2014 Annual Membership Meeting of the California Pilots Association
CalPilots’ is having its annual membership meeting at Castle Airport (KMER) in Atwater on Saturday, October 4. This is a great opportunity to hear about the state of general aviation in California, hear interesting speakers and socialize with your fellow aviators. And the venue for this year’s meeting is home to the Castle Air Museum, which recently added the Douglas VC-9C Presidential Aircraft to its extensive static display of over 50 historical aircraft.
Our program includes optional tours of the museum, catered lunch, annual member meeting, and aviation-related presentations, one of which will qualify for FAA Wings credit.
About Castle Airport. The airfield was opened on September 20, 1941 as the Army Air Corps Basic Flying School, one of the fields utilized to meet the needs of the 30,000 Pilot Training Program. The airfield was named in honor of Brigadier General Frederick W. Castle (1908–1944) on January 17, 1946. The meeting and presentations will take place at the Castle Field Terminal (3750 W Perimeter Ave, Atwater, CA 95301).
Registration. The registration fee is only $15 per person and includes a catered lunch.
Accommodations: For those planning to arrive on Friday, CalPilots has arranged for a special rate at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites-Merced (151 South Parsons Drive, Merced, CA). A limited number of Standard Rooms will be available for $89.00 plus tax per night. Please note that the number of rooms available at this special rate is limited and reservations need to be made prior to September 12 to qualify for this rate. You can reserve your room online at hiexpress.com/mercedca or call (209) 384-3700. Use the discount code “CPA” when making your reservation to qualify for the special rate. For those attendees flying in, CalPilots will make arrangements for transportation between the Hotel and Castle Airport.
Fly-In Attendees. Please tie down in front of the Castle Field Terminal building where the event will take place. Transportation between the Terminal building and museum will be provided.
Schedule of Events
10 am – Noon: Museum and Presidential Aircraft Tours (Optional)
Attendees have the option to tour the Castle Air Museum for a special discounted rate of $5.00. This air museum has over 50 restored World War II, Korean War, and Cold War era aircraft. Among the exhibit highlights are a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the world’s fastest manned aircraft, and the massive Convair RB-36 Peacemaker, the only surviving reconnaissance variant of the largest bomber ever built for the United States Air Force.
Attendees may also tour the retired Presidential VC-9C that was added to the air museum on October 2013 (This tour is available for a separate $10 fee). The VC-9C served during several administrations as an alternate Air Force One and Air Force Two aircraft. Among the VIP’s that used the aircraft were First Ladies Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, and Hillary Clinton, Vice Presidents Al Gore and Dick Cheney, and Presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan
Noon – 1:15 pm: Lunch / Silent Auction
Catered luncheon will be provided at the Castle Field Terminal building with various sandwiches, condiments, salads, fruit, drinks and dessert available. Diring this time there will be an opportunity to bid on many military memorabilia and aviation-related items at a silent auction.
1:15 pm – 2:30 pm: Introduction / CalPilots Annual Member Meeting
CalPIlots President Corl Leach will introduce the Castle Airport Manager, Scott Malta, along with the Castle Air Museum CEO, Joe Pruzzo. The annual meeting will then commence (Note: Non-members are welcome to attend the annual meeting).
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm: Aerobatic Performer Jacquie B. Warda Presentation
Aerobatic performer, Jacquie B. Warda of Jacquie B. Warda Airshows will make a presentation. Check out Jacquie’s website at http://www.jacquiebairshows.com .
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm: FAA Safety Team Presentation
FAA Safety Team instructors Vince Nastro and Mike Trettin will be presenting a current topic relevant to general aviation (details to be provided later). The FAASTeam is dedicated to improving the nation’s aviation accident rate by conveying safety principles and practices through training, outreach and education. This safety seminar will qualify for FAA Wings credit.
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm: Q&A / Wrap-up
Click the button below to go to the Registration Page. You will have the option to pay your registration fee by credit card or send in a check. Please note that you will need to make any hotel reservation directly with the hotel.
