1982.07.TARPA_TOPICS

BEST CONVENTION EVER!AWARD OF MERIT PRESENTED TO THREENEW OFFICERS AND DIRECTORSDAVE STEPS DOWNTHE GRAPEVINE

THE ACTIVE RETIRED PILOTS ASSOCIATION OF TWA

Lyle Spencer, President Sam Gracy, Vice Pre s. East Larry Decelles, DirectorR. G. Derickson, First Vice Pres. W. F. Merrigan , Vie Pres. Central Howard Henson, Director

A. T. Humbles, Secretary Lou Cook, Vice Pres. West Roy Van Etten , DirectorDean Phillips , Treasurer Wallace Mazer,Director

Ritchie Beighlie,Director

THE COVER

THE TARPA AWARD OF MERIT WAS PRESENTED TO THREE OUTSTANDING

AIRMEN. AWARDS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN WALT GUNN MADE THE PRE-

SENTATION AT THE TARPA BANQUET.

TARPA WINS BIG IN LAS VEGAS

The fourth annual TARPA convention is history and it wasthe best ever. About the only complaint we heard was thatthere simply wasn't time to do all the fun things available andvisit with all the old friends who showed up. Lyle and DorothySpencer really did a superb job of planning and arranging forthe large turnout.

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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

We all owe Dave Richwine a vote of thanks for all he hasdone for us in the past 2i years. I certainly appreciate it,and let's not forget all the secretarial work his wife, Vi,has done.

Harry Mokler reported the TWA Retired Pilots BenefitFoundation is about to become a reality. Tax exempt status isalmost a certainty in the very near future.

Roy Van Etten reported that we are getting much closer toobtaining the initiative for pilots , who have their own fundsin the "B" plan to have a choice on how their funds are in-vested.

We are growing larger at a rapid pace. A. T. Humbles'last report was a membership of 775. This year we should allmount a recruiting drive and really work to get all activepilots over 50 in our organization.

Those pilots still actively working who are members andthose who are non-members should be made aware that a TARPA con-vention is a fun thing. Besides the business meetings, thereare a lot of other activities and always the socializing withold friends they may not have seen for a long time. They wouldenjoy TARPA and if they have questions about retirement, I amsure we have members already retired who can calm any fearsand answer any questions.

In a recent issue of TARPA TOPICS, Dave included a question-naire. He received one reply. During the convention this ques-tionnaire was again distributed. We received 56 replies. Thatis much better. I will repeat the printing of the questionnairein this issue. We all have to be active in our organization ifwe are going to get the results we want. It only costs 200,even if you want to give us H---.

As you all know, we have an AWARD OF MERIT for personswho have made an outstanding contribution to Commercial Avia-tion. At the present time, the AWARD is limited to TWA employeesor former employees and is not restricted to flight deck crewmembers. If you know of anyone who fits this criteria, pleaseadvise the AWARDS CHAIRMAN, Ed Betts, 960 Los Lomas, PacificPalisades, California 90272. Any nominations you submit must beaccompanied by a resume ' substantiating the nominees contribu-tions as outstanding.

Lyle A. Spencer

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CONVENTION CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

First, I want to express my thanks to the many volunteerswho. helped so much to make the 1982 convention a success. Theywere Roy Van Etten for golf, Reg Plumridge for tennis, Louiseand Leon Vestal for bridge, my wife Dorothy, Mary Lusk for photo-graphy, Ole Olson, Moe Hansen and all the volunteer bartendersfor the Hospitality room and last, but not least, the wives whohelped so much at the Registration desk.

STATISTICS

155300136 at the Tropicana. The remainder were

local residents and people staying atother hotels.

60 men and 20 women14 men and 9 women4 men and 24 women73 women - there would have been more,

but space was limited.

Elsewhere in this issue is a list of those actually attending.

I believe everyone had a good time, the weather was beautifuland those attending the shows reported them excellent.

The 1983 convention will again be in Las Vegas, either the firstor second week of May. Lyle Bobzin, the Convention Chairman, willmake the decision on the hotel and actual dates depending on whenhe can get us the best rates. Make your plans now so we can seeeach other next year.

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Members attendingNumber at banquetRooms used

GolfersTennisBridgeFashion show

Just a note: Some members joined TARPA during the con-vention and failed to pay for the banquet. A check to ourtreasurer, Dean Phillips, for $18.00 per person would be appre-ciated.

A pair of ladies sunglasses in a red case were left overafter the convention. If the owner will drop me a note at thefollowing address, I will mail them.

Lyle A. Spencer5886 El Parque AvenueLas Vegas, Nevada 89102

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THANK YOU!

Our fourth annual TARPA convention is one that I will notsoon forget. While each of our other conventions has been amemorable event, and each a little better than the last, thisone reached a new high on several counts. We had more membersand their wives present, there was more activity available thananyone could possibly handle in the limited time allowed, wehad more time for socializing than ever before, and the banquetsetting and program were outstanding. It was also a genuinepleasure for me to report real progress in our relations withthe TWA MEC and the resulting achievement in the areas of passes,insurance, B plan representation, and the newly formed TWA PilotsFoundation. Perhaps the most satisfying of all was the obviousblending of old factions and opposing interests wherein differ-ences appear to be forgotten or fading and a new and beautifulcamaraderie emerging, which has been a prime and ultimate object-ive of TARPA from its' very beginning.

Helping to get TARPA off the ground has been a lot of workand a real challenge, but it has also been fun and I have en-joyed most every minute of it. While every ship must have acaptain, it will not run without a crew and serves no usefulpurpose without passengers. So, to all of the Association Offi-cers, Directors, Committeemen, and others who have given of bothyour time and counsel and to all of the members who have supportedour joint efforts, I want to say it would not have been possiblewithout you. For the warm expressions of appreciation that youhave given me personally for my part in TARPA, and for the auto-graphed envelope and its' contents, I am deeply grateful. Lastly,Vi joins me in thanking you all for your very nice gift. We hadthought about using it for some new tennis equipment but, onsecond thought, maybe lessons would be more appropriate!

You have a great slate of officers and directors for thecoming year and, if you give them the same support that you haveshown in the past, TARPA will continue to grow and serve evenbetter the purpose for which it was founded.

Thanks again.

Dave Richwine

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ACTIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

At their May 4th, 1982 meeting in Las Vegas, the TARPABoard of Directors took the following actions:

1. Finalized and approved the agenda for the Generalmeeting of the membership.

2. Approved a policy whereby the widows of cockpitcrew members who died prior to January 1, 1980,are eligible for honorary membership in TARPA.

3. Proposed certain By-Laws changes to be submittedto the convention for approval.

4. Approved a policy which would permit members tobring guests to the annual meeting with the under-standing that, where there are limitations onfacilities and activities, members will haveprecedence.

5. Reviewed a proposal by member Meredith Moffettfor certain bank-by-mail services, and deferredaction thereon pending final determination ofour tax status.

6. Discussed at length the selection of the time andplace for the 1983 convention and agreed to holdanother meeting to finalize same prior to leavingLas Vegas.

7. Modified the rules governing the AWARDS program.

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FIRST RULE OF INTELLIGENT TINKERING: Save all the parts.

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TARPA MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION QUESTIONNAIRE

IF TARPA IS TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND SERVE YOU, WE NEED BOTHINFORMATION AND HELP. AS A GUIDE FOR YOUR ELECTED REPRESENTA-TIVES, PLEASE FILL IN THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONNAIRE AND MAIL IT TO:

LYLE A.SPENCER, 5886 EL PAROUE AVENUE. LAS VEGAS. NEVADA 89102

ACTIONS OF THE BUSINESS MEETINGS

Reports were made by the Secretary, A. T. Humbles andTreasurer Ray Craft. Ray says we are solvent, having about thesame amount of money at the end of April as we had last year,this despite higher costs for mailing and publishing the news-letter. A. T. read the minutes and also reported that we haveacquired lots of new members. NOTE: As of May 29th, A. T.reports we have 775 members.

Changes in dues structures: A change was made in the duesstructure. Basic membership remains at fifteen dollars per year.Any member who joins in the first four months of a year will becharged the full fifteen dollars; those joining in the secondfour months would pay ten dollars and those joining in the lastfour months, five dollars.

Additionally, those members living outside the continentalUnited States will pay twenty-five dollars dues to make up foradditional mailing costs.

As in the past, Honorary Members pay no dues. Widows whosehusbands died before January 1, 1980 are automatically eligiblefor Honorary Membership.

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Ed Betts reported that the TWA Yearbook type publication isnearing completion and that for anyone who is interested, it isa good book, but rather expensive.

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"Wolly" Wollenberg brought greetings from the Seniors Club.By the way, "Wolly", who does fine art work, has promised us acover for a future issue of TARPA TOPICS.

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Terms changed for Directors and Vice Presidents, as themembers voted to make the term of office for all Vice Presidentsand Directors three years. This was done to provide some contin-uity.

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AWARDS COMMITTEE: Walt Gunn announced that the TARPA Award

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of Merit would be presented to three nominees this year. Theawards will be presented at the banquet. Committee membersO. R. Olson and Ed Betts were present. Member Arkie Ainsworthcouldn't be with us.

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Vern Lowell reported on the pension trust fund. Althoughhis report, along with his briefcase, was stolen in the MiamiAirport, Vern reported from memory that there was, in his opin-ion, too much churning of funds. He was critical of MorganGuarantee in particular.

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Roy Van Etten was introduced as the Retired Pilot observeron the MEC Retirement Committee. Roy reports a good relationshipwith the committee. Roy says that the best way to predict your"B" fund amount for July is to multiply the amount of your pre-sent check by 92.517.

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Wayne Haggard was introduced and explained contract changesthat will affect Retirees. A new insurance program which includesa Medicare supplement plan is available and you have by now pro-bably received a mailing on it. Wayne also reported that companydental insurance is being continued for pilots retiring afterMay 1, 1982. Wayne also announced the improvements in pass privi-leges that came about as a result of changes in company policythat occurred during pilot contract negotiations.

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Vern Lowell asked for the floor and announced that he ob-served that all except one member of the original committeethat had negotiated the first trust annuity agreement with TWAwere present in the room. He noted that he, Dave Kuhn, JohnCarroll and Bart Andregg were on the original committee andonly Bart was not present.

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Ray Flannery of the MEC Retirement Committee was intro-duced. Ray said that he feels sure that with the new retire-ment committee, they will be able to monitor and control thefunds much better than in the past. He also thanked Roy VanEtten for his help on trust fund matters. The meeting passeda resolution thanking Wayne Haggard, Ray Flannery and Roy VanEtten for their efforts and extending them a vote of confidence .

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Harry Mokler reported on the newly formed TWA Pilots Founda-tion. This has been a very demanding task for Harry, both intime and tact. Harry reports that the MEC is very much in favorof the Foundation and that response from the company is very good.This is one project that we will all need to support. Thosewho built the industry for those of us who came later surely de-serve our help if needed. You will be hearing more from Harryabout how you can help.

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NEWSLETTER NEEDS INPUT

TARPA TOPICS Editor asked for input from more members. EdBetts, Dave Kuhn, Phares McFerren and Ole Olson are doing goodwork, but we need more participation by other members if we areto maintain quarterly publication and improve our newsletter.TOPICS needs articles about anything that helps us maintain ouridentity and pride as cockpit crew members; anything concerningyour hobbies, interests and accomplishments. Longhand, inexperttyping or cassette recordings are welcome. Cassettes will be re-turned to you after transcription.

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Paul McCarty presented a paper explaining "B" Fund perform-ance since its' beginning. This study shows a marked contrastbetween the first fourteen years and the last thirteen years.Paul's study is printed elsewhere in this issue.

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Election of Officers: Nominating Committee Chairman O. R.Olson presented a slate of Officers and Directors. There wereno nominations from the floor, so the secretary was instructedto cast a unanimous ballot electing the new slate submitted bythe Nominating Committee.

New Officers are:

Lyle Spencer, President R. G. Derickson, First V.P.

*A. T. Humbles, Secretary Dean Phillips, Treasurer

*Sam Gracy, V. P. East W. F: Merrigan, V. P. Central

*Lou Cook, V. P. West

DIRECTORS

East Central West

Wallace Mazer Larry De Celles *Roy Van Etten*Ritchie Beighlie *Howard Hansen *C. H. Pahl

* Indicates those serving another . term.

DENTAL INSURANCE

Due to many inquiries on the subject, an effort has beenmade to find a dental insurance plan that could be made avail-able to TARPA members either on an individual or group basis.The situation in a nutshell is that dental insurance, generallyspeaking, is a loser for the insurance company. Fewer and fewercompanies are writing it at all, and those that are have made itso expensive with deductions, exclusions, and high premiums thatbuying it is, for all practical purposes, merely a matter ofexchanging dollars. However, a Dental Health Care program en-titled "DENTICARE" was introduced at our recent convention andis designed to greatly reduce the high cost of dental work. Youshould be receiving a pamphlet of complete explanation about itin the very near future.

It should be pointed out again that TARPA does not sponsoror endorse any of the various medical insurance or health careplans available including this dental plan. We do, as a ser-vice to our members, bring to your attention for your personalconsideration, plans that we feel may meet your needs.

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MEDIGAP INSURANCE

In response to the many queries from our members over 65as to what to do about Medicare Supplemental Insurance, pleasebe advised that the Florida Department of Insurance has recentlyissued an excellent comparison study on this matter entitled"MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE SHOPPERS GUIDE". While it doesnot cover all items involved, it does compare the major ones,including costs, of 50 different commercial policies, and doesso in easy-to-understand and follow terms. You may obtain acopy by writing to:

Bill GunterState Treasurer and Insurance CommissionerSt. Petersburg Service Office412 12th Avenue N.St. Petersburg, Florida 33701

It should be noted that, while similar in some respects,none of the policies listed in the study pay the full Part Bdoctor differential that the RAPA (Hartford) policy does. Moreinformation on the RAPA policy can be obtained by writing to:

Alexander and AlexanderP. O. Box 558196Miami, Florida 33155

(continued)

Be sure and identify yourself as a member of RAPA. (AllTARPA members are automatically members of RAPA).

D. W. Richwine,Chairman, Insurance Committee

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HOW HAS THE B PLAN FARED?

The sole purpose of the B Plan is to serve as an instrumentto receive and invest Company and Member contributions for thepurpose of providing income to the Members after retirement.This study covers the period December 31, 1954 (one month afterthe birth of the Plan) to March 31, 1982.

The objective being retirement income, there can be no bet-ter yardstick for measuring the success of fund asset investmentsthan RETIREMENT INCOME PER UNIT OF INTEREST. What is the trend?Has income per Unit increased - decreased - or remained static?

The report is computed on MONTHLY RETIREMENT INCOME PER 100UNITS held by a retiree. The number of Units held in individualretiree accounts will vary widely - but every retiree holds somemultiple (or fraction) of 100 Units.

Unit value is determined at the end of each calendar year.For retirement income purposes, a "Payment Year" is used, theincome being adjusted quarterly. A Payment Year is the twelvemonths from April 1st of any year, to March 31st of the follow-ing year.

Monthly income for the first quarter is determined by theUnit value at the end of the prior year (December 31st). Thisincome level is adjusted quarterly depending on the Index ofChange in fund value as of the end of March, June, and Septem-ber. Thus it closely follows fund investment experience through-out the year, as opposed to Unit value determined only once, atthe end of each calendar year.

NOTE: In Payment Years 1972 and earlier, income adjust-ment was made semi-annually.

The graph on Chart #1 portrays monthly income for each 3or 6 month period of the 27 Payment Years 1955 through 1981.Starting at $83.33 per month and ending at $183.96, the incomeranged from a low of $72.23 to a high of $208.21. The dottedline indicates Consumer Price Index referenced to the 1954 level.

(continued)

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You will observe the general trend in the first half ofthe period, 14 years 1955 through 1968, was one of increasingincome. Starting at $83.33, it exhibited a fairly steady climbending at $170.66. This is slightly over double the initialincome. Total income for the 14 years was $18,800.52. Thisis the same total as would have been received if the initial$83.33 per month had been increased at a constant annual com-pound rate of 3.8491% throughout the 14 years.

In the second half, 13 years 1969 through 1982, there werelarge fluctuations in income. Starting at $171.36, the monthlyincome ranged from a low of $90.38 to a high of $208.21, endingat $183.96. Total income for the 13 years was $24,001.47. Thisis the same total as would have been received if the initial$171.36 per month had been decreased at a constant annual com-pound rate of 1.5516% throughout the 13 years.

Over the entire 27 years, total income was $42,801.99.This is the same total as would have been received if the ini-tial $83.33 per month had been increased at a constant annualcompound rate of 3.134% throughout the 27 years.

On Chart #2, the solid line on the graph traces theactual year-end Unit values for the 27 years December 31, 1954to December 31, 1981. The dotted lines trace the "mean effect-ive rate of change in Unit value" which produced the actualtotal income received in: (a) the first 14 years; (b) the last13 years; (c) the entire 27 years.

In terms of "mean effective annual rate of return oninvestment", our experience has been:

(a) 1955 through 1968, 6.9646%(b) 1969 through 1981, 1.4030%(c) 1955 through 1981, 6.2280%

Our 27 years experience thus far is less than half what willbe the total period a pilot can expect to be participating inthe plan. Eventually it will span about 60 years of his life-time - about 35 to 40 years as an active pilot, followed by 20to 25 years (possibly longer) as a retiree. Make no mistake,this is a long term program in which you have every reason tomaintain a deep and abiding interest.

Unlike the games in the casino here where you can dropout at will when you are ahead, or leave the game for a timewhen your luck is waning, you are in this game from start tofinish. The full amount of your accumulated Company contribu-tions are riding on the next roll of the dice. You have limitedoptions on Member contributions (if any) prior to, but not afterretirement.

(continued)- 11 -

There is no magic formula (or tooth fairy) which willinstantly convert 35 or 40 years of poor investment returnduring the active pilot years into a pot of gold upon retirement.Low fund investment return in the earlier period positively as-sures a lower level of retirement income.

Periodically someone chooses to select a short time frame(obscuring the remainder) to impress the Members of a "dynamic"performance. There are short periods of "dynamic" performance.There are also periods of very "dismal" performance. Over longerperiods the two extremes blend, presenting a rather bland overallperformance.

Paul McCarty

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Paul McCarty says that he is going to start work on a newdirectory which will have more information in it than the pre-sent one. He is printing it on slightly larger pages and saysthat the printing should be better for this issue. This is abig task and one of the more important ones in TARPA. It isgreat that Paul takes the time to do this for his fellow TARPAmembers, but then Paul has always served his fellow pilots withmany hours of work. We don't have a mailing date, but you shouldreceive it soon.

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A reminder for those of you who have forgotten to pay yourdues. Treasurer Dean Phillips would like to hear from you.

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A couple of our committee Chairmen, Bill Dixon of FringeBenefits and Phil Hollar of Alcoholic Counseling, were unableto attend the convention. We are sorry that we missed theircompany and their words of wisdom.

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THE SAUSAGE PRINCIPLE: People who love sausage and res-pect the law should never watch either one being made.

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PARKER'S LAW: Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goesclean to the bone.

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TENNIS TOURNAMENT

By Reg Plumridge

The TARPA 1982 Tennis Tournamentat the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegason May 4, 5, and 6 was a social,athletic, exhausting success. Theaffair was a round-robin formatwith the tournament director, RegPlumridge, attempting to pair everymale with every female in the mixeddoubles play. Needless to say, itwas impossible to pair every malewith every female due to the limita-tions of time and tennis courts - - -we used two outdoor courts and threeindoor courts for four hours of con-tinuous play each day.

The following players (in more orless alphabetical order) partici-pated in some great tennis and good

all around fun. Tommy and Teresa Anderson, John Carroll, GinnyConverse, Larry and Phyllis Girard, Clancy Green, Ted Hereford,Ken Hippe, Dick and Alice Long, Leo and June McFarland, Walt Moor-head, Ruth Plumridge, Dave and Vi Richwine, Hank and AdrienneSturtevant, Bob Stuffings and Virginia Sarazen, a guest of Leoand June McFarland.

Don Lundberg showed up the second day and managed to entice acouple of "old guys", Ted Hereford and Reg Plumridge, into playingsingles on and off all morning. The last day's play started atthe unheard hour of 8:00 A.m., so we lost John Carroll, Walt Moore-head and Bob Stuffings, who might have been too active at theprevious night's cocktail -.arty!

Observed peeping in on the action occasionally were spectatorsDoris Stuffings, Bobbi Phillips, Hal Sherwood and "Dud" Kravitz.

On May 6th at the banquet, the following awards were presented:

Runners up: June McFarland and Ted Hereford. (Incidentally, Tedshould have gotten an award for the liveliest "monkey glands" -he was the oldest tennis player in the tournament and one of themost active, staying on the courts the entire tournament. Ishouldn't say oldest - I should say "most senior"!!!)

(continued)

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Reg - keeping score

The 1982 TARPA Tennis Championsare Adrienne Sturtevant and LarryGirard. Larry is seen at the lefttalking with Leo McFarland. Sorrythat no picture of Champion AdrienneSturtevant was available.

And so another TARPA Tennis Tourna-ment passes into history - a mostenjoyable, successful affair.

And so said all of us!

*

�

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BRIDGE

By Louise Vestal

With Lyle's help, we had a successful and fun two-daybridge tourney.

"Grand Slam" Doris Stuffings was the big winner of $50.00with Bennie Lou Chakerian close behind. Louise Vestal and AliceStrickler were "also rans", for third and fourth. We each duginto our pockets and came up with $95.00 for prizes.

'Til next year!

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THE KENNEDY CONSTANT: Don't get mad - get even!

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At the right:

Vi Richwine, spectatorBobbi Phillips and AliceLong (From left to right)

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CAROLE LOWELL AND JOHN F. PHILLIPS TOP GOLFERS

By Roy Van Etten

In the two day golf tournament played at the TropicanaCountry Club, Carole Lowell was low gross scorer for the ladiesand John F. Phillips was the winner of the men's low gross trophy.

Low net for the ladies was scored by Virginia Webb and itwas good to see that Roy Brister's hand had healed so well fromhis accident last year that he captured low net for the men.

The Calloway award went to George Porter. All winners werepresented with trophies.

In the closest to the pin contest, Toni Tiseo for the ladiesand Bob Early for the men won a nice prize. Each was -)resentedwith a wood donated by Bob Wetzel. the Las Vegas custom clubmaker (Classics by Wetzel). We really appreciate Mr. Wetzel'sgenerosity.

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TARPA CONVENTION, TROPICANA HOTEL AND COUNTRY CLUB, MAY 4-7, 1982

Names of those persons actually attending are listed below.If any names have been omitted, it is because they failed toregister at the registration desk.

Adams, John O. and LibAdickes, Robert and HelenAnderson, Tom and Teresa

Beck, Dick and LouBeck, Thomas E. and DianeBeighlie, Ritchie and ShirleyBetts, Edward and DonnaBeucher, Chas. L.Bissonette, RileyBobzin, Lyle D. and RitaBoqua, Edward Z. and KatherineBoxberger, Jerry and LanaBrister, Roy L. and EstherBrogdon, Jim and MargeBrown, Joseph A., Jr. and ElieseBrubaker, R. E. and KathyBuck, Robert N.Burrell, William E. and TeddyButler, Lee and Jeanne

Carlson, John A. and HelenCarroll, JohnCarter, Dean A. and KathrynChakerian, Bennie LouClark, John E. and RuthClay, A. J., Jr., and JoConverse, GinnyCook, Louis G. and LorraineCraft, Ray and Martha

Daehlin, Joseph O.Davis, Charles andSylviaDavis, Rusty and JeanDe Celles, J. L. and BettyDeitchman, Bill and DorothyDerickson, R. G.Dill, Charles S. and MarthaDobberteen, John L.Dowling, Carl and MargueriteDoyle, Dick and ElkeDuvall, George C. and JoyceDyer, Chic and Thelma

Earley, Robert J. and GinnyEllington, H. F. and MaxineEvans, Keith and Donna

Fiser, Jesse A.Fisher, Gil and KayFlannery, Ray and Lee

Garrett, Ruby and BethGerling, Rog and JudyGilbert, Stewart B. and LoisGirard, Larry and PhyllisGreen, Clancy and BettyGunn, Walter H.Gwin, Bob

Haggard, Wayne L. and JudyHansen, Howard A. (Moe)Harpster, Jack and MarieHarrison, Bill and MaryHeadstrom, Al and DeeHendrix, James M. and ClaireHereford, TedRippe, Ken and NellHoesel, Charles (Chuck)Hoffman, J. E. (Ed)Hubbard, Lloyd E. and MargaretHumbles, A. T. and BettyHylton, Leonard I. and Frances

Ives, Larry and Connie

Jenkins, F. E.Johnson, Gordon

Kachner, Hal and JeanKallina, Ed and EvelynKeiser, W. L. (Bob) and BettyKennedy, John J. and Mary EllenKiefer, O. O. and FrancesKirby, Albert T. and SylviaKleiner, Dick and HelenKoughan, Jack and JeanKravitz, IrvingKuhn, Dave and Emily

Lachenmaier, Bob and DorothyLein, John and DanieleLong, Richard P. and AliceLowell, Vernon W. and CaroleLusk, Al and Mary

Manning, Robert F, and AudraManning, M. J. (Tex) and MargoMay, Thad and JanetMattke, Cleo and PegMerrigan, Bill and CathaleenMeyerholtz, Dave and BettyMiller, Dean W. and AliceMiller, William and DorothyMoffett, Meredith J. and LeeMokler, Harry and FranMontgomery, JohnMorehead, C. W. (Walt) and AnneMorris, Max and PhyllisMueller, It. B. and PamelaMurphy, Art

Mccarty, Paul and MarjMcCombs, J. S. and JeanMcFarland, Leo and JuneMcFerren, Phares and EdithMcKnight, Robert and Susan

Neumann, Harold and InezNichols, H. E. (Nick)Nixon, Clyde and LaVon

Olson, Orville and CarolOlson, V. J. and Phyllis

Parsley, RussPeterson, Wendell F. (Pete)Pettigrew, Bruce and MildredPhillips, Dean L. and BobbiPhillips, John F. and AnnePlumridge, Reg and RuthPolizzi, James J. and BarbaraPorter, George and NancyPowk, John E. and InaPyle, John H. and Marion

Quinn, Jack and Nancy

Ramsey, Neuman and MickeyRice, Charles C. and KatieRichwine, Dave and ViRodgers, Mel and MaydeneRuble, Dick and KayRuege, Frank and LouiseRunkle, Billy B. and Helen

(continued)

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Vail, Ernest D., Jr.Vallee, Jim H. and DorisVandeVelde, Albert and MaryVan Etten, Roy W.Vestal, Lee and LouiseVoigts, Busch and Lucille

Searle,, George B.Shaver, MargeSherwood, Hal and AdeleSimpkins, Roy and RitaSolomon, Jasper S. and BonnieSpencer, Lyle A. and DorothyStanton, James E. and VirginiaStrickler, Charles D. and AliceStuffings, Bob and DorisSturtevant, Hank and Adrienne

Tate, Billy M. and JaneThrush, MargaretTiseo, Chuck and ToniTomlinson, D. W. and PegTownsend, W. E. and AlvaTunder, J. R. and Kalita

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Send your dues checks to new TARPA Treasurer Dean Phillips,7218 Onda Circle, Tucson, Arizona 85715.

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BOREN' S LAWS:

1. When in doubt, mumble.

2. When in trouble, delegate.

3. When in charge, ponder.

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Young, Ben L. and DidiYoungblood, Korky

Webb, Joe M. and GinnyWheeler, J. W. and DorisWhite, Charles and EllaWidmayer, Ted and JaneWirth, Howard and LillianWollenberg, A. W. (Wolly) and Edna

The TARPA AWARD OF MERIT Plaque with the complete list ofthose honored now hangs in the Council 3 Office in Kansas City.Upon the official installation, there was a ceremony with WaltGunn presiding. We have some pictures that we received toolate to print in the last issue of TARPA TOPICS.

Captain Walt Gunn, Chairman of TARPA's AwardsCommittee, presents the AWARD OF MERIT plaquein a ceremony at ALPA Headquarters office inKansas City, with Art Prestia and Jack LeClairelooking on.

EDITOR'S NOTE: We are not happy about the quality ofsome of our picture reproductions. We are trying to get a fixon our problem. Please bear with us a while longer.

(continued)

- 1 8 -

The event was attended by a group of distinguished members.Check the list below.

Back Row: Max Callahan, Chairman, St. Louis ALPA Council,Homer Stoltzfus, Arky Ainsworth, Ernie Glaeser, Walt Gunn,Jack LeClaire, Gail Storck, Busch Voigts, Don Thomson,Harold Neumann, and Bob Murphy.

Seated: Dick Schmidt, Ole Olson, Art Prestia, Ray Dunn.

* * * * * * * * * *

- 19 -

ABOUT CAPTAIN D. W. TOMLINSON

By Dave Richwine

Tommy alongside the Northrup GAMMA, which served ashis over-weather research "laboratory".

Captain D. W. "Tommy" Tomlinson, recent TARPA "Award ofMerit" recipient, is probably one of American aviation's mostcolorful personalities. Best described as an adventurer, hehas been a Naval Officer, aviator, pioneer, daredevil, barn-stormer, engineer, airline executive, researcher, airline pilot,author, and even the subject of a comic strip which helped toinspire many of us to seek our careers in aviation.

More specifically, he graduated from the United StatesNaval Academy in 1917, and served as co-pilot and observer onanti-submarine patrol and convoy duty during World War I. Hereceived his formal flight training from the Navy in 1920, fol-lowed by a two year period as a flight instructor. He boughthis first airplane, a Curtiss JN4D, from the Army at RockwellField, California. His spare time from 1922 to 1925 was spentbarnstorming his Jenny, a Curtiss SEAGULL, and F boat. In thefall of 1925 he flew his JN4D west bound across the continentto San Diego. The trip took 49 air hours. He was assigned toNavy Fighting Squadron Six, and later became its' commandingofficer. He was the leader of the Navy's famous stunt team,the "THREE SEAHAWKS", which competed with the Army's "THREEMUSKETEERS" at the National Air Races in San Diego in 1928.

- 2 0 -

The leader of the latter was killed trying to duplicate Tommy'sinverted flight act at 50 feet. Later in 1928, he was orderedto NAS Anacostia to head up the Navy's Test Section.

He resigned from the Navy to commence 12 years of airlinework. He served as Vice President Operation for MADDUX AIRLINES,and later went to work for TWA, where he served as co-pilot,captain, assistant to the president, member of the company tech-nical committee which included Jack Frye, Charles Lindgergh andothers, and flew the airmail. He also did the high altitude andstratosphere research work for which he became internationallyfamous and served on the DC-1 development committee. He laterbecame Chief Engineer for TWA and its Vice President of Engin-eering.

In June, 1941, he was recalled to active duty with the Navy.He served as C. O. of the Naval Air Reserve Base at Fairfax inKansas City, Kansas, and as C. O. of the Naval Air Station atOlathe, Kansas, while it was under construction. From 1943 untilthe end of the war, he was Commanding Officer of the Pacific-Alaska Division of the Naval Air Transport Service, which operateda huge fleet of both land and sea planes from the west coast ofthe United States throughout the entire Pacific area, includingNew Zealand, Australia, New Guinea, the Philippines, the entireAlaskan chain and later, Okinawa and even Japan. This far-flungNavy airline operated both scheduled service and special missionssuch as a fleet of especially outfitted hospital planes for eva-cuating wounded. Captain Tommy was considered to be the undis-puted expert on air logistics in the Pacific and was fre q uentlyconsulted by the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific theater, Ad-miral Chester Nimitz and his staff on such matters. He closedout his Navy Career as Deputy Commander for the Berlin Airliftand retired in 1951 with 30 years of service.

Following retirement, Tommy divided his time between theFLYING T ranch in Springdale, Arkansas, and some of the greatfishing spots in Mexico. In recent years he has spent much ofhis time just travelling about the country visiting family andfriends. He is a loyal friend.

In February, 1982, at the age of 84, he remarried and imme-diately set out on an 11,000 mile automobile trip to introducehis lovely new bride, Peg, to family and friends. He now makeshis home at the WESTHILL RANCH, Hayfork, California.

* * * * * * * * * * *

EVANS' LAW: If you can keep your head when all about youare losing theirs, then you just don't understand the problem.

* * * * * * * * * * *

REMARKS BY BUSCH VOIGTS IN PRESENTING HAROLD NEUMANN

THE AWARD OF MERIT

From Jennies to Jets, 1926-1982; ten years barnstorming1926 to 1936.

Thirty years with TWA, retired May 17, 1966, age 60.

Fourteen years of retirement, still flies his monocoupecalled "Little Mulligan." Racing #40.

Harold Neumann and "Little Mulligan"

Harold always liked competition, has a room full of trophies,and plaques, all the way from plowing contests, horse shoe pitch-ing, air racing, aerobatic flying and conservation farming fromthe county agent of Johnson County, Kansas.

Following are just some of his accomplishments:

1. First license signed by Orville Wright, July 30, 1929,#384.

2. Rated Number One racing pilot in 1935, having won the

(continued)

- 2 2 -

Thompson Trophy race at Cleveland, Ohio.

3. Appointed to the OX-5 Hall of Fame, 1970

4. Holds Paris-New York record of 6 hours, twenty-three min-utes on a regular TWA scheduled flight.

5. Has picture of racing plane and write-up in Smithsonianat Washington, D. C.

6. In his barnstorming days, he was known as the championBalloon Buster and is listed as such in the Smithsonian.

7. Holder of high speed inverted flight record in Howard"IKE", 300 miles an hour.

8. Did skywriting for Chevrolet 1930-35 and still does forTWA over Royal's Stadium.

9. Still takes part in sport acrobatics with Monocoupe;still pitches horseshoes, still active in farming, withhis own airstrip.

10. Listed in Who's Who in Aviation.

11. Life magazine had a review of his flying career.

12. They had "Harold Neumann Day" at Atchison, Kansas in June,1979. The Governor of Kansas declared the day "KansasHarold Neumann Day" as well.

13. Neumann tree is planted at Amelia Earheart National Parkat Atchison, Kansas.

14. Served as Master Chairman of the TWA pilots.

15. Harold is a member of the following: TWA Seniors, TARPA,EAA, OX-5 Aviation Pioneers, Silver Wings, InternationalAerobatic Club, Aerobatic Club of America, Antique AircraftAssociation. Harold is the oldest pilot in Aerobatic con-tests at 76 years.

The best thing that ever happened to Harold is to have had Inezas his wife for over fifty years. She is a wonderful person and,as our minister put it, "She is a good woman".

It is a pleasure to present this plaque to Harold Neumann.

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DAVE KUHN'S INTRODUCTORY REMARKS ABOUT BOB BUCK

Hello, you beautiful people. I am glad that happy hourhas put you in a festive mood.

When Walt Gunn asked me to say a few words to you, I ad-vised him, truthfully, that I suffer from brain damage. Hesaid, "Go ahead, Dave, no one will know the difference".

Some thirty five years ago, I read a book, "Life Beginsat 40". It did give me solace and comfort at that time. NowI am looking for a sequel on "Life After 70" - Golden Years,they say. I may have to write that book myself, and with alldue respect to Masters and Johnson - with few exceptions - theaction is not in this age group.

Walt wanted me to say things about Bob Buck - but firstthings first - a bit about Arkansas. We in Arkansas still boastof the finest funerals in all the states. They are social af-fairs. Neighbors take enough food to the home of the deceasedto founder the survivors. They conduct fair deal services -"The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away'". That is a fairdeal! We in Arkansas have noticed no depression. Our unemploy-ment is constant at 25% in good or bad times. The cut back inschool lunches did cause some problem at first, but then theyreverted to my school days. The kids would take a hammer anda can full of hickory nuts to school and survive. The New YorkTIMES recently likened Arkansas to an "intellectual waste land" -said the folks there were ignorant. That may be so, but theTIMES failed to mention that the Razorbacks turn out goodathletic teams --- track, baseball, basketball, and footballat Arkansas are hard to beat.

The Texas Longhorns, fresh from beating Oklahoma in foot-ball and ranked #1, came to the Ozarks - results Texas 11,Arkansas 42. Lou Holtz, the Razorback coach, says that he hasboys that can do anything with a football except autograph it.The TIMES may be right.

Now about Bob Buck - I call him "Risky Bob". He came withTranscontinental and Western Air in the mid-thirties, shortlyafter I did (DC-2 days). There was a company pilot's union -all pilots attended the meetings. If word got out that anypilot was leaning toward ALPA he was furloughed permanently.With the help of Danny Medler, Jimmy Roe, Sonny Boy Hall andothers, we survived.

- 24 -

Bob Buck did everything in the aviation industry a pilotcan do - and perhaps some things he should not have done. Hisflying career started early - at age 16 he set the coast tocoast flying record that stood until faster planes came along.He married a pretty gal named Jean and begat a son and a daugh-ter, who are begatting also. Now it's Grandpa Bob.

He did much work in ALPA before going to top management asChief Pilot. He aided in the settlement of the Stratolinerdispute. He and Speed Hagins borrowed a Black Widow airplanefrom the Air Force and flew through thunderstorms to tell whathappens. Speed says he did the flying and Bob did the telling.He appeared before Congressional committees for various reasons.

Always with an eye for a well turned ankle, he ran aroundwith movie celebrities. He and Jean would stay with the TyronePowers in Brentwood where we lived. Emily (my wife) and I wereinvited there to see some of Ty's pictures. On the Rivieragolf course we had good days and bad days. Some days Bob wouldlose it.

He retired from TWA in 1974 with a fair monthly retirementcheck. It might have been more but for the "fail safe conceptcontroversy" ---ALAS!

After retirement he stays busy - ensconced in Aviation'sHall of Fame, writes books and articles - big in sail planes -consultant for IATA (whatever that is) and much more.

So briefly, I have given you a thumbnail sketch of RiskyBob. To sum it up, he is "Defender of the Faith, Champion ofDemocracy, Friend of the Working Girl and one hell of a manwith a stick and throttle".

* * * * * * * * * * *

MORE ABOUT BOB BUCK

The following additional information about Bob Buck wassubmitted to TARPA TOPICS by Dave Richwine. - Editor

Everyone knows some things about Bob Buck. Some peopleknow a lot. I doubt if anyone is aware of all the aviationinvolvements in his career which has probably been as long, ifnot longer, than any one in the business, continuously span-ning the period from his early teens on into his retirementyears. Set forth below are some additional facts about himthat have come my way:

- 25 - (continued)

- He set a speed record from New York to Havana in1931 and received a personal greeting and citationfrom President Hoover for that accomplishment.

- Set a speed record from New York to Mexico City.

- Set a WORLD type speed record from Burbank toColumbus, Ohio, in 1937.

- He did aerial survey work for an archeologicalexpedition in Yucatan and Central America in themiddle thirties.

- He was a crew member on the Boeing 707 "Polecat"which flew over both the North and South polesin one of the last great flight adventures in1965.

- Following his stint as System Chief Pilot for TWA,he served as the pilot's representative duringthe arbitration of the 1946 pilot strike.

- In 1972 he was selected as TWA "Captain of the Year".

- He was awarded the AIR MEDAL by the Air Force forhis thunderstorm and weather research work.

- He received the ALPA AIR SAFETY AWARD in 1963 forhis meteorological research and work on all weatherflying.

- He received an AWARD OF MERIT for his work on theFAA "Administrators Technical Advisory Group",which was involved in supersonic research and whichled him into flight involvements with the Concorde.

- One of his most coveted awards was a special onegiven to him by the Flight Safety Foundation forhis book, WEATHER FLYING.

- He was a member of the IFALPA Supersonic StudyCommittee.

- He was an advisor on the President's SupersonicStudy Committee.

- He served on two NACA subcommittees.

- He is currently serving on two active ICAO Committees.

-- He was a member of the well known FAA. AIR SAFETY

- 26 -

ADVISORY GROUP of 1975 which rode the cockpitsof all classes of airliners and whose final reporthas become a classic study of what's wrong intoday's flight crew environment.

- He has been a regular contributor to the READER'SDIGEST for many years. In addition to his sev-eral books, he has written articles for a numberof aviation magazines, and has been AssistantEditor of AIR FACTS.

- Since retiring, he has served as a consultantto aircraft and electronics manufacturing firms.

- A QB and member of both the SOARING SOCIETY ofAMERICA and the AERO CLUB of France, Bob Buck istruly a pilot's pilot, dedicated researcher, mas-ter achiever, and lifelong contributor to Commer-cial Aviation. It is most fitting that his nameshould be on the TARPA AWARD OF MERIT plaque.

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DAVE AND VI CELEBRATE FORTIETH

Among the gala events of the spring season in our part ofFlorida was the celebration of Vi and Dave Richwine's fortiethwedding anniversary on April 25. The scene was the ImperialPoint Clubhouse in Largo, Florida, where nearly one hundredpeople enjoyed cocktails, dinner and dancing. The festive oc-casion was attended by old and new friends, including a schoolfriend from Dave's Rockford, Illinois, Junior and Senior Highschool days. TWA was well represented by Alva and Bill Town-send, Peggy and Horace Lewis and Jo and Al Clay. The clubhousewas beautifully decorated and the music and buffet of top quality.

* * * * * * * * * * *

SOUTHEAST SENIORS MEET AT MADEIRA BEACH, FLORIDA

On May 11, 12, and 13, theSoutheast Seniors of TWA enjoyeda convention and get-together atthe Gulf front Ramada Inn on Mad-eira Beach, Florida. TARPA memberBill Townsend is president of thegroup and arranged an interestingand enjoyable convention.

The young lady in the picture is amember of the staff of the Inn.

There was golf at the BardmoorCountry Club for those interestedand on the last night there was aluau, where everyone had a goodtime and Master of CeremoniesBill Townsend presented the prizesto the golf winners, and a largenumber of door prizes to the restof us.

At present, plans are to return tothe same location for next year'sSoutheast Seniors meeting.

* * * * * * * * * * *

GREEN'S LAW OF DEBATE: Anything is possible if you don'tknow what you're talking about.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Southeast Seniors PresidentBill Townsend, ready topreside at the luau.

- 28 -

Among the smiling faces seen at the Southeast Seniorswere Ed Kallina, Roger Don Rae, and Evelyn Kallina.

* * * * * * * * * * *

SECRETARY OF TARPA CONSIDERING A NEW CAREER

Many people are content to live a life of ease in retire-ment, others want to stay busy running a business, or doingvolunteer work. Others want to start on a new, glamour typecareer. Our secretary is the latter type. While he hasn'treceived much encouragement on his selected new career, I amsure he will continue to hang in there and his efforts willbe crowned with success in the modeling business. We areprinting a letter that he received from one prospective em-ployer. He is not discouraged by it. We understand he isgoing to try Cosmopolitan next.

* * * * * * * * * * *

(continued)

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February 15, 1982

Mr. A. T. HumblesRt 2 Box 152Belhaven, N.C. 27810

Dear Mr. Humbles:

We wish to thank you for your letter and pictures which we recentlyreceived. However, we will regrettably be unable to use your bodyin our monthly Centerfold.

On a scale of between 1 and 10, your body was rated minus 2. Therating is done by a panel of women ranging in age from 65 to 75years. As you may already know, this represents the average age ofthe American Woman. We did, in fact, attempt to have our panel ofexperts in the 25 to 35 year old age bracket rate you, but we couldnot get them to stop laughing long enough.

Should the taste of the American Woman ever change so drasticallythat they would consider you for the Centerfold, you will be notifiedby this office. In the meantime, however, "don't call us, we'll callyou" .

Playgirl Magazine

VP:jj

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Retired Airline Pilots Association6600 S.W. 126th STREET • MIAMI, FLORIDA 33156 • (305) 665-4919

BULLETIN MAY 1982

SOCIAL SECURITY UP-DATE

Last week Senator Pete Domenici (R., NM), chairman of the Budget Committee, gaveup on his bill to reduce social security benefits. Thanks for all your letters.However, we must remain alert for any new efforts to chop benefits.

STATUS OF PENSION PLANS

Perhaps it is timely that we re-examine our retirement benefits and the securityof these benefits. One carrier has filed for court protection under the bankrupt-cy act. Several other carriers are encountering financial difficulties.

When a notice of Intent to Terminate a plan is filed with the Pension BenefitGuarantee Corporation (PBGC) it must state whether or not there is sufficientfunds to provide the guaranteed benefits. The court will appoint a Trustee (itmay be the PBGC) to administer the plan and its funds.

Funds will be distributed in accordance with the terms of the plan, under pre-scribed priorities (see chart). Benefits will be paid to participants beginningat normal retirement age, out of the assets held in trust. PBGC funds are usedto supplement plan assets in order to pay all benefits in the guaranteed cate-gories (1 through 4).

The maximum amount guaranteed by the PBGC is adjusted annually by the same per-centage as social security. The maximum amount for pilots retiring at age sixty(actuarially reduced) in 1981 was $822.08. This would be further reduced if anannuity other than single life were elected.

It is suggested that you become aware of your plan and its financial condition.This information is available from your company retirement section and your ALPAR&I Committee. ERISA disclosure and reporting section requires that you be furn-ished with this information.

INTERLINE TRAVEL PRIVILEGES

A special RAPA Committee has been charged with seeking a reaffirmation of ALPApolicy (Board 1972) as it pertains to travel privileges for retired pilots. Thispolicy provides for pass privileges for retired pilots and their immediate fam-ilies, at least equal to that of the active pilots shall be included in contractopeners in each successive contract negotiation within the industry.

These privileges are provided for under Public Law 86-627, 86th Congress, H. R.4049 dated July 12, 1960.

The ninth annual RAPA Convention will be at the Konover Hotel on Miami Beach,December 1-4, 1982. An optional 7 day Caribbean cruise will follow the conven-tion. More details will follow. Make your plans now!

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Def

ined

Ben

efit

"A

" P

lans

PRIORITYCATEGORIES

PLANE TALK

"THE DAY WE ARE PROPERLY READY"

FOURTEEN months of intensivepreparation were completed on July 8

when the service of Transcontinental AirTransport, Inc., was formally offered tothe public. Inaugural flightswere madeby two planes departing from each ofthe T A T terminals atColumbus and Los Angeles.

At the controls of thefirst east bound plane wasColonel Charles A. Lind-bergh, chairman of the tech-nical committee of T A Tand aeronautical adviser tothe Pennsylvania Railroad.

In Los Angeles on theafternoon of July 7. Col-onel Lindbergh, seated inthe office of Governor C.C. Young of California,pressed a button

whichflashed a signal across thecontinent to a huge bell int h e Pennsylvania station,New York. At the tap ofthe bell the wheels of "TheAirway Limited," a newtrain of the Pennsylvania,began to move, carrying itsfirst load of passengers tothe plane connection at PortColumbus.

Simplicity itself markedthe ceremonies in which Colonel Lind-bergh took part. Only a few personswitnessed the event. Among them wereMrs. Lindbergh; Governor Young; MayorJohn C. Porter of Los Angeles; Mr. J.V. Magee and Major C. C. Moseley,Vice Presidents of T A T; Mr. H. W.Beck, Western Traffic Manager of T AT; Mr. R. K. Rochester, General Man-

ager of the Pennsylvania Railroad, Phila-delphia; Mr. J. L. Maddux, President ofMaddux Air Lines, and Mrs. Maddux,and Lieut. D. W. Tomlinson, Vice Presi-dent of Maddux Air Lines.

A crowd which filled the huge Penn-

sylvania station witnessed the ceremoniesin New York before the first departureof the new train.

The City of New Y ork, one of thefleet of T A T ships placed in the station,was christened by Miss Amelia Earhart,Assistant to the General Traffic Manage-of T A T, and "The Airway Limited"was christened by Miss Dorothy Stone.

Colonel Paul Henderson, Vice Presi-dent of T A T, presided at the cere-monies which were broadcast over a radiohook-up. Among the speakers were MissEarhart; Mr. Elisha Lee, Vice President,Pennsylvania Railroad; Dr. John H.Fin

ley, Editor, New Y o r kTimes, and Hon. GroverWhalen, Police Commis-sioner.

On the station platform awhite ribbon secured to thetrain and the platform wasparted when the startingsignal came from ColonelLindbergh, and Miss Stoneformally inducted " T hAirway Limited " into serv-ice. Miss Betty Brainerdof the Associated News-papers, held the end of theribbon aboard the train.

About fifty persons in-cluding officers and direct-ors of t h e PennsylvaniaRailroad and T A T, andofficials of other aviationcompanies, accompanied thetrain on its inaugural tripin addition to those whowere to transfer to theplane at Port Columbus.

Many telegrams of congratulation ad-dressed to General W. W. Atterbury,President of the Pennsylvania and Mr.C. M. Keys, President of T A T, werereceived during the ceremonies and aboardthe train. They came from high govern-ment officials, governors, mayors, editorsand men interested directly in the promo-tion of commercial aviation.

Colonel Lindbergh was at the controls of the "City of Los Angeles" on its inauguralflight from the western terminal of TAT.

3 3

EAT A LIVE TOAD IN THE MORNINGAND NOTHING WORSE

WILL HAPPEN TO YOU

THE REST OF THE DAY!SPEEDY INSTANT PRINTING - 870-7888

THE FOLLOWING PHOTOGRAPHS APPEAR AS UNSOLICITEDTESTIMONIALS CONCERNING THE HAPPY TIME HAD BY ALL AT THE TARPACONVENTION AT LAS VEGAS ON MAY 4th, 5th and 6th, 1982

Photographer Mary Lusk and

husband Al.

The hard working Spencers -Dorothy and Lyle.

Director Ritchie Beighliewith wife Shirley

Judy and Wayne Haggard

Kathleen and Bill Merrigan withnew Vice President Russ Derick-son.

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IS EVERYBODY HAPPY? WELL, I SHOULD SAY!

Jim and Marge Brogdon

Jo Clay and Betty Humbles

Ted and Jane Widmayer The Spencers at thehead table

Frances and Leonard Hylton Lee and Jean Butler

36

Jack Kennedy, Larry Gir-ard and Bob Buck

Roy Van Etten and Ray Flan-nery

They

could

have

danced

all

night!

Fran and HarryMokler

Vi and Dave Richwine

Moe HansenThe Money Men

Ray Craft and new TreasurerDean Phillips - 37 -

Dean Miller and Joe McCombs

Bill Merrigan and John Carroll

Lyle Spencer, Walt Gunn and Jim Stanton

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Ruby GarrettLloyd Hubbard

Bill Townsend and John Montgomery

Business Session

Lyle Spencer, A. T. Humbles, Dave Richwine and Ray Craft

Captain Tomlinson withhis Award of Merit Plaque

Lorraine and Lou Cook

Tommy and Peg Tomlinson Award of Merit honoreeHarold Neumann

with Dave Richwine

Bush and Lucille Voigts With InezNeumann, Harold's 'ever-lovin'!

THE TARPAGRAPEVINE

Well, Fellow TARPANS, we are now able to report - aftera period of recuperation - that on the 4th, 5th and6th of May, at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas, yourorganization put together another BIG ONE and a GOODONE - the annual TARPA convention.

Although the convention will be reported in more de-tail by others in this issue, we beg your indulgenceas we relate some of our own observations and exper-iences for the particular benefit of those who couldnot attend.

After a year of planning and hard work, ConventionChairman LYLE SPENCER and his tireless and patientDutch wife, DOROTHY, with the help of ROY VAN ETTEN,REGGIE PLUMRIDGE, LOUISE VESTAL, LYLE BOBZIN and manyothers, put together another TARPA social, business,golf, tennis and hospitality program that providedas much activity as could be absorbed by ordinaryhumans in a 72 hour period. Between scheduled events,of course, the gambling casino and the nighttime din-ner-and-dolly shows offered their own special appeal.

Las Vegas, in fact, lived up to its' convention-townand Fun City West reputations so magnificently thatour leaders have decided already to go back again in1983!

The obvious delight of many TARPANS, as they met andgreeted each other, especially in the atmosphere ofthe hospitality room, convinced us again that therereally are "no friends like old friends". As someonesaid, "This is unbelievable! I see guys who weren'ton speaking terms years ago, now slapping each other

on the back and jawing away like long-lostbrothers". But that's what TARPA is all about -good fellowship and friendship - and away withany lingering negative feelings. These arethe years for peace and serenity. TARPA wasformed to promote that condition.

It was gratifying, also, to see so many whowere attending their first TARPA convention,including several EAGLE members: EDDIE BOQUA,IRV KRAVITZ, ROY SIMPKINS, BOB MUELLER, JIM

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THE GRAPEVINE

WHEELER, HAL SHERWOOD, BOB STUFFINGS, JOHN CARROLL, CLYDENIXON, CHUCK BEUCHER, JOE DAEHLIN, BILL DEITCHMAN, BILLY RUNKLE,and DON LUNDBERG, with apologies to those we missed. The mostwelcome sight of all, perhaps, was WENDELL (PETE) PETERSON,whom we once inadvertently reported as having Gone West!

We also counted six former TWA Chief Pilots on the guest list.Their support is appreciated and we consider it a compliment toTARPA endeavors.

For the record, the hospitality room in three afternoon sessions,served approximately 500 visitors. A cover charge of one dollarwas collected from each patron for unlimited consumption. Vol-unteer bartenders, at various times, were MOE HANSEN, BUCK BUCH-ANAN, LEON VESTAL, RUBY GARRETT and LEO McFARLAND. They acquittedthemselves well as they held their battle stations!

The banquet, attended by 300 TARPANS, was held in the terracedFountain Room of the Tropicana. This dinner theatre was themain show room when the Tropicana was built by "Bugsy" Siegelin 1957. It was an impressive setting for our large group.

After the dinner was served, the "Award of Merit" program,honoring three of our own famous TWA pioneers, D. W. (TOMMY)TOMLINSON, 85; HAROLD NEUMANN, 75; and ROBERT N. (BOB) BUCK, 68,came off with an appropriate mixture of dignity, humor, respectand emotion. As Master of Ceremonies, WALT GUNN, Chairman ofthe Awards Committee for the past three years, performed hisduties with his usual easy proficiency.

Individual introductions of the three honored guests were handledby long-time pilot friends of the award recipients; DAVE RICH-WINE for TOMLINSON; BUSCH VOIGTS for NEUMANN; and DAVE KUHN forBUCK. Seeing each of these six esteemed veterans of TWA at themicrophone and hearing his own words, so well chosen, was a mov-ing experience - a rare moment of living aviation history. Thecrowd responded with applause and cheers - and even some tears-after each man spoke. We consider this event to be one of thehigh points of TARPA's accomplishments up to this time. It wassurely one hour in our life that will always be remembered .

* * * * * * * * * * *

ARLIE NIXON'S gone and done it again! Got married recently toa lady named Lisa. Doggonit, Arlie, if you'd just brought herto the convention we could have arranged a good, old-fashionedhellzapoppin shivaree! Anyway, we all missed Arlie's cherubicface and figure and his effusive sense of humor. We have open-ings for bartenders next year, Arlie.

* * * * * * * * * * *

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THE GRAPEVINE

FLOYD HALL, in a letter to A. T. HUMBLES, has applied for TARPAmembership. He says, "Even though I left TWA, much of my lifeand a lot of my heart was always with the TWA pilots. The $15.00is not particularly for dues, but I want to pay my share ofTARPA TOPICS. I hope you will continue to send it to me". Wel-come aboard, Floyd. Your many TWA friends will be happy toknow that you are "back home".

* * * * * * * * * * *

HUGH GRAFF came within three votes of becoming an Independence,Missouri, City Councilman this spring. Hugh received 13,549votes; his opponent, 13,552. Independence people should be madeaware that they just missed electing one of the most honest andtalented gentlemen available anywhere.

* * * * * * * * * * *

RICH FLOURNOY, in a note to A. T., says that he has passed upbecoming an engineer after age 60 "because it didn't seem to bethe right thing to do, dollar-wise. Sorry to miss Las Vegas,but I'll make the next one".

* * * * * * * * * * *

CLIFF ABBOTT, LEE FLANAGIN and GEORGE PRICE have all had surgeryin recent weeks. All are recuperating in normal fashion, accord-ing to Parky's reports.

* * * * * * * * * * *

LARRY DE CELLES, TARPA's new Central Region Director, and hiswife, BETTY, will spend the summer in Park City, Utah, wherethey have a condominium. Larry retired last December, and isalready busy on several personal projects.

* * * * * * * * * * *

GEORGE HINTON'S bride, AMY OPEDISSANO HINTON, has been named"Logan Lady of the Year" at Boston's Logan Airport, where Amyis TWA's Customer Service Representative. Congratulations,Amy!

* * * * * * * * * * *

HAL BLACKBURN has addressed a missile to ORFUL R. OLSON, witha salutation of "Sir Grapes", in which he says that "as muchas I hate to squander 200 to get in my 20 worth, I would liketo congranulate (sic) DAVE RICHWINE and the whole staff for theJanuary TARPA TOPICS. To quote the whole: "Thank you and con-granulations DAVID RICHWINE and staff - and the troops who volun-teered the poignant remembrances - and to the superb ED BETTS(don't let him let up!)".

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"Furthermore, hope ya-all read Dave's letter to the Editor ofAVIATION WEEK, January 4th issue. A masterpiece!"

Thank you, Blackie. Consider it done. Your friend, Orful.

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HERB OTTEWILL is having cataract surgery and hoping that animplant will restore his First Class certificate. He says theold J-3 is still able to get airborne and his Porsche 911 was15 in May. Gas station kids sometimes ask him why an old manis driving such a hot sports car. Herb tells them he wasn'told when he bought it, and he and the 911 are just growing oldtogether. Herb adds, "The most important agenda item at LasVegas will be Dave's replacement. While he'll be a tough actto follow, there is certainly a wealth of talent to choosefrom". You are correct on all counts, Herb, and you may sleepwell; the ship is still in good hands. Good luck with theimplant!

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GIL FISHER is President of the Leawood, Kansas, Lions Cluband will direct activities of that organization until July,1983. Gil is also active in his church and sometimes goes outon speaking assignments for TWA Marketing in Kansas City.

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LLOYD W. OLSON and ROBERT M. (BOB) LARSON have moved into theTARPA EAGLES category, both having reached their 75th birthdaysduring the past year.

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ED EATON writes from Bradenton, Florida, an interesting letterto A. T. in which he mentions several memorable experiences ofthe early days. He sent along a December, 1940, article aboutJIM POLIZZI and ART DUNLOP'S night landing in a DC-2 in a farmfield near Greensburg, Pa., "Hampered by motor trouble", as theaccount says. They had dropped flares to illuminate the landingsite. The only damage was to a propeller blade. Jim and Artwill have no trouble remembering the experience, you can be sure.

Ed also recalls a time in 1945 when his ICD (IntercontinentalDivision) crew changed two engines on a C54E in two days atRoberts Field in Liberia, Africa. The field had been decom-missioned and there was no help. BRUCE PETTIGREW will chucklenow as he is reminded by Ed of a Boeing 307 night landing atNatal, Brazil, in 1942 or '43, when the tower neglected to tell

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him that several truckloads of gravel had been dumped in themiddle of the landing runway. Ed says, "They wiped the gearoff, of course, but later flew it to the U. S. as a fixed-gearairplane". Thanks, Ed. We'll forward the papers you sent alongto Ed Betts for the growing Betts Archives.

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JIMMY ROE passed away on March 30 at his home in Arizona. Ouronly information is that he died of natural causes.

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ROBERT W. (BUD) RICE passed away March 8, 1982, at his winterhome in Port Charlotte, Florida. He had been on disabilityretirement since 1970. He is survived by his wife, Pat, whois now in South Haven, Michigan.

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TED MOFFITT died on March 2, 1982. Ted started with TWA in1929 and had been retired many years. The May 12 issue of theSKYLINER carried a full story on Ted's career.

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BONNIE JANE GARRETT, 57, RUBY GARRETT'S younger sister, diedhere in Kansas City on May 8. Bonnie had lived with cerebralpalsy since birth, but devoted her life to improving the lotof other afflicted people. At the memorial service, severalclose friends described her as a woman of great intelligenceand wit; a writer, lecturer and organizer; interested in litera-ture, music, theatre, ballet and movies; all in spite of herown muscular and speech difficulties. She reviewed books forthe Kansas City Star for many years. One friend said of her,"She was a real character, a gal with gumption, perseverance,and humor". Ruby has another sister, Rachel, who lives withher husband and children in South America. Sleep well, Bonnie.

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BART ANDEREGG, that grizzled survivor of many ALPA wars, hasjoined TARPA and advises that he has completed three TWA flightengineer schools, the 707, 747 and 1011. If not as a flightengineer, this must surely qualify Bart for a rating as a pro-fessional student. Welcome to TARPA, Bart!

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WALT GUNN somehow found, in far away California last year, thePorterfield aircraft in which he made his first solo flight in1940. He had it restored in Santa Maria and flew it back toKansas City during convention week. The first hop was throughApple Valley and up to Henderson, southeast of LAS. After threedays at the convention, Walt flew the plane back up to his Lone-jack, Missouri, farm by way of old Green 4 (INW, ABQ, AMA, ICT)and "LJK". Distance, 1500 miles; elapsed time, 15 hours; aver-age speed, 100 mph; fuel consumption 3 1/2 gph . Lonejack is knownto have cows take over the runway. Be careful, Walt, the run-way may be slippery.

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A current list of TARPA EAGLES, as provided by A. T:

CLIFF ABBOTT JOHN GEORGE BOB LARSON WENDELL PETERSONEDDIE BOQUA HOWARD HALL EVAN LEWIS D. W. TOMLINSONFRANK BUSCH DICK HEIDEMAN LES MUNGER TED WEAVERHARRY CAMPBELL DUTCH HOLLOWAY LLOYD OLSON RAY WELLSRUSS DICK STAN JAQUES BOB OVERMANLEE FLANAGIN ALEX KLOTZ ED PENNOCK

If you are over 75 and not on the list, please advise A. T.

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Word comes from LYLE SPENCER by way of BUCK BUCHANAN, who hadreceived a letter from DUTCH HOLLOWAY, who wrote:

"Pleased to get word of my old friends you were with at theLas Vegas convention. Should you see any of them again, pleaseextend my best.

I am now 86 years old and getting along quite well. My tripto the Hawthorne hospital you mentioned was for a back conditionthat did not last long. Thank you for your cordial letter.Best wishes, Dutch". (Box 1734, Hawthorne, Nevada 89415)

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Letter to DAVE RICHWINE from Captain "Tommy" Tomlinson:

"Simply cannot find words to fully express my appreciation ofreceiving from TARPA its annual Award of Merit and of your mostkind introduction.

Never in my life have I felt more honored, the award coming froma fabulous group of experienced airline pilots, truly my peers.

Peg and I took great pleasure in meeting and talking with allhands, and their ladies. It pleased me especially to see againyou and, Wendell, who were with me in the Pacific, and Haroldand Busch, my choice co-pilots of DC-3 days.

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Would have written sooner, but came down with a miserable coldabout May 9th. Now, at long last, we have reached that stateof an equal strain on all parts.

Our best wishes to you, your charming wife, and TARPA.

Sincerely, Peg and Tommy"

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Some of our readers (those who are still reading) may be curiousabout our extra-curricular activities in Las Vegas, so with yourpermission. . . .With our patient and durable Arkansas redhead intow, of course, we made several nighttime forays along the stripto see some of the unique Vegas attractions.

Tuesday night, we saw the ageless Folies Bergere review in thedinner theatre at the Tropicana. Ooh, la, la! On Wednesdaynight, with JANE and BILLY TATE, JUDY and ROGER GERLING, BETTYand DAVE MEYERHOLTZ, and KATHLEEN and GIL FISHER, we saw theBob Newhart show along with the Fifth Dimension musical groupat the Riviera Hotel. Up, Up and Away! Dr. Hartley is a funnyfellow.

Following the Thursday night banquet, we enjoyed the raw andraucous humor and music of "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas"at the Desert Inn. We laughed through this one with VI and DAVERICHWINE, HELEN and BOB ADICKES and ALICE and DEAN MILLER. Atthe end, Bob performed a bit of Las Vegas stage-type magic ofhis own - he made the $240. check disappear. (Thanks, Bob.Same time next year?)

Staying an extra day (Friday) allowed us some loafing time anda chance to visit at poolside with CLAIRE and JIM HENDRIX andMILDRED and BRUCE PETTIGREW and with unwinding ex-Prez DAVERICHWINE.

That evening, at the suggestion of a perspicacious (yes he was!)cab driver, we went to the MGM Grand Hotel and marveled at thatmatchless musical extravaganza, "Hollywood Jubilee", which is atake-off on the 1930's-1940's "Broadway" movies and filled withthe beautiful Kern-Berlin-Gershwin music of that time. Theyeven sink the Titanic in the middle of a field of icebergs onwhat must be the biggest stage in the world. If you've seen it,you'll understand. If you haven't, remember it next year.

Prices for Las Vegas dinner shows are from $35.00 to $50.00 perperson, plus taxes and tip. Late shows are $15.00 to $30.00,plus the extras. Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis are likely tocost extra. The price usually includes two or three drinks.

At 2:30 A.M., to finish off the evening, we joined the nightpeople in the Tropicana lounge and kibitzed the various "busi-

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ness" transactions taking place. At 4 o'clock we had breakfast.At 5 we got in bed. We were up at 8 and airborne at 1100, onour way, exhausted by happy!

We expect to see you all there again in '83. In the meantime,wear your seat belts and drive with patience.

* * * * * * * * * * *

From a letter to OLE dated June 1, 1982, Jim Hermann, 477 ParkLane, State College, Pa. 16801, writes concerning his father:

"On May 22, 1982, Captain Jack Hermann died of heart failure.He will be severely missed and warmly remembered by those whoknew him".

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Last issue, we reported on Larry Girard's retirement partywhich was quite an event. Unfortunately we received the pic-tures that went with the GRAPEVINE story too late to print, butwe have them now.

PHYLLIS and LARRY

THE GRAPEVINE

Pictured are some of the guests at Larry's retirement party.

Kneeling: BILL DIXON, CHARLIE STRICKLER, LARRY, DICK FORRESTAL,and OLE OLSON.

STANDING: LEE BUTLER, JOE BROWN, UPG*, TOMMY ANDERSON, TWO UPG's*,DEAN MILLER, BOB MUELLER.

* UNIDENTIFIED PARTY GUEST

Captain Tomlinson prepares for another highaltitude flight in the Gamma.

Captain D. W. Tomlinson was appointedChief Engineer of TWA in 1936. He headed anew department that was responsible for de-velopment of new planes, engines, and con-ducting flight and ground tests to advancesafety in flight operations.

Announcement of the new departmentmarked the beginning of a research programthat would provide the basis for future long-range transport aircraft.

Captain Tomlinson, during the years tofollow, not only provided the data for trans-port design but contributed a wealth of re-search information for engine supercharging,design, high altitude flying techniques,weather forecasting procedures, and require-ments for cabin pressurization.

NOTES FROM YOUR SECRETARY

On the reverse side is an application blank. May we extend a cordial

invitation to those receiving this to join us? Dues are $15.00 per

calendar year, however, for new members it is pro-rated as follows;

first four months is $15.00., next four months is $10.00 and the last

four months which are September, October, November and December it is

$5.00. May we suggest for those joining the rest of this year that you

also pay for 1983 then you won't have to be reminded, it will save us

bookkeeping and postage. You can fill out as much as you wish, we just

thought a more comprehensive application form nn file would help our

editors, mailing list, directories, publicity etc. Members feel free

to send one in as we don't have anything on some of you but your address.

Also, help us get more members for there are still a lot out there we

would like to have join us.

The Treasurer, Dean Phillips, advises there are some who still haveoverlooked paying their 1982 dues. Following are some notes from Dean'sletter to me;

Bob Allman wrote that all's well with him. Bob Cummings sent a similarmessage and a newspaper clipping about the experimental aircraft hebuilt-- a four year project.

Associate Member, Capt. Dave Lehrer, 7834 E. MacKenzie, Scottsdale,AZ 85251 has been off for a year and one-half with a back and spinalproblem that caused paralysis of the legs for several months. He is nowable to walk and is progressing slowly. Sounds cheerful and is lookingforward to getting back under full power." I'm sure he would enjoyhearing from old friends.

E. W . Chrisman retired at 60 Oct. 3, 1981.

Back to your secretary, please remember to give me your address changesfor with our bulk mailing it causes a lot of extra work and expense.The U.S. post office usually will not forward but destroys the mailingand sends me the correct address, if they have it, along with a dunfor 250.

I would like to add my thanks to Dave Richwine for the fine job he didfor us the past two years as our President and to his lovely wife, VI,for her work and support. Also, Ray Craft for his fine work as ourtreasurer the past year. The convention was most enjoyable!

A.T. Humbles, Secretary

794 MEMBERS AS OF NOW

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION