An Opportunity for the Community Presented by… Brian Baldridge Gary Thompson May 2011
Mar 28, 2015
An Opportunity for the CommunityPresented by…
Brian BaldridgeGary Thompson
May 2011
Chico Air Museum 501(c)3 Non-Profit Status, Established 2004 Successful Fulfillment of Mission StatementMany Contributors and SupportersGrowing Fleet of Display Aircraft and ArtifactsAcceptance by Local Schools as Educational
VenueWorld Class Aviation History Speaker SeriesWell Developed Relationships Within Museum
CirclesCertified Recipient of Military and NASA SurplusExtremely Dedicated Volunteer Staff
Vic AlvisturCAM Board President
CAM Co-founder Former CEO Aero UnionPrevious Chico Planning
Commission ChairmanLifetime Chico resident
Norm Rosene D.D.S.CAM Board Member
CAM Co-FounderEstablished Local DentistLifetime Chico ResidentPV High School, UC
Davis, UCSF School of Dentistry
Pilot and Aircraft OwnerAircraft Acquisition
Specialist
Noel WheelerCAM Board Member
CAM Co-FounderFormer Shell Oil ExecutiveLongtime Chico ResidentDocent ManagerFormer Butte County ALUC
CommissionerSpeaker Series Coordinator
Brian BaldridgeCAM Board Member
CAM Co-FounderFormer President NVPACommercial/Instrument PilotAirframe & Powerplant
MechanicFormer Chico Airport EmployeeCSU Chico GraduateFormer Manager, Tech Support
Diamond Aircraft, Eclipse Aviation
Department of Defense Program Manager, Surveillance Aircraft Contractor
Gary ThompsonCAM Co-founderFormer Executive
Director Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum
Former Executive Director Pearson Air Museum
Vintage Aircraft RestorerAuthor and PilotBarnstormerAviation Historian
CAM Mission StatementThe Chico Air Museum was founded to
collect, preserve, document and display artifacts significant to the rich aviation and aerospace history of Chico Army Air Field and the North Valley. Our primary purpose is to educate and inspire people of all ages, while honoring the creativity, dedication and sacrifices of the men and women who contributed to the remarkable aviation heritage in the Northern Sacramento Valley.
Rich Aviation History
Titan ICBM’s 1963
Friesley Falcon 1921
Vultee BT-13 in Formation 1944
Thad Kearns 1911
WASP’s 1943
Thaddeus S.Kerns Chico Boy Pilot 1910
Built and flew first aircraft in Chico at age 16 only 7 years after Wright Bros. (1910)
Renowned airshow pilot
Granted several U.S. patents for aircraft design
Chico Army Air Field (CAAF)
Historic Chico Army Air Field 1942 to 1945
5,500 Combat Pilot Cadets trained, BT-13, P-39, P-63, P-38, B-29 Aircraft, Aerial Gunnery, Advanced Tactics
Thousands of Combat Support Personnel trained for overseas deployment
Women Air Service Pilots utilized (WASP’s) to reposition aircraft
Women aircraft maintenance mechanics employedDevelopment of the famous 555th Operation Firefly of
African American smokejumpers to counteract to Japanese incendiary balloons threat to U.S. West Coast
Notable Chico Airport HistoryChico City Council leases Airport Land to Army
Corps of Engineers for $1 per year to build Army Training Base 1941
Site of Nuclear Missile Silo Explosion and Early Anti-Nuclear Vigils at Titan I-C Missile Base 1962
Site of First Airline Hijacking in the U.S. 1961 Launch Site of Top-Secret High Altitude
Unmanned Balloon world record of 186,240 feet, the greatest altitude ever reached by a flying object requiring the surrounding air. Guinness Book Record 1972
North Valley Aviation History1921 Freisley Falcon built at Eddie
Rickenbacker's farm in Gridley. First aircraft to fly a baseball team.
North Valley Aviation History1953 Invention of Aerial Fire Suppression,
WillowsTactical U-2/SR-71 Base
Original CAAF Hangar Now Available
The OpportunityBuilt in 1943 as
line maintenance and engine change hangar for CAAF
Classic 40’s style construction
In-buildings perfect for museum displays, meeting rooms, gift shop
The Goals of GrowthCreate First Class Tourist DestinationInspire and Educate all AgesProvide JobsBuild Aviation Reference LibraryAcquire and Preserve Historic Aircraft and
ArtifactsProvide Mentorship Program Opportunities
(CHAMPS) and CSUC Museum Management Program
Stimulate Redevelopment of CMAEstablish Corporate/Service Organization Meeting
Facility
Executive Director/Curator Aircraft and Artifact Acquisition
Collection Database Exhibit Design and Creation
Public Relations Public Speaking Media Release
Marketing Special Events
Quest Speaker Series Open Cockpit Day
Model Aviation Demo Wings and Wheels Weekend
Big Band Swing Dance Facilities Event Rental
CAM Board President CAM Board Secretary CAM Board Treasurer CAM Board Member
Finance Administrator Grant Acquisition
Corporate Sponsorships Auctions Pledges
Membership Dues Memorial Program
Admission Gift Shop
Management
Librarian Books and Document Collection,
Preservation and Classification
Web Master Web design and
updates, Newsletter Editor
and Publisher
Volunteer Management Docent Scheduling,
Recognition Awards and Recruitment
Educational Director Outreach
School Tours Model Building
Curriculum Design and Accreditations
Mentorship Program Coordinator Chico/PV High School
CSUC Museum Management Scout Aviation Merit Badge
A&P Apprentice Work Credit
Facilities Coordinator Maintenance, Improvements,
Safety Compliance and Training
Aircraft Restoration Coordinator
Maintenance, Security and Restoration of Display Aircraft
The Opportunity
The Opportunity
The Vision
Together We Can Make It Happen
We Need Your Support