HAPPY NEW YEAR, I wish all of you a healthy and fulfilling year ahead.

To get things started in an aeronautical manner on New Year’s Day, the Petaluma Area Pilots Association (PAPA) is hosting a chili & corn bread lunch. They are serving from 11am to 1pm at their club house along-side the approach end of Rwy 29. A number of Skypark pilots are planning on flying over there. I hope you are one of them.
Our airport Christmas party was a really nice evening and a good beginning to the holiday season on Friday night December 7th. Kathy Carmichael & Jeanette Woods organized us, starting with the decorating gang on Thursday night. Marilyn & Bob Avrit created the festive table center pieces that added the final touch to the table settings. Friday night brought wonderful hor d`oeuvres and drinks expertly poured by Rafe Tomsett & Debbie Presten. We enjoyed many excellent salads and vegetable dishes to accompany the roasted turkey and ham. Gardner & Shelia Bride, owners of Petaluma Coffee Company provided lots of super coffee to accompany the numerous tasty desserts brought by the guests. The guest were very generous donating toys for the “Toys-for-Tots collection and the sale of the Christmas Center Pieces provided $200 for the Air Explorer Post 1268. It was a fun evening with good food and good fellowship.
Sam McIntosh was able to get away from his nursing duties and join us at the Christmas party to report that Bea McIntosh was showing lots of improvement. Sam expressed his thanks to all of you that have expressed concern. I am happy to report that Bea was able to return home just before Christmas and is making good progress with her rehabilitation.
Carneros Aviation, our flight school, has been very active in December in spite of the rainy weather. They are one of the featured articles in the quarterly glossy SONOMA Magazine accompanied by wonderful pictures inside and outside the plane flying over the valley. They have received their FAA paperwork for scenic tours, so bookmark: www.AirplaneTours.com for the occasion when you need a unique gift or have visitors who would enjoy a Tour over Sonoma and Napa Valley or an Aerobatic Ride!!! Carneros Aviation: 707-939-8333, www.carnerosaviation.com.
2013 looks to be a good year if we don’t go too far off the fiscal cliff. All of our winery neighbors are going full speed ahead finishing a record harvest for the 2012 vintage. EAA Chapter 1268’s Young Eagle program always attracts eager young faces and willing pilots always appear to share the flying experience each month. Early this coming year we will see the topping out of the Historical Lighted Airway Beacon Tower in the center of our parking lot. Bev Morgan started collecting money for the Memorial Beacon Fund purchase in 2002. It took a while but I think it will be a notable educational asset for the future. We will have to get Bev to return and cut the ceremonial ribbon. The Skypark motor glider fleet has grown recently and the respective owner/pilots are all checked out so we should see more glider activity. The amphibian airplane fleet has grown to three so Skypark should be represented at the Clearlake Sea Plane Fly-in. On January 8th Curtis Presten turns sixteen and plans to solo in the Champ. From now on he will be cooking burgers for gas money on Saturday! As the rest of us mature, it is always encouraging to see another sixteen year old take to the skies.

CALENDAR
January 8 EAA Chapter 1268 Dinner meeting at 7:00 pm with a speaker following dinner. Everyone is welcome.
January 12 & 13 Display days from noon to 4:00 pm for aircraft of historical significance.
January 13 Young Eagle airplane rides. Rides from 9:00 am to noon for young people age 8 to 17.
January 25 Movie Night at the airport club house. Free popcorn and drinks at 6:00 pm, pizza and drinks at 7:00 pm for $5.00, followed by the featured film. This month’s feature will be announced by Rafe.
Tailwinds, Ron Price

SONOMA SKYPARK AIRPORT
21870 Eighth Street East
Sonoma, California 95476

Get ready for another great Skypark party on Friday, December 7th! It’s potluck as always, and we’re looking forward to seeing you all there.

Click here for more info: Christmas Party Flyer

Skypark Family Fun Day. Wow, all of Jeanette Woods planning came together on a warm Saturday in October. I want to thank everyone in the Skypark family who lent a hand setting up the airport, advertising the event, soliciting donations, cooking the food, greeting the airport visitors, donating rides in their aircraft, driving the hay wagon tractor, selling raffle tickets and parachute bingo chances, and cleaning up after the big day. All of your efforts were appreciated by our guests and very beneficial for our airport.
Both of the candidates for County Supervisor and the four candidates for Sonoma City Council were present seeking votes. We served 400 plus hamburgers and hot dogs. The silent auction, raffle and parachute bingo raised just over $3,000. for Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance and Air Explorer Post 1268. Thank you to everyone who helped makes this event successful!!!!

Skypark Christmas Party. The date is Friday, December 7. The festivities start at 6:00 pm with hors d`oeuvres and beverages. Dinner will be served at 7:00 pm.
Please bring a dish to share. If your name begins with:
A thru M Salad or Dessert
N thru Z Hot Vegetables, Potatoes or Pasta
The airport refreshment fund will provide Holiday turkey and ham along with beverages for the party. I hope you can come and enjoy good food and holiday cheer with airport friends and families.
Santa Claus will visit to hand out presents, be sure to bring something for him to give to your child. If you are without a young child we are suggesting you bring an un-wrapped gift that we will pass along to the Fire Department Toy Collection.
Please RSVP to the airport office. (707) 996-2100
Carneros Aviation. Our flight school reports that David Perry earned his private pilot license in September and Blaine Transue earned his private pilot license in early October. Congratulate both of them when you see them at the airport. David and his son have been learning together but David doesn’t have to wait to turn 17. Another young pilot Colin Trainer will solo on his 16th birthday, November 7th.
November 7th. The day after you voted I hope. We will be visited by a restored Huey Helicopter on the 7th as part of the ceremony greeting the visit of “The Wall” to Sonoma Veterans Park. On Sunday November 11, Veterans Day, Skypark pilots have been asked to do a fly-over of Veteran’s Park at noon.
Contact Darrel Jones (707) 996-4494, wd6bor@vom.com if you can participate.

I wish all of you a wonderful fall season of flying and anticipation of the holidays ahead with friends and family. Say a little prayer for Bea McIntosh’s speedy recovery from her terrible accident.
Tailwinds, Ron Price

SONOMA SKYPARK AIRPORT
21870 Eighth Street East
Sonoma, California 95476

Update from the Press Democrat: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20121009/articles/121009513

Bea McIntosh, wife of Skypark pilot Sam McIntosh, was seriously injured Monday while cycling with friends on Hwy 29 north of St. Helena. Bea is being cared for at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa. Our best wishes go out to Sam and Bea, and we will post updates when available.

Skypark Family Fun Day-Our annual airport open house is just around the corner on Saturday October 13^th. All of the festivities begin at  11 AM with lots of vintage cars,

airplanes and a free lunch to all of our registered guests.  There are always lots of Sonoma goodies in the silent auction and and happy winners in our raffles.  Skyparkian Jeanette Woods is  doing a masterful job coordinating the event, and can use all of the extra volunteer help she can muster.  Give her a ring at 707-888-9608 or email her at jowoods@vom.com.
John Thomason is pleased to announce the first flight of his RV-9A with the help of experienced RV constructors Jerry Gustafson & Jim Clark.  After the first flight, John joined  Jerry for his first flight in his new plane and landed with smiles all around.  Scott, John’s Marine Corps fighter pilot son, has traded his F-18 Hornet for a DeHavilland Dash 8 Q-400 airliner and is completing his simulator training before taken on fare paying passengers.  Both father and son are pleased with the new family addition.
John Carmichael has returned to Skypark after another successful  deployment to Backcountry Adventures where he added 115 SES hours to his log book in a float equipped PA-12 and bestowed water ratings upon 10 lucky aviators.  Good work John, welcome home.
The ink was barely dry on Bill Smith’s third class medical where upon he demonstrated three flawless TOs and landings in his beautiful orange and white Stearman.  Always nice to see a great looking biplane in the Skypark airspace.
Booneville Airport was happy to have Frank Russo, Steve Alsterlind and Ron Price  fly their Cub, Taylorcraft and Vagabond ships to their annual  Fly In.  It’s a grassroots aviation experience at a small airport with a big heart and with a nice bonus, a very scenic cross country flight included at no extra charge.
The Presten Family, Eric, Debbie, Curtis & Ben, returned from another summer marathon of airshows and vintage aviation events including the Barnstormer’s Tour, Antique Airplane Association, EAA Oshkosh and the Pietenpol Fly In, to name a few.  Eric enjoyed robust sales of his new book and the boy’s added another generous supply of aeronautical tee shirts to their existing large collection.
Movie Night had a big turn out for DAWN PATROL with Errol Flynn.  The movies are always free, popcorn too!  Our next feature is  CHAIN LIGHTNING with Humphrey Bogart Friday October 26^th at 6 PM in the blue SSP clubhouse.  Pizza and a drink still just a $5 donation.  Dinner, drinks and a movie, 5 bucks, such a deal! Hope to see you there!
CALENDAR
October 9                              EAA Chapter 1268-Monthly Dinner Meeting at 7 PM
October 13 & 14                 Display Days-Display your aircraft noon to 4 PM
October 13                           Skypark Family Fun Day-11 AM to 3 PM
October 14                          Young Eagle Flights-Sunday 9 AM to 12 PM
October 26                           SSP Movie Night-Chain Lightning 6 PM Clubhouse
Tailwinds,
Ron Price
SONOMA SKYPARK AIRPORT
21870 EIGHTH STREET EAST
Sonoma, California 95476

Join us Saturday, October 13th from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, for our annual Family Fun Day! Vintage airplane and car display, hay rides, silent auction, and plenty of fun. This year, proceeds will go to benefit The Sonoma Mentoring Alliance and Air Explorer Post 1268. Admission is free, so bring the whole family down to meet your neighbors at the airport!

Skypark Family Fun Day- Don’t forget Saturday, October 13^th is the date for our annual Family Fun Day for our neighbors and the Sonoma Valley community.  We need everyone’s help.  If you are going to be out of town you can still participate soliciting raffle prizes, putting up posters around town or some of the other preliminary duties before you head out of town.

Please get in touch with Jeanette Woods, (707) 888-9608 or email her at: jowoods@vom.com THANK YOU,

AIRPORT HAPPENINGS – Oshkosh was interesting and fun as always.  Skypark’s Bob Berwick was there flying a DC-3 for the parachutists that opened each days AirShow.  All four Prestens were there with their 1911 Bleriot replica in the antique area.  Walt Bowe flew his newly restored 1929 Laird Commercial to Oshkosh and won a Silver Lindy for Reserve Grand Champion Antique.  Josh Brownell, a former Skypark pilot, displayed his beautiful 1929 Waco Taper wing biplane. Another former Skypark pilot, Jim Roberts flew his shiny Swift up from Knoxville, TN and was awarded The Best Swift trophy.  Other Skypark pilots attending were Frank Russo, Gardner Bride and I.  Young Eagle, Amir Fahraji camped with us on the convention grounds.  I tried to make contact with two of the Skypark EAA Air Academy attendees but they were always involved.  The weather was typical for the Midwest, hot, cool, humid and perfect all in one day.  We experienced some rain at night and one huge thunderstorm at noon Friday with heavy wind and rain for a short while followed by clear blue skies for the Airshow.

TYLER ORSOW- at the Sea Plane Association dinner Thursday night, during Oshkosh AirVenture, a scholarship fund in memory of Tyler Orsow and Chuck Kimes awarded full scholarships for sea plane ratings to four Young Pilots (age 17 to 25).  I believe the fund plans to present monthly scholarships in the future.  Tyler’s mother, Terry Campbell and husband Mike Hayes were present to award the initial scholarships that evening.  Tyler and Terry were a big part of Sonoma Skypark for many years.

CHARLES “CHARLIE” BROWN- On Monday, July 30^th, Skypark hosted a lunch for Charlie and his family at the Swiss Hotel on the plaza.  Charlie retired from his Skypark duties after 14 years of loyal & friendly service.  We wish you good health and good fishing, Charlie!

PLANES FOR SALE-

1968 Cessna 182 with all the bells and whistles.  Harry Andrews (707) 486-1433

1964 Piper Cherokee 235, $38,000, John Eaton (707) 495-4815

1946 Aeronca Champ, 65HP, $25,000, Greg Durango (415) 726-4280

Our flight school, Carneros Aviation is staying very busy this summer but I don’t have any names or details on who soloed or received their license this month. I have been noticing Travis going out solo with a parachute on recently.  He must be perfecting his aerobatic skills. Maybe a little aerobatic show for Family Fun Day!

MOVIE NIGHT- All reports are that last month’s movie night was well received.  Rafe said he had to prepare four pizzas and he is considering a repeat performance of the feature film “PAN AM” as a lot of people who missed it said they would still like to see it.  This month’s film is, Moss Hart’s “Winged Victory”. A serial and cartoon begin at 6pm

Friday, August 24^{th at} 6:00pm.

The movie & popcorn are free, pizza and drinks are a $5 donation.  The feature film and pizza are at 7:00pm. Hope to see you there.

CALENDAR

August            11 & 12           DISPLAY DAYS- Display your aircraft from noon to 4.

August            11                    BOONVILLE AIRPORT FLY IN- Lunch & pot luck

Dinner at 5:00 pm. A fun day or you can overnight.

August            12                    YOUNG EAGLE FLIGHTS- EAA Chapter 1268 gives

Rides to youth, age 8 to 17 from 9 am to noon.

August            14                    EAA CHAPTER 1268- Monthly dinner meeting followed

By a speaker.  Dinner served at 7:00 pm.  Everyone is

Welcome.

TAILWINDS,

RON PRICE

SONOMA SKYPARK AIRPORT

21870 EIGHTH STREET EAST

SONOMA, CALIFORNIA  95476

AIRPORT HAPPENINGS- Skypark was well represented in the annual 4th of July parade by a neat float created by Zorah Mardesich and Travis Morton (of Carneros Aviation) and Bob Berwick (of Coastal Air Tours) with help from Peter Gauthier. Wednesday was a beautiful day for the parade. There are pictures of the float on the flight school and airport web sites. A full moon and a clear sky helped make the evening fireworks especially good. I hope all of you enjoyed the holiday.

John and Kathy Carmichael have sent back beautiful pictures of the float plane John is flying off Flathead River, near Kalispell. MT. I have some pictures posted on the bulletin board in the office. It looks like an awesome site for summer float plane flying.

Saturday noon Burgers are still very popular. Five or six planes flew in today for conversation and food. Craig MacDonald just told me he has his recently acquired Piper Pa-12 for sale for some lucky owner.

CARNEROS AVIATION – The flight school, formerly known as Sonoma Valley Flying Club is changing its name to Carneros Aviation this month to broaden its business. Since the last newsletter four students have soloed; one student earned his Private Pilot License. John Cabaud (Cab-O), the newest instructor has 3 or 4 new students and is available almost daily. I am very happy to see so much aviation activity, especially among young new pilots.
MOVIE NIGHT – Rafe Tomset continues to present interesting movies on the last Friday of each month. Thirty of us enjoyed “High Road to China” with pizza and drinks in the clubhouse last month. On Friday July 27 at 6:00 pm the program starts with the first episode of the exciting serial, “Sky King” followed by the feature film classic, “China Clipper” starring Humphrey Bogart & Pat O’Brien. Hope you can make it.
PERSONNEL CHANGES – Last month Skypark’s longest serving employee, Charles “Charlie” Brown experienced a serious health problem that made it necessary for Charlie to really retire’ for good. I am happy to report that Charlie is feeling much better now and is back behind the driver’s seat taking care of his home and life’s daily chores. We really miss Charlie in the office every Monday and Tuesday but know all good things have to end. One of our own, RAFE TOMSET is taking over Charlie’s duties each Monday and Tuesday. Please welcome Rafe to the office.
ANDREW “ANDY” SMITH – Andy resigned from the Skypark staff July 5. Rumor has it Andy is becoming a Golden Gate Ferry Boat Captain after recently attaining his Coast Guard Captain Papers. I know we will all miss Andy’s cheery greetings and stories around the airport. If the rumor is true, please join me in wishing Andy “smooth sailing”. Recent high school graduate and soon to be Santa Rosa Jr. College student, JORGE OROS began working for Skypark earlier this month and will be assuming airport attendant duties on a regular basis. JASMINE VILLA SENOR is in her last semester at CAL, so soon we will be saying good bye to Jasmine but for most of the summer she promises to carry on for Skypark. For the next two weeks Jasmine and her mom and sister will be relaxing in Hawaii!
I will be leaving for EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh, Wisconsin on July 17th and will be joined in camp there by YOUNG EAGLE, AMIR FARAJI; FRANK RUSSO; GARDNER BRIDE; THE PRESTEN FAMILY; JIM ROBERTS AND TERRY & MIKE. During AirVenture the Seaplane Assoc. is dedicating a scholarship in the name of TYLER ORSOW & CHUCK KIMES. Look for us at our usual camp site, “Sally’s Alley” if you visit AirVenture.

TAILWINDS, RON PRICE

Calendar
July 8 & 14 DISPLAY DAYS- Display your aircraft from Noon to 4 PM
July 8 YOUNG EAGLE FLIGHTS – EAA Chapter 1268 gives rides to youth from
Age 8 to 17 from 9 AM to noon.
July 10 EAA Chapter 1268 – Monthly dinner meeting followed by a speaker.
Dinner served at 7 PM. Everyone is welcome.
JULY 14 GNOSS FIELD BREAKFAST – A full breakfast served for a $7.00 donation
At 9 AM followed by a speaker on engine operation & performance.
July 27 MOVIE NIGHT – Popcorn & drinks with an exciting Serial at 6 PM,
Pizza & drinks for $5.00 with the classic movie “CHINA CLIPPER” at 7 PM.

SONOMA SKYPARK AIRPORT
21870 EIGHTH STREET EAST
SONOMA, CALIFORNIA 95476

Skypark’s Jorge Oros has graduated from Sonoma Valley High School. We wish him the very best for a bright future!

Family Fun Day – Saturday, October 13 is the date..  The festivities are from 11:00 am to 3:00pm.  Mark that date on your Calendars for a day at the airport.   Jeanette Woods is heading up the organization for our airport and will be contacting each of us for some help.  There are always tasks that need doing before the event if you have out of town plans on the 13^th.  We will need items for a silent auction and items for the raffle.  Jeanette can be reached at;

(707) 996-4563 or jowoods@vom.com

FOURTH OF JULY FLOAT- Do you remember Skypark’s parade floats from the early days?  Trevor Meeks was eight or nine and the Prestens did not have children!  Well Bob Berwick (415) 609-7273 and Travis Morton (707) 939-8333 think it is time we have another aviation float.  I think they have a small airplane lined up, a neat tractor to pull the float and some more good ideas from you.  The airport crew will have the airport trailer ready with a new shiny coat of paint.  Maybe we could have a little fly-over of the parade.  Give them a call.

FRIDAY, JUNE 29^TH IS MOVIE NIGHT. This month’s feature is “High Road to China” starring Tom Selleck.  Popcorn and drinks are served with the continuing serial and cartoon at 6:00 pm and the Pizza, Beer & wine are served at 7:00 pm before the introduction of the feature by our own favorite movie presenter, Rafe Tomset.

AIRPORT HAPPENINGS – Our flight school enjoyed its busiest month in May and it seems like they out do themselves in June.  Travis & Zorah are in the office Wednesday thru Monday and now that John has his Multi & Single Engine Instructors Rating they should be available daily.  It looks like another Cessna 172 will be joining the fleet soon.

The RV Boys, Jim Clark, Jerry Gustafson & Tim Steers along with their wives threw a casual get-together on Sat, June 2^nd, that was very nice.  Boy they really polished up their hangars and provided plenty of good food and drinks for lots of friends and neighbors.  Currently they are devoting a lot of time and effort to putting John Thomason’s RV-9A together.  John has been in and out of the hospital lately and has dialyst  M-W-F so he can get his spirits lifted back at the airport checking on his “elves” progress.  Today was the first engine run attempt.

The whole Presten Family left Skypark after school was out for Wisconsin, Hamilton, Ont. Ca. last weekend, Pa, NY, MI, then Oshkosh, Barnstorming Tour in August before coming home for school.  Eric stays in the mid-west until returning via the Reno Air Races.  How is that for a full summer!

Skypark’s EAA Chapter 1268 is sending four young people to AirVenture Camp on the EAA Museum grounds in Oshkosh, WI this summer.  This will be the second experience for two of the campers and a new experience for the other two.  I will have more of a profile of these young aviation enthusiasts in the future.  The Chapter uses Young Eagle flight credits, individual donations, chapter treasury monies, and Burger Day earnings to fund these camp scholarships.

MEMORIAL DAY FLY-OVER - On Sunday, May 28^th at noon Twelve Skypark pilots and planes flew over the closing ceremonies at the Sonoma Veterans Cemetery.  I was on the ground coordinating the timing and I want to say that we all should be very proud of our local aviators.  Four wings of three planes each flew over with perfect timing.

TAILWINDS,  RON PRICE