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Aim High Fall 2017

Amanda Fry, Editor

amanda.nicole.fry.723@gmail.com

Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum

Poplar Grove Aviation Education Association Newsletter

General Manager

Judi Zangs

Events and Volunteer Coordinator

Trudy Konopka

Exhibits and Education

Mike Frederiksen

Executive Committee

President David Graf

Treasurer Mark Harris

Secretary Sarah Foster

Directors

Steve Anderson

Sam Darby

Leah Kays

Pamela Lopez-Fettes

Larry Ohlsen

Steve Osseck

Steve Terry

Blake Thomas

Curt Tobin

Advisors

Dennis Blunt Jim Morley

Roger Boeke Bill McKenzie

Dick Brick Bill Moses

Joanna Bowling Ed Myers

Cheryl Falardeau Don Perry

Peggy Fry Steve Osseck

Kendra Helvey Orion Samuelson

Frank Herdzina Nick Scheuer

Ken Hicks Ryan Springer

Chuck Jansen Cindy Starzyk

Bob Kemp Tina Thomas

Stephen Langdon Paul Wallem

Ladies Love Taildraggers held their National Convention

at the Poplar Grove Airport September 7-10, 2017. A Poker

Run raised $1,600 for the Oscar Mike Foundation. The live

auction raised over $3,200 for the Museum.

Full article inside.

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With 2017 being the 20th Anniversary of the formation of the Poplar Grove Aviation Education Association, this

summer was busy with celebrating the Museum and its beginnings.

All year we have tied the anniversary into our various exhibits, starting with the 20 Years and Beyond exhibit in the

Museum’s foyer, with pictures and text describing how early supporters brought their enthusiasm and hard work

and made a Museum Campus depicting an early airfield into reality from an Illinois cornfield and dairy farm.

August was the showcase month. We celebrated with the community during the Poplar Grove Airport’s 45th

annual Fly-in Pancake Breakfast which is hosted by the Poplar Grove Lions Club. This year the club served a near

record 1,300 breakfasts. Beautiful weather kept attendees on the grounds all day. At the Museum, we held an

open house at both the Waukesha Hangar and at the Restoration Hangar, where YEA and Restoration Team

members showed off the 1941 Aeronca Chief and the Curtiss Jenny Project (for more info on these, see articles in

this newsletter).

Kids games and a dunk tank were great entertainment for the 100s of people who came back and forth from the

airport’s maintenance hangar to the Museum on our vintage tractor people movers. Curator Mike Frederikson

gave campus tours, and Museum hostess Betty Davis greeted the many new visitors to our museum. We must

thank our Dunk Tank volunteers – Yvonne Dreger took the money, while Boone County Board member and

Museum member Jeff Carlisle, Boone County Sheriff Dave Ernest, Poplar Grove Village President Owen

Costanza, and Poplar Grove Airport Manager Blake Thomas took the dunkings! Over $300 was raised for the

museum….. thanks, guys!

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Saturday August 26 was our special members and supporters, by invitation only, 20th Anniversary event. Over

150 people attended this gala evening, with delicious food presented by Tropical Oasis catering in our campus

buildings. Long time supporter Orion Samuelson started the evening by recounting the Museum’s history and

naming the founders and all the board members. Event Coordinator Trudy Konopka and her volunteers

transformed the buildings into beautiful bistros. Candy Kresmery provided incredible musical background, and a

game was played to determine the winner of two Murder Mystery Dinner tickets – congratulations Mark Harris as

the winner of the two tickets! It was a beautiful and magical evening.

We would like to thank our sponsors for our 20th Anniversary Celebration: Premier sponsor Rezich & Rezich,

along with our other sponsors Wallem Associates, Byron Bank, Artale Wine Company, ,Sam Darby, and Joanne

Forys.

Volunteers over both weekends:

Tractor and People Mover: Bob Kemp, Mark Harris, Jeff Flippo, Marvin Johson, Mike Bruha,

Larry Ohlsen, Bill Zangs

Kids’ games: Jenna Meyers, Amanda Fry, Kenzie Bowlby, Michala Koch, Bonnie Konopka

YEA/Jenny: Chuck Jensen & Don Perry

Dunk Tank: Jeff Carlisle, Dave Ernest, Owen Costanza, Blake Thomas;

Money Collectors Adam Konopka, and Yvonne Drager; and Dunk Tank donation and setup

Bill Zangs

Committee members: Peggy Fry and Amanda Fry

Set-up/clean-up: Cindy and Ken Starzyk

Gift Bags; Betty Davis (volunteer time)

Decorations: Connie Bailey's garden, Yvonne and Jeff Drager

Bartenders; Adam Konopka, John and Angie Koch, Bill Zangs

Music: Candy Kresmery

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September 7-10, 2017, ladies from 17 states and Ontario, Canada descended upon the Poplar Grove Airport for their

annual Ladies Love Taildraggers Fly-in. 55 ladies plus their guests arrived and 35 planes flew in. This doesn't count

the dozen women based here at C77 who are part of the group.

States represented: MI, WI, KY, OH, IL, MO, MA, TX, NC,IN,TN, PA, FL, MS, AZ, MD, IA.

(MA and Canada were the furthest traveled in their own planes; others flew in commercial).

There were a variety of events that occurred during the weekend including a Poker Run that raised $1300 for the

Oscar Mike Foundation (oscarmike.org), which keeps wounded veterans on the move. On Saturday night, an

impromptu auction raised over $3200 for the museum and their scholarship programs. This year, one of the PGAEA

scholarships will be awarded to a female pilot seeking a tailwheel endorsement.

Judy Birchler started the group over eight years ago to meet other ladies that enjoy flying Taildraggers. Since that

time, over 2,000 people have joined the group: ladieslovetaildraggers.com.

National fly-in events have been held in Ohio, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, and now Illinois. The group also meets

up at other aviation events such as Airventure Oshkosh, Sun-n-Fun and Women in Aviation Conferences. Members

are from all over the world and share a love of flying conventional gear aircraft.

LADIES LOVE TAILDRAGGERS

LAND AT POPLAR GROVE

Kelly Jeffries presenting checks in the amount

of $3,260 to Board President David Graf.

Local scouting groups visiting the event.

Founder: Judy Bircher

Local Members: Tina Thomas, Mary Lou Erickson,

and Kelly Jeffries

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The Sperti MK II Astro-Compass was standard equipment on

larger US and RAF World War II bombers such as the B-17, B-24,

Lancaster, Halifax and Sterling. In the days before GPS, a

navigator used an astro-compass to determine an aircraft’s true

heading. The astro-compass was much more accurate than the

standard magnetic compass found on aircraft. Magnetic

compasses are somewhat imprecise and become more inaccurate

they closer they are to the magnetic poles of the Earth. They are

also subject to environmental interference that can limit the

instrument’s accuracy. An astro-compass was able to determine

true north accurately provided the navigator knew where he was

and the time of day. The device was typically mounted in a clear

plastic astrodome located above the navigator’s position. To

determine north, a navigator punched in the latitude, longitude,

declination of chosen celestial body, and the time of day into the

dials. With the information entered, the device was pointed at the

selected celestial body. Once the body was lined up in the

viewfinder, true north was accurately indicated.

Although the astro-Compass was more accurate than the

magnetic compass it was cumbersome to use and far from

practical. Lining up the compass was time consuming and

required additional reference material such as astrological

charts. In most cases, aircraft flying during World War II, flew in

latitudes were there was minimal variation between magnetic north

and true north. In those conditions the magnetic compass

accuracy was considered satisfactory and the astro-Compass was

rarely used.

Today, with GPS and electronic compasses the astro-compass is

obsolete. This artifact remains in working condition and serves as

an excellent example of navigation history.

Mike Frederiksen

Found in Collections

"An Astro-compass was mounted in clear astrodome

located above the navigators position in the aircraft."

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Once a year every July, the Museum’s Youth Exploring Aviation Group (YEA), also known as Poplar Grove Aviation Exploration Post 76, packs their bags and heads off to Oshkosh Wisconsin for the greatest airshow in the world, Airventure. They start off the week by arriving 2 days early to get settled in. The teens set up their tents right on the airport grounds which will serve as their home for the next 8 days. After camp is set up, training begins in conjunction with other posts from all over the United States. Participants find out what they will be doing throughout the week as a volunteer. Volunteer jobs include: marshaling airplanes, manning ropes at a crosswalk on an active taxiway, working in the kitchen, counting planes and directing airplanes (point). After working a typical volunteer shift of 2-3 hours, the flight crew then has the rest of the day to explore Airventure. Between classes, forums, flight simulators, airshows, speakers and over 10,000 aircraft, there is always something they can find to do. This year, six members went to Airventure along with advisors Chuck Jansen and Dawn Hecox. Ian Carter of Belvidere and member for three years says, “My favorite thing about Airventure is all of the aircraft and the sound barrier.” Joey Howe of Poplar Grove, also a member for three years, summed it all up by stating, “My favorite thing about Airventure is all of the airplanes and being around people who are all interested in aviation.” Thanks to all who made this possible. Nadine Didier, YEA member

Left to right: Owen Didier, Nadine Didier, Quentin Pal,

Joe Howe, Advisor Dawn Hecox, Ian Carter,

Lucas Wheeler, Advisor Chuck Jansen

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Things are really starting to progress on the Curtiss Jenny!

In July, Don Perry traveled to Rome NY and spent hours at the Rome

Historical Society looking through their archives for more blueprints for

Jenny radiator produced by the Rome Turney Radiator Company.

Unfortunately after looking at over 350 original prints, he found nothing

better than what we already have. After attempts to get the radiator they

have on display fall apart, it is possible EAA Museum in Oshkosh will loan

parts they have so the team here can reverse engineer them.

After building a steaming box, the woodworking team is taking the wood for

the longerons and getting them ‘steamed’ so they can then be placed in the

former and to achieve the correct curvature. The parts are allowed to dry

for several days to retain the shape.

A workbench was constructed for assembly of the fuselage.

The wing team, led by Frank Herdzina has completed assembly of the

upper wing – 43-7/8” long! Assembly of the fuselage has also begun.

During the 20th Anniversary Community Celebration on August 20, Dave

Hedgecock of East Troy WI brought his OX-5 Engine to display and operate

for all to see … and hear!

Check out website for updates on the Jenny project. Korbin Friend is doing

a blog along with pictures; however, if you get a chance, stop by any

Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday to see their progress.

Korbin Friend and Don Perry

Curtiss Jenny Aircraft Build

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At the September 19th Board Meeting, three directors were acknowledged and thanked for their service, and four

new directors were nominated by the Executive Committee and elected by the membership.

Ken Starzyk, Joanne Forys, and Gordie Geddes all finished their current terms.

Newly elected Board members for a three year term 2017-2020 are:

Leah Kays

Pamela Lopez-Fettes

Larry Ohlsen

Steve Osseck

All new board members will be introduced at the October 17th board meeting which will also be the announcement

of officers for 2017-2018. It will also be a volunteer appreciation night. Special acknowledgment will go to the two

Volunteer Appreciation Award winners as selected at the September meeting:

Steve Cavaliere and Frank Herdzina.

All members are encouraged to attend the October meeting which will start at 6:00pm in the Waukesha Hangar.

There will be refreshments and social time after the meeting.

NEWS

Aviation Merit Badge Program

Over the last few years, we have had several Boy Scout Troops camp at the Museum and then get the ground

school requirements through Education Coordinator Mike Frederiksen and their Young Eagle Flights through EAA

Chapter 1414. The weekend of September 23 and 24, Boy Scout Troop 195 had 17 Troops complete the

requirements for their Aviation Merit Badge. Thanks to Chapter 1414 Young Eagle Pilots and volunteer Charlie

Sweet, who heads the ground school portion for helping the Museum in this very important program.

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Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum

Poplar Grove Aviation Education Association

5151 Orth Road, Suite A1

Poplar Grove, IL 61065

Aim High

Published by the

Poplar Grove Aviation Education Association, Inc.

5151 Orth Road, Suite A1

Poplar Grove, IL 61065

815.547.3115 vintagemuseum@gmail.com

A non-profit, 501 (c) 3 Corporation

Copyright © 2017

Poplar Grove Aviation

Education Association Inc.

All rights reserved

Museum Hours

April – September

Thursday– Saturday

10:00AM to 3:00PM

Sunday

12:00PM to 3:00PM

or

by appointment

Bonus Hours

May—September

2nd Sunday during EAA 1414 Pancake Breakfast

9:00AM to 3:00PM

www.poplargrovewingsandwheels.com

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