Upcoming Events
Ukrainian (not Russian!!) Alex Poddoubnyi was Antonov’s youngest test pilot in their history and was their chief test pilot for the AN-225. He was the first pilot over Chernobyl and still glows in the dark! He defected in 1991 on a trip to San Diego and now lives in Vista, CA.
He owns and charters an AN-12 Cargo plane. Yes! Alex has stories.
Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 7:30am
Cliff Henderson: Visionary Leader
Cliff was the managing director of the National Air Races from 1928-1939, turning into one of the most well-attended events in the United States. Cliff also built and founded the city of Palm Desert. His biography highlights the back-story of the races; his involvement in WWI and WWII; and early aviation in Southern California.
Thursday, March 25, 2022, at 7:30am
Don Donohue Declassified
Did you ever fly over the Grand Canyon 35 years ago? Below the rim? That was Las Vegas Airlines, Don Donohue’s company!
Don started as an enlisted airman and in just 3 years became an officer and instructor pilot. He quickly moved to the YF-12 program as their chief maintenance officer. His family has roots in aviation and they are the stories you’ll want to hear.
Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 7:30am
2019 - The Story of Fying the ‘Flabob Express’ DC-3 from California to Europe for the 75th Anniversary of D-day and the 70th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift
Pictured in the left seat (with his brother “Tym” in the right), Bob Tymczyszyn will tell the story of the preparation, execution and aftermath of flying an 80-year-old airplane on the adventure of his lifetime.
While attending UCLA, he flight-instructed on weekends and bush-flew in Alaska during summers. He was hired by “Flying Tigers” in 1978, the world’s largest cargo airline, flying DC-8s and 747s around the world. Eleven years later, Flying Tigers was bought by FedEx. Twenty-six years after that, Bob retired from 37 years of airline flying.
Prior to retirement, Bob started flying WW II-era DC-3s for the fun of it.
Firecliff Lodge – One of the first hotels in Palm Desert – Named for Harvey Firestone and Cliff Henderson.
Cliff always knew the importance of the image of a beautiful girl. He chose Jean Harlow for the ‘hostess’ of the National Air Races in 1933.
Dudley Steele, beautiful girls, and Cliff carrying a prop to advertise the National Air Races.
Speaker: Barbara Schultz – Aviation Historian
As an aviation historian for some 30 years, Barbara has written six books and numerous articles for the American Aviation Historical Association’s Journal and participated in several documentaries. She owns a 1950 Cessna 140A and lives with her husband on their airport, Little Buttes Antique Airpark. Aviation is their lifestyle!
Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 7:30am