Our Mission: To educate, entertain and excite with experiences in air and space...

Volume 19, Issue 2 Spring 2009

AERONOTES

GRAND RE-OPENING OPEN HOUSE AND CELEBRATION SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2009

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM On May 2nd, the Empire State Aerosciences Museum will hold a day-long Open House to show off the many im-provements made during the museum’s winter renovation closing. The Open House will include free admission to the museum, tours, docents at selected exhibits and complimentary refreshments. The headline event for the Open House is dedication of the Carl Battaglia Memorial Space Hall in Gallery II. The dedication will include:

• Unveiling the new Lunar Rover exhibit in Gallery II with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a presenta-tion by the builders of the exhibit

• A presentation about the Mars Rover by Melissa Rice, a Zonta International Fellowship Recipient who is working with NASA on the Mars exploration project

• Display of Space Shuttle objects on loan from NASA, including personnel equipment, space food and a shuttle panel, and

• The first showing of other new space-related exhibits in the new Space Hall. Other highlights for the Open House include:

• The new Antarctic exploration exhibit in Gallery I • The improved whirligig in Gallery I • The new seascape backdrop for the Akagi exhibit in Gallery II • The refurbished dioramas in both galleries, and • Recognition of the support provided by those who helped ESAM acquire the Grumman S-2 Tracker

In addition, the museum is benefiting from other less obvious but very important recent improvements including roof work over the administrative offices, re-insulating the west wall of Gallery I, a new fur-nace in Gallery II, painting the classroom, and cleaning and buffing floors. Invited dignitaries include Senator Hugh Farley, Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature Susan Savage, Glenville Town Supervisor Frank Quinn and Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen. This exciting Open House is being sponsored by a great ESAM partner - the Zonta Club of Schenectady. ESAM thanks Zonta for their generous support for this event and their ongoing support of the museum. We hope to see you on May 2nd. ESAM’s new Antarctic Exploration Exhibit will be on dis-

play at the May 2nd Open House

Dear Friends, You’ve probably all heard the old expression - “spring is a time of renewal”. To me, it is also a time of messy, melting snow, muddy lawns, and a teasing glimpse of warm weather, followed by a parting blast of winter. In the case of our great museum, however, it is absolutely accurate! We successfully completed a variety of improvements in both galleries which ex-ceeded my expectations - refurbished and new exhib-its, painting and cleaning, and insulation of Gallery I. I was so proud to have been part of an effort with volunteers working together on numerous individual projects which collectively greatly improved our museum. We are going to show off these improvements at a grand re-opening Open House on May 2nd - mark your calendars, it will feature a number of highlights, rang-ing from unveiling the lunar exhibit in memory of co-founder Carl Battaglia, and a guest speaker from NASA. More details of the day are listed on the cover of this newsletter. This wonderful day is being undertaken in partnership with the Zonta Club of Schenectady, a member of Zonta International. The Zonta Club has been one of our best supporters and partners and I speak for all of us when I express my thanks and ap-preciation for their support! But there’s more - on April 25th we will again conduct our AIM-High program for Schenectady area youth. This program has been wonder-ful, and involves a number of individu-als and organizations working together and donating valuable time and re-sources. This year’s program, cospon-sored by the Experimental Aircraft Association is being coordinated by Mardy Moore a new Board of Trus-tees member Peter Clouse. And on June 6th we’ll be participating in Schenectady County’s History and Heritage Day, offering free admission to the museum. We’re going to have a GREAT year! As always, it is a privilege to spend time and work with you. Kevin P.S. - Be sure to say hello to Sharon Leighton, recently appointed to the Board of Trustees. Sharon brings a positive approach, new ideas, and will be a great addition. Welcome Sharon!

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AeroNotesAeroNotes

Published quarterly by the

Empire State Aerosciences Museum 250 Rudy Chase Drive Glenville, NY 12302 Phone: 518 377-2191

Fax: 518 377-1959 E-mail: esam@esam.org Web site: www.esam.org

Editor

Lawrence McArthur

ESAM is a registered charitable organization

chartered by the N.Y.S. Department of Education

President

Kevin Millington

First Vice President John Panoski

Second Vice President

Matthew LeClair

Secretary Lawrence McArthur

Treasurer

Lawrence McArthur (Acting)

Trustees Peter Clouse

Raymond Davis Kevin Duscha

Robert Eggleston Robert T. Farley

Jeanne Jadwin Matthew LeClair Sharon Leighton

Lawrence McArthur Michael Miller

Kevin Millington Joyce Newkirk

James W. Oxford John Panoski

Timothy Reynolds Ralph Rosenthal

James F. Seeley, Esq. Andrew Trainor

Advisory Board

B. Donald Ackerman Rt. Rev. David S. Ball

Max Della Pia, Col., NYANG Lawrence P. Flynn,

Maj. Gen. NYARNG (Ret.) Debra N. Gatto Al Hulstrunk

Steven A. Israel James A. Maas

Robert J. McCormick Jansz V. Vander Veer

Kevin Millington

The new Akagi backdrop (above) and refurbished Whirligig (below) will be on display at ESAM’s May 2nd Open House

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ESAM WILL PARTICPATE IN SCHENECTADY COUNTY’S HISTORY AND HERITAGE DAY

This year is Schenectady County’s Bicentennial and the County is holding History & Heritage Day in place of its annual Community Day. The History and Heritage Day takes place the first Saturday in June (June 6th) and will be promoted by both the County and the Chamber. ESAM will offer free admission to the museum on that day.

LETTERS LIKE THESE WE LIKE TO RECEIVE ESAM received the following letter from the Harmony Corners Fire Department. November 10, 2008 Empire State Aerosciences Museum Mr. Kevin Millington, President 250 Rudy Chase Drive Glenville, NY 12302 Subject: Galway Student Activities Saturday October 11, 2008 Mr. Kevin Millington, On behalf of the Fire & Life Safety Education Task Force, I convey our gratitude to you and the Empire State Aerosciences Museum for the support and assistance provided our attending fire and life safety education students from the Galway Central School District. The visit, coupled with your presentations and that of Vice President John J. Panoski, reflected most favorably on the Museum and quality exhibits/programs you provide. Please express our thanks to Mr. Panoski, Ms. Vina Kaczmarczyk and all those who made our use of the facility possible. Enclosed are some photos taken during our visit. Sincerely, Frederick S. Richards, Fire & Life Safety Education Coordinator

Fire and life safety students enjoy an educational day at ESAM

ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM TO BEGIN John Batch, a student at Skidmore College has volunteered to undertake a project to collect oral histories from ESAM members If you would like to participate in this project, please contact ESAM President Kevin Millington.

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ESAM SUPPORTS SARATOGA MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE FAIR On February 10, 2009, three ESAM volunteers provided a very well received aeronautics activity for the Division St. Middle School in Saratoga. The school invited ESAM to set up an aeronautics display as part of its annual science fair. At the fair, volunteers Dennis Cusano, Sean Moore and John Panoski set up laptops (one with a projection system) with a flight simulator pro-gram and computer airplane yoke and challenged the stu-dents to either land the aircraft on a runway or aircraft car-rier deck, or "bomb" a floating target. A line of students wanting to try these challenges quickly formed. Dennis, Sean and John also brought along the student-made wind tunnel that has been on display in Gallery I to add some aeronautical science into the event. The entire event went very well and a donation was made to ESAM as a result of our participation.

Saratoga School Children line up to try ESAM’s Flight Simulator

Kids try out the Flight Simulator (left) and the Wind Tunnel (right)

filming

ESAM HOSTS WMD TRAINING EXERCISE

If you drove by ESAM on Tuesday, March 17 and noticed a number of vans and trailers in front of the museum, you were witnessing a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) training exercise. The museum’s participation in the exercise was organized between ESAM First Vice President John Panoski and SGM Lundy of the Second WMD Civil Support Team based at the Stratton Air National Guard Base. The Second WMD Civil Support Team is a multi-service response team organized to react to a weapon of mass destruction that may be found in any publicly accessible building location. The objective of the exercise was to find a simulated WMD device planted somewhere at ESAM. Prior to the exercise at ESAM, the team had completed a number of other training scenarios locally. Other agencies, such as the FBI, NYS Police, local police and FEMA also participated in the exercise. The exercise was completed with no interruption to daily operations at ESAM.

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FLIGHT FACTS

In the last issue of AERONOTES, we posed this question: Who wore the suit in the photo at left and why was he wearing it?

The answer is: Wiley Post wore the suit to explore the limits of high-altitude long-distance flight.

In 1934, aviator Wiley Post, working with the B.F. Goodrich Company, produced the world's first practical pressure suit. The suit's body had three layers: long underwear, a rubber air pressure bladder, and an outer suit of rubberized parachute fabric which was at-tached to a frame with arm and leg joints that allowed Post to operate aircraft controls and to walk to and from the aircraft. Attached to the frame were pigskin gloves, rubber boots, and an aluminum and plastic helmet with a removable faceplate that could be sealed at a height of 17,000 feet, and could accommodate earphones and a throat microphone. The suit used a liquid oxygen source. It cost an estimated $75.

Post wore the suit aboard his Lockheed Vega, the Winnie May. Ten flights were made using the first suit. In the first flight using the suit on September 5, 1934, Post reached an altitude of 40,000 feet above Chicago, and in later flights reached 50,000 feet and discovered the jet stream.

The correct answer was provided by Bill Gallagher of the National Soaring Museum. Congratulations Bill. Much more information about Wiley Post and his pressurized suit can be found at Smithsonian Annals of Flight, #8, 1971 “Wiley Post , his Winnie Mae and the World’s First Pressure Suit”. Our next Flight Facts question is: Who led the development of the world’s first multi-engine aircraft? If you know the answer to this question and want to be eligible for a free pass to the museum, a free ticket to ride the SRV, and a gift from the ESAM library, submit your answer either by e-mail to news@esam.org using a subject line of "Flight Facts", or by letter to ESAM Flight Facts, 250 Rudy Chase Drive, Glenville, NY 12302. Answers must be received by May 31, 2009 to be eligible for the prize. Wiley Post

ESAM SOUTH On March 5, 2009, a group of ESAM members, calling themselves “ESAM South”, got together for a picnic in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Pictured from left to right are Dan & Yvonne DeBellis, Ronnie Quinn, Al Petroni, Dorie & Larry McArthur and Joan & Bob Crandall. Hopefully the picnic was the first of an annual event.

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SCOTT CROSSFIELD - AERONAUTICAL PIONEER By Peter T. Clouse

During a recent conversation with Aerosciences Museum President Kevin Millington, I mentioned that I had once had a far-ranging talk with aerospace pioneer Scott Crossfield prior to his death in the crash of his private plane over mountainous northern Georgia in 2006. Kevin thought it would be a good idea to remind aerospace enthusi-asts of the importance of Crossfield’s work. With this in mind, I dusted off my notes from a conversation that I had with him over 24 years ago. Crossfield, along with his better known competitor, Chuck Yeager, was a forward observer in the early stages of the Cold War. He was a test pilot, engineer and tireless conscience reminding us of where we had been and what we could achieve. Fascinated with the exploits of flight test pioneers since childhood, I knew all about Crossfield and Yeager. In today’s world of computer simulations, their work can easily be overlooked. Each time they and their colleagues tested a faster engine or sleeker design in the high desert of California, lives hung in the balance. Their efforts secured a place in aviation history and the enshrinement of their craft nearly across from each other in the cavern-ous National Air and Space Museum. In the spring of 1984, I was an intern with the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Science and Technology, where Crossfield worked as a technical consultant. He agreed to speak with me about his experiences, but we could never seem to find a good time. On May 29, 1984, the last day of my internship, I finally met with him. It was after 5:00 P.M. and, except for the occasional whir of the cleaning crew’s vacuum, we had the place to ourselves. For the next hour, I heard first-hand accounts from aerospace’s infancy. Fortunately, I brought my tape recorder. After learning of Crossfield’s death, I listened to the tape for the first time. He began by listing those aerospace books he felt were accurate because they discussed “..a lot of people you don’t hear about” and contained tables of flights and other mission specifics. Unfortunately, many others, including those about the fabled X-15, a sophisticated rocket plane that aided the development of the space shuttle, “are garbage”. He illuminated the difference between Air Force and civilian pilots operating in the secretive flight test world at Edwards Air Force Base from the late 1940s to the 1960s. Crossfield and his National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA) research coworkers were located across the field from these Air Force “bluesuiters”. The Air Force pilots only flew research airplanes for subjective analysis, namely speed and altitude and “their view of research was ‘Let’s go out and let’s have a look at it (what a plane can do) (Our) operation was different…making good airplanes and improving them. I’m a wind tunnel aerodynamicist and designer. To me, flying an airplane is just one of the essential processes in designing better airplanes.” “You never go out there with a discretionary plan. That’s the way to lose airplanes and pilots. The plan is laid out, calculated and virtually memorized because of time constraints. There was none of this ‘Let’s go out and try’ stuff. That’s movie crap. It just doesn’t happen…And, incidentally, that’s the only way we got to the Moon. There was nothing left to chance. “ After leaving NACA in 1955 and joining North American Aviation, Crossfield helped design, build and fly the X-15. It was an “on time and on bucks” program that yielded tremendous results for the relatively small cost of the program, roughly 150 million dollars. As dean of the X-15, he flew it 30 times with 16 of them being 10 minute duration launches or “…a total of 160 minutes of time in 10 years and it (still) was one of our best research tools. Time and again, it provided us with a great deal of the empirical verification that we used on Apollo, Mercury and Gemini. But that’s a long time ago. It first flew in 1958 and was retired in 1969.”

(continued on page 7)

(continued from page 6) Crossfield also experienced his share of close calls, including a hard X-15 landing that broke the vehicle in half. “But”, he added wryly, “it broke right where it should have.” Earlier in his career, while flying the X-1 on final approach, he opened external vents to assist the craft’s pressuri-zation system equalize cabin pressure following a descent from high altitude. The warm, humid air immediately formed ice on the cold canopy, effectively blinding him. When he radioed his Air Force chase plane pilot to talk him down, in true “right stuff” fashion, the joking response was, “Yeah, that happened to me last week.” Cross-field said he pulled off his shoe and “rubbed a spot on the windshield so I could see the horizon. That worked pretty well and I got on the ground alright. But then I couldn’t get out of the cockpit because my foot froze to the rudder bar.” He lamented programs canceled and technological initiatives lost due to half-hearted efforts or bad political decisions, especially in the 1960s and 1970’s. “We listened to all of the Cassandras that were proven wrong.” As a result, he surmised, it would take until 2020 to achieve what we could have technologically by 1984, especially in the field of air breathing engine capability between Mach 3 and Mach 14. “In my lifetime, I can remember when it was thought that you’d never be able to take human beings above 20,000 feet (where commercial airlines routinely cruise). That stuff has been with us all the time.” “There is no philosophical ball anymore. You need detailed specs of the unknown before you start any research today. That’s absolutely ridiculous. …(if ) the Wright Brothers were asked, ‘What will the airplane become?’ they (probably) said ‘We don’t know but it will be spectacular.’ That’s all you had to know.” Regarding the apparent competition with the Air Force pilots, he responded that “typically, I was limited to a 100,000 foot ceiling and Mach 3. Originally, my contract said Mach 2 but you couldn’t hold the X-15 to Mach 2. It was dangerous trying because at idle power it would go Mach 4 and to do all the things we had to do, I was shutting the engines off and powering them back on all the time…You see, civilian professionals weren’t allowed to make records.” Still, he knew what he did was groundbreaking. “No one had done what we were doing. There were no criteria, no regulations and very often, flight after flight, we would be in a totally new area. I think I broke the world speed record 10 times in a row at maybe a hundredth of a Mach number at a time.” All too soon, our time was over and he wished me well. Somehow, I knew this was the only opportunity that I would ever have to speak with him. After I took a final picture, he left me with one last thing to remember: “The world isn’t narrow out there, it has fantastic potential…(and) we can do anything if we just pick the right thing to do.” In the ensuing years, I saw him on C-SPAN speaking at aviation events, always imploring others to squeeze every last drop from their projects and designs. Our culture tends to be hard on heroes, tearing them down as quickly as they are created. Accordingly, we are of-ten wary of admiring people because of the fear of being disappointed. This was not the case with Scott Crossfield. Yes, Crossfield died doing what he loved. Just as importantly, however, he lived doing what he loved, providing a scientific and legislative foundation upon which future aerospace achievement could be based. Peter Clouse resides in Coeymans, NY and may be reached at ptclouse@yahoo.com.

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MIKOYAN-GUREVICH MIG-21 FISHBED by Kevin Millington

Sitting proudly in our airpark is a true icon of aviation - the MiG-21 (NATO code name “Fishbed”), one of the most successful fighters of all time, and which holds the record as the most prolifically built combat aircraft since World War II, with over 10,600 manufactured. Following its introduction into service with the Soviet Air Force in 1959, it was supplied to nearly fifty foreign air arms in a variety of progressively improved variants. The MiG-21 is a single-seat, single-engine fighter which features a delta wing and an excellent thrust-to-weight ratio. It boasts a high climb rate and a top speed of nearly Mach 2. The MiG-21 was widely used by the North Vietnamese during the Viet Nam War, where it achieved some success against the heavier and more sophisticated F-4 Phantom. Although basically a hit-and-run, short range interceptor, which lacked the long-range radar and advanced avionics of the Phantom, it was more maneuverable and had the advan-tage in a close-range dogfight. The MiG-21 also saw considerable action during the Middle East conflicts of the 1960's and 70's, with the air forces of Egypt, Syria, and Iraq against Israel. The MiG-21 was gradually replaced in Soviet service by the more advanced MiG-23 Flogger and MiG-29 Fulcrum, but as of 2008, it still remained in service with a few foreign air forces. ESAM’s MiG-21 is a Fishbed-E, which features an avionics bay along the spine of the fuselage, providing it with a limited all-weather capability. Typical armament comprised an internally-mounted 23 mm. cannon, together with two short-range Atoll air-to-air missiles. ESAM’s Fishbed served with the Polish Air Force.

A PARTICULARLY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY PARTY AT ESAM Knowledge has spread that ESAM provides a fun birthday party program, but on February 21, 2009 ESAM hosted a particularly special party for Emil M. Habesch, Sr. What was particularly special about this birthday party? Two unusual aspects of it stand out. First is the age of the birthday boy: he was turning 90 years old! Second was the number of participants: 70 people! After the party, ESAM Party Scheduler Extraordinaire Vina Kaczmarczyk received a very complimentary phone call and email from Mrs. Bettie Kotzak who had arranged the party. Mrs. Kotzak said that the party she gave for her father was a huge success! Many of the 70 people who came commented to her that it was one of the most meaningful parties they had ever attended. They loved the tour (provided by expert ESAM guides Kevin Millington and Bob Cheesman) and many want to return to visit the museum again. This is the email that ESAM received: “Here is the picture of my father, Emil. His nickname is Joe and he is a WWII veteran serving with the US Army Big Red One and a purple heart recipient. There were 70 people in attendance including his six children and 18 grandchildren and the rest were made up of great grandchildren, relatives and friends. We had a wonderful time and would recommend your site for any age birthday party or event. Thank you again. Could you please send me a copy of your newsletter when it is printed? Bettie Kotzak” Yes, Bettie, we’ll send you a copy of the newsletter. We’re glad the party was so well received and we thank you for your kind comments.

Emil M. Habesch, Sr.

ESAM’s MiG-21

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ESAM OPERATING BUDGET FOR OCTOBER 1, 2008-SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

INCOME Membership Fees $12,475 Payroll $24,996

SRV Income $3,250 Stipends $3,450

Gift Shop Sales $5,955 Professional Services $14,545

Admissions $16,415 Cost of Goods Sold $3,720

Education Program Charges $9,833 Supplies & Materials $15,632

Room Rental Charges $6,000 Office Supplies $900

Unrestricted Contributions $14,859 Postage $1,800

Contributions Temp Restricted $8,585 Travel & Conferences $0

Fundraising Income $11,824 Printing & Publications $1,440

Grant Revenue $40,246 Advertising/Promotional $3,600

Fortune Air Rental Charges $48,000 Food, Meals & Catering $4,500

Interest and Other Income $342 Equipment & Furniture Expense $3,045

Total Income $177,784 Repairs $1,152

Maintenance $360

Miscellaneous Expenses $4,344

Rental of Equipment $4,996

Rental of Property $27,996

Utilities-Gas & Electric $30,000

Telephone & Internet $3,956

Insurance $24,504

Bank Fees & Service Charges $1,200

Property Taxes $1,596

Total Expenses $177,732

Net Operating Income (excluding Depreciation)

$52

EXPENSES

2008-09 ESAM BUDGET ADOPTED The adopted 2008-09 operating budget is displayed below. In addition to the operating budget, the Finance Committee presented a list of capital projects. Three of the capital projects have been approved: roof work, insulation in Gallery I and furnace replacement in Gallery II. Other capital projects that will be considered if money allows include purchasing a new mower, replacing the classroom door, installing of a emergency exit lock on the door between the classroom and Gallery I, replacing entrance flooring, renovating the gift shop windows, purchasing a large patio grill, purchasing an outdoor entrance/gift shop shelter, and building an SRV shelter next to Gallery I.

AFTER-BREAKFAST PROGRAM CONTINUES AT ESAM After the February monthly breakfast, a 45 minute video interview of a P-47 Pilot (Major Matt Ruper USAAF) was shown at ESAM. Major Ruper was attached to the 365th Fighter Group of the 9th Tactical Air Force Euro-pean Theater of Operations. The presentation covered combat missions and participation in the D-day invasion and the "Battle of the Bulge", being shot down and crash landing. It included combat footage and still pictures of his crashed aircraft and forward operating airfields. This impressive account was part of ESAM’s monthly after-breakfast presentation program.

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SHARON LEIGHTON JOINS THE ESAM BOARD OF TRUSTEES The ESAM Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Ms. Sharon Leighton was appointed to the Board at its February 16th meeting. Ms. Leighton is a community relations expert who has demonstrated success in establish-ing strategic support from a wide range of stakeholders. Ms. Leighton brings over twenty years of project management experience in the public sector and has developed extensive expertise in public outreach, govern-ment relations, and inter-municipal cooperation. Ms. Leighton has administered programs covering a diverse array of complex local and regional projects, working with federal, state, and local officials to resolve issues ranging from regulatory and financing hurdles to identify-ing and expanding target user groups. She has built a statewide reputation for building partnerships among diverse constituencies to ensure public acceptance and long term project success. Ms. Leighton works for the NYS Canal Corporation. She was project manager for the award winning New York State Canal Recreationway Plan and is a featured speaker at statewide conferences on regional planning, economic development and regional tourism initiatives. She holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from Sage Colleges with a concentration in government finance. Welcome aboard, Sharon.

WE TRIED! Well, we’re sorry to report that obtaining the Coney Island rocket for display at ESAM didn’t pan out. Over the winter, ESAM volunteers John Panoski, Ray Davis and George Yager traveled to Coney Island after learning that the Coney Island rocket was being given away because of new local zoning regulations. With approval of the ESAM Board of Trustees, Ray, as Chair of the Curatorial & Acquisitions Committee, told the rocket’s owner that we would be interested in acquiring (through transfer or loan) the rocket for display at ESAM. Unfortunately, the City of New York also decided that it would like to have the rocket, and the owners decided to accept the city’s offer to keep the rocket near its original site. Good try, guys!

ESAM TO HOLD ANNUAL AIM HIGH PROGRAM On April 25th, ESAM will again sponsor its annual AIM HIGH Program for at-risk youth. Participation can be arranged through the Boys and Girls Club of Schenectady. If you would like to volunteer to support the program, please call Vina at 377-2191, extension 10.

OUR VOLUNTEERS

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ESAM COMPLETES GRANT RECEIVED THROUGH THE OFFICE OF SENATOR HUGH FARLEY

The Empire State Aerosciences Museum has successfully completed a New York State grant that was obtained with the support of Senator Hugh Farley. The $10,000 grant, received in 2007, supported ESAM operations in four areas. 1. Restoring Historic Aircraft: The majority of grant funds for restoring historic aircraft covered the cost of

supplies and materials for restoring the museum’s World War I Nieuport 17 replica. Work on the restoration continues. Other grant funds for restoring historic aircraft were used to maintain the military aircraft that are on loan to ESAM from the US Air Force and the US Navy, and a small amount was used to keep the Restora-tion Shop in good working order. Programmatically, these projects are helping the museum prepare an inter-esting new exhibit (the Nieuport) covering an early era of aviation, and helped the museum comply with the federal contractual requirements to maintain the condition of the military aircraft we have on loan.

2. Upgrading and Realigning Exhibits: The majority of the grant funds devoted to upgrading and realigning ex-

hibits were used to purchase a TV for the museum’s Akagi exhibit and replace aircraft signage in the Air Park. Small amounts were used to replace selected interior exhibit signage, to support gallery and artifact preparation, to repair exhibits and to improve the classroom. Programmatically, these projects improved the readability, accuracy and compliance with federal requirements of the signs identifying our aircraft, enhanced the Akagi exhibit and helped prepare Gallery II for the new space exhibits that are currently being installed.

3. Improving Audio Visual and Computer Capability: The grant funds for improving audio visual and computer

capability were used to purchase a VHS to DVD converter, three DVD burners, a new video projector and curatorial software upgrades. Programmatically, these purchases are helping the museum automate its collec-tions inventory and make computer supported video presentations both at ESAM and off-site.

4. Maintaining and Improving the Building: The grant funds for maintaining and improving the building were

used to perform door repairs, replace locks to improve security, upgrade the museum’s roadside sign, replace existing lights with energy-efficient lighting and make a heating duct repair. Programmatically, these expen-ditures improved the museum’s security, energy efficiency, safety and visibility.

We thank both Senator Farley for his efforts on behalf of the museum and the many volunteers who supported the work performed under this grant.

FILM COMPANY SHOOTS AT ESAM In September of 2008 ESAM was approached by the independent film company Asian/American Film Lab. The company was producing a film based on a popular 1985 television Sci-Fi epic called ROBOTECH. The produc-ers felt it was imperative that the film be artistically and technically correct. Accordingly, they asked ESAM for access to our airplanes in order to film cockpit and other key scenes. With assistance from museum volunteers John Panoski and Dennis Cusano, a film crew from New York City came to ESAM in October 2008 and spent approximately six hours filming our F-5 and F-14 aircraft, and our F-4 cockpit procedures trainer. Most of the filming was done at night in order to provide a black background. The film will be submitted for further editing and promotion by Toby McGuire Productions and Warner Brothers in Hollywood, California. ESAM and the United Sates Navy will be given credits at the end of the film, and ESAM has been promised several DVD copies of the final cut. ESAM received a $500 donation for the use of our planes, with the provision that another donation may be forth-coming if the film is successful.

OUR VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS

Fall 2008 Page 12 Spring 2009 Page 12

We are pleased to acknowledge and welcome the following NEW AND RETURNING MEMBERS

OUR SUPPORTERS

GALAXY MEMBERS ($500)

Edward S. Barili Dr. Elizabeth Veeder

SUPPORTING ($125)

Whitney Denio Robert Eggleston Karen B. Johnson

Kevin Millington Joyce & Robert Newkirk Mary E. Predel

Mr. & Mrs. Jansz Vander Veer George & Ann Yager

CONTRIBUTING ($75)

Andrew M. Davis David G. Flynn Charles W. Holzhauer

Jane Jennings Fran & Larry Keeley Mr. & Mrs. Harry Steven

Shannon K. Younkin

FAMILY ($50)

Carl Bohnenkamp Brian Breslin Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Carnibucci

Peter, Mary, Jacob & Zachary Clouse Mr. Charles A. Collins Carleton Davis

Michael A. Depetrillo & Lillian M. Bertelan

Kevin Duscha Peggy & Jeff Gorse

Mr. & Mrs. Carl Hackert Diane Bengston Kilbourne & K. Scott Kilbourne

Lawrence & Mary Krug

Rear Admiral (Ret) James Oxford Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Pasquariella Patricia A. Renna

Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Sargent Earl J. Slanker Stoker Family

Mr. & Mrs. David C. Tripp, Sr. John & Sally VanSchaick R. M. Vore Family

Thomas Yager Robert Ziotkowski

INDIVIDUAL ($35)

Dennis Andreas Gary W. Dansfield Robert Dawes

Michael Gilbert Peter Gilbert William R. Mischler

David Nash Moonhawk River Stone Tom Stephany

Sean Thompson

SENIOR/STUDENT ($30)

Frank Arrufat John Batch, Jr. Charles Blodgett

Fredric J. Bloomstein Steven Caine Dora Culver

(continued on next page)

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OUR SUPPORTERS SENIOR/STUDENT ($30)

(continued from previous page)

Paul Dickson Louis J. Esch Alfred Gerbers

Stanley Gordon Thomas Hildreth William C. Hughes

Donald Jones Gary Jones Louis R. Lupi

John Maggs William H. Meyer Albert Myers

R. G. “Dusty” Miller Thomas F. Noel Ralph Ostrander

James E. Panton Robert Pollack Angelo Tommasone

Preston Van Patten James Wallace James E. Wilson

Harold Wusterbarth

ESAM MEMORIAL FUND IS ESTABLISHED

FOR WALLY HOLBROOK

The Empire State Aerosciences Museum is grateful to the following supporters for donations totaling $375 in memory of long time volunteer and Alex Award winner Wallace Holbrook. Mr. Walter Bardsley Mr. and Mrs. Dominic Carnibucci Mr. and Mrs. George Corrigan Mr. and Mrs. Robert Czub Mr. and Mrs. Paul Dickson Carol Farley & Paul Hebert Mrs. Elizabeth Melsert Mr. and Mrs. Don Morrett Mr. and Mrs. Robert Newkirk Mr. and Mrs. William O’Connor Mr. and Mrs. Robert Posson Mr. and Mrs. Anton J. Rohrmeier Mr. and Mrs. August W. Roth The donations have been placed in a Memorial Fund created in memory of Wally and will be used in accordance with ESAM’s Memorial Fund policy. Many ESAM members attended Wally’s wake. Bob Roth, writing from Florida, expressed his feelings as follows. “I and my wife Betty were deeply saddened by the news of Wally’s passing. He was a humble gentleman who truly cared about others. He was one who will be sorely missed by many but remembered by all. We were World War II combat buddies when we served in the 20th Air Force in the South Pacific. We both enrolled in the State University of New York at Oswego in the Industrial Arts Technical Degree granting program. His outstanding craft talents surfaced as he pursued various wood, metal, ceramic, mechanical and electrical courses. He produced some amazing projects that were always showcased for others to admire. He just took it all in stride and was very modest in all his accomplishments. You know what a perfectionist he was in working as Line Chief of your Restoration Crews. He often told me that as a volunteer, he just loved to work with the volunteer Restoration Crew members. He was truly dedicated to the E.S.A.M.! Sincerely, August (Bob) W. Roth MAJ USAF (Ret)”

Fall 2008 Page 14 Spring 2009 Page 14

The Empire State

Aerosciences Museum is supported in part by :

Business Benefactors All Seasons Equipment Curtis Lumber Co., Inc.

1st National Bank of Scotia Hannay Reels

LoDolce Machine Company, Inc. Price Chopper

Outback Steakhouse Wal-Mart

Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP

Business Patrons Allen Organ Co.

Advantage Mortgage Service Richmor Aviation

USS Albany NCC-587

Business Supporters CME Trucking Gil’s Garage

James F. Seeley, Attorney First New York Federal Credit Union

Microsoft Sunmark Federal Credit Union

Zonta Club of Schenectady

Friends of ESAM Raymond Davis

Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Duscha Robert Eggleston

Mr. & Mrs. John Ericson James Gargiulo

Mr. & Mrs. Roger Hannay Ed Jendzeizyk+

Chester & Anne Matthews David Montana

Mrs. Charles Moore Mr. & Mrs. Robert Newkirk Mr. & Mrs. Maurice York

Galaxy Club Members Edward Barili

Carl L. Battaglia*+ Dounoucos Family Foundation

Frank Hackert John Hackert

General Stanley Hemstreet+ James LoDolce

Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Sliva Mr. & Mrs. Jansz VanderVeer

Dr. Elizabeth Veeder

* ESAM Charter Member + Deceased

OUR SUPPORTERS THE GE FOUNDATION MATCHING GIFTS PROGRAM

We are very grateful for the continuing support of our General Electric employ-ees and retirees through the GE Foundation Matching Gifts Program. For every donation we receive, GE will match the entire amount but it does re-quire you to contact them with the amount of your donation if you want us to re-ceive the gift within one of the timeframes listed below. We have listed the pay-out schedule below to assist you in your decision to make a donation to ESAM. The payout schedule for approved gifts is: Gifts confirmed by March 31 are paid by May 31 of the same year. Gifts confirmed by June 30 are paid by August 31 of the same year. Gifts confirmed by September 30 are paid by November 30 of the same year. Gifts confirmed by December 31 are paid by February 28 of the following year. Once again, thank you for your continued support of the Empire State Aerosciences Museum. In February 2009, ESAM received $2,008.88 from the GE Foundation Matching Gifts Program as a result of donations made by the following ESAM supporters:

Michael DeCata Andrew DeSorbo Louis Esch Marion Hackert Thomas Hopkins Walter Huening Edward Mertzlufft Joseph Nicolella Gerry Pierce Robert Posson Stephen Ruggles Allen Slaterpryce George Yager Maurice York

Thank you for doubling your support to ESAM through the GE Foundation Matching Gifts Program.

USS SANDER LLC DONATES BUFFER TO ESAM ESAM thanks Phil Sears of US Sander LLC in Esperance for donating a buffer to ESAM. The museum has been in real need of a buffer for the floors. The buffer was immediately put to good use on our tile floors.

STEWART’S HOLIDAY MATCH DONATES $750 TO ESAM ESAM thanks Stewart’s Holiday Match for donating $750 to ESAM. The donation is being used to help support ESAM’s 2009 children’s programs.

ESAM’S ANNUAL APPEAL EXCEEDS $8,000 ESAM’s Annual Appeal has raised $8,130 to date. If you have not yet contrib-uted to the annual appeal but would like to, please send your check to ESAM, 250 Rudy Chase Drive, Glenville, NY 12302. The names of contributors to the annual appeal will be listed in the next issue of Aeronotes.

Spring 2009 Page 15

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ESAM Membership Application

Please check one: NEW MEMBERSHIP ____ RENEWAL ____ ANNUAL DUES: INDIVIDUAL/FAMILY VIP: BUSINESS ____ Senior Citizen/Student $30 ____ Contributing $75 _____Supporter $250 ____ Individual $35 ____Supporting $125 _____ Patron $500 ____ Family $50 ____Sustaining $275 _____ Benefactor $1,000 ____Galaxy Club $500 _____ Not for Profit/School $100 ____Friend of ESAM $1,000 _____Small Business $100 Name ______________________________________ Address_____________________________________ City_______________ State_________ Zip________ Phone: Home (____)___________________________ Work (____)___________________________ E-mail address _______________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Please make your check payable to ESAM Mail to ESAM, 250 Rudy Chase Drive, Glenville, NY 12302 If your company offers a matching gift pro-gram, please contact them with the amount of your gift.

136 Broadway

Schenectady, New York 12305

(518) 372-8425

SCHENECTADY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

32 Washington Avenue

Schenectady, NY 12305 374-0263

schist.org mabeefarm.org

PLEASE SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING FRIENDS OF ESAM

Empire State Aerosciences Museum 250 Rudy Chase Drive Glenville, NY 12302

NON PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE

PAID SCHENECTADY, NY

PERMIT # 189

MUSEUM HOURS – Until June 18: Friday & Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM/ Sunday 12 noon to 4 PM

After June 18: Wednesday thru Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM/ Sunday 12 noon to 4 PM Research Library Hours – Friday & Saturday 9AM to 12 noon

General Museum Admission – $8 per adult; $6 per senior and military; $5 age 6-16; under 6 free when accompanied by an adult Simulated Reality Vehicle (SRV) – Ride: $5

Apr .18, Saturday - Pancake Breakfast: 8-10:30AM. All you can eat: $5 ($3 for kids under 12). Menu varies with pancakes or French toast, sausage, eggs, applesauce, juice and coffee. The public is invited to attend. Pilots: Tower Frequency 121.30; Ground 121.90. Land at Schenectady County Airport and taxi to Richmor Aviation North. Browse the Museum beginning at 10AM. Museum Admission: $8 per adult; $6 per senior and military; $5 age 6-16; under 6 free when accompanied by an adult. Apr. 20, Monday - Board of Trustees Meeting: 7PM. ESAM classroom. Apr. 25, Saturday - AIM HIGH Program: Young Eagles training and flights cosponsored by EAA. May 2, Saturday - Open House: 10 AM to 4 PM. Free admission to the museum. Grand opening of the Carl Battaglia Memorial Space Hall. Ribbon cutting ceremony, presentations, tours and refreshments. May 16, Saturday - Pancake Breakfast: 8-10:30AM. All you can eat: $5 ($3 for kids under 12). Menu varies with pancakes or French toast, sausage, eggs, applesauce, juice and coffee. The public is invited to attend. Pilots: Tower Frequency 121.30; Ground 121.90. Land at Schenectady County Airport and taxi to Richmor Aviation North. Browse the Museum beginning at 10AM. Museum Admission: $8 per adult; $6 per senior and military; $5 age 6-16; under 6 free when accompanied by an adult. May 18, Monday - Board of Trustees Meeting: 7PM. ESAM classroom. Jun. 6 - Schenectady History and Heritage Day: 10 AM to 4 PM. Free admission to the museum. Jun. 15, Monday - Board of Trustees Meeting: 7PM. ESAM classroom. Jun 18, Thursday - Summer Hours Begin: Summer hours are Wednesday thru Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM, Sunday 12 noon to 4 PM. Jun. 20, Saturday - Pancake Breakfast: 8-10:30AM. All you can eat: $5 ($3 for kids under 12). Menu varies with pancakes or French toast, sausage, eggs, applesauce, juice and coffee. The public is invited to attend. Pilots: Tower Frequency 121.30; Ground 121.90. Land at Schenectady County Airport and taxi to Richmor Aviation North. Browse the Museum beginning at 10AM. Museum Admission: $8 per adult; $6 per senior and military; $5 age 6-16; under 6 free when accompanied by an adult. Jul. 18, Saturday - Pancake Breakfast: 8-10:30AM. All you can eat: $5 ($3 for kids under 12). Menu varies with pancakes or French toast, sausage, eggs, applesauce, juice and coffee. The public is invited to attend. Pilots: Tower Frequency 121.30; Ground 121.90. Land at Schenectady County Airport and taxi to Richmor Aviation North. Browse the Museum beginning at 10AM. Museum Admission: $8 per adult; $6 per senior and military; $5 age 6-16; under 6 free when accompanied by an adult. Jul. 20, Monday - Board of Trustees Meeting: 7PM. ESAM classroom.

HAPPENINGS AT THE AIR MUSEUM

Spring 2009