Past Events
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July, 2017 Meeting: “Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations”
Please note the new venue! We will now be meeting at Indian Wells Golf Resort (across the hall from The Vue)!
Col Dana A. Hessheimer
Commander, 163d Attack Wing, California Air National Guard
“Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations”
Col. Hessheimer is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours, including the MQ-1 Predator Remotely Piloted Aircraft, KC-135, RC-135 (Rivet Joint, Combat Sent, Cobra Ball and Cobra Eye) and T-38. He was Acting Operations Group Commander when the unit deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The 163d Attack Wing is comprised of more than 800 personnel and provides support to more than 200 additional members at geographically separated locations. The wing is the California Air National Guard’s exclusive MQ-9 Reaper operations unit providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support, as well as tactical combat support, to commanders and war fighters around the world. Col. Hessheimer will present discuss the ins and outs of commanding such an extensive operation and share some insightful stories of the more exciting moments of his career.
Find out more »June, 2017 Meeting: “Lost Stories of Old Bold Pilots”
Gene Anderson
“Lost Stories of Old Bold Pilots”
A multi-engine instrument rated pilot and USAF veteran who made bombing charts during Vietnam, Gene currently teaches computer security, crypto, and operating system topics at UC San Diego and University of Maryland. Gene has been connected with Old Bold Pilots of Oceanside for many years. From first person interviews, he will be sharing some of their incredible stories.
Find out more »May, 2017 Meeting: “The Golden Age of Planetary Exploration”
Dr. John Casani
Over 50 years at the forefront of space exploration
“The Golden Age of Planetary Exploration”
We are honored and delighted to welcome Dr. John Casani as our guest speaker. Starting in 1956 as an electronics engineer on some of the nation’s earliest spacecraft, he rose through a series of technical and management positions to Chief Engineer of the Caltech Jet Propulsion Laboratory, with broad management oversight for the Laboratory’s technical activities.
During his long and illustrious career, Dr. Casani has served in many capacities on a wide variety of space exploration projects, manned and unmanned. Up until his retirement five years ago, he was routinely awarded the most prestigious honors in his field, including the Air and Space Museum Trophy for Lifetime Achievement in 2009. You won’t want to miss this unique opportunity to hear from the man who has spent his life taking us to the stars!
Find out more »April, 2017 Meeting: “Flying in Alaska, most unlike any other flying in the world”
Dan Gilbertson
Forty years of private pilotage. Soloed in Palm Springs at 16. Owns and operates business specializing in bush planes. Passionate volunteer at Palm Springs Air Museum.
“Flying in Alaska, most unlike any other flying in the world”
Please join us as Old Bold Pilot Dan Gilbertson regales us with tales of Alaska flying adventures — and misadventures. Of particular interest will be the unusual challenges presented by flying without facilities as well as a lack of infrastructure, sprinkled with interesting Alaska aviation history and personal experiences.
Find out more »March, 2017 Meeting: “The ‘Hun’: North American F-100 Super Sabre”
Al Dempsey & Col. Bob Lilac, USAF (Ret.)
Former F-100 drivers (along with many other aircraft), current volunteers at the Palm Springs Air Museum
“The ‘Hun’: North American F-100 Super Sabre”
The North American F-100 Super Sabre was an American supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1971. The first of the Century Series of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of supersonic speed in level flight. This fascinating program will cover the Hun’s early development and its many varied missions from the Cold War, the Thunderbirds, and Vietnam. All told by the pilots that actually flew these missions.
Find out more »February, 2017 Meeting: “Dozing for Dollars or How I Flew to Tokyo and Learned to Love the Bunk”
Gregg Hurt
“ Dozing for Dollars or How I Flew to Tokyo and Learned to Love the Bunk”
Former airline captain Gregg Hurt details his journey from the Cessna 172 to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
La Quinta resident, Gregg Hurt, flew for 42 years as first an Air Force Pilot and subsequently for Continental Airlines. His distinguished background includes flying numerous high ranking military and civilian passengers as part of the Presidential Airlift Wing and becoming one of the longest serving Check Airmen at CAL. As the Senior Check Airman in the Initial Cadre of Boeing 787 Instructors, he had the privilege of introducing the Dreamliner to America’s skies.
Gregg is an active golfer and saltwater fly fisherman and has been a resident here in the a Coachella Valley for a year and a half.
Find out more »January, 2017 Meeting: “A British Teenager’s WWII Experience”
Mick Dawson
“A British Teenager’s WWII Experience”
A Senior Professional and Technical Officer (Electrical and Mechanical) with the British Government for over 40 years, Mick was born and raised in Norfolk, England. In 1943 at age 14, he commenced work as an apprentice Electrician at RAF Wendling for the United States Army Air Forces Eighth Air Force 392d Bombardment Group’s B-24 Liberators for the duration of the War in Europe.
Find out more »December, 2016 Meeting: “Cold War Missile Countermeasures”
Lt. Cmdr. Pat Groves, Ph.D., USNR (Ret.)
Professional Pilot and CFII, former Electronic Systems Developer, and University Professor
“Cold War Missile Countermeasures”
Countermeasures for the SA-2 Missile were developed in the late 1960s. Drawing from personal experiences, Dr. Groves will discuss some of the interesting challenges of protecting aircraft from the Russian SA-2.
Find out more »November, 2016 Meeting: “Flight Range Extension, A Novel Approach”
William R. Page, M.D.
“Flight Range Extension, A Novel Approach”
Dr. Page attended medical school at the University of Miami on a US Navy Scholarship and then completed his internship and residency at the Naval Regional Medical Center in San Diego, California. Dr. Page served 29 years in the United States Navy. He started his private practice in Coachella Valley in 1983.
An avid pilot (ATP-multi engine license), Dr. Page has logged over 4,000 hours. He is also a flight instructor for single and multi-engine airplanes and helicopters. He holds CFII (ASMEL/HELO).
Find out more »October, 2016 Meeting: “Anticipating the Unexpected: Inside an Airline Incident”
Captain Barry Steiner
Retired Flight Instructor, Boeing Training & Flight Services
“Anticipating the Unexpected: Inside an Airline Incident”
Born & raised in Providence, Rhode Island, Capt. Barry Steiner is a pilot’s pilot. After nearly a decade flying for the US Navy, Barry transitioned to the airlines where he flew just about everything Boeing. Recently retired with over 22,000 hours, he spent the last ten years as a flight instructor for Boeing, training pilots on the B-777 and B-787.
Find out more »September, 2016 Meeting: “Glory Days of the Pan Am Clipper Fleet”
Lt. Col. Blaine Mack, US Army (Ret.)
Old Bold Pilots Flight Leader
“Glory Days of the Pan Am Clipper Fleet”
Boeing’s 314 Clippers attracted the elite travelers headed for China, Japan, and other exotic lands of the “Orient”. Everything was first class and the talk of the town. This fascinating story is rapidly being lost in the history books. Come hear Blaine talk about what it was like to witness the dawn of the age first hand!
Find out more »