2004
Speakers

July, 2004

The first Taylorcraft aircraft was built in 1926 and it holds the record of being the longest running aircraft in production. C.Gilbert Taylor and his brother Gordon, decided there was a need for a small inexpensive aircraft that the general public could afford to fly and own. Together they designed a small high wing, two-seat, monoplane named ìCHUMMYî. In 1927, Taylor Bros. Manufacturing Company was formed. Tragically, Gordon Taylor was killed in an airplane crash.

Between 1928 to1940, the company went through many operational and financial changes and the production model went through several modifications. In September of 1930, Taylor embarked on the production of the Taylor E-2. This two-seat tandem low-powered aircraft featured a design with wings mounted high on the fuselage, an open cockpit, fabric-covered tubular steel fuselage and wooden wings. World War II brought on an immediate cease of production for civil aircraft. Taylorcraft was thrown into producing 100 aircraft for the R.A.F. (Royal Air Force) and more developments and engineering adaptations were made to meet the War Departmentís demands. The Taylorcraft became an invaluable aircraft in the war efforts and was used for artillery observation and reconnaissance missions. Taylorcraft production to over 10,000 peaked during and after WWII. To this day 4,000 remain.

Harry Ingram is dedicated to preserving the rich history of this aircraft. Mr. Ingram lives in LaGrange, TX with his wife and 2 children. They share their enthusiasm with thousand of other Taylorcraft ownerís worldwide. We invite you to hear Mr. Ingram share his story and personal history of bringing this classic aircraft back in production.

June, 2004

"AMERICA'S FRONT LINE AGAINST TERRORISM"
Project Shield America by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Cynthia Ann Carranza- Parker, Senior Special Agent
Thomas W. Parker - Special Agent

Project Shield America is an ongoing U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement initiative. This enforcement initiative is designed to prevent the illegal movement of U.S. munitions list items, strategic and/or sensitive technology to proscribed destinations, and to terrorist organizations, which pose a threat to the United States, its citizens, or interest abroad. Project Shield America seeks to make contact with the manufacturers and distributors of U.S. commodities and enlist their cooperation in keeping these items out of the hands of proscribed countries and terrorists.

Mrs. Parker came in 2001 to U.S. Department of Treasury, U.S. Customs Service, Office of Investigations, Houston, TX, Senior Special Agent/Computer Forensic Specialist - investigating cyber investigations and strategic investigations; investigating a host of illegal commodities and components, including arms, controlled substances, and nuclear, chemical and biological components for weapons for mass destruction. Actively enforcing international embargoes and sanctions imposed by other federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Commerce; U.S. Department of State, Office of Defense Trade Controls; U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC); U.S. Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Presently, Special Agent Parker heads the investigative group assigned to George W. Bush Intercontinental Airport. This group responds to and investigates all illegal merchandise attempting to be entered through Houston's Airport, narcotics, child pornography, hazardous material, and any other product prohibited from being introduced into the commerce of the United States. In addition, as a part of this investigative group, Operation Aero Guardian functions as a multi agency, ICE, FBI, Department of State, legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service, Secret Service, and the Houston Police Department, Anti-Terrorist Task Force. In the previous 12 months, Aero Guardian agents have conducted over 300 investigations of suspicious foreign individuals attempting to enter the United States.

May, 2004

Kent McLemore, Assistant Director of Aviation and Manager of the Houston Airport System Planning Division, is responsible for directing the planning activities at Bush Intercontinental Airport, William P. Hobby Airport, and Ellington Field. Among his other responsibilities, Dr. McLemore administers the Airport Improvement Program grant funds, is the liaison with governmental and civic organizations regarding planning, oversees the preparation and implementation of master plans at each airport, and conducts studies of various airport operations for the sixth busiest airport system in the world.

Prior to coming to the Houston Airport System, Dr. McLemore was the first Zoning Administrator for the City of Bryan, Texas. He has also worked as a senior planner for Wilbur Smith Associates, and while in the Army, he was a project engineer and planner at military installations in Alaska, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas.

Dr. McLemore has over 20 years experience in master planning and grew up in Louisiana and east Texas. He holds a Doctorate in Urban and Regional Science, a Masters in Urban Planning, and a Bachelor of Science degree, all from Texas A & M University. His professional affiliations include the American Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Planners.

April, 2004

Our guest speaker this month was Darlene Radloff Director, Security Training and Education of AIR SECURITY INTERNATIONAL.

The Houston Aviation Alliance was pleased to have as our April speaker Darlene Radloff, Director of Security Training & Education for Air Security International (ASI). Spending much of her time on the road, Darlene teaches a variety of educational classes on safety and security. Darlene offers customized courses for flight crews, executives, middle managers and female travelers. She is also the lead trainer for the Bombardier SecureFlite program, providing security instruction to the flight crews of new Global Express and Challenger 604 owners.

Darlene came to ASI with 27-years of experience in aviation technical training. She has worked with Continental Airlines, Continental Cargo Development Group, Continental Express, Northwest Airlink-Mesaba Airlines, and most recently, Hawaiian Airlines.

As the Managing Director of Corporate Education for Northwest Airlines-Airlink, Darlene, along with her team of managers and trainers, traveled worldwide to deliver operational policy and procedures training to all levels of the organization. In addition, she maintained responsibility for Airport and Ground Operations Security training, In-flight and Maintenance training, as well as executive leadership programs.

Darlene guided the company's safety and security policy & procedures and held the position of chief liaison with the DOT, the FAA, and the Air Carrier Standard Security Programs. She coordinated with the northeast and southwest FAA hazardous materials and security offices to design and produce regulatory compliance training curricula in accordance with the Air Carrier Standard Security Program for air carrier employees.

February, 2004

Our guest speaker for February was Malcolm W. Browne, Chairman of The Veteran's Museum in Texas.

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceived the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation," ….President George Washington

The Houston Aviation Alliance is pleased to have Malcolm Browne come and speak on the proposed Veterans Museum in Texas to be located in Harris County. This proposed $100 million museum would honor veterans and serviced in all campaigns beginning with World War I, Desert Storm, Somalia, Bosnia and Kosovo. The basic design for the building will allow for a "5 star point" which would be designated for each of the major services - Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The main building will consist of three floors totaling 150,00 square feet. The ground floor will house weapons, artifacts, and displays from the five major branches of service, as well as an IMAX theater, gift shop, and snack bar. It would also hose a star of Texas to be imbedded in the center of the ground floor crafted from granite from the Texas quarries. The second floor will contain and additional small display of artifacts, the overlook area, and computer search kiosks that student a nd other visitors could use to search for the names of family veterans. The third floor would consist of administrative offices, educational classrooms, and possibly a library for use by students and visitors to the museum.

The museum has received the support of much local organization. Also pledging support for the museum are congressmen Gene Green, Kevin Brady, Nick Lampson and Tom DeLay, City Councilmember Addie Wiseman and Ron Bliss, a partner of Fulbright and Jaworski law firm and veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Currently, some of the locations being considered for this museum are Pearland, Pasadena, and Houston.

January, 2004

Our January speaker was Andy Faletto from Memorial Hermann Life Flight.