Alumnus News

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Running on a platform of grass roots soliciting, Jolie is extremely successfully in working with a diverse group of people and making things happen.

Originally from Puerto Rico via New York City, she earned her Bachelor of Arts from the City College of New York. After working and living in eleven cities and countries world-wide, it was time to settle down and commit to local issues.

Earning her Masters, Marketing and Finance from the Executive MBA Program at St. Mary’s College of California in Moraga, she made her mark at several organizations.

Her colleagues and associates describe her as: a good listener who hears and responds to concerns, an effective leader who encourages all groups to participate in decision making, and a person who is very comfortable with a diverse group of people and organizations.

She’s heard you! Address Open Space, Traffic & Parking, Maintaining the High Standards of our Schools; and Police/Security Protection to maintain our Quality of Life.

Former Chair, Youth Council, Contra Costa Workforce Development Board; Committee Member, Business Development and the Procedure, Policy and Performance Committee, ; Two-time President, Graduate School of Business Alumni Board, St. Mary’s; Co-Chair; City of Lafayette Communications Committee; Chair, Circulation (Transportation) Commission; Citizen Advisory Committee - Transportation Authority; Construction Management Facilitator – Transit Organization.

She raised two boys. Both are Eagle Scouts and both served in the Air Force. One son is a Fallen Hero.

Received 8/16/2012 from Captain Warren Vest - Raymond D. Cloutier Resident of San Ramon, Ca. Raymond went home to do some important projects for God on August 5th, 2012 at the age of 80. He passed over surrounded by his family after succumbing to cancer. Raymond was born on December 22nd 1931 and raised in Barton, VT with his parents, 5 brothers and 3 sisters. He graduated from Barton Academy in 1947 and embarked on a 4-year stint in the Air Force where he served in the Korean War on bombers. He served his country with distinction for 11 years and received an honorable discharge as well as several honors including the National Service Medal. Ray later traveled to California where he attended Pasadena College and UCLA, met and married one of his private pilot students, Francine Kellerman (of Beverly Hills, CA). They shared 49 years of marriage together. They had two beloved daughters; Michele Cloutier-Valdez of Mt Shasta, CA and Suzanne Cloutier-VanDerwater of Sandy, OR. Raymonds career as a commercial Airline Pilot lasted through many years, many countries and many airlines. He also worked as a commercial pilot instructor both in the US and abroad. He mentored hundreds of students in flying commercial aircraft in the US, Russia, Turkey and China. Both Ray and Fran enjoyed traveling around the globe. Ray was a lifetime ski bum who was proud to still be sporting his leather ski boots on the slopes into his 70's! Raymond was active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the American Legion and belonged to the National Association of Atomic Veterans. He had a passion for Genealogy and was a founding member of L'Association de Cloutiers of North America. He loved a good cup of Peets coffee and a maple bar as well as a great gin martini (with three olives of course for his 'girls'). He will be missed by many for kind heart, giving nature and outstanding sense of humor. Raymond is predeceased by his parents Severin and Rose Marie, brothers Gaston, Regent and sister Bertha. His is survived by brothers Robert, James and Gaetan, sisters Martha and Rita, wife Francine and daughters Michele and Suzanne. A celebration of Raymond's Life will be held on August 24th at 2pm at the Chapel at Oakmont Memorial Park in Lafayette, CA. Donations to Hope Hospice in Dublin, CA are welcome in lieu of flowers.

Note: Ray was employed at World Airways as a pilot for a short time and also at Sierra Academy of Aeronautics as an instructor.

7/15/2012- Received from Sharon Kirkland - June Pamela Heaslip - 3rd June 1926 - 10th July 2012 (no picture provided)

I regret to have to advise you that June Heaslip (born Crouch) has passed away. June died of a heart attack in her home in Maiden Bradley, Wiltshire, England around 8am on Tuesday 10th July 2012. She was found within half an hour by staff of the Duke of Somerset's estate, where her cottage is located. June had had health issues for some time with asthma. However, in the last few days, I and others who had been in touch with her report that she seemed in good spirits. Her treasured companion, her poodle Zola, is safe and is being rehomed with one of June's close friends. Her funeral will be on Friday 27th July at 12:30 at the parish church of St Mary in Upton, Oxfordshire, followed by interment in the churchyard, close to the grave of her cousin Dick Hall. Further details will be advised in the next few days. If you would like further information or are interested in attending her funeral, please contact me. Robin Hall (June's second cousin and Executor) - 46 Denmark Road, London, W13 8RG .tel: 020 8840 0007 - email: robin.hall@rodhake.co.uk

(She was a FA early 60s. Lved in CA and England. Worked under Pat Johnson (sp).)

6/11/2012 - From F/A Marilyn Vernardo - My dear friends:- With deep sorrow, allow me to inform you that Verda Oliver passed last week. Her funeral will be on Saturday, June 16, 2012. Please let others know. I will send you further information on the funeral details. Best Regards, Marilyn

Received 5/25/2012 from Darryl May - Greetings to you and Branka. Many thanks for your healing prayers! I am doing well, continuing on with the recovery. Post brain radiation scan showed positive improvements....radiation ended in February. I will be having another MRI within weeks and see what further results have taken place. In the meantime tho, a new lesion of the same cancer was found in my right hip area....more metastatic disease, and that is now being treated with chemo therapy. I remain optimistic as always and that all the healing thoughts and prayers coming my way will surely strengthen my recovery.I trust you will have a pleasant, peaceful holiday. God Bless all those whom we honor on Memorial Day.Thank you Dick for your checking in with me.

By the way, back in March while arriving in HNL and walking thru the Hawaiian Airlines terminal I ran right into Ursula Biloschaetzke! She had arrived earlier at Hickam AFB from Korea and was getting ready for a commercial flight back to LAX. We had a couple hours to chat and talk-story. Lot's of tales from 'days gone bye' for sure. You may post the photo's on your website and the story of us running into each other if you feel so inclined. I don't think Ursula would object.

May 29, 2006 - submitted by Maureen Hagner - My father flew for World Airways and I was wondering if there was anybody out there that flew with him. His name was Paul J Samudovsky and he was with World from about 1967 thru 1973. My dad died in 1990 on Memorial Day. He had a massive heart attack that morning as he prepared to go to his business, he owned a liquor store in Colorado. Anyway if you recognize the name and would be so kind to share a story oryour thoughts regarding my dad I know my brother and my two sisters would thank you for your time. Thank you, David Samudovsky - Email to David at stratus761@msn.com

Received 4/6/2012 - With great sadness I announce that my Best Friend of 42 years, wife of 38 years and Mother to Mike & Shelley peacefully Boarded Her Last Flight at 6 AM this morning. Mike, Shelley and I were at her side as She Peacefully passed away . Ann was stricken with lung cancel in late December and despite Radiation/Chemo and her considerable will power was unable to over come this terrible disease. A memorial service will be Tuesday at 1 PM at: Duggan's Serra Mortuary 500 Westlake Ave. Daly City, CA -650 756 4500 A Grand Reception will follow - Sincerely, Bill and Family.

Received 4/5/2012 - Ann Lemke Best of San Francisco passed away peacefully April 4th in San Francisco with her Husband and their children Michael & Michelle at her side. Ann was born in 1946 at the Long Beach Naval Hospital. Her Father, Willard Lemke,was a Marine aviator and decorated combat pilot. Her Mother, Alice Lobrano, was a former Navy Nurse and a descendant of the New Orleans Lobrano Family who trace their ancestry to the Pirate Dominique You, the older brother of Jean Laffitte. Ann enjoyed an exciting childhood as a "Marine Corp Junior" living in Eva [Honolulu] Hawaii before Hawaii was a state and transiting the Panama Canal on one of the many moves the family made. She also enjoyed the Washington Social Scene when her Father was the Marine Aid to the Chief of Naval Operations and took part in children's birthday parties at the Greek Embassy. She graduated from San Francisco College for Women with Degrees in Art and History. After graduate study in London she returned to USF and earned her Lifetime Secondary Education Teaching Credential. In 1970 she met Bill Best at a Fern Bar on Union Street. This lead to a four year courtship and a 38 year marriage that was blessed with wonderful children Michael [1977] & Michelle [1981].In 1972 she joined Oakland based World Airways and started a 40 year career as an International Flight Attendant. World Airways to this day operates flights for the US Military into some of the most remote places on the planet. She flew Pilgrims from Balikpapan-Indonesia, Niamey-Niger and Algiers-Algeria to Medina-Saudi Arabia. They evacuated the Portuguese refugees from Luanda-Angola during the civil war and they flew the "Baby Lifts" out of Vietnam and the Philippines. They were also the principal Civilian Airline supporting Desert Shield & Desert Storm eventually flying into Kuwait. The Secretary of the Air Force awarded Ann and The Civilian Desert Shield/Desert Storm Medal. Most recently Ann was supporting our efforts in Afghanistan, flying troops from Adana-Turkey to Bishkek, Kyrgystan. Ann is survived by her Husband of 38 years William [Bill] Best, their son Michael Best of San Rafael, their daughter Michelle Rosinsky and son in law Mike of Geneva-Switzerland. Also her brother Captain Will Lemke a San Francisco Bar Pilot and his wife Cari of Montara-CA. Sister-in-law Jan Hill of Paola-KS, and brother-in-law Steve MacArthur of Ridgecrest-CA. Nice's and Nephews include Hunter and Alix Lemke, John Hill of Goodyear-AZ, Krista Essex of Paola-KS, Heather MacArthur of Bishop-CA and Mary Powell of Ridgecrest-CA. Ann and Bill, a retired Navy Reserve Captain with Vietnam service have plans to be buried together at the National Cemetery in Punch Bowl Hawaii where they have a vacation home and enjoyed numerous fun family vacations. Donations may be made to the Best Family Scholarships established at either Archbishop Riordan High or Mercy High School San Francisco

Received 4/4/2012: The following email was received from Bill Best: Ann passed away peacefully at 6 AM this morning. Mike, Shelley & I were with her. There was no pain or suffering those final hours. Services and a Grand Reception most likely will be Tuesday. Please pass the word with the WOA community including past employees such as Bill Adde & Lori Olsen. Thank you, Bill

Global Aviation Holdings Inc., the parent company of World Airways, Inc., North American Airlines, Inc. and other subsidiaries, has announced it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

The company cited excess inventory, high costs, and insufficient operating funds. In a press release, it said that the company’s board of directors had determined that a reorganization would provide the most effective and efficient means to restructure with minimal impact on the business.

The company has also announced that the parent company and its subsidiaries will continue to operate as normal, without interruption throughout the restructuring. Global said it has filed motions seeking interim relief to ensure the company’s ability to continue all of its normal operations, including the ability to provide employee wages, healthcare coverage, vacation, and other benefits without interruption; honor customer programs; and pay vendors and suppliers for post-petition goods and services.

Robert Binns, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Global said, “Throughout this restructuring process, our customers, including the United States Department of Defense, can continue to depend on us to provide the same safe, high quality service they know and have come to expect from us. We are committed to working as quickly and efficiently as possible to appropriately restructure Global so that it can emerge from Chapter 11 as a strong company, well-positioned to compete effectively in the marketplace.”

Received 2/11/2012 from Louella Kohler - Aloha Dick - Thought I'd give everyone an update on Darryl May - here we are having lunch on Pier 39 Honolulu. His sunburn is from the "treatments". His attitude is AWESOME! It's as though he's hit a small speed bump. He's done with the first round and will be back on Maui to rest up for the next round. He's amazing. He loves to hear from WOA folks. Happy 2012 to Everyone! Aloha Louella Koher. Keep those emails, cards and prayers flowing to Darryl. He apprecites them very much - Dick

Received 2/5/2012 from Lana Noone. Lana adopted one of the World Airways "Baby Lift" orphans.

Hi Dick, I thought you'd enjoy seeing this photo of Richard Ford (President Ford's brother) and me at the Wall set-up for last week's Babylift Event. I enjoyed chatting with him about Babylift and the Ford family-wonderful anecdotes about both!

The Babylift group at last week's program. Phil Wise and I are the only ones there who went on the WOA trip in 2005

Received 2/6/2012-Bloomberg Report - Global Aviation, U.S.. Troop Transporter, Seeks Use of Cash

Global Aviation Holdings Inc. (GLAH), the biggest charter-flight company for U.S. military troops, asked for court permission to use lenders’ cash collateral, saying it failed to get a loan before filing for bankruptcy.

The company has $29 million of cash on hand, according to papers filed yesterday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Brooklyn, New York. Global Aviation, based in Peachtree, Georgia, sought court protection with affiliates including its two airlines, World Airways and North American Airlines.

“Circumstances leading up to the commencement of these Chapter 11 cases require interim approval of cash collateral to act as a bridge” until Global Aviation can get a post- bankruptcy loan, the company said in the filing.

A customer withheld a $20 million payment before the bankruptcy, reducing its cash, and the company didn’t have enough time to negotiate a loan before entering bankruptcy, Global Aviation said.

Global, with annual sales of more than $1 billion and more than 1,800 employees, listed assets of $589.8 million and debt of $493.2 million as of Dec. 31. Chapter 11 allows companies to continue operating and either reorganize or sell assets through a court-supervised auction.

The case is In re Global Aviation Holdings Inc., 12-40783, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of New York (Brooklyn).

To contact the reporter on this story: Tiffany Kary in New York at tkary@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: John Pickering at jpickering@bloomberg.net

PEACHTREE CITY, Ga., Feb. 5, 2012 - PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Global Aviation Holdings Inc., the parent company of World Airways, Inc., North American Airlines, Inc. and other subsidiaries, today announced that to achieve a cost and debt structure that is industry competitive and continue to provide outstanding service to its customers, it has commenced a financial restructuring through the voluntary filing of petitions to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (the "Court"). During the restructuring, the Company and its subsidiaries will continue to operate as normal, without interruption.

The Company's Board of Directors determined that a Chapter 11 reorganization provides the most effective and efficient means to restructure with minimal impact on the business, and is in the best interest of the Company, its stakeholders and customers. "Although the Company has worked closely with its lessors, bondholders and other creditors and constituents over the past year, which led to the reduction of certain obligations, the Company needs to complete its comprehensive restructuring due to having too large a fleet, labor costs that exceed industry standards given the current global economic environment, and the necessity to align the capital structure with the size of the Company," said Robert Binns, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Global.

Global has filed motions today with the Court seeking interim relief that will ensure the Company's ability to continue all of its normal operations, including the ability to provide employee wages, healthcare coverage, vacation, and other benefits without interruption; honor customer programs; and pay vendors and suppliers for post-petition goods and services. Such motions are standard and the Company anticipates receiving approval from the Court within the next several days. Vendor and supplier invoices incurred prior to the commencement of the Company's Chapter 11 case that have not been paid will be resolved through the Company's Plan of Reorganization, which requires Court approval and has yet to be submitted.

"Throughout this restructuring process, our customers, including the United States Department of Defense, can continue to depend on us to provide the same safe, high quality service they know and have come to expect from us. We are committed to working as quickly and efficiently as possible to appropriately restructure Global so that it can emerge from Chapter 11 as a strong company, well-positioned to compete effectively in the marketplace," continued Binns.

Global, through its subsidiaries World Airways and North American Airlines, is the largest provider of military transport services through the Air Mobility Command. World Airways was founded in 1948, and received its first government contract to provide supplemental airlift to the U.S. military in 1951 during the Korean conflict. North American, founded in 1989, also flies for the U.S. military, as well as international and domestic charter services to a broad customer base that includes major U.S. corporations, domestic and international airlines, presidential campaigns, the White House press corps, entertainers and production companies.

Global's lead counsel in connection with the restructuring is Kirkland & Ellis LLP and its financial advisor is Rothschild.

Received 1/23/2012 - Hi Dick – I talked with my fellow Montanan (Butte) buddy, Darryl May today. He is at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu being treated for a metastatic cancer in the brain. Darryl is undergoing radiation treatment for the next several weeks as an outpatient – then goes back home to Maui for the following 6 weeks. At that time, the doctors will evaluate/determine the next course of treatment. Darryl is in his usual great spirits and asks that his WOA family send him their good thoughts during this time. He would love to receive e-mails from everyone and asked me say, ALOHA!

1/15/2012 - Were you involved with the Vietnam Operation Babylift flights? If so read the below email from Barbara Paresi and then contact Barbara for information you can share for her documentary - Dick Kalman

History remembers Operation Babylift as the heroic crusade to evacuate thousands of orphaned children from Saigon while the war torn city was under siege. The harrowing evacuation was carried out by ordinary civilians from five nations who risked their lives, defied orders, endured unspeakable tragedy and overcame great odds to get the children to safety.

Produced by Barbara Paresi, BABYLIFT is a not for profit documentary film, that will tell the story of World Airways larger than life President ED DALY and internationally-renowned social worker CHERIE CLARK (celebrated for her work with Mother Teresa) whose bold action in April 1975 changed the face of international adoption.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Babylift/175146039215162?sk=wall page and friend us, and if you or someone you know was a part of Operation Babylift and would like to contribute to this endeavor your support is greatly appreciated. Please visit www. babylift.net to learn more.

Barbara A. Paresi - Executive Producer - 404-660-5999 -cell 404-812-0008 home office - www.theproductionworks.net

I recently received notice from Lin Merrill's daughter that Lin has passed way. Lin was a former World Airways Flight Attendent and married to Captain George Merrill (deceased). Lin resided in Palm Desert California and was a frequent attendee at the World Airways Las Vegas reunions. There is no other information available at this time. Keep the Merrill family in your thoughts and prayers. Dick Kalman

The World Airways Alumni website was brought forth by Mr. Dick Kalman more than fourteen years ago. It has been maintained in a manner that has kept coworker friendships close and lasting well beyond our active working years with World Airways. The site has been invaluable in the promotion of reunions, luncheons and retirement parties to bring us together and renew old friendships.

When I review the site, as 2011 comes to an end, I am saddened by the number of coworkers that have followed the setting sun to the west and have slipped the surely bonds of earth to touch the face of God. These coworkers, that have left us behind, represent a cross section of our company and without their contribution World Airways would never have reached its current longevity. I will not attempt to name those that have departed us for fear of an oversight. However, I recommend that you take some time to review the site postings (Email Addresses) about the individuals we worked closely with and have now departed us.

Thanks to Mr. Daly’s vision for the future, World Airways entered the Jet Age with the Boeing 707 in 1962. World’s passenger charter service became the Gold standard for the industry. Remember the fabulous worldwide charter flights for Intrav, Chevrolet, Chrysler and so many more. Those times could be referred to as the “Good Old Days”.

I would like to recognize and honor two gentlemen that helped make those “Good Old Days” possible. They are both pioneers of the World Airways Jet Age and after 50 years are still loyal attendees of our reunions and luncheons.

William “Bill” Hardenstine, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He headed up and built a passenger chart program that was envied by the industry and kept us flying all over the world.

Captain Kenneth “Ken” Healy, Vice President of Flight Operations. He followed the Company motto, “Perfection Not Correction” and built a Flight Operations Department that was respected throughout the industry for its Standardization and Professionalism. Hoping, God will bless all of the World Airways Family as we move on to 2012.

12/1/2011 - Captain Max Kinnard took his last flight on November 23, 2011. Max lived in Acampo, California on his ranch with wife Alice. The funeral is scheduled for Monday, December 5. Additional details will be posted here when available. Please keep the Kinnard extended family in your thoughts and prayers.

Larry Decker, age 88, was born in Lewis, Iowa to Danielle Boone Decker and Laura Decker. He grew up in several Midwestern farming communities and as a result of difficult economic times dropped out of school in 9th grade. He started several jobs to help support his family. He served in the US Army during World War II and famously protected his “ borrowed” Japanese horse named Tojo with his battle helmet during an air raid on Papau, New Guinea. He returned to the US, got his GED and continued his business studies at schools including Stanford University. He was very instrumental in the airline industry with executive positions including Bonanza, Air West and World Airways. In 1982 he founded Sunworld International Airways in Las Vegas, NV and served as its CEO and President. Larry was the Director of the Greater Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce in 1985. In 1963 founded the Las Vegas chapter of SKAL International, an international association of tour and travel professionals that he continued to participate with for the rest of his life. After his retirement from Sunworld he was an active real estate agent in the Las Vegas area. He moved to Smyrna, Georgia 4 years ago to be close to family. Larry was married for 40 years to the love of his life, Beverly Lou Decker, who predeceased him in 1995. He was also predeceased by his son, Randy Decker as well as seven brothers and sisters.. He is survived by his son Douglas Decker and his wife Lori, daughter Debra Lee Massing and her husband Larry. He is also survived by 3 grand children that he adored, Greg Decker, Amy Decker, and Tyler Decker (Massing). Survivors and loved ones also include brothers Robert (Bob) Decker and his wife Margaret and William (Bill) Decker and his wife Ruth, as well many beloved nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

Per his wishes, we will be having a “going away” party to send him off to his next incredible journey. The family would like to invite his friends to join them on Saturday, November 19, from 4-8p.m at 2149 Fountain Springs Drive., Henderson, NV.

Received October 21, 2011 from Dudley Thornton- Hi Dudley. I'm writing to let you know Joe passed away Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011.Sincerely,Carole Ciavardone. Joe was a Flight Engineer with World back in the Boeing 707 days. He was also with Easter Airlines. He wrote an article for the Alumnus "My World" web site and can be read at this link. My World Our thoughts and prayers go to Carole on her loss.

Lakeland – Joe F. Ciavardone, 81, was born in Somerville, MA on February 3, 1930. Shortly before graduating high school, he joined the US Navy Reserve. Flying on weekends, he went on to graduate from Boston University’s College of Aviation Engineering in 1951 and received further training as a flight engineer in Tulsa, OK. Joe served in the US Air Force during the Korean War as a flight engineer aboard a B-29 super fortress and upon discharge used his GI Bill to complete his airline pilot training.

In 1957, Joe joined Eastern Airlines. Over the course of his career, he went on to fly for many airlines, including The Flying Tiger Cargo Airline, where he transported UN cargo to the Congo, and Lufthansa in Germany. During the Vietnam War, Joe spent 7 years with World Airways, flying in and out of the Far East. After Vietnam, he joined National Airlines, which merged with Pan AM. Joe retired from a 33-year flying career in 1990, after accumulating over 27,000 hours and visiting over 90 countries. He always said that his proudest moment was standing on the ramp in the Philippines in March 1973, watching the last load of POWs return from Hanoi.

Joe loved to play golf and gin rummy and was a member of Lone Palm Golf Club for 30 years. Unknown to many of his friends, he was an accomplished jazz saxophonist. Growing up in a musical family, Joe received instruction in classical clarinet and had two uncles that were members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Joe earned money to help pay for college as a saxophonist with many jazz combos in the Boston area. He always said that if he didn’t love aviation so much, he would have been a musician.

Joe passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 9, 2011, after succumbing to cancer. He is survived by his wife, Carole, sons, Jason and Michael, daughter-in-law Jody, and grandson Carson.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Josephs Catholic Church on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 10:30 AM.

Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX. 75284 or to the American Cancer Society, 1920 South Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL. 33803.

Received October 25, 2011 from Captain Warren Vest - Dick,I got word from Ken (Healy) that Steve passed away yesterday morning. Apparently he failed fast this past week. No services planned. I talked to Joyce this evening and she plans a get together much like what Billie Keating had. Warren .

Ladies and Gentlemen, It is with great sadness that I must inform you that longtime World Captain Ron Young has passed away. I just got off the phone with his daughter, Denise. She didn't have much information yet but will let me know about the arrangements when they are completed. Please keep Ron's family in your prayers. - Randy Dean

Received 7/18/2011 - Again I am the bearer of sad news about one of our World Airways Family members. I received word that Flight Engineer Edward Wallace passed away Thursday, July 14, 2011 in, California. I understand from Soren Bloch that there may be a memorial service on Wednesday, July 20. I will provide more details if and when they become available. Let us send special thoughts and prayers to Ed’s wife Chris and any family members as they transition through this very difficult time.

Cards can be sent to: Ms. Chris Wallace ,137 CAM INO DEL SOL, VALLEJO, CA 94591

Received 7/8/2011 from Captain Warren Vest - I just had a call from Bill Hardenstine letting me know that Bill passed away this morning. As you know Bill had a stroke about a year and half ago and has had difficulty with his speak. He would have been 96 this November. When I have more information about services I will pass them on to you. Warren.

7/9/2011 - Bill Hardenstine called again this morning to inform that Billie had said there would be no services for Bill. She will accompany her son to Southern California. There may be a special service for Bill in Walnut Creek in several weeks - Warren

I know all employees past and present remember Captain Bill Keating and his many years as Chief Pilot and other management and flying roles while at World Airways. Bill was also the pilot in the movie "The High and Mighty" with John Wayne,was involved in the Last Flight From Vietnam and the Vietnam Baby Lift. Bill will be greatly missed by all of his World Airways family. Our condolences go out to his devoted wife Billie. (More details will be provided when available-Dick)

Received 7/11/2011 from Steve Berger - Han Elseier, WOA's VP East Coast, passed away in his sleep on Sunday, July 10, 2011 in a nursing home in New York State. He was located near his many family members that he cherished especially during his retirement years. Hans and his wife Eva celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on March 15 2008. They got married in 1948, left for Curaçao, due to a transfer by KLM, and via Jamaica, Houston and Buffalo NY,landed in New York City. World found Hans there (thanks to Steve Berger) and that's when he became WOA's VP East Coast . He went through the Transcon and International scheduled services and left when things did not work out somewhere in the 1980-s. About 25% of his married life was spent in the WOA family . Additional information will be provided if available. We say a farewell to another dedicated World Airways employee.

Received 4/26/2011 from Joanna McKenna - I am sorry to tell you that our friend, Dorothy Goe, passed away on May 23 in Hoven. SD. She had fallen and was confined in a nursing home for several months, but was planning a trip to see her grandaughter graduate in WI,- She became suddenly ill and lapsed into a coma and died in the hospital adjoining the nursing home. Her daughter, Cynthia, was at her mother's side. Her ashes will be interred with her husband and son in the Hoven Cemetary. Daughters Jerilyn Geisert and Cynthia Simon will plan a memorial service in Hoven later this summer. She is also survived by six grandchildren. Her many friends at World Airways will remember that Dorothy came to the Executive Office in 1969, later working as Secretary to Mr. Daly until she retired. Cards may be sent to the family at PO Box 126, Hoven, SD 57450.

Answer: Corporal Johnny Wiseman 1943 as a young U. S. Marine and Jeanie and Johnny Wiseman in the old World Airways uniform of the 60's.

"I found these pictures that Jeannie had been buggin me about including the one you had asked about the two of us at the Cliff House in SF at the first FA Reunion. Nothing is easy for and Old Phart, but we just keep chuggin along, and sometimes we get there"... Johnny

Enclosed please feast your eyes on my award "Member Helper of the YEAR", Hohummmmm!!! Wow am I getting a bit Fat??, or what - Naw, it's just my shirt!!-LOL, The Man!!!

PS: See my computer playmates..The little ones a State Comp,the other is my new baby - hooked to comcast..Not bad Huh!! Paul

Found an old copy of a report I did a hundred years ago. Or "Yes we have had a decompression at World Airways"!

First of all I consider FA Bill Chandler to be responsible for the problems we encountered on WOA 2F1, 16 Mar 78. At the beginning of the flight he said "A Senior crew, a MAC flight, what a piece of cake". Immediately I told him to apologize to the gods (never let them know you are smug and complacent). Sandy Cushing, Jennie Saxton, Gail Mattey and Linda Griffiths were the other team members. Before departure the Station Manager told me they had been working on the aft coffee maker unit. Just in case he was going to board hot jugs of coffee. Inasmuch as the hot jugs were too high up, the galley FA filled a coffee pot from the jug and put it down on the warmer pad (the coffee maker and warmer pad were NOT placarded INOP). The coffee maker unit began to smoke. The FA's immediately pulled the circuit breakers and notified me. I went to the cockpit and reported and told them I was going to the back. The FA's in back said although the smoke had stopped there was a red glow behind the unit (we could just barely see between the two units) plus when I felt the aisle wall it was hot. I immediately hot footed it to the cockpit and asked the second officer to pull the master circuit breaker for the whole aft galley. Now, there go the ovens, hot jugs and our "piece of cake". The second officer came back and looked at the circuit breakers. I told him there were some more circuit breakers i.e., fuses in the compartment over the ovens, but that I didn't know how they operated. We went back to the cockpit and I said perhaps after the unit had a chance to cool down we could turn on the master breaker and see if the galley circuit breakers had indeed taken care of the problem. We arranged a signal of four rings - turn on the master in the cockpit in the cockpit. The heat started again and I signaled four more rings to pull the master. Went back to the cockpit and got in a discussion and we went back to see if the unit could be pulled. But, we were defeated by the water lines. The FA's in the back showed him the upper compartment circuit breakers (i.e.) fuses) and he pulled the ones for the coffee maker unit - ALL THE WAY OUT. Push fuse in - turn counter clockwise and pull. Fuses are glass and stick out about an inch - the part inside is about an inch long also (that makes about 2 inches altogether) Fuses should be totally removed - not just pulled like the circuit breakers in the galley...This was the final step in that enabled us to turn the cockpit master circuit breaker on and regain the use of the ovens and keep the hot jugs hot. We placarded the coffee units with red INOP tags. Now to settle down for the rest of a nice, quiet, night flight. Chandler and I were in the front galley when a pressure hit our ears. Not unlike a change encountered when making a steep approach for landing. However, since we were Mid-Atlantic it really got our attention. There was no loud sound, no fog, no sudden drop in temperature (although it did get colder later). I told Chandler, "if we don't die, the pax will still be hungry - so finish loading the ovens while I go to the cockpit and guard the Cockpit door. With the experienced crew, I knew they would be up shortly and I asked him to call me if the masks dropped. The second officer was working with the pressurization system. Later I heard the cabin was going up about six thousand a minute. The second officer was trying to get it under control manually (as opposed to the auto system). He told me that the masks would drop. I stepped out of the cockpit as the masks were beginning to fall. The flight attendants without being told immediately turned on all cabin lights and grabbed PSU masks. There was no announcement from the cockpit. I told the pax we were having a temporary problem with the pressurization. Please put our cigarettes and don their masks making sure they pulled them down to trigger the O2. Announcements, by the way have to be made without a mask on to be clear and we all split for portable bottles. When Gail pulled the number 4 mask, it came all the way off - to the floor. She didn't waste time - she just pulled the next row and this happened four times. It was always the supplemental mask. To my knowledge none of the other three masks in a row did this. (She must be strong) Then when she got her O2 bottle the hose fell out of the connection. Poor Gail was being picked on by the gods. The plug is a simple straight in plug - so be careful that if it gets tugged on that it stays in the connection.

TWO POINTS-Take the children away from parents who can't cope, i.e., mothers traveling alone with several small children; and give them to someone who can. Every FA could have been tied up with a child. Saxton and I told one mother three times to get oxygen on her screaming two year old (who was turning blue) then I took the child and gave it to three GI's. Get pax to open their reservoir bags. Some pax were just sitting there breathing cabin air with flat bags (the plastic reservoir bags stick together from being packed so long). Two liters of oxygen will not blow the bags open.......................................Lots of people were holding their masks on - you have to show them how to tighten their elastic (again) - after patrolling a couple of times I went up to the cockpit and Captain Johnson said he had requested permission to descend. I heard also that the cabin had gotten to 20 thousand. The Captain did not make an announcement. Went back to the cabin and decided to make a PA in case we made a descending turn. I told the pax to please fasten their seat belts that we might be making a descending turn which would be a normal procedure or we might not. WE DID NOT. Eventually we descended (I heard from 37 to 32 thousand and the second officer regained control of the cabin pressure. (I heard this plane had just come from a heavy "C" check at United Airlines and the pressurization had not been adjusted properly- rumor control) Now, what we had was a cabin full of spaghetti. We (Saxton did my share, bless her) had to stuff the masks back up as best we could. Later it took a mechanic 7 hours to correctly repack.Piece of cake my foot!! not even a crumb. At the end of this flight Bill Chandler apologized to the gods. Jean Wagers-Wiseman

Received 3/16/2011 - Cythania (WOA Union Rep) wrote this tribute to Ellen Hill

It saddens us to inform you that Ellen Hill passed away Monday night, March 14, 2011 after a very brief illness.In addition to being a well-loved and respected World Flight Attendant, Ellen worked tirelessly to better the lot of the World Flight Attendant. Ellen served as a Teamster Council member, Grievance Committee Chairperson and Negotiating Team member from 1970 through 2003. She filed a mountain of grievances, walked picket lines and negotiated with gun-toting CEOs. Her courage and tenacity was instrumental in achieving remarkable improvements for hundreds of World Flight Attendants, and we all owe her a debt of gratitude.The family is trying to cope with her loss and has asked that we respect their privacy for the time being. We have no information regarding any planned memorial or to what charities any donations should be directed, but we will share that information as soon as it becomes available.

WHAT A SHOCK.......Ellen and I just flew Together the Victorville to Hawaii trips..She had lost her wings and I said I would Mail her a new pair.........she wrote back it was not necessary...........I am so very SAD today........- Ursula

I just got the bad news from linda Reese, I just can't believe it ...Hi Nancy Peppin

Richard this was indeed a very sad news and a loss to her World family - Kind regards, Lynne Baxter

What a terrible loss to Ellen’s World family. Condolences to her family and all at World who knew Ellen. She was a fighter for all flight attendants and a real joy to work with. She will be greatly missed. Marilyn Moffet

Learning the sad news of Ellen's death found me with a lump in my throat and tears welling up. She was THE best. When you knew you were going to be on her crew, she as the Senior F/A, you knew that it would be a great trip. She had a unique ability to encourage crew members to do the job, do it professionally and have fun at the same time. Those memories will long live on within me. Ellen attended my second F/A Initial Training class graduation in August of 2000. It was such a pleasure to see her smiling face once again after 23 years. Her devotion to improving the working conditions and lives of all F/A's was truly commendable. A Hui Hou dear Ellen, you truly will be missed and not forgotten. Aloha. Darryl May

Recently deceased Flight Attendant Kristen Swanson-Bisio and I were in the same initial training class in March 1973. The first class of that year. I found this photo of our graduating class and thought it might be worthy of posting on your website. Kristen is in the center row, fourth from the right...beautiful auburn hair and sweet smile. She truly was a dear one. God Bless her Spirit as she soars in that Heavenly realm. I spoke with her husband James earlier today here on Maui and passed along my condolences. None of our classmates are flying any longer, at least with WOA. Aloha, Darryl May - F/A 1973 - 1977 & 2000 - 2002

Received 3/11/2011 - Last flight for Flight Engineer Joseph Walter Baniecki

October 26, 1924 – March 10, 2011 - Peacefully, Joe left this earth to play music with the heavenly Father. He loved life and celebrated it. Joseph was born in Mather, Pennsylvania but was a 50+ year Californian, most of which in his Citrus Heights ranch home. Joe was in the Army Air Corps at the end of WWII where he became an aircraft flight technician on B-17 Flying Fortresses. After the War he was a flight engineer for Swift Aire, Western, and finally World Airways, where he traveled all over the world. Joseph was a good catholic. In 1961 he married Edmonton, Alberta native Bernadette McKinnon. They had two children together, his beloved daughter and son Mary-Jo and Stephen. Joe loved his ranch home; planting gardens, raising cows and sheep, and sharing the plethora of fruit with his friends and neighbors. He loved “antique” automobiles. He rode his 1930 Model A in the Citrus Heights July parade and belonged to The Capital A’s. He practiced and played the uke, guitar, harmonica, piano and organ. He anticipated his ukulele lessons at the Citrus Heights Community Center, ukulele and guitar lessons at Sun City, and organ lessons at The Music Exchange in Newcastle. Sundays, he loved listening to the Sacramento Banjo club or the fiddlers in Orangevale. He was always singing or whistling a tune; Berlin’s Play a Simple Melody his most favorite. In addition, He kept in shape by playing golf at Foothill Golf Course. But most importantly, he cherished his family and friends. He is survived by his family: Dtr Mary-Jo Baniecki and her husband David Goldstein of Sacramento, Son Stephen Baniecki, his wife Cynthia, and his only grandchild Clarissa Baniecki of Fort Worth, Texas. A rosary service will be held on Wednesday March 16th 6PM at Holy Family Catholic Church in Citrus Heights. A funeral service will be held Thursday March 17th at 10AM at Holy Family, an Internment service following at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. A reception celebrating Joe at his ranch home will follow.Cards can be sent to : 7764 NELSON LN,CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA 95610

Received February 3, 2011- The Last World Airways DC-10 Scrapped. The end of an era.

Jan. 19, 2011 - Kristen Ruth Swanson-Bisio, 63, of Kihei, Maui, a retired World Airways flight attendant, died in Maui Memorial Medical Center. She was born in Ellsworth, Wis. She is survived by husband James Bisio and brother David Swanson. Private services.

It is with great sadness to announce the sudden and unexpected passing away of Sharon Durbin, age 68, at Marin General Hospital on January 15, 2011. Sharon, an ex-flight attendant(both Junior and Senior) well known to many of the older gals that flew during the periods of 1965 thru 1969. She went on to a very successful career in business sales and retired from San Francisco to a beautiful home in Sonoma, California. Patti Ryan, ex chief stewardess of World Airways and a childhood friend of Sharon's started their career at WOA at the same time and remained very close sisters until Sharon passed away. There will not be a service for Sharon at her request, but there will be a "celebration of her life" at the Creekside Club House within the Temelec Retirement Community on February 20, 2011 from 12:00P.M. until 6:00P.M.(Online map directions are in order if you are not familiar with the Sonoma area community. If you plan to attend the celebration and to toast Sharon on her final journey, please RSVP kmach7843@aol.com,(707) 938-5250 (anytime), and/or Patti Ryan at (707) 935-9020, (only after the 5th of February, 2011).

Directions to Creekside Club House in Sonoma, California for Sharon Durbin's Celebration of Life.They are: Address to Clubhouse: Just outside of Sonoma, California having a Sonoma Address. Coming North on Arnold Drive turn Left on Avenida Sebastiani. Coming South on Arnold Drive turn Right on Avenida Sebatiani. Go up Avenida Sebastiani 2 - 3 stops and turn left on Avenida Barbera. Stay on Avenida Barbera thru all the curves until you reach 159 Avenida Barbera.That is the Creekside Club House. See you there in honor of Sharon.

Wishing to convey my great sadness hearing of the loss of Sharon.We flew many trips together during the early years between 1965 to 1968. She and Patti were both known and respected for their work during our World Airways years.God Bless other friends and Family of Sharon.Sad regards,-Darlene Scott Brenot

Ladies and Gentlemen - As I write this email, Captain Fred Patterson, First Officer Don Roberson, and Flight Engineer Frank Kohler are pre-flighting N137WA to operate its final flight from Atlanta to Crestview, Fl. This flight will mark the end of a long era of DC-10 operations here at World Airways The departure of the DC-10 fleet comes with mixed emotions to all of us. Unfortunately, we will lose a wealth of knowledge and experience from those Flight Engineers that will no longer be with the company. I want to personally thank everyone who were dedicated in their service and professionalism during the retirement of the DC-10.There is some good to come from the retirement of the DC-10 also. It will allow us to operate more efficiently in most departments. The Training Department, Flight Ops, Aircraft Scheduling, Crew Scheduling and Planning. Tech Ops, and Customer Service will be able to further streamline our operations with only two fleet types. We will still see the effects on the DC-10 retirement to the Training Department for some months to come but we are making progress getting the crews all trained on the correct aircraft. Thank you again to all the DC-10 crews that stuck with the airplane until the end.I know Jason Rogers recently put out a really good newsletter that covered many topics and issues. There is one significant one that was not discussed and that is the new AMC On Time Performance measures that took effect Jan 1. I have cut and pasted, to the bottom of this email, a portion of a document that Brent James, Director of the OCC, put out which outlines the new on time performance measures. From a crewmembers standpoint, there is nothing that we need to change in how we operate. It should always be our goal for an on time departure each and every flight. The difference is that getting out only 20 minutes late does not save us in the event of a down line issue before the aircraft reaches its destination. It is imperative that we do all we can to get the aircraft to the final arrival station within 1 hour of scheduled arrival. We have taken many steps here in PTC to try and help mitigate as many possible issues before they cause a delay. This will be a work in progress and we will continue to improve on the process as we move along. I welcome any comments or suggestions that you may have to help improve that process.One final note is that the current AMC stats that you see on the daily brief are not accurate. They are still showing delays based on the old system. The IT department is working on changing our On Time Performance program to reflect the accurate numbers. We expect that to be complete next week.I hope that everyone was able to spend some time off with your families over the holidays. Thank you again for your support in keeping the airplanes moving.

Hello. My name is Claire Shively. My father retired F/E Earl Shively passed away on December 31, 2010 at the age of 84. Beloved father of Pauline Berry of Livermore, CA, Claire Shively Misenar of Olalla, WA, and Charles Thomas Shively of Portland OR. Treasured grandfather of Chace Thomas Shively., Alexander James Shively and Chaz Michael Wolford. Loving great grandfather to Kennedy Lane Woldford. Born on July 26, 1926, in Alliance Ohio, Earl was a member of the American Legion 0419, VFW #7636 in Hayward, and the Moose Lodge #539 in Newark. He was a World Airways flight engineer for 35 years. A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 7, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. at the Fremont Chapel of the Roses, 1940 Peralta Blvd., Fremont, CA 945356. (510) 797-1900.

12/30/2010 - Jo and Bill McKenna celebrate 40 Years of marriage. Congratulations Jo & Bill

Having been born in Grand Island, Nebraska in 1946 to a WWII pilot and nurse for parents, Russ lived in Air Force communities while growing up. The family lived in New Hampshire, Florida, Alabama, New Jersey, Japan and Tennessee. Attending the Air Force Academy was the next logical step for Russell Brown after he graduated from high school. While at the Academy, he not only made many life-long friends and many wonderful memories, he also discovered his love of flying. After graduation, Russ went on to pilot training and then instructing. He served in Vietnam as a pilot of the Caribou aircraft. Upon entering civilian life, he worked briefly for World Airways, and PeoplExpress, then spent the rest of his career at Continental Airlines. At Continental he was based in Newark, Denver, Cleveland and Houston, but made his home in the Denver area since 1988. Some of the activities that Russ enjoyed on a regular basis were raising and hiking with llamas, and playing with the farm goats and cats. He rescued several animals and cared for them well. Riding his tractor to mow the fields or plow snow was simply play for him. Anything related to flying sparked his interest and he enjoyed soaring with a good friend. Four years ago, Russ decided to sponsor three incoming cadets at the Air Force Academy. Over the years, he spent many hours getting to know these young men, encouraging and supporting them in every way possible. Flowers are appreciated, although the family prefers donations to one of the causes most valued by Russ. To donate, visit the following links:

www.redcloudschool.org
savethechildren.org
heifer.org
SierraClub.org

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Chapel, Castle Rock, CO.

Some of you probably flew with Janet Grey Welter or she taught your re-current trainning at World. She is now our travel agent and we hope to have a better Xmas Cruise to Mexico than she did...

Little did we know as we drove to Long Beach for our Carnival Cruise that our entire “vacation” would be front page news. All the AM talk shows were discussing the ship adrift at sea 200 miles from San Diego. We were the last people to know that our mishap at sea was that newsworthy. At 6:00AM on our first day at sea the ship shuddered violently and then everything stopped. Captain Cupisti called for the “Alpha team to the engine room” over and over again. Larry said…” This cruise is over”. We had only been at sea for 12 hours. He was right. A serious malfunction of the generator prevented us from continuing any further on our own power. No lights, No elevators,No refrigeration, No cell or internet, No Hot beverages, No Hot food and NO hot showers. We were not in any Danger they told us as the acrid black smoke billowed from the smoke Stacks and down our halls. I had to use a towel over my face to get to Deck 10 for some fresh air. We all had to leave our cabins that morning. We were fortunate to have a balcony with a door that opened for fresh air that night….plus flashlights to see in our cabin. Others were not so lucky. The handicapped people could not get to the dining areas and the people with inside cabins could not see at all for 3 ½ days.An ocean going tug, the Chiuaua, was dispatched from Ensenada, Mexico on Monday to tow us back 200 miles to San Diego. We never saw our ports of call; Puerta Vallarta, Cabo san Lucas, or Mazatlan.The second tug was brought in on Tuesday. We finally ended our adventure on Thursday morning as we were pulled into a slip in downtown San Diego.The dozens of Media trucks were waiting patiently for 3,300 people to disembark. I felt like Royalty. We did not have a cell until Wednesday and our camera and phone ran out of battery very quickly with NO way to charge them on board. The cell we all finally found was from a tower in Mexico not San Diego. We were all surprised with our monster phone bills. WHO KNEW? Carnival did credit all of our money and took very good care of us in Numerous ways. They paid for R/T air and hotel to and from the cruise. In our case our gas bills to Long Beach and Parking at the Pier as well. There were Reps from Carnival everywhere to help. I thank God for a cabin with a door as I watched the helicopter drop 60 palettes from the USS Ronald Reagan that came up near us. Warm sunshine made it possible to take a Cold shower.The seas were calm and the weather was perfect throughout the ordeal. We bobbed like a cork for a day and ½ until the Chihuahua came to get us. The Coast Guard arrived first and actually boarded the ship to see the problem. We were happy to see them. Things were going well after that. The long lines waiting for cold food was pretty tedious but we had NO choice. This was more of an adventure than an ordeal for us.

Happyy Thanksgiving weekend across the miles...We are in cold Germany..-10C.....served Turkey to the Troops yesterday.....from Ursula and cREW........with Pat George.....Donna Fritz and Capt. Dave Tatum..........Cheers

We regret to inform you that Alan McCracken passed away the evening of November 5, 2010 in California. Alan started with World in 1997 as an on-call Ground Ops Rep but worked as a temporary Rep for World for many years prior to his hire date. He was the Station Manager in Seattle from 2002-2006 and most recently has been working as a full-time Ground Operations Representative.Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time. Information regarding services is not available at this time but will be communicated when it becomes available.

As a reminder, the company offers a confidential Employee Assistance Program for those employees who may wish to talk to someone during this time. The EAP phone number is 1-866-923-0025. Steve Forsyth - Director, Corporate Communications

Dear Colleagues, Po King Szeto passed away yesterday evening October 4th. Her sister said services will be scheduled in a couple of weeks. As soon as I find out the details, I'll forward them along.Condolences can be sent to Po King's sister Rita and Po King's son Rocky at the addresses below.

Please feel free to forward this email to any of her other UAL or World Airways colleagues. Regards,Pat Palazzolo

Received 10/15/2010 from Marilyn Jones-Varnado- My WOA Friends:It hurts deeply to hear that Poking passed. I saw her last year as a passenger on United to Hong Kong on business. She seemed so happy and delighted with her flight attendant job and life. As many of you know, I personally recruited Poking to World and hooked her up with a contact in United to become a flight attendant there. My timing is truly off. I am leaving on 10/18 for a business trip in Europe and will not return until 10/27. Even though I will not be there to show my respects to her and her family, please let me know about the arrangements. I would like to send flowers and share the information with others that knew her but do not have email addresses. With Love,Marilyn

Received 8/21/2010 from Mary Ann Dantonio andSheila Parodi - Passing of Millie Dantonio, wife of Joe Dantonio M&E

Hello, As many of you know, sadly our mother passed away August 8th after a two-year illness. Our family would like to extend an invitation to her funeral services to celebrate her life and the wonderful love my parents shared for the past sixty-six years. Services will be held on September 1st at 3:00 p.m. at Russ Monroe's Village Chapel located at 7960 Winding Way in Fair Oaks. After the service, we would love having you attend a small get-together at my home in Roseville located at 2083 Renpoint Way. If you are able to attend, we'd appreciate your RSVP via this email only or please call me at 916-300-5450. For those of you who wish to attend a short service of Mom's interment, it will be held at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon on September 2nd at 11:00 a.m. Some of you may have not known my mom very well but those that did, we know that she was so loved as a friend and we'll all miss her very much. We hope to see you at the service but if you're unable to attend, we know that your thoughts are with our mom. Kindest regards, Mary Ann Dantonio and Sheila Parodi

I would like to offer to any WOA employee past or present, a 20% discount on my Kauai condo. Just mention you work or worked for World for this discount. I own at Hanalei Bay Resort on the beautiful North Shore of Kauai overlooking Hanalei Bay. My paradise home can be rented as 2 bedroom (sleeps 6) or 1 bedroom (sleeps 4). For more information and pictures please visit my websites.

Received 8/19/2010 - From William Belew - Bob Rogers, retired pilot and ski instructor,had a boating accident with leg and ankle fractures requiring extensive repair late this week.Send get well wishes to Peggy at 1230 Garden lane Sebastopol 95472

Received - 8/5/2010 - Captain Wm. Belew - World Airways increases freighter service

PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. – World Airways, a subsidiary of Global Aviation Holdings Inc., has entered into an agreement to add two leased Boeing 747-400 freighters to its fleet. The aircraft, scheduled for delivery in December 2010 and February 2011, will grow World’s B747-400 freighter fleet to four aircraft.World is also in the process of reactivating a MD-11 freighter that it had placed into storage in 2009. This aircraft will enter revenue service in September 2010, and will return World’s fuel efficient MD-11 freighter fleet to nine active aircraft. “By growing our Boeing 747-400 and MD-11 freighter fleet, World Airways will be able meet the strong demand for the multiple applications of our modern, long-range, fuel-efficient freighter service,” said Brian Bauer, chief commercial officer. The Boeing 747-400 freighter has a range of 4,600 miles and payload capacity of 247,000 pounds, which makes it ideal for long-range inter-continental service from Asia to the U.S. and Europe. The MD-11 freighter, with a range of 4,100 miles and payload capacity of 205,000 pounds, is an extremely efficient aircraft for inter-continental service from Europe to North America, Africa and the Middle East.

Dick...Thought I would let the World folks be aware that Ginny Lindquist Tower...died a few days ago. She lived in Bend Oregon where I live. She had gone to Portland Hospital OHSU to have surgery for pancreas cancer (I think )...I have not spoken to her family...She flew in my era...late 60's and early 70's. - Beverly Johnston Karitis

Virginia L. "Ginny" Tower passed away unexpectedly on Sunday August 1, 2010, at OHSU Hospital in Portland, Oregon.

Ginny was born in San Francisco to Rudy and Marian Lindquist, and lived in the Bay Area until March of 2000, when she and husband, Randy, moved to Bend, Oregon, after retirement.

Friends, and she had many, will forever remember her as a caring, giving, and generous person whose cheerful nature lit up any room she entered. To her family, she will eternally be remembered as a devoted mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, and cousin. Saying she will be missed is an understatement of gross proportions.

Ginny was preceded in death by her parents, Rudolph E. Lindquist and Marian I. Lindquist; and stepson, Travis D. Tower. Surviving and missing her are husband, Randy Tower; daughter, Jody and husband, Rick Mottern of Burbank, CA; son, Jason Tower of Bend, OR; daughter, Kari and husband, Dan Mosley of Portland, OR; sister, Judy and husband, Jim Prince of Novato, CA; sister, Cindy and husband, Bernie Benson of San Rafael, CA; aunt, Jeanne Warden of San Francisco, CA; four beloved grandchildren, Ruby Mottern, Jacob Collier, Lucas Mosley, and Ellie Mosley; eight nieces and nephews; and a large extended family.

Ginny was the ultimate volunteer and generous contributor to charitable causes. She was an active member of the National Assistance League both in Bend, OR, and Pleasanton, CA, and active in the Broken Top Club and community. She graduated from San Jose State University and was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She enjoyed many things including travel and cooking, but none more than being with family. She held strong Christian beliefs and was in regular attendance at Westside Church in Bend where a Celebration of Life is scheduled for September 11, 2010.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions may be sent in her name to the Assistance League of Bend, P.O. Box 115, Bend, OR 97709-0115.

The legendary Houston Express service for Sonair has come to a close for World Airways, almost 10 years after it was started in November 2000. Chief Operating Officer Larry Montford and San Ireland, Senior Director of In-Flight Services, were in Houston during the final week to greet crew members and ground staff and commemorate a decade of MD-11 service between Houston and Luanda, Angola. The contract ended May 31, and the specially configured aircraft 278 is being refitted for service with the Air Mobility Command.Posted on Friday, Posted by sforsyth@wlda.com

Received 6/10/2010 from Inzez Swarowsky- I was advised that FAA Inspector Marty Gallagher passed away on February 20,2010 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetary in Washington D.C. No additional information is available. Marty was well known and greatly respected by the World Airways M & E personnel over the many years he served as the World FAA Rep - Dick Kalman

Received 5/21/2010 from Gerda Mueller - I have sad news again. Jim Billings F/A in BWI and LAX passed away in San Diego. I have no details except that he was with his mother and in Hospice. He died of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. His mother ( 90 years old ) and cousin were with him. No memorial service planned. No picture. Condolences may be sent to: Mary Billings,734, Sea Cottage Way, Oceanside-Ca. 92054 - Gerda

Received 6/10.2010 - Hi Dick, it is with a heavy heart that I inform you of Jim Billings' passing in May. I'd just learned recently and wasn't sure whether or not you'd been informed.Jim was in Class 5 of the 1984 hires (I was in Class 3 with instructors Sam and Harish) and we became good friends when he, too, was based at BWI. Jim was urbane, witty and great with passengers; everyone was guaranteed an enjoyable trip with Jim on board. He was also a great "foodie" and was in high end catering as well as flying. His last air work was with ATA until they folded. He then moved home to the San Diego area to further pursue his food and catering passion. I'm attaching a link to the obituary to give you more background.Thank you for all you do to maintain the spirit of World Airways and give us this great opportunity to stay informed.Best,Mark Woodman

James R. Billings 9-16-1952 ~ 5-19-2010 OCEANSIDE -- Jim spent his childhood in the sleepy little seaside town of Oceanside. He ventured out into the world as soon as he could and became a world traveler, living in Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Maryland, and San Diego. Most of his adult life was spent in the travel industry, either on cruise ships or as an airline attendant. He traveled to every continent, took many troops to and from the Middle East conflict, and most recently attended to Barack Obama and Hilliary Clinton when they were campaigning in the 2008 Presidential Election. Jim found time to complete training at the California Culinary Institute and worked as an "in home" chef for some well known San Diego families. When his airline closed down a few years ago, Jim headed back to Southern California where his heart remained. There he fought the battle against cancer, as he had many adventures yet to live. As we say good-bye, other family members will be welcoming him. His father, Otha; sister, Jackie; niece, Lori; and aunt, Shirley, all preceded him in death. You may call 760-433-2130. Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com - http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nctimes/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=143107270

Just wanted you to know about a site on FACE BOOK under World Airways. It was created by Alex Tamsing, Son of Joe Tamsing/Navigator and Irmgard Marittizi/ Senior F/A. Alex is currently attending Embry-Riddle University AZ, class of 2011 and is Chief Pilot of the Golden Eagles Flight Team at his school. I copied this off of Face Book. You should put something on cyberkal so other World alumni can check it out. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=177766&id=107006209320936 Alex is a "Chip off the old block, from Mom and Dad" and World should hire him when he graduates from college, this kid is going places.....I have know Alex since he was in diapers and he's a mover and a shaker!!!!!! This young Man is following in the "foot steps of his Father" and then some. He is very entrepreneurial and I applauded him! He is flying a race with his college team next week. We alumni can keep updated on his adventures via his website on Face Book and support this future Pilot who is going to blast through the sky's very very soon. GO ALEX TAMSING!!!!

5/24/2010- Received from Irmgard Tamsing - Thank you for your kind comments on our son's Facebook and also for mentioning the Facebook on your Cyberkal Website. We just returned from the NIFA 2010 Flight Competion in Terre Haute. Alex' s Embry-Riddle University Team got 3rd place out of about 20 contestants. On the flight back from Indianapolis to Phoenix on US Airways I talked to one of the flight attendants (as I always love to do) by the name of John (Jack) Herbert. You might know him, although he worked for WOA (Operations) only for a short time in the late 60's and knew Mr. Daly, Keating, Healy and some of the guys from way back. He was also stationed in Yokota (we talked about the Pony Hotel, Fussa, the Kobi Steak House, Tachikawa, etc.) He would love to be able to get on your website and peruse memory lane. His e-mail address is: justaskjack1@cox.net. It is always a real pleasure to run into someone who was connected with WOA. There are so many stories to tell and so many memories to treasure.

Dick, see you at the Reunion and thank you for your wonderful Website. Irmgard Tamsing

I was notified by Sam's wife Lou that Flight Engineer Sam Fry had died at home of cancer on Monday afternoon April 12, 2010. There will be a service at 10:00 am Tuesday April 20 in Pleasanton, CA, at the Graham-Hitch Mortuary ,4167 First St, Pleasanton, CA

Burial at a cemetary in Dixon, CA will follow at 2:00pm. All of Sam's World Airways friends are invited. Information is available from Graham-Hitch Mortuary @ 925-846-5624. Cards may be sent to the Mortuary or their family home at 3126 Landsdown Ct, Pleasanton, CA 94588. Big Sam was a good friend and loyal World crewmember for many years and will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by the many lives he touched. Goodby Sam... Fred strommer

4/19/2010 - Lou Fry asked me to forward this info:She will be holding an open house in memory of Sam Fry at 2:00pm on Saturday April 24, 2010 at their home 3126 Landsdown Ct, Pleasanton, CA. All of Sam's WorldAirways friends are Invited. Please post this. Thanks Fred Strommer

Sam will surely be missed by his WOA family and our special thoughts and prayers go to Lou family. Dick Kalman

Dear Dick,Bless you for your efforts to keep our “World Airways Family” connected. You have brought me laughter and tears. Some of your messages are very hard to hear. We are all marching on in the ageing process. This is the way life is. The bottom line is that you keep us informed and connected. I am very grateful. I appreciate your messages. Keep up your good and Nobel Work! .May you be blessed for your efforts! I have honest gratitude in my heart for your messages, some are happy, some are sad, these are the things life is made of! I have a bad habit of seeing all of these people, LOCKED in the time in which we knew each other. It is like we/they are FROZEN in a time or experience of my memories. So when these messages come, it is always a shock. I suppose this is the way of life.Time marches on for all of us. This is just the way it is. Blessings to you and yours! It is a good work you are doing! -Rebecca Anderson

Greetings from Leipzig Germany......as we all sit waiting for the volcano to blow away.....so we can all resume our AMC schedules..........Sorry to read about dear SAM.......he always called me Ursula 13....because of my long last name,,,as his was so short.......He will be missed by many alumni, for sure....My sympathy go out to his family and friends.....he will be in my prayers....Thanks for sharing the message....Take good care -hugs -Ursula Biloschaetzke

Received the following sad information from Lynne Baxter today. For those who did not know him, Dick Valentine was a Maintenance Rep who worked for World Airways from the early 70's until retiring, I believe 2004. Dick lived and was always based in the Far East. He worked our DC8, DC10, 727, 747 and MD-11 fleets. There is probably a few crew members out there who remember Dick from the old days.

Just spoke to Choi. Sad to say that Dick Valentine PASS ON today. Choi is on the way to the hospital to see his family. Thank You. - SIVARAJAH DORAI RAJAH. Far East Maintenance Supervisor.

your kind thoughts and prayers for the Valentine family will be very much appprecited.

Dick, - I just wanted you to know that Loli Roach passed away yesterday in Philadelphia. Her daughter Kim called me today with the news, she will be creamated but no formal service, but a memorial will be held sometime next week. When I have all of the details I will forward them to you.

Captain William Keating suffered a stroke on Saturday, November 26,2009 and is currently at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. No hospital visitors please. Bill is 94 years young. Please remember Bill and his wife Billy in your thoughts and prayers and that Bill will have a complete recovery and return home soon. You can send a card to Bill at his home address as follows:

12/5/2009-Hi Dick, Bill seems a little better. He understands everything we say and is trying very hard. His speech is still a problem but he is moving his legs and arms which is good. We will probably be moving him to a re-hab facility on Monday. He will be at Manor Care near Rossmoor. I think the address is 1226 Rossmoor Parkway but I will confirm that when he moves. Again,many thanks. Billie

I am officially retiring from World Airways, Inc. on November 15, 2009. This exciting and fascinating career has ended with 46 years of outstanding travel and enjoyment. On September 10,1963 World Airways and I both partnered into a working relationship flying Military/Civilian charters to the Pacific, Europe, Hadj, Desert Storm, Angola and of course our memorable Operation Baby lift return to Vietnam.

Together we have made large contributions whether it was moving our US Militarymenandwomenoverseasormakingexoticvacationspossibleforothers. I shall never forget the many outposts, cities, and countries we visited together while making friends along the way, enjoying the sights and sounds of the many cultures that have touched me deeply. These and my World Family are a few of the experiences I will treasure for a lifetime.

Thank you all for your support and friendships while giving me the opportunity to expand my knowledge. It was an honor to fly and serve beside some of the best in the industry and I thank you for the wonderful memories you now leave me with...To my World family and friends I wish you much success and happiness in your flying career and ask that you keep me in your hearts forever!

On Friday, November 13, my wife and lifelong companion died peacefully in my presence at the nursing home of the Wartburg Adult Care community in Mount Vernon, NY. For quite some time the Alzheimer disease had been causing her a great deal of discomfort (putting it mildly) and we are glad that her suffering came to such a calm and peaceful end.She was an "Airline's Wife" par excellence, who without complaint accepted our many transfers by KLM to different countries and life styles and in the process of all those moves managed to keep our children's education on the right track. In addition to that she also managed to be of great support to me during those transfers and life in those various countries as well as in my 15 years with World Airways. We'll miss her and if any of you wishes to make a donation to charity in her name, she would like such a donation to be made to The Salvation Army's Jamaica W.I. Institute for the Blind ( If and when sending checks, please mail to ": The Salvation Army, World Service Office,615 Slaters Lane,Alesandria , VA. 22313. and mention on the check :"In memory of Ava Elsevier" and :"for the Salvation Army Jamaica W,I. Institute for the Blind") On November 21 2009 the cremation and Farewell Service took place in the presence of friends and family from Holland and the USA

My book: Tales from the Cockpit, by Greg Harper, is now available for purchase online at Xlibris.com It will be available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and others soon (I'm told). It'll take some time to get into the book stores and the more of you that order it on line the more interest the book stores will have in stocking it. Please remember that I'll make the best of Christmas presents for all the adults you know. You can even send me a copy! Remember my Pin name Greg Harper as there are other identical or similar book titles out there.

Hi Everyone, - Stoney Stonich is to be initiated into the Quiet Birdmen fraternity in PDX tomorrow night, Tuesday. I've just been asked if anyone has any juicy tidbits of information about him that could be used during his inquisition, er, grilling, er, interrogation. Should you have any knowledge of the QB Codebook, emphasis from that angle would be valuable. Thanks for your help. Jan

Rob Jennings and I were with world from March 1971 until April 1972. We were furloughed from TWA and were in a class with Dudley Thornton and others. He died last Friday of lung cancer in Buenos Aires, Argentina where he's been living for the past few years. Don't know if he had enough time with World to qualify as an X world pilot but we've always felt somewhat attached to World as we made a lot of friends there. He was about to turn 68 on the 21st of October.

My step father was working at world airways office in Yokota air base at Fussa city in Tokyo, as a license holder engineer.I was only 8 years old when my mother re-marry to Mr. Hazama.

My mother was working at "New Poney Hotel" front desk, located in Fussa city, which was right in front of the Yokota air base.Most of customers at this hotel were crew members of air lines from U.S. Also my mother was a employee of World airways crew scheduling office, for a little while.My mother used to take me (6,or 7 years old ) to her work (Poney Hotel) with her.

I remember that when I used to play alone by the front desk, many crew members payed attention to me and seems concerned for why a little girl is here alone. I remember about a lady who were a wife of a captain(by my mothers recollection) used to take me to lunch, dinner, for a walk or shopping for two of us holding my hand tight while my mother was at work.She used to call me, " my grand daughter".I used to think in my mind that I wish she was my grand mother.I was a very shy girl,who did not speak English well, so I could not express my thought to her at the time but,I really liked her.My mother often express about those days as she was helped by those people and appreciate to those who offered their kindness to her and I.In 1979 we( my step father, mother, I and my half sister) visited World airways head quarter in Oakland.I was 12 years old.My parents were really happy to visit there.It was special. I will forward your E-mail to my step father.My father works for Cathey Pacific Airways for over 35 years and he is still there. My parents will visit here in Los Angeles in December.If there is reunion for future, and if it is ok to notify to me, I think it will be wonderful for my parents to attend if it is possible.It was grateful to hear from you sir.

Received July 5, 2009 from Captain John Giem - At approximately 1:15 EDT July 5, 2009 at Ormond Beach Oceanside Hospital, our friend, comrade, and fellow pilot Luis Salazar; passed away.Louie had been battling cancer for several years but this last year was particularly difficult and painful. He was recently visited by many friends and was attended by close family during these last days.A memorial service is planned to celebrate and honor his life during the morning of 25 July,2009. Final arrangements are being completed but it is confirmed that the service will be held at:

Received June 30,2009 from Johnny Baker - Art Adams - WOA M&E General Foreman

Art was a longtime employee of World Airways in Oakland at both Hangar 6 and 110. Starting as a mechanic and then Foreman and General Foreman of Hangar 110. He then went to Alaska Airlines after World moved to Virginia to the Alaska Family,

Art Adams passed away Saturday night after a courageous five year battle against cancer.

Art recently had just celebrated 20 years with Alaska Airlines, having began his career in SFO as a lead A&P in1989. He was soon promoted to SFO Line Maintenance Supervisor in December of that same year. He later transferred to PDX as a Supervisor and was promoted to SFO Line Maintenance Manager in 1995. Art returned to the City of Roses as the acting Manager. He made the most of the opportunity, becoming the permanent PDX Manager in late 1998. Since 2002 Art has been the "big voice" of Line Maintenance Planning, supporting the operation in his unique way, and helping the Line Stations succeed on the overnight work

plan. Wherever he traveled in Alaska's World he earned the respect and admiration from those he supervised and managed. He will be remembered for his love of Harleys, his feisty sense of humor and spirit.

Art is survived by his wife, Sherry, a son and daughter, four grand-kids, and extended family. Sherry would like to pass along a sincere thanks and appreciation for all of you who encouraged and helped Art in his battle. To the end Art was deeply touched by the caring support he was given from his co-workers, his friends.

A memorial service will be held in North Carolina early next month. An informal "get together" may be held in SEA at a later time. We'll share the info as we get it.(See WOA Alumnus web site"News" page-D.Kalman)

Received on June 15, 2009 from Harry Smock. Passing of Flight Engineer Charlie Stewart

Dick - I just opened the e-mail, the first message was from Charlie's sister (Nancy). The message time was 4 pm today. I'll will probably get more info from his brother (Sam) later on today or tomorrow. I will keep you posted.
Harry

This is to inform you that Charlie (Wallace) Stewart passed away on the 15th of June. Charlie suffered from COPD. He was living at Ussery-Roan Texas State Veterans Home for the last year and a half. He was 77 years old. He is survived by daughters, Vivian Shirley of Mt. Vernon, Texas, and Kathy Husband of Houston, Texas; two brothers, Sam and Norman of Texas; and a sister, Nancy of Florida. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, several years ago. Cards may be sent to Vivian Shirley at 1015 High Meadow Drive, Mt. Vernon, Texas 75457. A service will take place on the 17th in Claude, Texas.

Charlie was one great guy and his passing is a difficult loss for the World Airways family. He surely will be missed - Dick Kalman

Charlie was one of the finest F/E's I ever knew. Always in a good mood. I enjoyed my association with him lo these 39 years ago! - Bob Ryan

So saddened to learn of Charlie's passing Dick, I loved listening to his stories! In sympathy, Jenni Ashmore

Thanks, Dick. Just got word from Bob Sawyer this morning, also. I had just sent him an e-mail yesterday telling him I would see him on the 23rd of this month on my way thru to STL. I had the impression that he was getting a little better. What a disappointment. He was a wonderful person and will be sorely missed. Red Wynn

Thank you so much for this notice of Charlie's passing.....I cannot tell you how much this news saddens me. I didn't know him personally, but we e-mailed for several years, so I feel very close to him. I will miss him and his e-mails very much -Ruthie Mros

They just keep leaving us for beyond. He was only 77. THAT is NOT old. -Yolanda Vega

ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE WOA PEOPLE...SO SORRY HE IS GONE. SOPHIE PIEZ-HARRISON

Thank you Dick for passing this on.....He was such an awesone man. I'm so Glad I got to talk to him not so very long ago...Linda Westfall

Thank You Dick for the e-mail....As always,,,it is a sad day when we are informed of another great past World Airways employee's passing!!Charlie was always a kind and gentle soul in the COCKPIT...lots of good working memories of HIM...My sincere sympathy to all his family and friends he left behind...MAY HE REST IN PEACE
He will be in my thoughts and prayers - F/A Ursula Biloschaetzke xxxxxxx

Just checked in to the website and saw Charlie's photo. Sad news indeed. Charlie was one of a kind with an unbeatable personality that I certainly will always remember. The last time I saw Charlie was when He and Ken Healy came to have lunch at the restaurant in Hayward in 1985. (Pacheco's Mexican Deli)God love him, Al Pacheco ( Dispatcher retired )

Received 5/15/2009 - From Renee Boon - Our beloved Wilma Carole Knowles has passed on. I know that she is in your thoughts and prayers for a safe journey.

Regarding the photo testament to her life with WOA, PLEASE MAIL ASAP your photos that include Carole to

Kenny Boyd
2 Bulrush Ct, American Canyon, CA 94503
phone: 707-643-0688

He does not have equipment to print from e-mail, so if you would gather your photos and mail ASAP your efforts will be much appreciated. Please stand by for information about funeral and/or memorial service arrangements. Renée Boone

WOA Alumnus will be notified via email as soon as information on a memorial service or any requested charities are determined. Dick Kalman

To my WOA family,
I totally agree with Marilyn and just want to take this opportunity to tell each of you how much you mean to me. Although my WOA days seem like so long ago, and only lasted 10 years (the blink of an eye in a lifetime), it was SUCH a major part of my life. And all of the World Family are what made it so. When I look over the names on this email, I just get smile after smile and misty eyed at the same time. We will always be family, and we have just lost a sister.
With much love, Barbara Lynn

My Dear Friends:
I know like mine your heart is full of sorrow. There just are not any words to express how we feel. But take a moment and reflect how wonderful and strong Carole is and always will be. I am so happy to be her friend! Life is tooooo short. Turn to your friends and love ones and tell them how much you care and love them in. We love you Carole!

She will be a bright spot in my memory ............... in my travels ...............and whenever a fun and good story is told - R.A. Ramiro

Cecilia, That was very well put and is how I feel. Carole was always kind to me and helped me believe in myself. We all met one another for a reason. World Airways was such a strong foundation for all of us. Traveling lets you know yourself in different ways. We were all so lucky to do it with a diverse group of people. That taught us to respect people no matter how different they are from us. Friday, I was flying home on American. I ran into an old FA, who we started together in 1979. Today, I am going to brunch with 3 other ex WOA Flight Attendants. Seeing Carlos after 13 years; we still felt no time had passed. Today, Carlso, Arthur, Liz Lee and I, will raise our glass today for Carole.

I hope to see more of you all! Kathryn Sonshine Soler - WOA FA 1979-1990

And see how her memory brings us together again, still. She will be missed -- and remembered. Regards, Samantha McCloskey

Hello WOA Brothers and Sisters!

I'll always remember Carole as a beautiful, graceful, serene, stylish, bashful and quieter (quieter than most of us!) woman. I'll truly miss her, and am saddened she had to go through all of this, but am reassured that we will meet again in a place without pain and reminisce about the good and wild times at WOA! I, like Barbara, had a short stint at WOA, but they were important years in my life...and look how we made such an impression that we still remember each other with such fondness and love...just like family.

Love to all and God Bless Carole,Cecilia Sanchez Stephens

In order to memorialize our thoughts and memories of Wilma Carole, there will be a Book of Thoughts at Horatio's. I will post your emails into the book as I receive them; all attending the Celebration of Life will be welcome to write their thoughts into the book during our gathering. Renée Smith Boone

May 18, 2009 - To all My Fellow WOA Brothers and Sisters:

This has been an emotional time for me. Ms Wilma, and I were very close. We spent a lot of time flying together and spent quality time outside of World Airways. Upon her move to Florida we stayed in contact, and shared many things together. Carole had her own special way with whom ever she came in contact with. She had had a pleasant and caring smile and was very private in her life. I will always cherish the times that myself, Carol Carter, and Carole Knowles spent together. Due to my move to Richmond Virginia, we emailed and talked on occasions. It broke my heart that I could not be in California to be by her side. However Carol Carter has been a rock, and a strong sister in the Lord, who prayed with her, and tried to do all she could to keep Ms Wilma comforted and let her know that God Loves her not matter what, and would never leave her nor forsake her.

I will not be able to attend services, but I know Carole is now a Flight Attendant for GOD AIRWAYS!!!! She is very happy and at peace. I pray that all will acknowledge that no days are promised, and to God be the Glory. We all have a purpose and time in this life. We should all be grateful that We traveled all over the world together and we are still here to talk about it. Love you all and God Bless!!!!!!!! Jamesetta Robinson

On Friday, May 22nd at 1pm, memorial service will be held for our beloved Wilma Carole Knowles at Chapel of the Chimes, Hayward followed immediately by a Celebration of Life at Horatio’s Restaurant, San Leandro Marina. Your donation in support of the tribute will be sincerely appreciated. Please make your check or cash contribution to Randy/Vera Tom.

If you'd like to mail a contribution:Randy & Vera Tom, 535 Upland Road, Redwood City, Ca. 94062

Chapel of the Chimes
32999 Mission Blvd, Hayward

Horatio’s Restaurant
60 San Leandro Marina Dr, San Leandro (510) 351-5556

Please contact any in the WOA Family who have been unwittingly omitted from this distribution list. To those who cannot be with us for the celebration of Carole's life, thank you for sending your e-mailed memories so that I can print and include them in the book.

If those who will attend have copies of photos that you have not sent to Ken for the storyboard, please bring them to Horatio's on Friday. Blank pages and supplies will be on hand so that you can add your memories and stories of shared times.

--
Renée Smith Boone
CollegeAdvisor@gmail.com

Received 2/25/09 - Greetings from Ursula

Just got home from another whirlwind ASIA tour..........with f/as Liz Ayala and Maureen Jepson and CREW.......I love the Orient..... We are happily flying again soon from SEA To Yokota, Okinawa...........etc...
Just like the good old days on our DC10s.........Hope all is well.........I see a warm Weekend ahead.......about 80F in the Ontario Area.....Super..... Take care OK

2/3/2009 - I talked to Andy last night and Annelies was just sleeping all the time, she was being fed by tubes, and he said her kidneys are closing down. Dick its so tragic, she is only 64, we both cried on the phone. When I flew in Japan in the late 60's we became very close and continued the friendship, they would come to Florida to visit her sister and they would always spent time with us. My wife and I would fly to California every chance we could. My last reunion was when they dedicated the museum, I can't remember the year. Annelies and I had a bet on every Monday night football game, every year. This year she didn't want to play and I knew something was wrong. I feel so helpless. Yesterday was my 79th birthday, and it was not a happy day. Andy is all alone except for this daughter. I don't know how close you or any of the old timers that are left but it would be nice if someone could call or see him. Andy says she doesn't wake up and sleeps all the time. I'm sorry to unload on you but I don't know anyone else to speak to, and Don Atkinson says you keep the World Alunmus together, so God Bless you. We were such a close family of people.

All my best to you and your family - Joe Ciavardone

Alumnus- the address/phone number for Andy Henis is listed below for those who wish to send a card or call Andy. I will forward any additional information regards to the memorial service or charities when available.

The following is an exclusive account for our members from one of our pilots who was onboard US Airways Flight 1549 when the pilots made a successful emergency ditching into New York’s Hudson River. First Officer Susan O’Donnell is a LGA-based 767 pilot. She resides with her family in Winnsboro, South Carolina. Susan is a former Navy pilot, hired at AA in February 1990. She has flown the 727, F100, A300 and now the 767.

The following is her account of the flight, the rescue and recovery response, as well as the support she experienced afterward. This is intended to give each of you a unique insight into the event. We also hope that the crew’s tremendous effort to take care of each other and the nearly instantaneous support of USAPA and APA responders become “takeaways” for our pilots to use when faced with an emergency.

I was a jumpseat rider seated in First Class on Flight 1549 from LGA to CLT, which successfully ditched in the Hudson River. I’ve been asked to share a few of my experiences on that day. Although it was a stressful incident, the successful outcome and the assistance and support I received afterwards have been truly humbling and inspirational.

After introducing myself to and being welcomed aboard by Captain Sullenberger and FO Skiles, I was offered seat 3D, an aisle seat in the last row of First Class. I was in my uniform. Another jumpseat rider took a seat in row 6. These were the last empty seats on the airplane. I wasn’t paying much attention to the flight until, climbing out, there were several loud thumps occurring roughly simultaneously along both sides of the aircraft. “Bird strikes,” I thought. A few seconds later, there was a bit of smoke and the stench of burning bird that seemed to confirm my guess. There was a turn to the left, and I assumed we were returning to LGA.

The passengers were concerned but calm. I couldn’t see any part of the aircraft out the window from my aisle seat. Although I didn’t hear much that sounded encouraging from the engines, I expected we would have at least partial thrust with which to limp back to LGA. We rolled out of the turn, and I could tell we were not maintaining altitude. Then we heard the PA: “This is the Captain. Brace for impact.”

Obviously we weren’t returning to LGA, and I could see enough out the window to realize we’d be landing in the river. The flight attendants began shouting their “brace” litanies and kept it up until touchdown. The descent seemed very controlled, and the sink rate reasonably low. I believed the impact would be violent but survivable, although I did consider the alternative. The passengers remained calm and almost completely quiet. As we approached the water, I braced by folding my arms against the seat back in front of me, then putting my head against my arms. There was a brief hard jolt, a rapid decel and we were stopped. It was much milder than I had anticipated. If the jolt had been turbulence, I would have described it as moderate. Thinking about it later on, I realized it was no worse than a carrier landing.

After landing, the attitude of the aircraft was slightly nose high, but not far off a normal parked attitude, and there was no obvious damage to the cabin or water intrusion where I was. No one was hurt or panicked. We all stood up. I could hear the doors open and the sound of slide inflation. There was a verbal command “Evacuate;” people were already moving towards the doors. I exited through the forward right door and entered the raft. The evacuation up front was orderly and swift, and we were not in the water long before being picked up by various boats, which were extremely quick to the scene. Many passengers were standing on the wing, going from feet dry to nearly waist deep as the rescue progressed. They were of course the first to be picked up by the arriving boats. I was picked up by a large ferry boat, climbing a ladder hanging from the bow. It didn’t take long to get all passengers into the boats and to the ferry terminals.

Once at the terminal, we were met by police, firemen, paramedics, FBI, Homeland Security, the Red Cross, Mayor Bloomberg, and more. Captain Sullenberger continued in a leadership role in the aftermath, talking with the passengers, assembling his crew and including myself and the other jumpseat rider as members of his crew. I was impressed to note that he had the aircraft logbook tucked under his arm. When the Captain asked me if I wanted to join the crew at the hotel, I told him I would really appreciate it as I had lost my wallet. He immediately pulled out his wallet and gave me $20. His concern for me when he had so much else to worry about was amazing.

The USAPA representative was on the scene very quickly, and again included the other jumpseat rider and myself with the rest of the crew. I didn’t see a flight attendant representative; USAPA took care of the FAs as well. The USAPA representative escorted the entire crew to the hospital (we rode in a NYFD fire truck), where we were joined by other USAPA reps and the USAPA lawyer, all of whom continued to consider me as one of the crew. At the hospital, I had finally called the APA “in case of accident” number on the back of my ID badge for APA. I had not initially thought of that as applying to my situation, as a jumpseater on another airline, but I called anyway. I spoke with APA LGA Vice Chairman Captain Glenn Schafer, who departed immediately to come assist me.

After a routine evaluation, they transported us by police car to a hotel, where rooms were waiting. The USAPA version of our Flight Assist was also there, and they spoke to me and offered me whatever assistance I needed, again as if I was one of their own. The USAPA reps also brought all of us some clothing and toiletries that they had purchased. Captain Schafer arrived at the hotel, bringing me some necessary items. He stayed overnight at the hotel, making flight arrangements for me to go home the next day and escorting me to the airport. Captain Mark Cronin from the AA NY Flight Office met me at the departure gate, again offering assistance and support.

I am grateful for the many calls of concern and offers of help I have received, from fellow pilots, union representatives and the company, and I am grateful for and proud of the response and assistance of both USAPA and APA. I would hope that our union would treat another airline’s crewmember as kindly as I was treated. USAirways has also been superb, treating me as if I was a paying passenger. I am also thankful for the professionalism and capabilities of Captain Sullenberger, FO Skiles and FAs Dent, Dail and Welsh. They certainly did our profession proud, and they saved my life.

Dear Richard....It is a sad thing I have to say today. My husband of 51 years, 2 months 15 days, passed away in his sleep early this morning..Ruthie

Note: Please watch this news page for further deatails. Ruthie's address is 1017 Laguna in Livermore, CA. 94550 for those wishing to send a card.

Received 1/2/2009 - Dick, Was saddened to hear of Dannys death. -----Wishing you and all ExWOA people "A Happy New Year" Lee Huffines

Received 1/2/2009 - Very SAD news from the Mros Family.....Danny was one of our best Flight Engineers...... A Great humerous GUY!!

My sincere sympathy across the miles....In thought and prayer from Ursula Biloschaetzke

I just learned the sad news that Kristie from scheduling died. Could you please pass this news along to the World family...Thank you

Kristie Vera-Jean Atwater Ferrero .Published: Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 4:31 p.m.

Kristie Vera-Jean Atwater Ferrero died Dec. 14, 2008 at her home in Penngrove. She was 59. Kristie Vera-Jean Atwater Ferrero. A native of Albany, Mrs. Ferrero spent her life rescuing animals of all types in need. She is survived by her husband, Michael B. Ferrero; children, Kevin and Jamie; stepchildren; Brian and Christy; siblings, Michael, Pat, David and Peg; nieces; and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held Jan. 4, 2009. To attend, call (925)930-6095. The family requests that memorials may be made to any animal rescue organization of your choice.

Received 12/11/2008 - Flew for World from 1979 to 1986. Then 21 years at American-now retired. The World years were really a lot of fun!

Received 12/2/2008 -From Frank Koehler - Hi Dick, Sandy Van Dyke was a FA for 8 years................Can you metion her passing to the group please. My best regards to you my friend, Frank

Here is part of Sandy's obituary:For 8 years Sandy worked as a Flight Attendant for World Airways, and flew all over the world. During that period in her life, she was also part owner of an antique store in Bodega, CA and would bring back Asian art to be sold in her store. On one of her trips to the Orient 1972, she flew to the small Indonesian island of Borneo with the intention of buying native art. During her trip she stayed at the Catholic Mission of the Crousier Fathers. One night her parents got a call from one of the Fathers asking permission to hire a private plane to have her flown out under cover of darkness to Biak. Apparently the Chief of the Asmat headhunting tribe had wanted to make Sandy one of his wives, and the Father thought it would be better if she left the area ASAP before it became an international incident. Already Nelson Rockefeller’s son Michael had disappeared from that very area and was never found again. Her parents were frantic with worry.While she was still in Borneo, Sandy had complications from an entopic pregnancy and was hospitalized at a small clinic that was manned by a young physician who had just graduated from medical school in Indonesia. He reluctantly performedemergency surgery on her, even though he was afraid of killing her in the process. It was during that procedure that she contracted hepatitis C from the transfusions. .In January 2008 an MRI revealed that the hepatitis had caused cirrhosis of her liver. She finally passed peacefully on November 18th (liver failure) at home in the presence of her husband, stepbrother Terry, and several good friends. Don, Sandy’s sister, and her two boys, will scatter her ashes on the ocean in Maui. In lieu of flowers, the family has formed a medical expense fund. Donations can be sent to Washington Mutual Bank, 3333 W. 11th Ave., Suite G, Eugene, OR 97402. Checks should be made payable to Sandra Janelle Vandyke-Cross.

WOA Alumnus- one of the distinct advantages I have as the webmaster for the cyberkal.com and WOA Alumnus web site is that occasionally I receive a email from a previous World Airways employee that finds the web site. Toul Hazama is an example of this. Toul saw the Last Flight From Da Nang video I posted on You Tube and then followed up with a email to me. Toul was one of the many Yokota Japan mechanics I trained when I went to our Yokota base to train personnel. I think you will enjoy reading Toul's email and the picture of Toul and his wife posted below. Dick Kalman

Dear Mr. Kalman,Thanks you very much for user name & P/W. I am enjoying photos.

Sorry to hear that Mr. Daly , Mr.Kallange and Mr. T.Ripa has passed away. The time is passed so quickly.

Is this story related to Mr. E.D. Daly : Yes there is few memory. Most of them are in Saigon/DaNang flight. Approx one week before last DaNang flt, I flew as flight Mechanic to Danang and Mr.Daly also onboard this flt, Mr.Daly directly informed me that I will arrange the room to stay at DaNang rather keep riding B727 whole day. He provide me for approx 8-sqm of room which has only one desk and chair available at Airport at terminal. After B727 left to SGN, approx 2 hrs later, warning siren heard in Airport, I come out from room, everybody running out from office area, I did not know what happen so I jumped in ditch near at office, where grass was all over, and looked around found nothing happen, I get out from ditch, One DC3 was returned to parking bay pax and crew(except Captain) got out from Aircraft, DC3 American Captain who was shouting to F/O who already out from aircraft, as `dumb, I do not want to stay here, come back we will leave here. if we stay here more risk.' but Air Vietnam attendants and F/O did not come back until approx one hour then they finally departed without pax. Next day I informed to Mr.Daly that I would like to stay onboard rather stay at Da Nang Office(empty room). After last flight from DaNang, Mr. Daly invited all crews for dinner at night.( F/E Mr. Stewart missed this dinner).

Hello Dick--Just opened this message. Thought you needed to see it. Best regards--Charlie

I come to ask for prayers. Last Wednesday Paul had a stroke and is presently in the hospital. A large clot was found in his right carotid artery which will require surgery. The surgery has been scheduled for next Friday at 7:30 a.m. Because of his general over-all good physical condition, the doctors are optimistic that this operation will be successful and in time, with physical therapy, he will recover much of the abilities he has lost.

Will you say a special prayer for him next Friday that all will go well? Although surgery for an 85-year-old is always risky, they think the odds are very good. Meantime, he is in the St. David's Hospital Rehabilitation Center, and if you'd like to give him a call, this number will connect you directly to his bedside phone: 512-544-5248. I know he'd love to hear from you.

Rhinehold Becker passed away August 14th at home in Redwood City."Rhine" had Parkinsons for the passed 7-8 years. He is survived by his wife Dorothy, of 57 yrs. and son Rick, in San Mateo and daughter Roberta Hollands in San Francisco.

p.s. Dick, you can re word this and add to if you like, of his career with WOA.

I asked Dorothy for permission to notify you. Of course she is very bereaved and immersed in sorrow and the usual responsibilities in such situation. But I feel sure she would appreciate hearing from friends

Wally Rardon, known as the unofficial World Airways historian, marked his 45th anniversary with the company on Aug. 1, 2008. Trevor and Cele Rardon joined him for a celebration and cake at headquarters. Wally has put his knowledge of company history to good use throughout the 60th Anniversary celebration this year. Trevor represents the next generation of Rardons at World.

Larry Montford, Chief Operating Officer said "I would also like to give special recognition to Wally Rardon, who is celebrating 45 years of service with World Airways this month! What an accomplishment! Wally is recognized as the unofficial historian of World Airways and has been largely responsible for the collection and display of much of the memorabilia that has been a centerpiece of this year’s 60th anniversary celebration. Much more than that is the fact that Wally is one of the most sincere and caring persons I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I wish him many more years of good health and success".

August also marks the 40th anniversary for Ed Martin, DC-10 flight engineer, who has played a prominent role in the company’s history, serving as chief flight engineer, director of Flight Operations Engineering, and DC-10 flight instructor. Ed started with the DC-6 program and went on to perform flight engineer and flight instructor duties for DC-8s, Boeing 727s and Boeing 707s.

I'm so overwhelmed when reading your email. I just can't believe that after 33 yrs you still have the names of the cabin crew. This morning I shown my colleagues "The Last Flight out of Danang" VDO clip and your email, they are so amazed because of that coincident.It really brings tears to my eyes as I can see what happened 33yrs ago and I was the one to get involve in that historic mission.I wish if I could have Capt. Healy's email or any contact of the cabin crew of that flight. I want to share my feelings and to thanks for their bravery in rescuing our people.

I also have a dream to go to Oakland California to join World Airways staff to celebreate the 60th Anniversary Celebration as a live witness for that historic event.

I, once again, wish to thank you so much for that precious VDO clip via You Tube, and I'll keep it for the rest of my life.

Dick:Thank you so much to have your film on You Tube. It brings me back to 33 years ago when I was there in Danang. I was one of Danang Radar Approach Controllers who stayed until the last air evecuation made by Air Vietnam on that day. I am sure that you, like me, can never wipe off this horrified moments from your mind. I was lucky enough to get on board and landed in Tan Son Nhat around 6.30pm on the 29th Mar 1975.

After 3.5 years in the "so called re-education camps", I successfully escaped by boat to Malaysia, and I'm now in Australia. This is a priceless video clip to me. Thank you so much.

Here is some more info on Monty Brewer for you to add to previous: His Daughter is having a Memorial Service, and a Reception Service - Both at her House, on August the 2nd , at 12:00pm. She would like any of Monty's Old Friends to please attend, and bring any picture's of the "Old Days",and any "Stories" that you might have. Info: Mz Sheryl Sanchez 3336 Morning View Terrace,Fremont, CA - 510-219- 0099 Note: If you attend - It is a gated Community. To get in you must hit # (Pound Sign),then 1935 at the gate to get in.

Have just been informed By Manny Mello of the Passing away of 'Monty Brewer' - a great Friend, and Pal to many of us from within the Old WOA Organization. Monty started out in the 1950's at Cal Eastern Airways after attending Laney Trade school in Oakland. From there he went to Lockheed when Cal Eastern closed. In the 1960's he went to WOA as a Maintenance Representitive,where he was well liked by the Crews and the people he worked with. From WOA, and not wishing to travel as much - Monty went to the World Air Center as a Foreman. Where he remained for many years, before opening up an Automobile Engine Overhaul service in Hayward - That was very successful. Monty later retired and moved north to Oregon. He will be missed by those who knew him. His 'Ashes' are being returned to the Hayward Area. His Daughter will let us know when they are planning a service at the 'Lone Tree Cemetary in Hayward',and a get together afterwards. Paul Maier

Please keep Monty's family in your thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time. Watch here for more details as they become available - Dick Kalman

Received 7/12/2008 -Kriss Brooks honored with President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Community Leadership Award

Berkeley, CA—The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) has chosen Kriss Brooks to receive a 2008 PCPFS Community Leadership Award. The award is given annually to individuals who improve the lives of individuals within their community by providing or enhancing opportunities to engage in sports, physical activities, or fitness-related programs.

Kriss leads an extraordinary life of community service with power, brilliance,compassion and warmth. She is the founder Options Personal Training Center, Options Fitness Consulting and now has created the third tier of “Options”— the Options Wellness Resource Program which serves and supports the health, fitness and personal enrichment needs of African American women and girls.

“We are honored to present this award to Ms Brooks,” says Melissa Johnson, executive director of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. “Physical activity and sports participation are important parts of living a healthy, more active life and we are pleased to recognize individuals, like Kriss, who are committed to making a difference and influencing the health of their communities.”

“Kriss is a storehouse of knowledge in the area of women’s fitness, and has a deep understanding of women’s fears and motivations. She’s a woman’s woman and a fitness trainer’s trainer: compassionate, passionate, fit and forceful, feminine and feminist.”

This year, the President’s Council presented the Community Leadership Award to 27 individuals across the country for making sports, physical activity, and fitness-related programs available in their communities.

The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) is an advisory committee of volunteer citizens who advise the President through the Secretary of Health and Human Services about physical activity, fitness and sports in America. The Office of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is the HHS office containing the PCPFS Executive Director and support staff. Through its programs and partnerships with the public, private and nonprofit sectors, the Office of the PCPFS serves as a catalyst to promote health, physical activity, fitness and enjoyment for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities through participation in physical activity and sports. For more information about PCPFS please visit www.fitness.gov.

This award would not be possible without your support. You continue to be my bedrock of inspiration. With undying gratitude and appreciation, Kriss

Kriss - The World Airways family are very proud of your accomplishments. Your service to your community is greatly appreciated, especially by all those you touch. Dick Kalman

Congratulations to our team members who celebrate significant employment anniversaries in June. This month we recognize Flight Attendants Linda Rice and Cheryl Cannon who achieved 30 years of service and In-Flight Service Manager Ursula Biloschaetzke for 40 years of service. These are extraordinary achievements and I thank each of you for your dedication to World Airways.

On Friday our country will celebrate Independence Day. As we reflect on what this actually means, we at World should be especially aware that the fight for our nation’s freedom continues. We are there every day to serve and support the troops who are making the sacrifices and performing their duties. This is a day to honor those who have fought in the past, and those who bravely continue the battles today. Many of us will have the opportunity to enjoy the day away from work with friends or loved ones, while others will be working to provide the service our military and commercial customers must have, despite our holiday. Take a moment to remember your team members who are working, and find some time to reflect on the sacrifices of the many who have paid the price to guarantee our freedom.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - Bay Area pilot Janet Christine Dietrich dies - Cory Lopez, Chronicle Staff Writer

At the dawn of the space race in the early 1960s, Bay Area pilot Janet Christine Dietrich was one of 13 women who underwent secret astronaut testing, passing the same rigorous physical and psychological assessments as the men who became immortalized as America's first astronauts.

It was a venture financed by noted aviator Jacqueline Cochran, and though the women never did reach the stars, the group later known as the Mercury 13 helped lay the groundwork for a future generation of female space travelers. "She would've dearly loved to have been in space," said Miss Dietrich's niece, Linda McKenzie. "That was the ultimate."

Miss Dietrich died June 5 of natural causes in a San Francisco convalescent hospital, her family said. She was 81.

Over a 34-year aviation career, Miss Dietrich accumulated more than 12,000 hours in the pilot seat, winning prizes and setting records along the way.

Miss Dietrich and her identical twin, Marion Dietrich, entered the inaugural Chico-to-San Mateo Air Race in 1947. They took first place, defeating experienced men.

After placing in other local races, the flying twins collected the second-place trophy in the 1951 All-Women's Transcontinental Air Race, known as the "Powder Puff Derby."

Then in 1960, Miss Dietrich became the nation's first woman to earn an Airline Transport Pilot License, the highest Federal Aviation Administration license, which she parlayed into a career of commercial flying that lasted well into the 1970s.

Born in San Francisco in 1926, she was the daughter of Richard Dietrich, who worked in the import business, and his wife, Marion.

Miss Dietrich began flying at an early age, getting a student pilot certificate at age 16. She and her sister were the only girls in an aviation class at Burlingame High School.

As an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, Miss Dietrich was president of the UC Flying Club and trained as a pilot at Oakland International Airport, where she earned her private pilot license in 1946.

Soon after graduating from Cal in 1949, her family said, Miss Dietrich became chief pilot of Cessna, then the world's largest light-plane distributor, located in Long Beach. In her job, Miss Dietrich delivered multi-engine aircraft from the factory in Wichita, Kan., conducted test flights for the shop, flew charters and supervised the flight and ground schools.

In the late 1950s, Miss Dietrich worked as a federal pilot examiner for the Federal Aviation Administration, performing pilot evaluations and issuing certificates.

Then Miss Dietrich, joined by her twin sister, stepped into astronautics history. They were among a select group of female aviators invited to the Lovelace Clinic in Albuquerque, where experts had screened potential NASA astronauts.

The women underwent the same medical tests and examinations as John Glenn and the other men who eventually traveled into space. The extensive exams included everything from swallowing 3 feet of rubber hose to drinking radioactive water.

Though only 5 feet 3 inches tall and 100 pounds, Miss Dietrich completed the regimen of tests, as did her sister and 11 other women.

While the women waited for the next phase of their program in July 1961, the testing was halted without warning or explanation.

It would be two more decades before the United States launched its first woman into space, Sally Ride, an astrophysicist turned astronaut.

Miss Dietrich later took a job with World Airways, an Oakland corporation that became a key military contractor during the Vietnam War. In that capacity she piloted regular flights between the war zone and World's base at Oakland International Airport.

The death of her twin sister in 1974 brought Miss Dietrich's piloting career to an end.

"It was like losing her right arm," said Miss Dietrich's younger sister, Pat Dietrich Daly of Point Reyes Station.

Throughout Miss Dietrich's life, Daly said, there had been many suitors, but "all wanted her to give up flying." She never married.

In 2006, the International Women's Air & Space Museum opened an exhibit honoring the Mercury 13 - Mercury Women: Forgotten Link to the Future. And in May 2007, the women of Mercury 13 received honorary doctor of science degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Miss Dietrich is survived by her younger sister and two nieces and a nephew.

Veronica Lissaway-now Veronica Villano- and I were in the 1973 class of Flight Attendants.The attached recent photo shows Veronica and I at Christmas time

with matching bows and nightgowns - a surprise for our husbands. They are still laughing! Veronica is the best friend I could have.

Sincerely, Darlenska (formerly Darlenska Rzadkowolski, now I legally have just one name)

I am very remiss in reporting the loss of another beloved former F/A -- your news of Zera's passing has finally gotten me out of my "rut" to let you know the following:

Mukesh Patel, flight attendand from 1980-1986, passed away on February 18, 2008, after a brief illness.

His all-too-short life was filled with family, friends, travel and accomplishments. He came to World via a chance encounter with the hiring team in Philadelphia (Rob Graham, Linda Griffiths, Cherie Cashen and Susan Cook) when the group happened upon his small import shop near Rittenhouse Square. His personality was magnetic at first meeting, and he accepted our invitation to interview when he came to know the purpose of our visit to the city.

He was a fabulous flight attendant whose file was filled with complimentary letters ... his dedication to professionalism and service was hard to match and his fellow crewmembers always enjoyed his sense of adventure and camaraderie on trips around the globe. He loved the travel and excitement his career with World provided, yet he had more ideas and goals to reach so he chose to leave World to pursue other interests.

Mukesh was an accomplished florist, and his family's floral shops in the West Chester, PA, area have been very successful. He had the gift of putting the most special touch on any occasion he came to be associated with and was in high demand as an event planner and floral designer. His works won awards at the world-reknowned Philadelphia Flower Show on several occasions. His proudest moment was achieving the highest goal only the most talented florists can earn -- the recognition as "AIFD," which denotes exceptional study and talent by the American Institute of Floral Design.

As a friend, you could have none better ... he was truly dedicated to going above and beyond with even the simplest request. Anyone fortunate enough to have shared time and travels with Mukesh knew how special he really was and those of us in his close circle are deeply affected by his untimely passing.

A month before his loss, I stayed with Mukesh while attending a cat show not far from his home. I will always treasure that last dinner and visit with him, talking of so many memories we both shared through the years. I still have not gotten past the urge to pick up the phone and call him to catch up on the latest ... and doubt I ever will.

He is survived by his brother, Randy Patel, sister-in-law Rita and nephew Zachary, of West Chester, PA, (who continue to operate Blair's Florist in Aston, PA, in his memory); sister Vinta Patel, brother-in-law Hemant and nieces Salona and Kalina of Paradise Valley, AZ, and his mother who lives in Nairobi, Kenya, where Mukesh was born 56 years ago.

The World Airways Family of Flight Attendants and Pilots: It is with perpetual sadness that I announce the untimely passing of my Flower, my Rock of Gibraltar, my very Best Friend, my Wife, Zera Charmaine Burgess. The good Lord in his virtue and wisdom has taken Zera from me and set her beautiful soul free to travel in his everlasting kingdom.

Zera passed away peacefully this morning, her hand in mine, as a bird sang outside her window at the Hospice Center of Charleston around 11:15 AM EST. Zera's sister, and lifelong friends and colleagues Margaruite Everly, Audrey Cannon, Benny Johnson where in attendance. Zera's charm and graciousness, her beautiful smile won me over the first time we met and we have been together ever since - 16 plus years. Zera loved her job as a Flight Attendant/In-flight Service Manager here at World Airways, the customers, her colleagues, and especially the traveling lifestyle. She is now in a better place smiling down on all of us. May the good Lord bless Zera and keep her in his bosom, and God rest her Soul.

Hello All, I have some very sad news to relay to everyone. It is with a heavy heart that I relay a phone call I received today. ISM Zera Burgess passed away today of cancer. Please say a prayer for her, as she was a wonderful friend and co-worker especially to our World Airways family. Zera will be missed by all who knew and worked with her.

It is with great sadness that we report the loss of one of our employees, flight attendant Zera Burgess, on Monday, June 2. Due to this sudden loss, any employee may contact the Employee Assistance Program directly at 1-888-887-4114. When information regarding service arrangements is available, it will be published on the In-Flight Services web page.

Here is info regarding Zera's funeral and memorial. Viewing: 1:30-7:00pm Monday, June 9, 2008 - Funeral: 11:00am, Tuesday, June 10, 2008,W. M. Smith-McNeal Funeral Home,2 Radcliffe Street

Please let people know that condolences can be put on the funeral home web-site at http://www.wmsmithmcnealfh.com

5/22/2008 - IT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS THAT I WRITE THIS. EDDY COLON PASSED AWAY MAY 21, 2008 AT THE BETHESDA HOSPITAL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA. THIS INFO WAS GIVEN TO ME BY SANDY. Sea2aol.com 239-692-5433.

I finally rounded up a few pictures of "Pappo" as the kids and I called him. Fortunately Eddie didn't suffer very much at the end. He was diagnosed with lung cancer and died within one week. The doctors tried place a stent that was supposed to help give him a little quality of life but he slipped into a coma and started bleeding quite a bit into his lungs. I know that he never gave up. Gary wrote a few words also:

Edgardo "Eddie" Colon went to be with the Lord on 5/21/08 shortly after his 80th birthday. He will be missed by his family, including what he considered his extended family at World Airways. He was a hard-working pilot at World for almost 30 years. His greatest loves included his grandchildren, flying large jet airplanes and exchanging good jokes. He had a wonderful, big heart and his many gaffs with the English language were easily overcome by his boundless optimism and enthusiasm.

I hope that this gets to you ok.I just wanted to let you know that I just heard about Eddie, and his Passing. Somehow I missed the message from D.Kalman.I have been on Leave from the Veterans Home up here in Yountville Ca. and somehow that slipped thru the Cracks!! I just found out about Eddie from an Ex WOA friend that I was talking to on the phone last night. I just wanted to let you know - That Eddie Colon was one of the Greatest Guy's from WOA that I Met while there.I was a Maintenance Rep,and Operation Rep in the early years 60-70, then Director of Maintenance Europe 71-76,and living in England. In the Early years myself and Tom Ripa (Another Mx/Rep), were on a lot of Jobs together all over the World - But when we saw a flight coming in with Eddie on it we knew Right away that we were going out for Dinner, and maybe a few 'Toddy's' (All on Eddie !!).Some how we were his 'Boy's!'.Later on when I moved to England for WOA and had my Family there - Eddie came over to the House for Dinner a few times, especially if Tom was there to!! He was great with my Two Kids. I'm going to miss that Man ( And that great Accent!! ) He was a Friend,and a Gentleman.

5/22/2008 - The World Airways 60th Anniversary Committee will be bringing displays and memorabilia from the corporate headquarters in Peachtree City Georgia to the Oakland California Year 2008 Reunion. The current plan is to set up the entire display at the Oakland Airport Hilton Hotel from Friday noon to Saturday noon for viewing. Then a reduced size display will be on view at the Reunion facility on Saturday evening. Details are being worked out and will be posted here on the WOA Alumnus web site when finalized. The display has been to Germany and will be in Texas prior to the Oakland viewing. I recommend that those attending the 2008 Reunion set there planning calendar to take in this historic moment in World Airways history. See you there. Dick Kalman

5/1/2008 - Jonathan Yelner, son of Yolanda Vega is Air Force Casualty in Afghanistan

DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty, The Department of Defense announced today the death of an airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Senior Airman Jonathan A. V. Yelner, 24, of Lafayette, Calif., died April 29 near Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.

LAFAYETTE, CA (KGO) -- The city of Lafayette is coping with the first loss of one of its own service members, in the shadow of the field of crosses that honor soldiers killed in the Iraq War. Senior airman Jonathan Yelner was killed in Afghanistan. His mom and family often called him Jake. He was born and raised in Lafayette, and on Wednesday, military personnel came to the home to comfort the family. In Lafayette, another number will be added to the memorial sign recording the U.S. casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jonathan Yelner of Lafayette died on Tuesday when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. He was 24 and a senior airman assigned to the 28th Aircraft Squadron. Ken Branch is the family's spokesperson. He read a letter written by Yelner's mom.

"Jake was proud to serve in the Air Force. He wanted to serve his country. He did what he wanted to do. I am not angry at anyone. I am though devastated that I will not see my son," read Branch in a letter written by Yelner's mother. Yelner attended De La Salle High School in Concord. On Wednesday morning, school officials placed an American flag next to a cross in the yard. "Thoughtful, kind. He was an eagle scout and lived that out every day of his life," said De La Salle School spokesperson Roger Hassett. "I was really honored to have him as a neighbor and a friend. That's all I can say, because if I say more I'll cry," said a neighbor who knew Yelner. The white crosses memorial has become synonymous with Lafayette. Lynn MacMichael is one of the people responsible for putting them up-one for each solder killed. "It gives people a place to mourn the losses and to honor the lives of those who were so brave and courageous," said MacMichael. This is De La Salle's first student to die while serving in Afghanistan. One school official said, 'we know it was never a matter of if, but when.'

Services will be held on Tuesday, May 6 at 1 p.m. at CONGREGATION B’NAI TIKVAH, 25 Hillcroft Way, Walnut Creek, 94597 - 925.933.5397

Cantor Marc Dirkin will lead the service. - Father John Kasper, St. Perpetua Church will offer his blessings.

Directions to Congregation B’Nai Tikvah - Highway 24 through the Caldecott Tunnel to the 680 Split.

Stay in the second right lane and take the Mt. Diablo Blvd / San Jose exit – Exit will be on the left side of the ramp – MT. DIABLO BLVD. Stay on the left lane on the exit ramp. The first traffic light – CAMINO DIABLO – turn left. The first right – SPRINGBROOK – turn right. Go approximately ½ mile and make a left turn on HILLCROFT WAY. This is a very small sign and difficult to see. There is a 4-Sale sign at the entrance to Hillcroft Way, this is your reference point. Go up the hill. There is limited parking at the congregation. Carpooling is a must. There is also parking in the area. This is a residential neighborhood. If you don’t find parking at the Congregation, drive up the hill.

The internment will be at 2:30. OAKMONT MEMORIAL PARK, 2099 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette, 94549 -925.935.3311

Directions to the cemetery and the reception after the internment will be available at the Congregation.

The charities Yolanda recommends in the name of Jonathan Antonio Vega Yelner are as follows:

MtDiablo Silverado chapter of the Boy Scouts of America specifically for the Eagle program

And then the big news, Eva & I celebrated our 60th Wedding Anniversary on March 15 this year, we got married in 1948. left for Curaçao, due to a transfer by KLM, and via Jamaica, Houston and Buffalo NY,landed in New York City, where World found me (thanks to Steve Berger) and that's when I became WOA's RVP East Coast , went through the Transcon and International Scheduled services and left when things did not work out somewhere in the 1980-s. So 25% of our married life was spent in the WOA family !! Most of it enjoyable , even exciting !!

APRIL 03, 2008 -- ATA Airlines last night filed a petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and this morning discontinued all of its operations. ATA said an "unexpected cancellation" of a military charter contract, provided through an agreement with FedEx, dried up its capital and necessitated the stop in service.

ATA said it no longer would honor reservations, has canceled all frequent flier benefits and has eliminated positions for the vast majority of its 2,230 employees. ATA alerted customers holding reservations purchased with a credit card to contact their credit card company for refunds. The carrier said booked passengers should "seek alternative arrangements for current and future travel. To that end, ATA has contacted the airlines that serve ATA destinations and asked them to provide assistance to ATA customers."

ATA said a decades-old teaming agreement with FedEx comprised the bulk of its charter operations. However, ATA said FedEx alerted the carrier that it is dissolving that contract for the next fiscal year. "This termination is a full year earlier than the term specified in a letter of agreement between FedEx and ATA," ATA said in a statement this morning.

Prior to the military contract cancellation, ATA had been in a financial tailspin, attributed in part to the growing cost of fuel. The carrier last month announced it would cease domestic scheduled service at Chicago Midway Airport on April 14 and international service from that airport on June 7. "All such service has been discontinued immediately, in addition to all of ATA's other scheduled flights, which operated between the West Coast and Hawaii," ATA said today.

ATA COO Doug Yakola in a statement said, "We deeply regret the disruption and hardship caused by the sudden shutdown of ATA, an outcome we and our employees had worked very hard and made many sacrifices to avoid. Unfortunately, the cancellation of a critical agreement for our military charter business undermined ATA's plan to address the current conditions facing all scheduled service airlines, including the tremendous spike in the price of jet fuel in recent months. As a result, it became impossible for ATA to continue operating."

In February 2006, ATA Airlines emerged from 16 months of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as a privately held airline with a realigned route structure. Upon its exit, the carrier deepened its codeshare agreement with Southwest Airlines, and the two carriers inaugurated a reciprocal frequent flyer arrangement (BTNonline, March 1, 2006).

Southwest Airlines in a statement today said it would accommodate its customers traveling on ATA with "a new itinerary closest to their previous travel plans" or provide refunds. Southwest CEO Gary Kelly in a statement this morning said, "ATA Airlines has been an outstanding partner for Southwest, and we are disappointed to hear this unfortunate news. We are sad to end our codeshare relationship with ATA but understand it's extremely difficult for an airline to flourish in today's arduous financial environment that has been plagued by soaring fuel prices."

PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. (March 26, 2008) – Sixty years ago this month, World Airways joined the aviation community with a small charter fleet of surplus Boeing 314 Clippers. Today, the Georgia-based company is one of the largest wide-body charter operators in the United States, carrying passengers and cargo in every time zone.

The company is celebrating its birthday on March 29 with a kickoff event that begins a year of activities to observe World’s diamond anniversary. Employees and family members will gather for a family day and special events staged at the Delta Air Transport Heritage Museum near Hartsfield Jackson International Airport. Former World Airways executives Hollis Harris, John Ellington, Randy Martinez and Jeff MacKinney will share in the activities.

“World Airways has had a rich history, through good times and bad, on the path to becoming the successful airline it is today,” said Larry Montford, World’s chief operating officer. “We currently have a fleet of wide-body MD-11 and DC-10 passenger and cargo aircraft, joined this month by our first Boeing 747-400 freighter, all serving our military and commercial customers around the world.”

World Airways jets now transport U.S. military personnel on international routes every day, continuing the company’s tradition of military service that spans more than 55 years. World is best known for its charter service in Vietnam, making news with the harrowing “last flight from Da Nang” and the heartwarming Operation Babylift from Saigon, which set off a national program that brought more than 3,000 young Vietnamese orphans to the United States in 1975.

Edward J. Daly was the flamboyant, daring CEO who snapped up the infant airline when it was on the verge of failing in 1950, and gave it his special touch until his death in 1984. World conducted numerous humanitarian missions at Daly’s direction, including the Hungarian refugee flights in 1956. Daly was aboard the last flight at Da Nang, pistol in hand, as it made its miraculous takeoff, heavily overloaded and surrounded by a panicked mob of South Vietnamese soldiers and refugees.

Daly led the Oakland, Calif.- based company into low-fare scheduled service in 1979 after federal deregulation, launching transcontinental and international service with his fleet of DC-10s. Valiant efforts and marketing with celebrity spokesperson George Burns were not enough to maintain profitability, and World returned solely to charter service in 1987.

The company moved to Herndon, Va., in 1988, followed by the subsequent move to Peachtree City, Ga., in 2001 under Harris’s direction. The airline’s headquarters remain in the same building Harris built, now shared by its holding company, Global Aero Logistics Inc. World’s sister airlines under Global are ATA Airlines, based in Indianapolis, and North American Airlines, based at JFK Airport in New York.

World Airways, a subsidiary of Global Aero Logistics Inc., provides customized transportation services for major international passenger and cargo carriers, the United States military, major freight forwarders and international leisure tour operators. Founded in 1948, World operates a fleet of wide-body aircraft to meet the specialized needs of its customers. For information, visit www.worldairways.com.

World's first 747-400 Nears Delivery Date . Ship 740, finishing conversion in Tel Aviv, is in new World Airways livery, scheduled to arrive in Atlanta by the end of March. The aircraft will go into service later this summer.

Hans George "Papa" Knupfer, 91, of Great Falls and Monarch, an Army Korean War veteran and retired manager of inventory control for World Airways in Oakland, Calif., died of natural causes Sunday at a local hospital.. At his request, no services are planned. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.Survivors include daughters Carolyn (Douglas) Miller, Kathy (George Tomlinson) Rucker and Alissa Durocher, all of Great Falls; sons Richard (Phyllis) Knupfer of Utah and Robert (Pam) Burks of California; a brother, Dieter Knupfer of Virginia; and grandchildren Richard (Maria) Knupfer II of California, Heidi (Robert) Tijernia of Texas, Nicole (Stephen) Nunez of Florida, Becky (James) Edwards of Great Falls, Amy (Aaron) of Phoenix, Christopher (Kelly) Burks, Mollee Rucker, Kiel Rucker, William Riley and Jason DuBois of California; and 11 great-grandchildren. Hans was born Oct. 13, 1916, in Germany, to Anna and Albert Knupfer, and was raised and educated in Binghamton, N.Y. He enlisted in the Army and served during the Korean War. He retired from World Airways in Oakland and was involved in the Vietnam Orphanage Airlift with Ed Daily. Hans was a lifelong member of the Masonic Order in California. Hans married Alberta Elliott in January 1951 in Carmel, Calif. Many years later, he and his wife retired and moved to Montana in 1983 to be with their daughter, Carolyn. They bought a cabin in Monarch and enjoyed their last years with friends and families in Monarch. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents. Condolences may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.

In celebration of his life, which began in San Antonio, Texas, on December 12, 1919. John, a World War II P-38 Lighting pilot, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many, left this world on March 3, 2008. He is survived by his wife Mary Helen, son Michael L. Ehlinger, daughter Jeanne Cruz, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family. Private mass to be celebrated by family and friends on March 8, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Clare's Catholic Church in Roseville with reception to follow at the Ehlinger residence.

3/5/2008 -Submitted by Captain Hal Gardner - Captain John Ehlinger-Last Flight

World Airways Captain John Ehlinger passed away on March 3, 2008 in Roseville California. John was retired from the United States Airforce and World Airways. John was a member of several organizations including the Quiet Birdmen (Q B's). A memorial service is scheduled for 11AM Saturday, March 8, 2008 at the St. Clare Catholic Church located at 1950 Junction Blvd., Roseville CA. (Map) John often attended the World Airways Alumnus S.F. Bay Area luncheons and reunions and will be greatly missed by his World Airways family. Cards can be sent to Mary Helen Ehlinger, 7569 Whistlestop Way, Roseville, CA 95747. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family. More details will be provided when available. - Dick Kalman

Rest IN Peace, 'capt John....condolences to his family & friends.....bill o'donnell woa/fa 1972-76

3/1/2008 - Submitted by Marita Dragten - This was written by the fiance of one of my best and longest girlfriends of 25 years

We were nearing the end of a 15 day trip, originating in Dover, Delaware, with destinations in Leipzig, Frankfurt, Toronto, Adana, Kuwait, and Ramstein.

I was tired from lack of sleep (never can manage to sleep very well on a layover). At the sacrifice of being a little fatigued at the end of the day, I managed to get up mid morning so that I could enjoy the day in Leipzig, before our 7:40 PM wakeup call. Our schedule had us ending the trip in Kuwait and then staying onboard the airplane with the next crew, for a ride up to Ramstein. (It’s always easier to commercial home from Germany rather than Kuwait, and everyone in our crew knew that).

Upon our arrival in Kuwait, we had a 3 hour wait for the next crew to arrive and prepare for departure to Ramstein. Fortunately, I had bought some ground espresso coffee in Leipzig, and we got the Mr. Coffee Maker going in short order. It was a great feeling to finally see the end of our trip approaching. I was tired of all of the motion and chaos that seems to be part of every trip: the airport connections, the taxi rides to hotels, schedule changes, added trips, the last minute delays. It was finally time to simply go home. That was all I could think about at that moment in Kuwait.

I was being selfish of course, feeling sympathetic for myself for enduring this long but interesting journey. Not taking the time to realize how fortunate we all were in life, at that place, at that moment. We have this incredible opportunity to see the world, and enjoy the lifestyle we’ve all aspired to live. We have friends and loved ones who care about us, and whom we miss a great deal when we’re away. We are rewarded well for our efforts and live a comfortable life. We are enabled to look forward and plan our futures, to love and to dream, and cherish all that is good in life.

Today, I wasn’t contemplating the importance of the warmth of a friend’s handshake, the embrace of the woman I love so dearly, the love of my family, or the beautiful color of the sky during sunset. Those things would always be there. Those simple things in life that are a gift from God for all of us to enjoy. Yes, I wasn’t really thinking of all of the wonderful attributes of life, I was more focused on going home without delay.

For as we waited, tired but happy, anxious but impatient for sleep and a home cooked meal, a military honor guard approached our airplane.

The airplane, partially loaded with military cargo, was destined for Dover, Delaware. It became immediately apparent that this was not an ordinary cargo flight, but rather the beginning of the final journey for a lost soldier.

A large truck rolled onto the ramp in front of the airplane. In it, a single casket draped with the American flag. The honor guard solemnly surrounded their fallen brother, and with quite dignity, military precision, extreme honor and respect, they loaded the casket onto a lift, brought it onboard our upper cargo deck, and positioned it just behind the restraining straps that separate the galley and cockpit from the cargo compartment. We stood behind this ‘wall’, somewhat insulated from this somber sight. All of us standing there quietly and respectfully, as one would in church during prayer. We listened to the ceremony, the final words spoken by the honor guard in tribute to their lost colleague.

The cockpit activity, and the normally humorous conversations amongst ourselves, all ceased momentarily. Our collective way of showing respect. I stood there, bowed my head and said a silent prayer and reflected on the event that was taking place before us.

I began to think about this soldier we were bringing home. Home to his final resting place. Home to a family and loved ones who will grieve for him. A final journey home.

Who was this lost soldier? What was his life about? What were his dreams and ambitions? Who was going to mourn his loss? I would guess that he was a young man with his whole life ahead of him, with someone who loved him deeply. He may have had a wife and child, and parents that were extremely proud, and who couldn’t wait for his safe return. I never saw his name, only the notation on a manifest that stated: “disassociated human remains”. How impossibly sad and horrible to contemplate.

I wanted to shed a tear in sadness, but not amongst my peer group. Professional decorum. A professional pilot doesn’t show that kind of emotion out on the line. I made the ‘Sign of the Cross’ as a gesture of personal respect and honor, not caring who witnessed that symbol of my faith

In my relatively short time with World Airways, we have taken many soldiers ‘downrange’ to the edge of the battle theatre, always with the hope that we would bring them back home, healthy and safe. Unfortunately, not on this day.

When I began to plan my flying career, like most of my colleagues, I always had the ambition to fly a big airplane and see the world. We’ve all achieved that here, but I don’t think we have ever contemplated all of the experiences that would accompany that dream, good and bad. I never imagined the day when I would be part of a crew that brought a single soldier home. Not this way.

This was not a profound and unusual event for many of our flight crews. World has been conducting these types of flights for many years for the United States military. It is just my first experience with this kind of operation. This experience has touched me deeply, as I’m sure it has for many of our crews that I am honored and proud to serve with.

Within our busy and demanding schedules, it’s quite a wakeup call to suddenly take the time to stop all of the motion and begin to appreciate just how precious life really is. I’ve only endured that experience once, a short time before I came to work for World Airways. I was severely injured and faced possible amputation of a limb. I learned that you stop taking life for granted at an instant. You quickly learn to open up your eyes and enjoy the view, with enhanced perspective.

This day too, I wanted to re-establish those values. I wanted to re-discover and cherish those simple things in life that God has given us

On reflection, we need to remind ourselves each day of all that is good in life, and not let life’s beauty and simplicity go out of focus.

Today, we fly a fallen soldier home. I pray for him and his family. His loss is a vivid and poignant reminder of the dedication to service and sacrifice our soldiers make to protect our freedom and way of life, every day. How many in our society ever recognize that fact? We as flight crews, see it first hand from a different perspective.

William C. Adler, Jr. Age 90 of San Jose, Naval Aviator & Airline Captain, died October 3, 2007. He is survived by his wife, Sally LaMarche-Adler, sons, William S. Adler and Thomas Adler, daughters Nancy and Sally Adler, Mary Lupoli, son-in-law George Lupoli, daughter-in-law Denise Adler, granddaughter-in-law Mery Lupoli, grandchildren, Christopher, Michael, Ryan Lupoli and Lindsey and Christopher Adler.

Sorry to be delayed getting this news to you but I have had a "full plate" all week. Jim passed away Monday evening Jan.28, '08 at Mtn Health Care where he had been cared for the past 3 1/2 yrs. He will be buried Friday Feb.8, at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Cupertino at 11:00. Full Military service is planned. Private burial but WOA family would be welcome. Anyone interested is welcome to come to The Forum Community Bldg. at 12:00 noon for a simple memorial gathering and fellowship. Refreshments of course. Gate of Heaven is located at: 23555 Cristo Rey Dr. in Cupertino

Tel: 650 969-3347 - Address for Sara: 23500 Cristo Rey Dr. 330-D, Cupertino, Ca. 95014

James V. Turner Passed on Jan. 28, in Mtn. View. A resident of Sunnyvale for 50 years. He is survived by his wife Sara, of 59 years, their son Michael and wife Cindy; and son Jeffrey of Steamboat Springs, Co. The last of his generation, he leaves many nieces and nephews in N.C. Jim served in the Navy in the Pacific during WWII, the Korean conflict and flew with World Airways during Vietnam and the evacuation of Da Nang. Besides the love of his career his other passions were skiing, golf and flying his Mooney N6022Q. Private interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery is planned with Memorial pending.

I would like to tell everyone that the movie, I co-produced last year will be showing in the San Jose Cinequest Film Festival. Also it will be up in Sacramento and Sonoma later this Spring. We are now on the Film Festival circurt. Out of 228 films at the Palm Springs Film festival, we came in at the 28th best film. It is a start!

Please make it out if you can to see THE ART OF TRAVEL on the big screen. You all have heard me talk way too much about it. But it is really is a long road to make a film like this on such a low budget. You will be amazed at the shots. This will make you all just want to get out and travel more. Yeah, I hear you pilot types, saying that is the last thing you want to do! Perhaps you may want to do it backpack style instead of your GIV and GV.

The Director should be there for all the screenings with any questions you may have. The film is not suitable for children

Also our website if you never opened it is http://www.theartoftravelmovie.com

Had a call a few minutes ago from Charles Stewart. Sorry to learn that he has been in various hosapitals since 6 Dec. He was transferred to a new VA hospital in Amerillo, TX very recently. The name of the hospitasl is Ussery-Roan and isin room 517B. He did not have the address or zip code yet. His cell phone # is 806-6749147 and I think he would love to hear from his many freiends at World.

WALTER M. OKINO Walter passed away on November 9, 2007 in Hayward, CA at the age of 75. He was a retired World Airways dispatcher. Walter was born in Hilo, Hawaii and moved to Hayward, California with his family in the early 1960's. He is survived by his loving family: wife, June; daughter, Lois and son-in-law, Will Dea; grandson, Kendall; brother Charles; sisters Hiroko Omura, Ruth Nakamura and Violet Hirata. He enjoyed fishing, orchids, gardening, and aviation. He will always be held close in our hearts. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 17th at 10:00 am in the Reflection Chapel at the CHAPEL OF THE CHIMES, 32992 Mission Blvd., Hayward. Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to the American Heart Association at 426 17th Street, Oakland, CA 94612 or your favorite charity in Walter's name. CHAPEL OF THE CHIMES 510-471-3363

Walt Okino's sister called and gave me info for his memorial services.It will be held on Sat. Nov. 17, 2007 at 10:00am at Chapel of Chimes,Hayward, CA. Would you be so kind and put this info on the alumnus webpage. Aloha, Henry

Chapel of the Chimes - 32992 Mission Blvd,Hayward, CA 94544 (510) 471-3363 Get directions

Hello Dick, I spoke with Walt's daughter, and I recommended to her that if anyone wants to make a contribution, make their checks payable to the American Heart Association, and mail it to her address. This way, she can acknowledge their contribution, then send all checks to the Association. Cards can also be sent to her at: Lois Okino,1478 Prince Edward Way,Sunnyvale, CA 94087.

Dear WOA Alumnus: I have just received the following sad news of the passing of retired WOA Senior Dispatcher and dear friend Walt Okino:

Hello Everyone, Received a call from Walt Okino's sister in HNL advising me of Walt's passing this week. Funeral arrangements are being handled by his family, and when I get more information, I will pass it on. Please remember Walt Okino in your prayers, as we have lost a very dear, close friend, especially to his family and the World family. Aloha, Henry (Auna)

We all have many memorable thoughts of Walt. He was very special and what made World Airways great. A nice gentleman and friend. Our prayers go out to his wife and family. I will forward more details of any memorial service and charities for donations as they become available. Dick Kalman

If I were asked to provide a name of someone who epitomized the spirit and exceptional quality that was World Airways, that name would be Walter M. Okino. The stories of his professionalism and friendship would fill volumes. My friendship with Walt transcended employers and geography. Our last encounter was Captain Heering's memorial service. We have lost a very special friend but, for my part, the memories are all positive and cherished. - Ford Larsen

Thank you Dick. How SAD! I still can’t believe it. What a dear friend and a fine gentleman. I will have him in my prayers for a long time.Regards - Thao Nguyen

IT IS WITH A HEAVY HEART THAT I RECEIVED SUCH NEWS FROM A DEAR FRIEND I'LL KEEP HIM ON MY PRAYERS, CAPTAIN EDDIE COLON

Thank you for informing us of Walter's passing, I would like to send a card to his family, if you have his address please send it to me. Walter was one of the dearest people in the company, I will miss him greatly. My prayers go out to his family. Stephanie Suganuma, F/A

Dick,Thanks for this. He was such a special entity of the WOA family. He will be sorely missed. Dee Martini-Birtcil

Hi Dick,-This kind of news is the kind I dread getting and, in particular, that of Walt. Most of us have, I'm sure, only the fondest memories of this man. That's a great picture of Wally and Walt at the reunion earlier this year. All the best, Jan Smith

Dear Dick,Thank you for the e-mail regarding Walt Okino, he was a dear and wonderful person. I know this type of e-mail is difficult, however, I do want you to know we all appreciate you keeping all of us informed.Take care....Bea Terranella

Thx Dick, Sorry to hear about Walt- he was really one of the good guys. Red Wynn

Dear Dick, I'm so sorry to hear the sad news of Walt's passing. Thank you and Henry for letting us know. I enjoyed meeting Walt at the reunion. He was a kind and special man. In sympathy. - Jenni Ashmore

Dick Goodmorning -I was with sadness I learned of Walt's passing I met the first time I came to Washington for World. I received a warm welcome from him and on future visits if he spotted me he always had time for a friendly word.- Regards Peter Furze

Dick- It's another one of those "hard to believe" situations. I am, indeed, saddened by the news of Walt's passing. I am so thankful that we were able to visit at the LAS Reunion. That is certainly another valid reason for WOA Reunions, isn't it? I passed the information to Al Pacheco in NC this a.m. Our prayers are with June and the family at this time. Wally Rardon

It was a sad moment of my life when I received the news from an other dear friend of mine,Wally Rardon, about the passing of my partner and dear friend Walt Okino. He was known as UNCLE WALT to all of my children. We will missing him dearly. May God comfort his wife June, daughter Lois,son-law Will,and grandson Kendal. They all will remain part of the PACHECO family.Walt and I go quite a ways back when I first started with World Airways on June 4. 1966 and met Wally on that sunday morning. It was not until that night that I met Walt for the first time. It was the start of a lasting friendship. Walt and I finally retired as senior dispatchers in May 2001 after a long and great working relationship with the greatest airline in the world (WORLD AIRWAYS) My family and I send the Okino family our deepest sympathy and may god bless them in this time of sorrow - ALPHONSE (AL) PACHECO and family

Henry,Liz forwarded me the news about Walt------I definitely want to be at the services if there are any in Honolulu so please let me know. He was such a great guy and so good to all of us.. Lola Wright

Dear Dick: Thank you for this message, and the subsequent one also. It is truly a shock to hear of his death. He was a true friend of every World employee that had a contact with him I always looked forward to seeing him at our gatherings.Thanking you, but in deep sorrow for Walt and his family. Charlie Lewis, World Flight Engineer for 22 years, with Walt helping me.

Dear Dick,I am very sorry to hear about Walt Okino and for the loss his family is going through at this time.I remember his smile, spirit and kindness to crews at all times.My best, Lorna McLearie

Hi Dick; I'm so sorry to hear about Walt ... he was at Dad's Memorial and that seems like just yesterday! Please let me know if you have an address so I can send a card to his family. Thanks, Lorraine Heering

Dick - Of all the wonderful people at WO, Walt always had a smile and a very beguiling manner; he always had the right answers to very difficult questions; and was a very big part of the pizzeria family in Chantilly! Do you want sausage, Walt? Nope, just plain thanks! The wonderful lessons of aviation history he gave our little “Band of Brothers”…Walt, leading the way, with Ford Larsen, Dave Corlette (sp), and me…so many weeks and months and years! The pizza was good but the company and discussions were amazing! What a wonderful perspective on life this man gave us all! Kind, gentle, and at all levels a superb human being! I will miss you! - Jeff Lehman (former Vice President – Cargo)

Greetings from Ursula Biloschaetzke - "It was sad news when I opened my e-mails to read the passing of Walt.....he sure was an icon at World Airways......and will be missed by many.."

DICK!!!!!!!!!!!GOING THRU THE ALUMNUS SECTION OF YOUR WEB SITE WAS LIKE TAKING A TRIP BACKWARDS IN A TIME CAPSULE. TRULY ONE OF THE MOST ENJOYABLE ACTS I HAVE DONE IN A LONG TIME. I LOOK FORWARD TO MORE OF THE SITE. CARYL(CARYL SCHMIDT) AND I HAVE BEEN LIVUNG IN ANCHORAGE SINCE 1972 AND LOVE IT. LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT WOA RE-UNION.- GEORGE MORGAN CO-PILO

Global Aero Logistics says subsidiary will stay in Indy - Sat. November 03 - 2007

The writing has been on the wall that Indianapolis might lose the headquarters for ATA Airlines and/or parent Global Aero Logistics ever since April, when Global said it was buying Georgia-based World Air Holdings. Now, the writing is on paper: Indianapolis has lost another headquarters. Our principal executive office is located at HLH Building, 101 World Drive, Peachtree City, Georgia," states a registration Global Aero filed Oct. 26 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Previous SEC filings identified Indianapolis as the headquarters. The filing outlines a plan to sell $50 million in stock on behalf of Global Aero's owner, the New York investment firm MatlinPatterson. As recently as Oct. 15, Indianapolis was the dateline on Global Aero's press releases. Global Aero said its largest subsidiary, ATA Airlines, remains based in Indianapolis. "ATA—let me be very clear—will operate out of Indianapolis, " said Global Aero spokeswoman Maya Wagle. She also emphasized that only one Global Aero executive–-President and CEO Subodh Karnik—has moved to the home of the holding company and of World Airways Inc., the No. 2 Global subsidiary behind ATA. Still, Karnik is the CEO of Global Aero—not an insignificant position. He's also the one who quarterbacked ATA's exit from bankruptcy last year. Karnik was a longtime Atlanta resident, as a former senior officer of Delta Air Lines. "His family is from there," Wagle said. Remaining in Indianapolis are other Global Aero executives, including human resources chief Richard W. Meyer Jr., and Chief Integration Officer Doug Yakola. Also remaining in Indianapolis is Global Aero's chief strategy officer, Josef Loew. Besides the Global Aero officers remaining in Indianapolis is the headquarters and support staff for ATA—a combined 635 people. "Human resources are the most important resources that we have. Are we going to move 600 people? That would not be economically feasible," Wagle said. ATA and former parent ATA Holdings had more than 2,300 local employees here before their 2004 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. ATA was to have shuttered its Indianapolis aircraft repair base by Nov. 1, which once employed 400 mechanics and other staff. In September, it closed its Indianapolis pilot base and reassigned the flight deck crews to other cities. ATA hasn't flown a scheduled flight from Indianapolis International Airport—where it once was the busiest carrier—for nearly two years. Chicago's Midway Airport remains ATA's closest scheduled service location."They're winding down operations here. The impact has really already been felt," said Mike Wells, a long-time board member of the Indianapolis Airport Authority. "In my mind, they were gone a long time ago." Wells said he wasn't surprised to hear that Global Aero's offices would be focused in Georgia. ATA still has a lease with the airport on its 7337 W. Washington St. headquarters, though it expires in 2010.Though the personnel impact on Indianapolis from moving Global's HQ to Georgia appears negligible, the holding company has moved flight-scheduling responsibilities for its airlines there. More integration appears forthcoming, at least based on Global Aero's Oct. 26 SEC filing. "We also continue to seek opportunities to streamline our operations and cost structure. As we execute the integration of the World Air Holdings acquisition, we plan to reduce our costs through rationalization of back office and other functions and leveraging the commonality in our newly combined fleet," the filing said. Global Aero Logistics posted a loss of $46 million in the first half of 2007, according to SEC filings. Most of that was blamed on a handful of unprofitable routes on the East Coast where competition is fierce. Karnik said previously that ATA was doing well otherwise, including flights to Hawaii it flies under a code-sharing agreement with Dallas-based Southwest Airlines. ATA plans to expand its agreement with Southwest in 2009, flying to many "near-international " markets, including Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. But ATA's discontinuation of scheduled service here in January 2006 has made the Indianapolis location all but irrelevant for the operation of the airline—other than that the city is home to a number of long-time ATA employees. Global Aero has a financial incentive to move operations to Georgia. New subsidiary World Air has received more than $2 million in tax credits since 2003 under the Georgia Headquarters Job Tax Credit. If the company continues to meet statutory requirements for each year it is eligible, "total potential future net estimated benefits could be in excess of $1.4 million on a pre-tax basis," Global Aero states in its stock offering registration. ATA remains the largest of Global Aero's three carriers—employing 2,500 nationwide. World Air, which is mostly a military charter carrier, has 1,500 workers. Its sister airline, Jamaica, N.Y.-based North American Airlines, employs about 600. Global Aero CEO Karnik said previously there are practical reasons to keep the airlines separate, including the ability to better compete for contracts with the military to fly its troops. But officials from the Air Line Pilots Association and Teamsters union, which represent flight crews, have said they cannot envision an airline not aggressively combining units to improve efficiencies and profits. •

Reprinted from NAAR (North American Aviation Retirees Bulletin) - Summer 2001

How many of you know that in 1910 the mighty Martin Marietta Company got its start in an abandoned church in Santa Ana, CA? That’s where the late Glenn L. Martin with his mother “Minta” Martin, and a mechanic named Roy Beal, built a fragile contraption with which Glenn taught himself to fly.

It has often been told how the Douglas Company started operations in 1920 by renting the rear of a barbershop on Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles. The barbershop is still there. The Lockheed Company built its first Vega in 1927 in what is now the Victory Cleaners and Dryers at 1040 Sycamore Avenue in Hollywood. Claude Ryan who at 24 held a reserve commission as a flyer, had his hair cut in San Diego one day in 1922. The barber told him how the town aviator was in jail for smuggling Chinese across the border. Claude investigated and stayed on in San Diego to rent the old airfield from the city at fifty dollars a month and replace the guy in the pokey. He agreed to fly North instead of South.

In 1928, the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company, Transcontinental Air Transport (now TWA) and the Douglas Company chipped in enough money to start North American Aviation, a holding company. The present company bearing the Northrop name came into being in a small hotel in Hawthorne. The “hotel” was conveniently vacant and available because the police had raided it and found that steady residents were a passel of money-minded gals who entertained transitory male guests.

After Glenn Martin built his airplane in the church, he moved to a vacant apricot cannery in Santa Ana and built two more. In 1912 he moved to 9th and Los Angeles Streets in downtown Los Angeles. Glenn Martin was then running a three-ring-circus. Foremost, he was a showman who traveled the circuit of county fairs and air meets as an exhibitionist aviator; secondly, he was an airplane manufacturer. He met his payroll and bought his lumber, linen and bailing wire from the proceeds of his precision exhibition flying. His mother, “Minta” and two men ran the factory when Glenn was risking his neck and gadding about the country. One of these was 22-year old Donald Douglas who was the whole of his engineering department and the other was a Santa Monica boy named Larry Bell who ran the shop.

The third circus ring was a flying school. It had a land plane operation in Griffith Park and later at Bennett’s Farm in Inglewood; and a hydroplane operation at a place that’s now part of the Watts District. A stunt flyer named Floyd Smith ran it. One of his first pupils was Eric Springer, who later became an instructor and then Martin’s test pilot, still later the test pilot for the early Douglas Company, and then a Division Manager.

Between Eric and Floyd, they taught a rich young man named Bill Boeing to fly. Having mastered the art; Boeing bought a Martin biplane, hired Ross Stem, Glenn’s personal mechanic, and shipped the airplane to Seattle. Later, when it crashed into the lake and Boeing set about to repair it, he ordered some spare parts from Martin in Los Angeles.

Martin, remembering the proselytizing incident with Ross Stem, decided to take his sweet time and let Boeing stew. Bill Boeing said, “To Hell with him”, and told Ross Stern to get busy and build one of their own. Boeing had a friend named Westerfelt and they decided to form a company and build two airplanes. These two “BW” airplanes bore a remarkable resemblance to the Martin airplane which, in turn, had been copied from Glenn Curtiss. There seems to be a moral about customer relations and product support mixed up in this episode.

During WWI, a bunch of sharpies from Wall Street in New York got control of the Wright Company in Dayton and the Martin Company in Los Angeles. They merged the two companies into the Wright-Martin Company. They sent a young man named Chance Vought to be their Chief Engineer. Donald Douglas lost no time in quitting and went to work for the U.S. Signal Corp.

The Wright-Martin Company started building obsolete “Standard” biplanes and Hispano-Suiza engines, with the latter under a license agreement with the French Government. Martin told them what they could do with them, and took off for Cleveland, taking Larry Bell and Eric Springer with him. Having the backing of a baseball mogul to build a new factory, he was soon joined by Donald Douglas who went to work and came up with the design of the Martin Bomber. It came out too late to see service in WWI, but showed its superiority when General Billy Mitchell made everyone mad at him by sinking the captured German battlefleet. The deathblow to the allegedly Dreadnaught “Osfriesland” was delivered by the Douglas designed Martin Bomber.

At Cleveland, a young fellow called “Dutch” Kindelberger joined the Martin Company as an engineer. Also a veteran Army pilot from WWI named Carl Squier became Sales Manager. His name was to become one of the most venerable names in Lockheed history. Back in 1920, Donald Douglas had saved $60000 and struck out on his own. He returned to Los Angeles, found a backer, David Davis, rented the rear of a barbershop and some space in the loft of a carpenter’s shop where they built a passenger airplane called “The Cloudster”.

Claude Ryan bought this a couple years later, which made daily flights between San Diego and Los Angeles with it. This gives Ryan the distinction of being the owner and operator of the first Douglas Commercial Transport, and certainly a claim to be among the original airline passenger operators.

In 1922, Donald Douglas was awarded a contract to build three torpedo planes for the U.S. Navy, Douglas lived in Santa Monica, but worked in Los Angeles. Way out in the wilderness at what is now 25th Street and Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, there was an abandoned barn-like movie studio. One day Douglas stopped his roadster and prowled around to investigate. The studio became the first real home of the Douglas Aircraft Company.

With the $120,000 Navy contract, Donald Douglas needed and could afford one or two engineers. He hired my brother Gordon Scott newly over from serving an apprenticeship to the Martinside and the Fairey Aviation Companies in England. Gordon was well schooled in the little known science of Aviation by 1923.

My first association with some of the early pioneers occurred when I visited my brother Gordon at the barn at 25th Street. I found him outside on a ladder washing windows. They were dirty and he was the youngest engineer. There were no janitorial services at the Douglas Company in those days.

Gordon introduced me to Art Mankey, his boss and Chief Draftsman, and four of his fellow engineers. There was a towhead guy called Jack Northrop, a chap named Jerry Vultee, and a fellow named Dick Von Hake who was a reserve Army flyer. Jack Northrop came from Santa Barbara where he had worked during WWI for the Lockheed Aircraft Manufacturing Company. The fourth member of the Engineering Group was Ed Heinemann*. They were all working on the design of the Douglas World Cruisers. Shortly afterwards, Jack Northrop left the Douglas Company in 1926. Working at home, he designed a wonderfully advanced streamlined airplane. He tied back with Allan Loughead who found a rich man, F.E. Keeler, willing to finance a new Lockheed Aircraft Company.

* Personal Note: My Dad was an early Navy Aero Engineer with an Aero degree from MIT in 1929. He was on the SB2C Helldiver BuAir Design Team pre WWII. In those days the Navy designed the planes and the contractors made them. He spent years working with Mrssrs. Grumann, McDonnell and Ed Heinemann, among others. I had the distinct pleasure of spending a day with Mr. Heinemann six years after my Dad died. It was 1972. I was CO, VF-102 and had two crews attending Top Gun so I went to their graduation at Miramar and Mr. Heinemann was the speaker. He had designed the AD, A3D and A4D. He told me how my Dad would fly out to Palmdale from DC, they would fly a few hops, come up with some fixes to known problems, have them done in the machine shop, fly again to see if they worked, and after getting the desired results, Mr. Heinemann would put the changes into effect in the factory and my Dad would fly back to DC to approve them. No dollars changed hands!! Mr Heinemann was lamenting how things had certainly changed by 1972 - and I am sure it's worse today. Ed C.

They rented a small shop in Hollywood and built the Northrop designed Lockheed “Vega”. It was sensational with its clean lines and high performance.

In May 1927, Lindberg flew to Paris and triggered a bedlam where everyone was trying to fly everywhere. Before the first Vega was built, William Randolph Hearst, publisher of the Hearst newspaper chain, bought it and entered it in the Dole Race from the Mainland to Honolulu, which was scheduled for 12 August 1927.

In June 1927, my brother Gordon left the Douglas Company to become Jack Northrop’s assistant at Lockheed. He also managed to get himself hired as the navigator on the “Golden Eagle”, the name chosen by Mr. Hearst for the Vega which hopefully would be the first airplane to span the Pacific.

The race was a disaster! Ten lives were lost. The “Golden Eagle” and its crew, including my brother, vanished off the face of the earth.

With its only airplane lost under mysterious circumstances, a black cloud hung heavily over the little shop in Hollywood. However, Captain George H. Wilkins, later to become Sir Hubert Wilkins, took the Number Two airplane and made a successful polar flight from Nome, Alaska to Spitzbergen, Norway. After that a string of successful flights were to put the name of Lockheed very much in the forefront of aviation.

At Lockheed, Jack Northrop replaced the lost Gordon Scott with Jerry Vultee.

In 1928, Jack quit the Lockheed Company to start a new company in Glendale called Avion. Jerry Vultee then moved up to become Chief Engineer at Lockheed. He hired Dick van Hake from the Douglas Company to be his assistant. A young man named Cliff Garrett joined the Lockheed Company as the driver of their pick-up truck.

I went to work at Lockheed shortly after the “Golden Eagle” was lost. I became the 26th Lockheed employee. The Vegas were made almost entirely of wood and I became a half-assed carpenter, generally known as a “wood butcher”.

In 1929, Jerry Vultee quit the Lockheed Company to start the Airplane Development Company, which became the Vultee Aircraft Company, a division of E.L. Cord, the automobile manufacturer. He later merged with Reuben Fleet’s Consolidated Aircraft Company to become Convair. When Vultee left Lockheed, Dick van Hake became the Chief Engineer.

In the meantime, Glenn Martin closed his Cleveland plant and moved to Baltimore. His production man, Larry Bell, moved to Buffalo to found the Bell Aircraft Company. Carl Squier left Martin to tie in with the Detroit Aircraft Company which had acquired the Lockheed Aircraft Company and seven others. They hoped to become the “General Motors” of the aircraft business! They appointed Carl Squier as General Manager of the Lockheed plant, which moved to Burbank in 1928.

At this time, General Motors had acquired North American Aviation, which consisted of several aircraft companies in the East. Ernie Breech, formerly with Bendix but now with General Motors, hired “Dutch” Kindelberger away from Douglas to head up the aircraft manufacturing units. “Dutch” took Lee Atwood and Stan Smithson with him. The companies involved were Fokker Aircraft, Pitcairn Aviation (later Eastern Airlines), Sperry Gyroscope and Berliner-Joyce. Kindelberger merged Fokker and Berliner-Joyce into a single company and moved the entire operation to Inglewood, California.

Thus, a handful of young men played roles which profoundly affected all of our lives and the lives of millions of other Americans. They changed Southern California from a wasteland with a few orange groves, apricot and avocado orchards and the celluloid industry of Hollywood to a highly sophisticated industrial complex with millions of prosperous inhabitants. This technological explosion had some very humble and human beginnings. The “Acorns” took root in some strange places: a church, a cannery, a barbershop, but from them mighty Oaks have indeed come to fruition.

Any one visiting San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, please contact me to talk old times--I was a flight attendant for WOA from 1963 to 1966 and now live in "paradise". I am in the local phone book and would be happy to entertain any one visiting and introduce you to some fabulous ex-pats living her I was so sorry to hear of Anne Moroziuk's passing--she was my best friend during those years and we kept in touch for many years afterwards -- she was so beautiful and so much fun---a great frien As I said, San Miguel is a fabulous town to visit--my e-mail is xpozes@aol.com

RICHARD "DICK" ALLAN SMITH 81, passed away peacefully at home on July 29, 2007 with family members by his side, after a courageous three year battle with cancer that started just after losing his beloved wife, Peggy to the same disease. Dick was born in Snowhomish, Washington on March 23, 1926 and went to Port Angeles High School. He joined the US Navy in 1943 and traveled the Pacific, receiving an honorable discharge as a machinists Mate Second Class in 1947. Dick studied aeronautics and worked for Pacific Northern in Seattle 1952-1955, Pan American 1955-1959,United Airlines 1960-1965 before joining World Airways as Flight Engineer. Over the years he flew DC 6's and DC 8's, Boeing 707's and 747's and finally DC 10's. He retired in 1986 having flown to every continent many times. Dick and Peggy moved from the California Bay Area to Reno, Nevada in 1984 to enjoy their retirement. Dick is survived by his younger brother, Clifford, four children from a previous marriage;Colleen McFadden, James Michael Smith, Susan Alice Nielson, and Samantha Louise Ricks, and by Peggy's three children; JoAnne Bell, Roberta Lee Juhasz and Daniel Joseph Nixon, 14 grand children and 4 great-grand children. Dick requested that no funeral be held. The family requests no flowers but donations may be sent to St Mary's Hospice of Northern Nevada, 18653 Wedge Parkway, Reno, NV 89511.

I didn't know how to put my name on the e-mail list, so I just sent it in. Thanks for all the help you provided all of us.To get us through all the ground schools. Also, thanks for all the work you do with cyberkal.

I didn't know about any of this until Gene Reed called me about the reunion in Vegas and gave me your web site. I must have spent 4 or 5 hours reading all of it. It made me reflect on all the good and crazy times I had at WOA. After 1986,I went on to fly for America West, Air Cal and then AA. At WOA we were a crew handling the tough times and enjoying the good and crazy times. At AA I was just a number. Like everyone else I could go on forever about all the legal and illegal things we did to keep WOA flying.

It was sad to see that a lot of good WOA Airman have passed away. Every year I use to get a Xmas card and a letter from Bob Ware. After last year I didn't get a card from him, so I figured he passed away since he had a lot of medical issues. His daughter finally sent me a letter telling me about this. He was the Capt., I was the F/O and Kevin was the S/O on the landing in Frankfurt when we lost the center gear. We thought we were in a lot of trouble.LUF did our maintenance there and had this happen 3 or 4 times with there airplanes. The problem was finally solved.; You cannot fuel the airplane with the brakes set .Boy were we relivred.Like all the other e-mails I have read I could go on forever.

The greatest times I ever had flying were with WOA and when I flew DC-6 Freighters out of Miami to places in the Amazon, with no navigation aids and just grround radar to find our way around. Like WOA we always enjoyed and had fun at our destination.

I really want to attend a reunion, but this years reunion is at the same time when they have Parents Weekend at the U.S Air Force Academy, my son is a cadet at the academy. I'm already set up to do to this.

California, Willows - LIEUTENANT COLONEL IVAN E. "Bud" FOGLESONG, formerly of DeSoto County, retired from US Air Force died Saturday night in Sacramento, CA, following injuries sustained from an explosion that occurred at a family-owned cabin. Mortally wounded, he was able to drive himself nearly a mile back to his home. Although disoriented and being severely burned, he refused to be driven to the hospital in his wife's new pick-up. Remaining true to form, he instead insisted upon using his old ranch pick-up. Two weeks from retirement, Ivan Foglesong has accumulated over 12,000 hours of flight time in the course of his aviation career. He had the honor of flying President Jimmy Carter and President George H. W. Bush during his military service. At the time of his death, he was an MD-11 Senior Captain with World Airways. He was 59. After graduating from Mississippi State University in 1970, Ivan Foglesong joined the U.S. Air Force and distinguished himself as an accomplished aviator during his 24-year career. He obtained a Masters Degree in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School, while becoming fluent in Arabic and French at the Defense Language Institute. He was then able to serve as an Air Attache' for the Defense Intelligence Agency in Rabat Morocco. He later became a Squadron Operations Officer at Seymour-Johnson AFB in North Carolina, conducting such missions as worldwide airlift, cargo transport and aerial refueling. He went on to become Detachment Commander at the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, Australia. He was a Vietnam and Gulf War veteran. Among his military decorations are the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal with one service star. Survivors include his wife, Jan Foglesong; his mother, Betty Foglesong,; his father, Ivan Foglesong; his daughter, Anne Foglesong; his sons, Kurt Foglesong and First Lieutena! nt, Jed Foglesong, US Marine Corps; his granddaughter, Katheryn Foglesong; his daughters-in-law, Jennifer Foglesong and Meagan Foglesong; his siblings, Steve Foglesong and Gary Foglesong; and his sister-in-law, Betty Foglesong; his nephew, Steven Foglesong; his nieces, Laura Dolquest, Julie McGee, Cher Foglesong. Graveside service, Sunday July 29 at 2 p.m. in Love Cemetery, Hernando, MS. Brantley-Phillips Funeral Home of Hernando, MS

7/31/2007 - We are saddened to have learned that Flight Engineer Bill Good has passed away. The following note was placed in the local newspaper by his family and submitted to me by Chief Flight Engineer Charlie Stewart. (retired)

You see us at airport terminals around the world. You see us in the early morning, sometimes at night. We come neatly uniformed and hatted, sleeves striped; wings over our left pocket; we show up looking fresh.There's a brisk, young-old look of efficiency about us. We arrive fresh from home, from hotels, carrying suitcases, battered briefcases, bulging, with a wealth of technical information and filled with rules and regulations.For many of us, we have defended out country in a variety of military aircraft. We've lost dear friends in combat or in training accidents. The memories of those friends will stay with us till we join up again on the other side.We know the new, harsh sheen of Chicago's O'Hare. We know the cluttered approaches to Newark; we know the tricky shuttle that is io;we know, but do not relish the intricate instrument approaches to various foreign airports; we know the volcanoes all around Guatemala.We respect foggy San Francisco. We know the up-and-down walk to the gates at Dallas, the Texas sparseness of Abilene, the very narrow Berlin Corridor, New Orleans' sparking terminal, the milling crowds at Washington. We know Butte, Boston, and Beirut. We appreciate Miami's perfect weather. We recognize the danger of an ice-slick runway at JFK.We understand short runways, antiquated fire equipment, inadequate approach lighting, but there is one thing we will never comprehend: complacency.We marvel at the exquisite good taste of hot coffee in Anchorage and a cold beer in Guam.We vaguely remember the workhorse efficiency of the DC-3s, the reliability of the DC-4s and DC-6s, the trouble with the DC-7 and the propellers on the Boeing 377s. We discuss the Convair, the beauty of an old gal named Connie.

We recognize the high shrill whine of a Viscount, the rumbling thrust of a DC-8 or B707 on a clearway takeoff from Haneda, the stability of the B727, the fun of the B757, B767, DC-9s, MD-80s and the remoteness of the B747 cockpit, the roominess of the DC10 and the snug fit of a B737. We speak a language unknown to Webster. We discuss ALPA, EPRs, fans, mach and bogies.And, strangely, such things as bugs, SIMs, HUDs, DHs and CATs, but we are inclined to change the subject when the uninitiated approach.We have tasted the characteristic loneliness of the sky, and occasionally the adrenaline of danger. We respect the unseen thing called turbulence; we know what it means to fight for self-control, to discipline one's senses.We buy life insurance, but make no concession to the possibility of complete disaster, for we have uncommon faith in ourselves and what we are doing. We concede the glamour is gone from commercial flying. We deny a pilot is through at sixty. We know tomorrow, or the following night, something will come along we have never met before; we know flying requires perseverance and vigilance. We know we must practice, lest we lose the edge.We realize why some wit once quipped: "Flying is years of monotony punctuated by seconds of stark terror."As a group, we defy mortality tables; yet approach semi-annual physical examinations with trepidation. We are individualistic, yet
bonded together.We are family people, yet rated poor marriage bets. We are reputedly overpaid, yet entrusted with equipment worth millions.And, entrusted with lives, countless lives. At times we are reverent. We have watched the Pacific sky turn purple at dusk and the stark beauty of sunrise over Iceland at the end of a polar crossing. We know the twinkling, jeweled beauty of Los Angeles at night; we have seen snow on the Rockies. We remember the vast unending mat of the green Amazon jungle, the twisting silver road that is the father of waters, an ice cream cone called Fujiyama, and the hump of Africa. Who can forget Mount Everest from 100 miles away, or the ice fog in Fairbanks in January? We have watched a satellite streak across a starry sky, seen the clear, deep blue of the stratosphere, felt the incalculable force of the heavens. We have marveled at sun-streaked evenings, dappled earth, velvet night, spun silver clouds, sculptured cumulus and God's weather. We have viewed the Northern Lights, a wilderness of sky, a pilot's halo, a bomber's moon, horizontal rain, contrails and St Elmo's fire. Only a pilot experiences all these.

It is our life and our world. And for me it was my life and my world. Those memories will stay with me until that day when I make my final flight westward.

My Comments: Also have a Bed & Breakfast for 2 people available in Paris, France.

I was very sad to read of the deaths of two people who meant a lot to me: Anne Moroziuk and Carol Slettvedt. (That will teach me to check the website more often!) Let me share some stories for others of that era:

Anne hired me to be a stewardess for WOA in 1968. We were stewardesses in those days, and she was the Chief Stewardess. On the first day of class, she came into the room, sat on the desk, gave us the look that only she could give, and said we were her first class and we'd better do right by her. Terror was struck in the hearts of the 26 of us. She then nabbed Aimee Johnson, who had just flown in from Yakota, to model the uniform. As always, Aimee looked perfect. Has she ever not? That set the tone and the standard.

Anne could undo you with the look, but over the years, I came to realize just how hard the job she had was, and to see the person underneath the "look." She was unbelievably strong, dedicated, and professional. She had a great sense of humor that you had to look hard to see. But it was there. It's been 39 years since I went thru training, but I have never forgotten Anne.

Carol was a nut. She and I were roommates for several of the R&R flights to Austraila. We had a lot of fun on those flights, as standards were pretty relaxed, to say the least. (Depending on who your Senior was.) The standard meal on those flights was steak, baked potato, corn on the cob and apple pie a la mode. Did you ever know that that little apple pie fit perfectly into the demo mask? Well, it does. Take it from me.

They decided to repair the runway in Darwin, our crew change spot, so we had the privilege of layovers in Sydney and Saigon for awhile. Turning a few stewardesses loose in Saigon was not a good idea. Or maybe it was, at least from our perspective. One night, Carol and I were out with some Aussie troops ignoring the offical currency and, it turns out, the city wide curfew. They needed a place to hide, which was under our beds. The Austrailan MPs that came to the door knew they were there, but Carol convinced them to let it go.

I saw her at a runion a few years ago, and she had not changed a bit. I will miss her.

As for me, I am now a breast cancer survivor. I am sure there are a ton of us who also flew for WOA, as the disease seems to be rampant. I was very lucky that they caught it so early, as I am still intact, as it were. My message to all women is get your mamogram! I am still working 3 days a week at my law firm when I am not at the little house on the river I built in Northern Vermont.

7/6/2007 - Air Force Gen. Howell M. Estes Jr., 92; Commanded Cargo Flights to Vietnam

Howell M. Estes Jr., 92, an Air Force four-star general who led the command that flew cargo to U.S. forces during the Vietnam War, died July 2 at his home in Bethesda. He had a heart ailment.

From 1964 to 1969, Gen. Estes headed the Illinois-based Military Airlift Command, now called the Air Mobility Command. In addition to his Vietnam War responsibilities, he had oversight of medical evacuations, air rescue and other military airlift systems worldwide.

Howell M. Estes Jr., a four-star general, led the Military Airlift Command during the Vietnam War. (Family - Family)

During his retirement, he served brief terms as president of World Airways in Oakland, Calif., and Federal Express Corp. in Memphis.

Howell Marion Estes Jr., the son of an Army officer, was born in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., in 1914.

He graduated in 1936 from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., where he was captain of the championship polo team. After a period in the cavalry, he began pilot training.

During World War II, he was a flight instruction commander at bases in Texas. In 1947, he joined the newly created U.S. Air Force. During the Korean War, he flew 25 combat missions in B-29s.

Gen. Estes commanded the planning and operations teams of a hydrogen bomb test in 1954 near the Pacific atoll of Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands. This led to further command roles in weapon systems operations, air defense systems and aerospace systems.

In 1961, he helped oversee the installation of missile silos and the construction of missiles as part of the country's strategic nuclear deterrent program.

His decorations included the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, three awards of the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross and two awards of the Air Medal.

He settled in the Washington area in the mid-1970s and was a parishioner at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church and a member of the Burning Tree Club, both in Bethesda.

Survivors include three sons, retired Air Force Gen. Howell M. Estes III of Colorado Springs, Michael S. Estes of Lafayette, Calif., and Charles D. Estes of Washington; a sister, Katherine Estes of Bethesda; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Received 6/23/07 - William (Bill) Brockman passed away on father’s day 2007 after a long and valiant struggle with heart and kidney disease.

He is survived by his college sweetheart and love of his life Patricia Ann and their children; Jeff, Jill, Jennifer, Jerry and Jim. They have 11 beautiful grandchildren.

He was a pilot his entire adult life, first for the Air Force, then World Airways Inc.

He will be remembered for his incredible sense of humor and his love of family and friends.

Services will be family only at a later date when we gather to lovingly spread his ashes, laugh, cry, tell stories and say farewell to the man we loved. He is now and always will be dearly missed.

The family requests that, instead of cards or flowers please send donations to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St. Phoenix, AZ 85014-5656, who tenderly cared for him in his last days.

Guys, this is a link to a high def photo of SanFrancisco after the 1906 earthquake. You can save the image and zoom in for details.

I have been advised by the Heering family that Captain Ed Heering passed away in his home on June 2, 2007. All of us from the World Airways family are deeply saddened by this news and surely send our heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family.

Captain Ed as we called him had a very amazing aviation background. Early in his career Captain Ed was an Army Air Corp pilot. When cut backs occurred in government budgeting, Captain Heering saw that the Air Transportation Auxiliary (ATA) affiliated with the United Kingdom Royal Air Force was looking for volunteers. On January 9th, 1940, he and 10 other men were the first American pilots to be accepted into the ATA. He served in England from May 1940 to June 1945 and ultimately became the only American to command an RAF airbase, (Lossiemouth, Scotland). During that time he developed many friendships from that era and over the years Captain Heering returned to the UK for annual ATA reunions. On the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, Ed, along with his fellow airmen, participated in a celebratory parade down the streets of London to Buckingham Palace where Queen Elizabeth awarded him a special metal for his extraordinary service.

Additional information is available at URL http://airtransportaux.org/members/heering.html.

After World War II Captain Heering was employed by Transocean Airlines and World Airways. He was Chief DC-6 Pilot at World Airways and later the corporate pilot for owner and chairman Edward J. Daly traveling to many exotic places world wide.

There will be a memorial service for Ed at 1pm on Saturday, June 23, 2007 at Chapel of the Chimes,

32992 Mission Boulevard, Hayward, followed by an open house Remembrance at Ed's house, 2632 Warwick Place, Hayward.

The Heering family requests that no flowers be sent but rather that donations be made to the Oakland Aviation Museum (Western Aerospace Museum) in the name of Captain Ed Heering. The address for the donation is Western Aerospace Museum, PO Box 14264 -- 8260 Boeing Street -- North Field Oakland International Airport--Oakland, CA 94614.

Additionally cards can be sent to the Heering family at 2632 Warwick Place, Hayward, CA 94542. Any stories, memories, or photos that you would like to include would be appreciated and will be kept in a family album.

Please pass on this information to any WOA or FAA friends who may not have email. Thank you - Dick Kalman

Wally Rardon has advised that Crew Scheduler Bruce Miller has retired from World Airways in Peachtree Georgia as of May 24, 2007. Bruce has been a mainstay and dedicated WOA employee longer than any other World Crew Scheduler. Please join me in a special congratulations to Bruce for all those years of professionalism. We welcome him aboard WOA Alumnus retirement elite.

I have listed Bruce's address below if you wish to send him a card. I know he will appreciate the thoughts.

Interline travel to all ATA destinations, including five Hawaii locations, is available to World Airways, World Air Holdings and North American Airlines employees, retirees and families, subject to rules and restrictions. The attached memo from Charlie Addison announces the new, lower non-rev charges and the process for obtaining passes. Full information also is on the TeamWOA website, under Perks. ATA serves a number of mainland U.S. cities, plus Hawaii, Cancun and Guadalajara.

Note: Only retirees holding an official World Airways retirement card are eligable.

I have been on your email list for some time, and as I am recovering from extensive spinal surgery, it has been a wonderful pasttime for me to keep up with World Airways Alumnus News when I can sit long enough. Brings back many memories. What I am writing about today, is that when I access the email address' I cannot get into them because of the password which I do not have, other than using my email address of kmach7843@aol.com. Can you help me with this problem of a password? Sure would b e nice to continue to keep in touch after so many years.

With great sadness I have to report that our dear friend F/A Cesar Diaz lost his heroic and valiant battle with illness on April 3, 2007. Cesar was a much beloved flight attendant, a lively and wonderful friend, and we invite his World Airways family to join us at a celebration of his life at a memorial service in Tilden Park in Berkeley this coming Thursday, April 12th, from 5 to 8 p.m.

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Please join family and friends for a celebration of Cesar’s life.Thursday, April 12, 2007,5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Take University Avenue exit in Berkeley. Follow University up (east) to Oxford. Left on Oxford to Rose. Right on Rose to Spruce. Left on Spruce on the top of the hill, across intersection, and Spruce becomes Wildcat Canyon Road. Continue for two miles and the Brazilian Room will be on your left.

If you are coming from Oakland, take the far right bore of the Caldecott Tunnel. From either direction, take the Fish Ranch Road exit up to Grizzly Peak Blvd. Turn right on to Grizzly Peak Blvd and continue to South Park Drive (S.Park). Make a right onto South Park Drive. At South Park and Wildcat Canyon Road, make a left on to Wildcat Canyon Road. (look for Brazil Room signs). Brazilian Room is located on your right.

There is no cell phone coverage in Tilden Park. The Brazilian Room has a pay phone you can call into or out of. Detailed maps are available on www.brazilianroom.org

TO: All World Airways, North American Airlines and World Air Holdings Team Members

Today the company has announced that we have entered into an agreement to be acquired by Global Aero Logistics Inc., a majority-owned company of MatlinPatterson Global Opportunities Partners II. Global Aero Logistics, a privately owned company, owns ATA Airlines, a passenger charter and scheduled service airline based in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Our company has gone through many changes in its long history, and today’s announcement is another positive step toward enhancing our strategic positioning through continued growth, while further decreasing our dependence on AMC business for financial success. The three airlines will offer a diverse set of products and services, allowing us to better serve a variety of market segments while further diversifying our revenue base.

The board and your senior leadership team reached this conclusion with the best interests of our employees, customers and investors in mind. We believe investors have under-appreciated our value in the market, and this is an excellent opportunity to reposition ourselves without the challenges associated with public ownership. We will continue to focus on growing our airlines, but we can do this more effectively with the financial, strategic and corporate flexibility we will have under the Global Aero Logistics organization. We have had to bear a heavy burden of expense as a publicly held company, and that has not been productive for a business of our size.

The special committee of the board launched the evaluation of strategic alternatives last fall, with the specific mission of identifying opportunities that might help our company’s long-term viability. They looked at a wide range of options, including making no changes at all. With the help of our financial consultants, the special committee narrowed the list of viable options to a change in ownership structure through a financial or strategic partner, the outcome of which we announced today. We were fortunate to be able to talk to numerous interested parties over the past few months and receive a number of attractive offers. The Global Aero Logistics offer has both good value and high likelihood of closure…two fundamental principles in choosing an offer.

ATA is a charter and scheduled service carrier with 29 aircraft and a workforce of 2,500 employees. They operate L-1011s, Boeing 757s and Boeing 737s and they are in the process of putting DC-10s on their certificate. The airline is in its 34th year and currently offers affordable scheduled service to destinations like Guadalajara, Cancun, Hawaii, Oakland, Chicago, New York, Dallas/Ft. Worth and Washington, D.C. It is the only carrier that is code-sharing with Southwest Airlines, which allows ATA to serve customers in more than 60 markets. ATA also is a leading passenger charter airline serving the U.S. military and other government and commercial customers.

The president and chief executive officer of Global Aero Logistics is Subodh Karnik, a respected veteran aviation executive who joined ATA in May, 2005 as senior vice president and chief commercial officer. He has 15 years of airline experience, including a wide range of leadership roles at three major carriers. He served as senior vice president of Marketing Planning at Delta Air Lines, staff vice president of International Finance at Continental Airlines and CFO of its subsidiary, Continental Micronesia. Prior to Continental, Subodh was at Northwest Airlines with responsibilities for alliances, international sales, revenue management and strategic planning. He is a native of Mumbai, India, and graduated from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science and the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

One of the most important facts for you to understand at this time is that we do not anticipate any changes in the day-to-day operations at each of our airlines. All three airlines will continue to operate under separate certificates. Please continue to focus on your daily jobs and deliver the great customer service for which we are known. This is a positive step for the long-term future of our airlines and our team members. This transaction requires shareholder and regulatory approval, which will take a few months to complete, but we are confident our shareholders will find this decision to be in their best interest. It will take some time to sort out the details of the integration, and we will update you as we get clarity. For a period of time, World Air Holdings and Global Aero Logistics will continue to operate just as we do today.

We have scheduled a Town Hall meeting for all employees tomorrow morning, and the script and questions and answers will be e-mailed to each of you, as well as posted on our internal websites. We also will issue periodic updates as new information is available.

I am sending a message from Jim. Last Friday night I took him to emergency because of chest pains. He did have a heart attack and was driven by ambulance to St John's Heart care center in Tulsa . He had to have a stint inserted but is doing well now. They moved him out of ICCU early Sunday am, but is in IMCU today and will be for another day or two. He has been up a couple of times today but walking slowly. He has to stay quiet and he is monitored very closely. I'm hoping he'll get to come home on Wed or Thur.

He will have his cell phone by Monday late AM if you would like to talk with him.

I just wanted to keep in touch since he has been out of touch for a few days.

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I chatted with Jim Reese on the phone this afternoon and he is doing OK considering his heart attack. They are running tests and hopefully he will be released in the next couple of days. He was in good spirits and appreciated the many calls he received.

I have posted his "snail mail" (postal) address below if you wish to send Jim a card. I know he will greatly appreciate receiving one. Please join me in sending a get well prayer for Jim to have a complete recovery and also to his wife Carolyn for strength during his recovery.

PS: Jim is home on well on his way to a full recovery for which we give thanks. 4/5/2007

TO: All World Airways, North American Airlines and World Air Holdings Team Members

Today is a noteworthy anniversary in the charter airline industry – the 59th anniversary of the founding of World Airways. There are scheduled airlines that have been around longer, but we don’t see charter airlines other than World Airways that have survived nearly six decades.

Many of you are aware of the rich heritage World Airways has compiled, but many of you may not realize some of the outstanding accomplishments this airline was able to achieve over the years, often going where others chose not to go. Whether you work at World Airways, North American Airlines or World Air Holdings, today is a good time to reflect on what it has taken to stay in business this long, through good years and bad times alike. It has never been easy, but it has often been rewarding for the employees who made it happen a day at a time.

As we strive today to meet our customers’ on-time standards and manage the logistics it takes to move crews and wide-body aircraft around the world, we tend to forget the struggles of those who went before us. Keeping the original Boeing 314 “flying boats” operating between New York and San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1948 could not have been an easy job.

Had the company’s founders simply given up, World Airways would be a very small footnote in aviation history. They actually went through a very difficult time and the failing company changed hands once before it caught the attention of one of the most determined men in aviation – Edward J. Daly.

Daly was an entrepreneur who saw a future in World Airways, and he quickly modernized the fleet by scrapping the flying boats and leasing a Douglas DC-4. That move opened the door to World Airways’ first military contracts. Some of the early contracts were for supplemental military airlift during the Korean Conflict and for refugee flights out of Hungary in 1956. The humanitarian mission in Hungary set a tone for World Airways that carries on even today, as we demonstrated by your overwhelming effort for victims of the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia and Hurricane Katrina in the United States in 2005.

World Airways can also claim some landmarks in the aviation industry. It was the largest U.S. charter airline in 1957 and was the first U.S. charter airline to enter the jet age with the acquisition of Boeing 707s in 1962. World Airways also took delivery of the first nose-loading Boeing 747 freighter in 1973, and was one of the first airlines to move into low-fare scheduled service following deregulation in 1978.

The airline may best be remembered for its role in Vietnam, moving military personnel and materiel throughout the Pacific. World Airways operated one of the longest “paper routes”, delivering the military newspaper Stars and Stripes all along the Pacific Rim. The company’s DC-8 freighters were also pressed into service for the Rice Lift in 1975, operating day after day for more than a month to help fly much-needed food into Cambodia.

Those activities led to two events that were to capture the attention of media around the globe, and Ed Daly was in the midst of both of them. Touched by the plight of South Vietnamese refugees, Daly went against the wishes of the U.S. and Vietnamese governments to organize a rescue operation in Da Nang. It turned out to be one of the most dramatic incidents in aviation history as the Boeing 727 that landed that day was overrun by refugees and South Vietnamese soldiers trying to flee the area. Known as the “Last Flight from Da Nang,” the heroic effort was captured by a CBS news crew on board, and the story was seen around the world.

Just a short time later, Daly chose to help Vietnamese orphans in Saigon, which was about to be overtaken by the North Vietnamese. He offered a DC-8 freighter specially fitted out for the young passengers, and eventually found 57 orphans to make the trip to their new lives in America. That single flight ignited the interest of Americans and President Ford, leading to a month-long “Operation Babylift” effort that saved more than 3,000 orphans. We memorialized the 30th anniversary of that flight in 2005 with our own “Operation Babylift – Homeward Bound” flight to Vietnam, carrying 21 of the former orphans, their family members, VIPs and several of the original crew members.

World Airways played a significant role in more recent military history, transporting U.S. troops for the war on terrorism in the Middle East, including Operation Desert Shield (1990) and Desert Storm (1991), followed by Operation Enduring Freedom (2001) and Iraqi Freedom (2003).

World Airways was the only U.S. carrier to land in Baghdad following the initial stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom, flying a load of emergency supplies for Andrew Young’s Goodworks humanitarian organization. In 2004, the airline transported the U.S. Paralympics Team to Greece and back and carried emergency water to hurricane-ravaged Florida. A World Airways freighter also transported emergency equipment to Islamabad, Pakistan, after the earthquake in 2005.

A World Airways freighter under contract to Lufthansa Cargo Charter was the first U.S. aircraft, and the first wide-bodied aircraft, to land in Xian, People’s Republic of China. World Airways is also widely recognized for the charter contracts it has operated for the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars NFL teams, and is in its sixth year of operating the “Houston Express” passenger service three times a week between Houston and Luanda, Angola, a service that was recently noted in a New York Times article regarding the surging oil economy in West Africa.

From 1948 to the present, World Airways has made a name for itself in many ways, in many places. The men and women who make this airline run every day are a tribute to its long heritage, built on a sense of commitment with a “can-do” attitude. There are countless World Airways stories, but I hope this brief history helps each of you appreciate the accomplishment that our 59th anniversary represents.

We now begin to focus on the milestone of 60 years that will come next March. That will certainly be a special anniversary, and we look forward to celebrating it with you in many ways.

Who/Where??

(click on the photo to enlarge)

From Captain Warren Vest: "This is a United Decco Charter in Tahiti in the late 60's or early 70's. The Boeing 707 crew from left to right is Captain Warren Vest, F/E Bill Rayner, Navigator John mCDonald and First Officer John Robertson. We spent one week with the passengers, thus the wild shirts". Thanks Warren for the picture from your archives. Keep them coming folks. - Dick Kalman

Subject: An Aviator's Last Flight - Salute to a Fallen Frog Pilot

Submitted by Son-In-Law Russ - Ex-Navy Carrier Pilot (now AAL Pilot) 3/21/2007 - Dick Kalman

BAKERSFIELD - As a former Navy pilot -- with a stint at the Topgun fighter school -- you might expect that Mojave Airport Manager Stuart Witt would

feel a special kinship with combat air crews.

And you'd be right. Witt is a native of the Onyx area of east Kern. He's a fourth generation Kern County resident who flew F-14 Tomcats and F-18 Hornets before moving to a test program at China Lake Naval Weapons Center. After the Navy, he became a civilian test pilot working on the F-16 and B-1B projects, among other cutting edge programs. Now he's he general manager of the East Kern Airport District, the Mojave airport which, after the successful flight of SpaceShipOne, officially became a "spaceport." Witt was in Maryland on Feb. 16 to attend a Navy ceremony. On his was back, he saw the return of a Marine's body from Iraq to California. For Witt, it was a very moving experience that prompted him to write the following account.

Final Flight By Stuart Witt

Feb. 17, 2007, 0350 curbside at 24th and M, Washington DC. 16 degrees with a light breeze. Going home after my second week of freezing temps. Fly my aircraft, ride a horse, climb a mountain and get back to living. I'm tired of the cold. 0425 paying the taxi fare at Dulles in front of the United Airlines counter,still cold. 0450 engaging the self-serve ticker machine and it delivers my ticket, baggage tag and boarding pass. Hmmm, that Marine is all dressed up early... Oh, maybe,,, Hmmm, "Good morning captain, you're looking sharp." Pass security and to my gate for a quick decaf coffee and five hours sleep. A quick check of the flight status monitor and UA Flight 211 is on time. I'm up front, how bad can it be? Hmmm, that same Marine, he must be heading to Pendleton to see his lady at LAX for the long weekend all dressed up like that....? Or maybe not? "Attention in the boarding area, we will begin boarding in 10 minutes, we have some additional duties to attend to this morning but we will have you out of here on time." That captain now has five others with him. BINGO. I get it, he is notvisiting his lady, he's an official escort. How I remember doing that once,CACO duty. I still remember the names of the victim and family, The Bruno family in Mojave .., all of them, wow, that was 24 years ago. I wonder if we will ever know who and why? On board, 0600: "Good morning folks this is the captain. This morning we have been attending to some additional duties and I apologize for being 10minutes late for pushback but believe me we will be early to LAX. This morning it is my sad pleasure to announce that 1st Lt. Jared Landaker, USMC, will be flying with us to his Big Bear home in Southern California. ''Jared lost his life over the skies of Iraq earlier this month and today we have the honor of returning him home along with his mother, father, brother and uncles. ''Please join me in making the journey comfortable for the Landaker family and their uniformed escort. Now sit back and enjoy our ride, we are not expecting any turbulence until we reach the Rocky Mountains and at that time we will do what we can to ensure a smooth ride. For those interested you can listen in to our progress on button 9." Up button 9: "Good morning UA 211 you are cleared to taxi, takeoff and cleared to LAX as filed." From the time we started rolling we never stopped.1st Lt. Landaker began receiving his due. Four hours and 35 minutes later, over Big Bear Mountain, the AB320 makes a left roll and steep bank and then one to the right, Nice touch captain "Five minutes out from landing, the captain: "Ladies and gents, after landing I'm leaving the fasten seatbelt sign on and I ask everyone in advance to yield to the Landaker family. Please remain seated until all members have departed the aircraft. Thank you for your patience, we are 25 minutes early." On roll out, I notice red lights, emergency vehicles everywhere. We are being escorted directly to our gate, no waiting anywhere, not even a pause. Out the left window, a dozen Marines in full dress blues. Highway Patrol, police, fire crews all in full dress with lights on. A true class act by everyone, down to a person, from coast to coast. Way to go United Airlines for doing the little things RIGHT, because they are the big things; Air Traffic Control for getting the message, to all law enforcement for your display of brotherhood. When the family departed the aircraft everyone sat silent, then I heard a lady say, "God Bless You and your Family, Thank You." Then another, then another, then a somber round of applause. The captain read a prepared note from Mrs. Landaker to the effect, "Thank you all for your patience and heartfelt concern for us and our son. We sincerely appreciate the sentiment. It is nice to have Jared home." After departing the aircraft, I found myself, along with 30 others from our flight, looking for a window. Not a dry eye in the craft. All of us were bawling like babies. It was one of the most emotional moments of my life. Weall stood silent and watched as Jared was taken by his honor guard to an awaiting hearse. Then the motorcade slowly made its way off the ramp. I have finally seen the silent majority. It is deep within us all. Black, Brown, White, Yellow, Red, Purple, we are all children, parents,brothers, sisters, etc

... we are an American family.

What you don't know is that on the flight I was tapped on the shoulder by Mrs. Landaker who introduced herself to me after I awoke. Her words were, "I understand you have sons in the service. Please tell them we appreciate their service. We are so proud of our kids who chose to serve at this time. We were so proud of Jared and today we find ourselves in a fog of disbelief. Jared was three days from returning home." Early in our taxi out from the gate at Dulles, the gent next to me (a Fairfax City Council Member and acquaintance of the Thuot family) and I were talking to the flight attendant and mentioned that we had sons serving on active duty, "What do you say? How tragic, they must be devastated." He said many of the passengers had told him the same thing so somewhere in the flight he shared his tidbits with Mrs. Landaker. Our flight attendant had been struggling with what to say, to find the right words, so he told the Landaker family of passengers who were parents of service members whoconnected with their grief as parents. After I gathered myself, I stepped back to their row, two behind me and introduced myself to Mr. Landaker (a Veteran of South East Asia as a Tanker) and Jared's uncle and brother. What a somber moment. Their Marine captain escort was a first rate class act. He had been Jared's tactics instructor and volunteered for this assignment, as he said, "Sir, it is the least I could do, he was my friend and a great stick. He absolutely loved to fly, It's an honor to be here on his last flight." 1115: On my connecting flight, my mind raced. How lucky I was to have had an opportunity to fly my father to Spain and ride the carrier USS John F. Kennedy home in 1981. The same year Jared was born. How lucky I was to have my father on the crows landing when I made my final cat shot in an F-14. Jared's father never had that chance. Jared was at war, 10,000 miles away. When Mr. Landaker and I were talking he shared with me, "When Jared was born he had no soft spot on his head and doctors feared he would be developmentally challenged. He became a physics major with honors, a high school and college athlete, and graduated with distinction from naval aviation flight school. He was short in stature, but a Marine all the way." Visit his life story on line at www.bigbeargrizzly.net . Bring tissue. February 7, 2007, Anbar Province, Iraq. 1st Lt Jared Landaker, United States Marine Corps, Hero, from Big Bear Calif., gave his life in service to his country. Fatally wounded when his CH-46 helicopter was shot down by enemy fire, Jared and his crew all perished. His life was the ultimate sacrifice of a grateful military family and nation.

His death occurred at the same time as Anna Nicole Smith, a drug using person with a 7th grade education of no pedigree who dominated our news for two weeks while Jared became a number on CNN. And most unfortunately, Jared's death underscores a fact that we are a military at war, not a nation at war. Until we become a nation committed to winning the fight, and elect leaders with the spine to ask Americans to sacrifice in order to win, we shall remain committed to being a nation with a military at war, and nothing more. (And possibly no funding if congress has their way!) 1st Lt. Landaker, a man I came to know in the skies over America on 17 February 2007, from me to you, aviator to aviator, I am unbelievably humbled. It was my high honor to share your last flight. God bless you.

Semper Fi

Hi Dick,

Got your address from my friend Mitch Nixon, enjoy your web-site. Matter of fact Betty and I may come to Las Vegas in Sept to the reunion if we can work it out.

Could not help but notice the "Picture of the Week", four good looking young men I use to know. Looks like they are aging well. As do the pictures of yourself.

I was suprised to see so many guys that passed away!! Saddened my heart.

Betty and I have been here in Leesburg, Fl for the past 18 years watching the grandkids grow up, Going to the gym a few times a week, fishing a little with the kids and traveling some. I wil be 79 in Aug this year and still in good health.

Hope to see you and others at the reunion this Sept. Thanks for the effort you made putting this good web site online, Its great.

Take care and good luck to you and your, Lee Huffines - Email address Bleehuffines@aol.com

January 28, 2007 - Flight Attendant Margorie Sikes Retires From World Airways

‘Tis a New Year and Time for Change. Shall “ Bite the Bullet” and say the dreaded words, “I Retire”. I will continue in the travel mode, for as we all know, once bitten by the travel bug one is NEVER cured.

I grew up with this company and was given the opportunity to learn what it means to give to others, to see the world and to make life-long friends

Growing up also means to have the courage to let go of a life style that I have thrived on and to continue on with other adventures

I share this photo with those of you who have known me these past 43 years. So that you will know that when not traveling, I will be living it up and bird hunting with my doggies in these sun-drenched California hills.

Marjorie Sikes, World Airways,

December 12, 1963 to January 12, 2007

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I know all of the World Airways Family congratulates Margorie for all her years of professionalism serving the company and her many passengers as they traveled the world over. Enjoy every minute of your retirement Margi. There really is a life after retirement. - Dick Kalman

One of the Trusted - Submitted by Captain Jan Smith

You are at cruising altitude. The westering sun is pink on the disc. Your eyes flick the gauges.

The engines are contented. Another day, another dollar.

You look down at your hands on the wheel. They are veined and hard and brown.

Tonight you notice they look a little old. And, by George, they are old. But how can this be?

Only yesterday you were in flying school. Time is a thief! You have been robbed, and what have

you got to show for it? A pilot, thirty years a pilot, a senior pilot. But what of it?

Just a pilot.

The voice of the flight attendant breaks in on your reverie. The trip is running full;

Can they begin serving dinner to the passengers?

The passengers, oh yes, the passengers. You noticed the line of them coming aboard;

the businessmen, the young mothers with their children in tow, the old couples, the two

priests, the four dogfaces. A thousand times you have watched them file aboard, and

a thousand times disembark. They always seem a little happier after the landing than

before the take-off. Beyond doubt, they are always somewhat apprehensive aloft.

But why do they keep coming up here in the dark sky despite their fears?

You have often wondered about that.

You look down at your hands again and suddenly it comes to you. They come because they

trust you, the pilot. They turn over their lives and their loved ones and their hopes

and their dreams to you for safekeeping. To be a pilot means to be one of the trusted.

They pray in the storm that you are skillful and strong and wise. To be a pilot is to hold

life in your hands, to be worthy of faith.

No, you have not been robbed. You aren't "just a pilot"?. There is no such thing

as "just a pilot"?. Your job is a trust. The years have been a trust.

You have been one of the trusted.

Who could be more?

Subject: Paul Maier - Broken Hip - Received 1/3/2007

Hi everyone. I’m Paul’s son-in-law Tom (I’m married to Paula). I just wanted to let you know that last Saturday evening, December 30^th, Paul fell and broke his left hip just outside of his room at the Veteran’s home in Yountville. Luckily, his friends and neighbors were there and they called for medical help immediately. The bad news is that they weren’t able to operate on Paul until yesterday afternoon (January 1^st) due to a backlog of more urgent surgeries. His surgeon said that the operation went well. The surgery was a partial hip replacement. He’s still in a lot of pain, even with the morphine they are giving him, but at least he is on the road to recovery. The doctor’s believe he’ll be in the hospital for the next few days before he is transferred back to the Veteran’s home for extended rehabilitation. Paul’s hospital is:

Queen of the Valley Hospital

1000 Trancas Street

Napa, California 94558

(707) 252-4411

He is in room 2308.

I’ll give you more updates as I get them. I’m sure Paul will give you all the gory details when he gets back on-line.

Regards,

Tom Larson

Veterans Of The Battle Of The Bulge (VBOB)
Golden Gate Chapter
Memorial Service -- 16 December 2006

Submitted by Captain Chuck Monroe-12/30/2006

(Click on the above picture to enlarge)

Here is a photo of a group of Old Veterans. I was in San Francisco, attending a meeting of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. Rita Bral, Consul of Belgium was nice enough to send me a copy of the picture. I am standing on her left.

Happy Holidays!! Chuck Monroe

Flight Engineer Ernie Shalansky Transition - Submitted by Charlie Lewis -LAS - 12/30/2006

Flight Engineer Charlie Lewis received a Christmas card from the wife of Ernie Shalansky advising that Ernie had passed away of prostate cancer on August 16, 2006. His wife stated "I am trying hard to recover from my loss. I had no idea how much he was part of my life". No address is available at this time.

Please join me in thoughtful prayer for Mrs. Shalansky for the loss of Ernie. Dick Kalman

THE AMERICAN FLIGHT ENGINEER - Submitted by WOA F/E Roy Douglas -12/10/2006

By Denny Harmon, February 13, 2006

In the early days of aviation it was soon learned that as the size of the aircraft grew, so did the aircraft systems – fuel, oil, hydraulic, electrical, propulsion, etc. One of the results of all this growth was the addition of many dials, gauges, levers, knobs and charts which demanded more and more of the pilot’s attention.

It thus became clear that on certain types of aircraft piloting was more than a one-man job. A pilot had only two hands and two eyes, and he had to fly the aircraft. It was impossible for him to do this and read and react to a multitude of dials, gauges and charts at the same time. He needed assistance.

The co-pilot gave him some help. Together they flew the aircraft, one keeping an eye on the gauges and extraneous duties while the other concentrated on the primary job of piloting.

But while aircraft were increasing in size and complexity so was the need for maximum range, endurance, and reliability. One of the problems growing out of all these factors, especially in the case of the multi-engine transport and bomber aircraft, was the need for managing four or more high performance engines. The pilot and co-pilot would be so busy just piloting these huge aircraft that they would not have time to manage the engines and systems in a safe and efficient manner. It was determined after exhaustive analysis that the factors involved were so complex that they required the services of a special “third man” in the cockpit trained in a new technical field called “Flight Engineering.”

The first flight engineers were used on the U.S. Navy NC Flying Boats. The first aircraft to fly across the Atlantic was the NC-4 in 1919. The normal crew consisted of commander/navigator, pilot, co-pilot and two engineers.

The need for flight engineers was firmly established by Pan American Airways on their famous "Clipper” flying boats. Pan American Airways pioneered the concept of scheduled trans-oceanic flights in the thirties. This concept would not have been feasible if it had not been for the flight engineers carried on these long over water flights. Transoceanic aerial navigation was in its infancy and was quite primitive. Maximum range and endurance were crucial, indeed, not only the success of the flights but the lives of the crew and passengers depended on flying the route then having sufficient fuel remaining to look for that tiny “dot of an island” if necessary. It was the flight engineer's duty to calculate the optimum altitude, airspeed, and power settings required to insure that they had that precious last bit of fuel.

The Army Air Corps had started carrying crew chiefs on some large aircraft in the late twenties; generally these men performed no duties in flight and were carried along mainly to affect repairs on the ground, if needed, when away from their home field.

These men did prove their value, however, and this concept eventually developed into the crew position known as the Aerial Engineer, specialty code 2750, on the B-17 and B-24. While these were authorized crewmembers who were assigned important preflight and inflight duties, their inflight duties were limited and they performed no performance calculations. In combat they manned a gun. They were basically mechanics with limited crew training.

In 1938, a mission involving several B-17's was made to South America, on which there were several long legs between stops. These flights carried two extra pilots, one of whom acted as the navigator while the other three alternated as pilot, co-pilot, and cruise control monitor. One of these pilots was Curtis E. LeMay, who would later become Commander of the Strategic Air Command and ultimately Air Force Chief of Staff. On the ground they all pitched in on the maintenance, since they carried no mechanics. While no one was called a flight engineer, this does seem to be the first recorded use of crewmembers to specifically perform the duties of a full-fledged flight engineer in the Army Air Corps.

The Air Force Flight Engineer, as such, dates only from the introduction of long range aircraft such as the B-29 Super-Fortress and the C-69 Constellation. These aircraft were so complex that the third crew position required formalized training. So urgent was the need for these trained flight engineers that the Air Corps had to turn to its civilian counterparts to obtain qualified instructors, training aids, and materials to implement a flight engineer training program.

At first it was planned that the flight engineer would be a cross-trained pilot. Cross-training was to require pilots of such aircraft to progress from flight engineer to co-pilot to pilot. At first this plan appeared feasible, but from the standpoint of availability of personnel, primary interest, attitude, motivation, and particularly the absence of a technical background, the plan was not too successful. In actual practice, some pilots were assigned to flight engineer duties on a semi-permanent basis since this improved their proficiency as flight engineers. This policy was unpopular, however, with the pilots who were relegated to flight engineer duty.

In May 1944, a separate officer's specialty code, 1028, Aircraft Observer (flight engineer), was established, thus opening the door to non-pilot officers as well as to pilots.

Another source of flight engineers was still needed. Since a large part of the flight engineer’s duties involved the technical operation of the engines and systems it seemed only logical that aircraft mechanics would make a good source for potential flight engineers. With proper screening, this program was successful, for these men proved to be intelligent and highly motivated. Finally, they received wings and, in most cases, an officer's commission upon graduation from flight engineer training.

Army Air Corps policy vacillated on the subject of commissions. Apparently the War Department was only authorized a certain percentage of its force levels to be commissioned officers, therefore new pilots, navigators, bombardiers, and flight engineers frequently graduated as commissioned officers from one class, flight officers (a rank similar to warrant officer) from another, and noncommissioned officers with the rank of Master Sergeant from still another.

A closely defined task analysis was begun in May 1944. The final job description combined elements from several other jobs, notably those of the aerial engineer, navigator, and pilot. By V-J Day the flight engineer position had developed into two principal functions. The first function is to operate and maintain, in flight, the engines and systems of the aircraft, and to perform certain preflight and postflight duties. This technical aspect of the flight engineer's job demands an intimate knowledge of the design features of a specific aircraft as well as a broad general knowledge of aircraft engineering technology, and aircraft maintenance management procedures.

The second function of the flight engineer is to plan and calculate the aircraft performance for each phase of the flight; takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, and landing. This requires training in physics including aerodynamics, thermodynamics, statics, kinematics, and energy management. The flight engineer determines the power settings required for flight so as to obtain the optimum performance from the fuel on board. This task, called “cruise control,” involves procedures somewhat comparable to those in navigation and was a part of the initial planning of all tactical operations, since long-range missions were planned on the basis of optimum aircraft performance. Cruise control involves at least three phases – preparation of the flight plan, keeping a log during flight and inflight revision of this plan to compensate for unforeseen changes. Today, much of the flight engineers duties have been taken over by computers.

Flight engineer training reached a peak in August 1945. With the cessation of hostilities training virtually came to a standstill. The rush to demobilization and inducements outside the service resulted in the loss of some of the more qualified flight engineers. Flight engineer schools were closed, no energetic career program was developed, and uncertainty existed concerning the professional status it should occupy. This was followed by the grounding of the remaining commissioned officer flight engineers in 1948.

Fortunately, a small group of officer flight engineers had continued to maintain a high interest in their specialty. This group provided competent supervisory personnel for OJT training and the reopening of a school for noncommissioned officer flight engineers to provide for replacements and force expansion. Others were rightly justified for staff positions in combat organizations at squadron, wing, and command levels to supervise flight engineer activities and to formulate tactical plans. One successful commander utilized civilian aeronautical engineers and available flight engineers to analyze and provide answers to most of his operations and maintenance problems. In so doing he raised the educational level and value of the command's maintenance and operations personnel, and at the same time developed better methods for the tactical employment of his aircraft.

Then starting in 1952 it was decided that flight engineers assigned to the Strategic Air Command should be commissioned officers. A new officer's career field was developed, Aircraft Performance Engineer, AFSC 4344. Aviation Cadets were sent to Mather AFB for 28 to 36 weeks for Aircraft Performance Engineer School. Essentially the school consisted of intensive training in aircraft maintenance and the same training in aircraft performance that the noncommissioned officer flight engineers received.

Certain qualified noncommissioned officer flight engineers received direct commissions as Second Lieutenants, First Lieutenants, or Captains, depending on age, rank, experience, etc. The noncommissioned officers who did not qualify for a commission continued to fly as before, except that each crew had to contain at least one commissioned officer flight engineer.

Also in 1952, an experimental program was initiated wherein certain new enlistees in the Air Force who were not NCO’s, but were the top graduates with high scores on the Armed Forces Aptitude test, were sent directly from aircraft maintenance school to flight engineer school without ever having had any practical experience as a mechanic. Most of these men did become successful flight engineers but mostly because they had superior intelligence levels and had been the top graduates from aircraft maintenance school. Their success notwithstanding, the conclusions drawn from the experiment were that new flight engineers should be experienced aircraft maintenance NCO's.

In 1954 the Air Force was drawing similar conclusions regarding the officer flight engineers who had never had any previous maintenance experience. At this time, furthermore, the officer force was stricken with a Reduction In Force, which compounded the belief that flight engineers should not be commissioned officers. In latter 1954 came the end of the commissioned officer flight engineers. Those officers who so chose were retrained as pilots (those who had been commissioned through the Aviation Cadet program only), navigators, bombardiers, or in non-rated specialties, while the rest were RIF'd back to a noncommissioned officer rank and continued their flight engineer duties.

From latter 1954 until the retirement of the B-36, the flight engineer continued to ride the crest of a popularity wave, since throughout the Air Force it was known that these men were indispensable to the defense of our country and until recently had been commissioned officers.

The outspoken and controversial commander of the Strategic Air Command of that time didn’t like having flight engineers. So using the reasoning that it would remove one man from harm’s way, he insisted that the B-52, which replaced the B-36 as this country's primary long-range nuclear bomber, have no flight engineer. The reasoning was disingenuous since the aircraft carried bombs intended to kill millions of people, but the justification served its purpose. Although flight engineers were required on the KC-97 tankers, which the B-52's relied upon for inflight refueling, the flight engineer was beginning to be deemed as unnecessary.

The piston-engined tankers of SAC were replaced by KC-135's, which like the B-52’s have no flight engineers, again because the commander of SAC didn’t want flight engineers. Interestingly, a 1975 study, conducted through the Air Force Flight Safety Program, concluded that the B-52, which has eight engines, inflight refueling, a complex fuel system with center-of-gravity shift issues, carries nuclear weapons, but no flight engineer, had an accident rate that was twenty times worse than the C-141! The same study found that the KC-135, which also does not have a flight engineer, had an accident rate that was sixteen times worse than the C-141, although they were basically similar four-engine aircraft having much the same type long-range mission.

In the case of the KC-135 it seems incredible that there is no flight engineer since the aircraft is nearly identical to the Boeing 707, which does have a flight engineer. In fact it seems unlawful, since in 1948 the U.S. Congress ruled that all aircraft having more than 80,000 pounds gross weight must have a flight engineer on board as a regular member of the crew. This ruling was deemed necessary because of the increasing complexity of large aircraft. An aircraft crash can be hazardous not only to the crew and passengers but also to the people on the ground over whom the aircraft fly.

Another SAC aircraft that begged for a flight engineer was the supersonic B-58. This aircraft had four afterburning engines, inflight refueling, a serious center of gravity shift with fuel consumption/refueling, supersonic capability, and carried nuclear weapons over the U.S. and other countries. Worst of all, its Vmc was higher than its takeoff speed! This caused a few fatal crashes, one at the Paris Air Show in 1960! Incredibly, it only had one pilot! It was screaming for a flight engineer.

In January 1967 the Air Force flight engineers AFSC was changed from A43174 to A43570C. In 1975 it was changed to A11370C and thus was finally recognized as belonging in a flying career field instead of in aircraft maintenance. At some point since then the AFSC has been changed to 1A1X1C.

The civilian flight engineer field has grown steadily since the early days of the “Clipper” flying boats. In 1956, with the arrival of commercial jet aircraft, the Airline Pilots Association, ALPA, which represents the pilots of most scheduled air carriers, demanded that each jet carry three pilots on their crew.

A few airlines attempted to fly with four man crews, three pilots and one engineer, but this was found to be too costly. The airlines tried to get ALPA to back down but were unsuccessful. Then ALPA tried to get the Civil Aeronautics Board to accept the extra pilot in lieu of the flight engineer but the CAB insisted that the third crewmember must be a licensed flight engineer.

Their contract up for renewal at Eastern Airlines, flight engineers represented by the Flight Engineers International Association, FEIA, went out on strike. Acting in collusion with ALPA, Eastern started training pilots to be flight engineers, with much lower pay. The rate of hiring, training and placing new people in the cockpits proceeded at a furious pace.

One Friday a telegram was sent to all striking flight engineers demanding that they be present for duty at 0800 on Monday morning or they would be fired. Some flight engineers reported and some did not. Those who did not report were summarily terminated. Eastern then agreed to retain only those flight engineers who had reported for duty, however, they agreed to train them to subsequently become pilots. The new pilot-type flight engineers were referred to as Second Officers. Their pay was somewhat less than the First Officer’s pay, whereas the old flight engineer’s pay was somewhere between that of the First Officer and the Captain.

Following Eastern’s example, as the flight engineer’s contracts came up for renewal, the remaining airlines switched over to pilots trained as flight engineers. Since then most scheduled U.S. airlines have flight engineers who are primarily pilots who have obtained a flight engineers license to satisfy the FAA. The normal progression, then, is from second officer (flight engineer), to first officer (co-pilot), to captain (pilot). Because of its initiation of a fight by one union against another, ALPA was nearly expelled from the American Federation of Labor, AFL,

Interestingly, although ALPA had now won the war with FEIA over the qualifications of the third crewmember, pilot in lieu of mechanic, they had now inadvertently opened the question as to whether a third crewmember was even necessary. Airlines figured that if the third crewmember’s duties were not all that technical they could get by with only two pilots instead of three. The truth is that second officers were only performing their duties at the new hire level and were only counting the days until they could move to the right seat. They had little interest in their flight engineer duties.

In the mid-sixties, two similar airplanes from competing manufacturers were being certified at the same time, the Boeing 737 with a three-man cockpit and the Douglas DC-9 with a two-man cockpit. The 737 had a gross weight exceeding the 80,000-pound limit while the DC-9 prototype was slightly less than 80,000 pounds. Since the DC-9 would only need a two-man crew it would have a tremendous marketing advantage over the 737. The first 737’s went to Lufthansa Airlines and had a flight engineer’s panel. Mysteriously, on the eve of the completion of the DC-9 prototype the FAA changed its rule on the 80,000 pounds, to just whatever the FAA decided was too complex. Overnight the DC-9’s maximum gross weight soared as did it’s sales. The 737’s certification was subsequently changed to allow two-pilot operation, and thus changed the outlook for flight engineers.

Now, 2006, most major scheduled airlines have new-generation aircraft having only two-man cockpits, the flight engineer having supposedly been replaced by a computer. This appears to be a cost saving measure for the airlines, and for some maybe it has cut costs. It has certainly been widely used as a marketing factor by the manufacturers to the airlines. New-generation aircraft usually have only two engines but carry loads far exceeding first generation four-engine jets and having lower fuel costs due to engine improvements such as higher by-pass ratios. But, as these new-generation jets age, maintenance of these complex electronic computer controlled aircraft becomes a nagging nightmare.

Worse yet, safety in the new-generation jets is not as good as it could be and in some cases has been deplorable. The first fly-by-wire Airbus aircraft had a tendency to make perfect landings a hundred yards shy of the runway and to unaccountably shut down the engines in flight.

On September 3, 1998, a Swissair MD-11 had an electrical fire that the pilots were too busy to investigate or to extinguish. All on board died in the crash. They selected the wrong checklist amid other errors. While it is impossible to say that if a flight engineer had been on board they wouldn’t have crashed, however, most observers believe that a flight engineer would have made the critical difference. Neither of the pilots on board got out of their seat to fight the fire, or even look for it. They were simply overwhelmed.

The MD-11 is a development from the DC-10, which has a flight engineer. The MD-11 seems to be a perfect example of what happens when you get rid of the flight engineer. The MD-11’s safety record is so deplorable that the aircraft became a sales disaster and the production line was shut down.

Most non-scheduled U.S. airlines and other operators of large aircraft have followed a policy somewhat similar to the Air Force's regarding flight engineers. Their philosophy is that since they don't have regular routes and don't have maintenance facilities at many of their stopping points they want a Professional Flight Engineer, a PFE, who is also a licensed airframe and powerplant mechanic who can approve the aircraft for return to service following maintenance.

According to Federal Aviation Regulation, FAR, 43.3, an aircraft which has had maintenance performed must be approved for return to service, this can only be done by a U.S. certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic. The actual work, bending wrenches, may be performed by anyone as long as he is supervised by a U.S. licensed mechanic. This is where the PFE is necessary, he doesn’t actually do the work but he does supervise it and then signs the logbook returning the aircraft to service.

Typically the flight engineer will hire a local aircraft mechanic to perform the actual maintenance, regardless of whether this is in the U.S. or abroad. The local mechanic, though possibly licensed, in most cases cannot legally return the aircraft to service, because according to FAR 65.8 he must be familiar with that type of aircraft, so again, the flight engineer must supervise and sign the logbook returning the aircraft to service.

This is an important point that is frequently misunderstood, as many people have the erroneous notion that the PFE performs the actual maintenance work. It would be impractical for him to literally perform the work as he would be wearing his expensive uniform and would not have the necessary tools with him. The purpose of having a PFE instead of a second officer, is so that he can legally return the aircraft to service following maintenance performed by a local mechanic.

Some airlines (this verified by ATA and Kalitta Air) that operate on a non-scheduled basis but use pilot-type second officers instead of PFE’s, or they have new-generation aircraft which have only two-man cockpits, carry along a “Ride-On-Mechanic,” for the sole purpose of returning the aircraft to service following maintenance, should it become necessary. Thus, the cost saving measure of eliminating the flight engineer or using lesser-qualified second officers is a chimera because a mechanic must be carried along - and he occupies a fare paying passenger’s seat as well!

If a pilot is asked, “What’s a pilot?” He just answers, “I fly the airplane.” Everyone seems to know what this means and asks no more questions. Maybe someone will ask, “Who was flying the airplane when we took off? The co-pilot?” In these cases, the expression “fly the airplane” means to control the airplane about its three axes. However, as we’ve seen, flying the airplane is much more than simply controlling it about its three axes. On the Lockheed Electra, among other aircraft, neither pilot touches the throttles from taking the runway for the takeoff roll until turning final for landing.

One sticky question that has persistently been asked flight engineers is, “You’re a flight engineer? What’s a flight engineer?” If one simply says, “I’m responsible for the mechanical condition of the aircraft and operate the aircraft systems in flight,” it is guaranteed to elicit many follow-on questions. Probably the best answer is, “I’m one of the pilots.” This is a true statement too, since many flight engineers today are represented by the Airline Pilots Association, are scheduled by the pilot schedulers, report to the Chief pilot, are covered by the pilot’s contract, and so on.

It has been said that the flight engineer career field has been the most turbulent in the entire Air Force and civil aviation, and history seems to bear this out. Since the inception of the flight engineer program, the usefulness of the flight engineer has been amply proven. This specially trained technician has demonstrated that by his help during emergencies, precise engine management, and knowledge of the aerodynamic factors that affect aircraft performance - the safety, range, load carrying ability of the aircraft, and overall mission reliability could be increased. Today at his station on the flight deck of some of our larger aircraft, the flight engineer remains an important and respected member of the team that “gets 'em there and brings 'em back.”

References:

The American Flight Engineer, unpublished, 1975, by same author

Air Force Manual 51-9, dated 30 November 1961

Air Force Manual 51-9, dated 15 March 1968

11/26/2006 - Message from Ford Larsen:

To my World friends:

Lennon and McCartney wrote "I get by with a little help from my friends." Very profound. Your expression of concern and good wishes are major contributors to my survival and recovery. As my strength returns, I will attempt to thank you individually. For now, thanks and have a blessed holiday season.

Ford Larsen

The following email was received from Aimee Johnson - 11/17/2006

Subject: Anne Moroziuk

Hi Dick,

Helen recalled her personal experiences flying with World Airways into Vietnam in the 1960's in an interview for the book "PATRIOTS" by Appy. Jeanie ttyped the article for this News page as follows:

It is the view of the World Airways Flight Attendants that I could relate to. Here is the part: "I was their wife, their sister, their girlfriend"

In 1966 and ‘67 she was a flight attendant for World Airways, one of the civilian airliners that had a government contract to ferry U.S. troops in and out of the war zone. An old photograph shows her standing on the tarmac smiling from beneath a hat that resembles a billed pumpkin. "Go ahead and laugh but back in ‘66 that outfit was the cats meow. Stews from other airlines would come up and say, ‘What a wonderful uniform!’"

When I was young gal I watched The Mickey Mouse Club and they did a program on what it was like to be a stewardess. I was absolutely glued to the TV set. After that, I cannot remember a time I didn’t want to be a stewardess.

We had extremely strict rules about our appearance. Everybody had to look exactly the same. We even had to wear the same fingernail polish and the same kind of perfume. We weren’t allowed to wear earrings and our hair had to be short or at least worn up. You couldn’t look provocative in our uniforms. They were very tailored, sort of Jackie Kennedy-like camel-hair suits. The skirts were midknee even though it was the sixties. The most distinctive thing was our polo hat with this huge crown on it.

Of course there was a lot of sexism in those days but I don’t remember any of the guys on the Vietnam flights ever giving me a bad time. They were very respectful. Our real job was to distract them at all costs, to get their mind away from where they were going. If that meant flirting with them a little bit, so what? It never did go over the line. But the captain could get away with just about anything. For instance, we were required to wear girdles, so if the captain came up behind me and slapped me on the butt he’d say, "Girdle check." Most of the pilots were World War II or Korean War veterans. I thought they were ancient and didn’t want anything to do with them.

Going over, there were usually two legs–Travis Air Force Base to Japan, and Japan to Vietnam. From California to Japan the troops did a lot of letter writing. Guys would ask me, "Is this a good letter? If you received this, would you wait for me?" At first I read the letters, but they really pulled at your heart, so after a while I would just pretend to read them and say they were perfect.

There were always some chatty guys who wanted to talk and if we had any special unit guys–Green Berets or Airborne Rangers–there was a lot of bravado. They spoke proudly of their training, how difficult it was for them not to get "washed out." Over time I realized they weren’t really trying to impress me as much as they were trying to convince themselves their training would help them. These were boys destined for combat and they had been told in training what their expected mortality rate was. I remember an air force Blue Beret actually told me they were trained to die. He didn’t expect to ever go home.

But most of the guys were really pretty quiet. They asked us for alcohol and we said, "If the military wanted you to have that they would have put it in the contract." Since the war I’ve had a lot of vets tell me they were served alcohol, but I don’t think so. Maybe the policy changed later in the war, but sometimes peoples memories do strange things.

When we got to Yokota Air Force Base in Japan we had a crew change. So after a layover, I"d get on another plane with a group of guys I hadn’t met who had already been on the plane for twelve hours. We had to kind of feel out the mood. By then they were usually very quiet. It was five hours to Vietnam and five hours back. We called this the Vietnam turnaround. We’d go in and out with minimal ground time.

Sometimes we had F- 4 Phantoms escort us in. All of a sudden they’d just appear, right on our wingtips, and come all the way down with us. It was an absolutely gorgeous sight. We’d touch down and they’d pull up. But they didn’t escort us every time so you wondered what was going on down there to make them appear. The guys would always ask and we’d just tell them the F-4 pilots wanted to show off.

I especially remember when we came in at night. That’s when you saw the tracer rounds (chemically treated to emit a bright color when fired). I was so naive I did’t realize tracers were live rounds. I don’t know what I thought I was seeing–maybe target practice or fireworks.

Who knows? Only years later did some veteran tell me I"d been witnessing actual firefights, that the red tracers were ours and the green tracers were theirs. I said, "Who in this world sits down and says, you’re going to have this color and you’re going to have that color?" (I remember seeing Search and Destroy fights close to the Saigon airport, but I never said anything to the juniors about it. jeannie)

Sometimes the senior stew would come around and ask for another pair of eyes and ears in the cockpit. I did that several times. There’s a jump seat right behind the captain with earphones. On my first flights into Tan Son Nhut, the tower was still run by Vietnamese and the pilot couldn’t always understand their English. I’ll never forget the captain turning around and saying, "Did anybody understand what that guy just said?" And we were on final approach. One time I was sitting in the jump seat when an ammo depot blew up right in front of us. The guys on the ground though it was us that blew up.

It was the senior stew’s position to be at the top of the ramp when the men got off in Vietnam. But when we were about two hours out she would usually ask for a volunteer to take the forward door. All you had to do is stand at the door and say good-bye, but nobody wanted that job. It’s nothing disparaging about the other gals, but many just couldn’t do it. I’d always take the forward door and I was good at it.

I never said "good-bye", or "good luck." I would shake their hand, look them in the eye, smile, and say, "See you later." (I said, stay up tight and out of sight ‘ cause we are coming back for you !!! on the P.A) Sometimes I"d day, "See you in twelve months." They really wanted somebody to look at them. At the top of the ramp was the world, at the bottom of the ramp was the war. I saw eyes full of fear, some with real terror. And maybe this sounds crazy, but I saw death in some of those eyes. At that moment, at the top of the ramp, I was their wife, their sister, their girlfriend, and for those troops who had no one else–and there were many–I was their mother. That was the most important thing I’ve ever done. I can’t imagine doing anything more important than to nudge a troop into war. If he was’t lucky, I was nudging him to his death with the best "It will be okay" smile I could conjure up.

I don’t think there was one of us who did not want to keep them on the plane. That’s why some of the girls were back in the bathrooms crying. They couldn’t stand to watch them leave. We were very aware we were sending them to war and that some would never come back. Therein lies the guilt. I"ve spent a lot of time wondering if instead of distracting them I should have warned them. I’ve been assured by veterans that there was nothing I could have said. I mean, imagine some stewardess saying, "Hey you guys, listen, this is really going to be rough." For a long time I felt guilty, but I still think it’s the best thing I’ve ever done, the most unselfish. I just thought they deserved to have someone from home stand there and be as strong as they were.

We never showed any emotion in front of the troops but we sure drank a lot when we got back to Japan. We substituted booze for crying. There were an awful lot of guys who said,"I don’t have anybody to write to. Will you write to me?" You could pretty much tell whether they were pulling your leg or not, so my roommate and I wrote to a lot of them. We’d also go to the local liquor store when the new issue of Playboy arrived and buy up the entire supply. Then we’d have this mass mailing night sending Playboy magazines to these guys in Vietnam.

The first thing we’d ask when we arrived in Vietnam is, "Are we taking troops out?" If you took a hundred and sixty–five men in and a hundred and sixty five out, you could fool yourself into believing that they were all coming home. But in ‘66 and ‘67 the war was escalating so we often left Vietnam with an empty air plane. There was nothing else to say other than, "They’re not all coming home." It would just slam you right in the face. You did not want to be on that airplane if we flew back empty. There were five stewardesses and we didn’t even sit with each other. And when we got back to Japan we drank even heavier.

I’ve heard stories about guys cheering when the plane took off from Vietnam, but I don’t remember any cheering. When the plane lifted off, I could see right down the aisle from a seat in the back. There might be one or two hands that reached across the aisle to shake hands. But it was quiet. Pretty soon the captain came on and said, "Gentlemen, we’ve just cleared Vietnam airspace." (Her voice catches.)It still gets to me. So then it was as if everyone on the plane exhaled. But they still didn’t cheer.

On the way back we walked down the aisle looking to see which ones might want to talk and which ones you ought to leave alone. You’d just started by asking, "Where you from?" But we never asked them anything about what they did in Vietnam and I don’t remember anybody ever saying anything to me about it. I clearly remember thinking, these guys are not going home to their girlfriend and that ‘5 Chevy they had been working on. Their youth was gone and it showed. You absolutely saw a different look in their eyes on the way home.

Their were guys who came up to me and said, "I need to talk because I want to practice. I"m afraid I"m going to swear in front of my mother when I get home." So they’d talk and every other word was a swear. I wouldn’t flinch. I’d just say, "Don’t worry, you’ll be okay." "No,: they said, "I can just see me sitting down to dinner and the first word out of mouth is !@#$^&’ this or damn that." These boys grew up the same way I did in the fifties. We attended church, we understood right from wrong. I believe they did things in Vietnam that were totally against everything they were brought up with and I’m not really talking about the killing. Im thinking about those other things that happen to young men in a war–drinking, and maybe drugs, and contact with girls. So they weren’t just afraid of swearing in front of their mothers; they were afraid their mothers would be able to tell everything they had done in Vietnam. I think this was a big reason why so many veterans just shut down and wouldn’t talk about the war to anyone except someone else that had been there.

And they came home to a world that was very different, even just twelve months later. Flying in, some guys asked, "How bad are the antiwar demonstrations?" That’s the hardest question I’ve had to answer in my life. I’d say, "They’re bad." There were often protesters at the gates outside Travis. I had to tell these boys that had just served their country to get out of their country’s uniform as soon as they could. If they weren’t wearing their uniform then maybe they wouldn’t be targeted by the protesters. I didn’t like the antiwar movement then and I haven’t changed my mind today. It just seemed like the protest movement targeted the soldiers more than they did the policy makers–making it seem as if all the soldiers had gotten together one afternoon in a bar and decided to go commit some sort of crime against the people of Vietnam.

They came home so quickly, they had no time to adjust. Some men had just gotten out of combat a few hours before they got on the plane. Before a meal service, we’d make sure everyone was awake. We always had to be very careful about waking these guys. If you touched them, they’d wake up defending themselves–arms flying all over the place. We managed to hold them down until they realized where they were. (Only stood in range once, after that - I stood behind them and then reached up and tugged on their sleeve, jeannie)It only took a second and we always smiled. They always apologized. "Oh ma’am, I’m sorry, I didn’t hurt you, did I?" We’d try not to make a big deal out of it.

Every time we arrived at Travis Air Force Base I was disappointed. I had grown up with World War II movies and everybody had a band or something to welcome them home. At Travis there was absolutely nothing. It was just me at the bottom of the ramp. An ungrateful nation let some twenty-three year old stewardess welcome these guys home. That was their only greeting.

In the nineties she started going to Washington, D.C., for Veterans Day. A highlight of the trip is the "DMZ to Delta Dance" sponsored by a chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America. "It’s a bunch of old people dancing to great rock n roll. The theme song of the dance, of course, is ‘We Got to Get Out of This Place.’ It’s always the last song of the evening.

If their are errors, sorry, better FA than typist but I wanted you all to read what Helen had to say....................

HOMEWARD BOUND ( The Reverse Baby lift to Viet Nam with 21 of the orignial orphans and their spouses and part of the original crew as guests of World)

It was a great joy this past week-end. Better than any of the reunions. I think the "new" executives were surprised as well at the level of emotion and numbers of people that showed up. People who are still flying like Babs Jackson and people who flew in the early 60's.

Although there was nothing scheduled at the arrival at Kaiser terminal........there were a number of us at the foot of the ramp when the big bird turned up with the old paint job. I think the crews were very surprised to see us there. I swear the CEO had a bemused expression coming down the ramp..a portent of what was to come....Jeff, the President of WOA was in the cockpit with the crew and heard the tower say, "Nice paint job World, Welcome Home". A tear jerker for us.

They boarded the bus and headed for the Sheraton at Fisherman’s Wharf for the evening Which is where the WOA Buffett was held.

The General from the board of Directors congratulated us for being the foundation of WOA and gave a short run down on the other Executives. Randy Martinez (CEO) spoke briefly as did Steve Forsyth (PR) who introduced them. Also Hollis Harris (Inducted into Aviation Hall of Fame) who is now retired. People out of the wood work showed. Over several hundred I’m sure. (Another surprise for WOA who picked up the tab) The airline stories flew (Intended pun) from guest to guest. TV coverage was at the airport both days....but because of Michael Jackson trial results I only saw it on one News Channel late.

The next day they picked up the pax and crew and drove to the Oakland Airport (Kaiser terminal) and had a big press conference before departure. Once again there was a mob of us to wave good-bye. We watched until it was out of sight. Saw Sandy Cavallo being interviewed that night on the news.

Time Magazine did a full page story on World with a picture of Randy Martinez in their 13 June issue. But when I went to pick it up on the 16th they had already issued the 20 June. Guess I’ll have to steal it out of a doctor’s office.

The three of us met Rosemary Grow for lunch the next day. (Number three was Marjorie Sikes, where we were staying)

Dr. Diane Malnekoff was also supposed to be there but she had patients scheduled. (Looks the same as she always did) I bet we lunched for four hours at the Cantina. They were setting up for Dinner as we left. John and I left Wednesday Morning but we all met again at the Cantina in Mill Valley for another lunch before we left.

We stopped by Rims & Goggles (Rosemary’s Optical store) and took advantage of the World Airways Discount. She was my first Senior at World and is now a very successful business woman in Strawberry at Tiburon.(Now deceased)

Robert V.R. Ware

Bob Ware in Center

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Robert V.R. Ware

Born August 27, 1923. Passed away at his home October 7, 2006. He is survived by son Steven, daughter Christine, daughter-in-law Kayla, granddaughter Evelyn, grandson Damien, great-grandson Blake, cousins Helen Nio si and Peg Wolley. Many brother and sister-in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews in the New England area. He joins his wife Evelyn and daughter Roberta preceding him in death. Robert attended Winthrop High School in Massachusetts with the class of 41. As a boy he drove a truck delivering heating oil and worked on crab and lobster boats. When he was old enough, he joined the Navy to fly. He received his wings as an officer on November 22nd, 1944 as a qualified carrier pilot. He flew many aircraft while assigned to various carriers during WWII and beyond. In the 1950's he began flying larger aircraft which included the C-118 Super Constellation. He flew the Super Connie on the ice during operation Deep Freeze which made his son and daughters the kings and queens of show and tell with the many pictures and stories from Antarctica, The South Pole. He retired flying the C-13 Hercules at NASA Moffett Field. He received many decorations, commendations, and medals throughout his naval career. He then joined World Airways flying captain on the DC-6, DC-8, 707 and DC-10 aircraft. He also starred in the Clint Eastwood movie Magnum Force. Robert spent most of his retirement years traveling with family and friends, which included many fishing trips. He was always there to help with any family friends and neighbors in need. He will be greatly missed by all.

Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Thursday, October 12, 2006 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, 466 N. Winchester Blvd., Santa Clara, CA. Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, October 13, 2006 at Queen of Apostles Catholic Church, 4911 Moorpark Avenue, San Jose, CA followed by burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. The family asks in lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity in Bob's name.

Published in the San Jose Mercury News on 10/11/2006.

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Received on 9/4/2006 - From Melanie Harding - Grandaughter of Captain "Pete" Poteet

Hello

My grandfather, Linsfield W. "Pete" Poteet, passed away August 27, 2006. He was a pilot for World Airways for 20 years, and loved it. I thought I would pass on the information to your website.
If anyone flew with my grandpa and has a story to share, I'd love to read it. Thank you,

Melanie

mom2nat1@yahoo.com

Linsfield W. "Pete" Poteet
At rest on August 27, 2006

Born January 13, 1920 in Live Oak, Florida to Ralph and Gertrude Poteet. A decorated WWII Veteran, Pete piloted P-47's in the Pacific Arena until the war ended. While awaiting his discharge papers, Pete met his future wife, Army nurse Lucile Epting, over a game of ping pong. He and Lucy married September 24, 1946 and moved to Miami, Florida where he started his career as an airline pilot. Pete, Lucy and their 2 daughters moved to San Lorenzo, CA when he was transferred in 1955. Their third daughter was born the following year. He flew all over the globe for World Airways the last 20 years of his career, retiring in 1980. He enjoyed retirement, tending his garden, the grounds at his San Lorenzo Community Church and gardening for neighbors up until 2l/2 years ago--delighting in sharing his delicious produce. The neighborhood handyman who loved to be of service, Pete would hop over to assist anyone in need of help. Famous f or his ping pong slam, Pete was a natural athlete who also enjoyed tennis, golf, waterskiing, fishing and baseball. "Can Pete play?" the neighborhood kids would ask. And out he'd go to join in a game of tetherball. In his later years he enjoyed picking beautiful flowers, watching birds in the garden and tracking local airplanes flying overhead. He could also turn up his volume a couple of notches when it came to singing, humming and even whistling his favorite hymns. He loved and was devoted to his family, especially his "Lucy Belle." In addition to his wife of nearly 60 years, he is survived by his loving daughters Jennie Shabel of Cupertino, Susan King of Placerville, and Peggy Kruger of Union City. He also leaves 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He was a loving, honest, hard working, humble man who was loved and admired by all who knew him. We will miss his beautiful smile, his quiet way and his kind spirit.

A celebration of his life will be held at San Lorenzo Community Church, 945 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo, California on September 23, 2006 at 3 P.M. Donations to San Lorenzo Community Church, Habitat for Humanity, FESCO, Alzheimers Assn. or Christian Children's Fund preferred.

World Airways New Livery

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9/1/2006 - Peachtree City, GA. - World Airways has posted the new aircraft paint design. The first aircraft should be completed before the end of the year. Very impressive and a definite complement to the WOA Fleet.

Stephen Beard Passing - Information received from Dan Giddens - 8/27/2006

Stephen Beard, 57, died of heart failure on August 22 in Oceanside, California. He leaves behind his wife of 14 years, Bee Lee, and sons John, 12 and Jesse 9. Steve contracted a heart virus in 2002 and was placed on the transplant list. He improved and moved from Phoenix to Carlsbad, California last year. The failure occurred suddenly and he passed out and never regained consciousness during his last day. Steve, Phil Hollinger, and I were WOA F/Os from 1978-1986. We were furloughed when trans-con scheduled service ended. With the help of Charles Culley(WOA 1978-1983)we quickly found jobs with rapidly growing America West. We became 737 Captains within a year and finished our flying careers with AWA. Addionally, Charlie Culley was killled while flying his private plane about 5 years ago in Phoenix.

Sorry to pass on this sad news, Dan Giddens

8/11/2006 - Received the following email from ex - WOA Flight Attendant Kathryn Soler (Tourist Gal) regards a film that she is involved in. Kathryn is a Corporate Flight Attendant and a writer and film co-producer. - Dick Kalman

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Hi Dick,

I am sending you the summary my roommate wrote and is directing this. This is his 3rd film. I am one of the co-producers. Lots of work since we keep it real low budget. Also just finished my first novel that I need to start getting out there. Stay tuned for that bit of information. For the most part I am flying as a corporate flight attendant at Kaiser Air in Oakland but free lance on the side.

“The Art of Travel”

Summary

“The Art of Travel” chronicles a boy's journey to manhood as he discovers his passion in life and his place in the world. It is a personal story of growth and the broadening of horizons set against the backdrop of the spectacular and exotic locales of Central and South America. We experience the very big and the very small, the epic and the mundane, the infinite and the transient, all in relation to one character; a character whose perspective shifts gradually as he acquires experience and worldly wisdom.

Conner Layne is on top of the world. He is graduating High School valedictorian of his class and receiving a full scholarship to attend college at Cal Berkeley in the fall. Even better, he’s about to marry his long time childhood sweetheart Kate, the perfect girl, and begin a new life with her. His life seems to be going in the ideal direction that is until 20 hours before his wedding. Pictures surface of his best man Travis and his fiancé Kate engaged in many sexual positions.

Deciding to teach his fiancé a lesson, Conner walks out on her right during the wedding ceremony. To make matters even worse for Kate, Conner has given all the wedding guests a present under their seats – the pictures of Travis and Kate.

Conner decides to still go on the honeymoon to gain a sense of perspective, but instead of flying to Cancun, where they planned to go for their honeymoon, he decides to change his ticket. Nicaragua is that destination. From the moment of his first cab ride through the forlorn streets of Managua, his adventure begins in a vignette of Culture Shock moments. One hostel to the next he meets an Australian who robs him of all his cash, two Dutch women, and an experience with them that turns him into a man. Cut to: two months later in Panama, and a hike to a volcano that leads to a car chase with guns, and a hospital in the city that requires a tetanus shot upon entrance.

Then in old town Panama, at an outdoor bar over the Pacific Ocean Conner meets Christopher Loren and his wife Darlene. Chris is a San Francisco native who has lived his life as a stock broker. He has since scrapped his job to lead an expedition through the world’s most dangerous jungle – the Darien Gap. This region of 125 miles of jungle separates North from South American. It is an area that is controlled by revolutionaries, drug lords, and where Panama and Columbia still fight over boundaries. A scary reality is that more people have reached the summit of Mt. Everest than hiked through the Darien Gap. His goal – to be the first person to drive a jeep across the Gap where no roads exist and the jungle conditions can turn from benign to deadly in a matter of seconds. The group plans to blaze a trail or makeshift road by cutting through the jungle vegetation with their machetes. The journey has a special meaning for Chris. It is a memorial to his daughter who lost her life in a car accident. It is a reminder that every breath of air is a gift and every moment should never be taken for granted. Conner hears the call to adventure in Chris’s voice and breaks college plans to join the 300 day adventure by jeep through this deadly jungle.

Where the road ends, the adventure begins, “The Art of Travel” is about the twist and turns and the mistakes we make in the jungle of life. But beyond these moments there are people to meet and adventures to be had even in the wake of our darkest hours. We see the journey through the eyes of Conner, a boy who must become a man, and Chris Loren a thirty-something man who lost his way, and seeks to live again.

Claypool, Gilvin L. "Bob" - Received 8/7/2006
Former resident of Pleasanton Bob Claypool died July 15, 2006 in San Jose at the age of 78. Bob was born in Fort Worth, TX, lived in San Jose for the last 8 years, and previously lived in Pleasanton for 25 years. Bob graduated from Texas A&M University while serving in the U.S. Air Force from which he retired as a Major after 20 dedicated years of service. After retiring from the Air Force, Bob worked as a pilot for World Airways for 27 years. He loved golfing and had a wide and varied thirst for knowledge - an accomplished crossword puzzler, he always did them in ink. Bob is survived by his son, Mark Claypool and daughter-in-law, Cathy of Livermore; ex-wife, Lillian Claypool of Castro Valley; two step- daughters; 3 grandchildren; brother, Dick McNemee and sister-in-law, Dr. Dorothy McNemee of Santa Teresa, NM; and loving companion, Lorna Catalano with whom he lived in San Jose and also Maui in the winter months. Bob was a swell guy, a good provider and never wanted to hurt anyone. He will be missed terribly. At his request, no services will be held.
Published in the Contra Costa Times on 8/3/2006.

Received 8/4/2006 - Hello, Dick,

I was always a sporadic Reunion attender because I would tell myself I could attend next year's event. That was when I was living in Oakland.

I have decamped to NYC, and don't imagine I'll be back in the Bay Area in the near future, if ever. (I have not one single regret about pulling up stakes for the East Coast--life is nice here!)

I still have my fingers in the airline industry, though, as CEO of the International Airline Employees Federal Credit Union. Our annual reunions are very similar to World's reunions--airline folks are always full of good stories and know how to have a good time!

I would love to see and/or hear from friends from my World days. Please feel free to pass on my email addresses and phone number: 917-843-4995, john@iaefcu.org, or jgebhard@msn.com.

Best wishes to all for a wonderful 2006 reunion! - John Gebhard

Veterans Of The Battle Of The Bulge (VBOB) Golden Gate Chapter Memorial Service -- 16 December 2006

Veterans Of The Battle Of The Bulge (VBOB)
Golden Gate Chapter
Memorial Service -- 16 December 2006