 476 of the 79th Congress, incorporating CAP in its present form. |
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Ken presented a great program to the HAAC membership, including a fascinating look at the ongoing plans for the assembly of the International Space Station. HAAC was also treated to an actual video of the last few minutes of a shuttle flight as it descended and landed in Florida. Ken also provided the HAAC raffle some great photographs of many NASA Space Shuttle activities. Graduated from Rockdale High School, Rockdale, Texas, in 1968; received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from University of Texas in 1972, and a master of science degree in aeronautical systems from the University of West Florida in 1974. Ken was designated a Naval Aviator in August 1974 at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Following type training in the A-7 aircraft, he flew the Corsair II from 1975 to 1978 aboard the USS Midway in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. After graduation from the United States Naval Test Pilot School in 1979, he remained at the Naval Air Test Center conducting a variety of flight tests on the A-4, A-7, F-4, and F/A-18 aircraft through mid-1982. Ken was then assigned as a pilot in an operational F/A-18 squadron and made two cruises on the USS Constellation in 1985 and 1987. He resigned his commission in 1987 and accepted a position at the Aircraft Operations Division of the Johnson Space Center. Ken became an astronaut in July 1991. A veteran of three space flights, he has logged over 906 hours in space. He served as a mission specialist on STS-56 (April 8-17, 1993), was the pilot on STS-69 (September 7-18, 1995), and was the mission commander on STS-80 (November 19 to December 7, 1996). He presently serves as Chief of the Astronaut Office. Cockrell is assigned to command the crew of STS-98 that will continue the task of building and enhancing the International Space Station by delivering the U.S. laboratory module. The Shuttle will spend six days docked to the station while the laboratory is attached and three spacewalks are conducted to complete its assembly. The STS-98 mission will occur while the first station crew is aboard the new spacecraft. Launch is targeted for Summer 2000. Awarded the Armed Forces Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal. Ken was born in Austin, Texas, and has two children. |
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Our speaker on December 4 was Nel Sanders of 
Our speaker on October 2 was John Kiker, Retired NASA engineer.
Our guest speaker for September was National Transportation Safety Board Member George Black.
HAAC's Speaker for February, 2000, was Mr. Dave Pickering, Regional Commander of the United States Air Force, Civil Air Patrol. Mr. Pickering is the Officer In Charge of all Houston Squadrons of the C.A.P. 
HAAC's Speaker for January, 2000 was Kenneth D. Cockrell, NASA Astronaut.