May 2011 An Opportunity for the Community Presented by… Brian Baldridge Gary Thompson

Chico Air Museum

 501(c)3 Non-Profit Status, Established 2004  Successful Fulfillment of Mission Statement  Many Contributors and Supporters  Growing Fleet of Display Aircraft and Artifacts  Acceptance by Local Schools as Educational Venue  World Class Aviation History Speaker Series  Well Developed Relationships Within Museum Circles  Certified Recipient of Military and NASA Surplus  Extremely Dedicated Volunteer Staff

Vic Alvistur CAM Board President

 CAM Co-founder  Former CEO Aero Union  Previous Chico Planning Commission Chairman  Lifetime Chico resident

Norm Rosene D.D.S.

CAM Board Member

 CAM Co-Founder  Established Local Dentist  Lifetime Chico Resident  PV High School, UC Davis, UCSF School of Dentistry  Pilot and Aircraft Owner  Aircraft Acquisition Specialist

Noel Wheeler CAM Board Member

 CAM Co-Founder  Former Shell Oil Executive  Longtime Chico Resident  Docent Manager  Former Butte County ALUC Commissioner  Speaker Series Coordinator

Brian Baldridge CAM Board Member

        CAM Co-Founder Former President NVPA Commercial/Instrument Pilot Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic Former Chico Airport Employee CSU Chico Graduate Former Manager, Tech Support Diamond Aircraft, Eclipse Aviation Department of Defense Program Manager, Surveillance Aircraft Contractor

Gary Thompson

 CAM Co-founder  Former Executive Director Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum  Former Executive Director Pearson Air Museum  Vintage Aircraft Restorer  Author and Pilot  Barnstormer  Aviation Historian

CAM Mission Statement

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The 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

Thad Kearns 1911 Friesley Falcon 1921 Vultee BT-13 in Formation 1944 WASP’s 1943 Titan ICBM’s 1963

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 employed  Development of the famous 555 th Operation Firefly of African American smokejumpers to counteract to Japanese incendiary balloons threat to U.S. West Coast

Notable Chico Airport History

 Chico 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 History

 1921 Freisley Falcon built at Eddie Rickenbacker's farm in Gridley. First aircraft to fly a baseball team.

North Valley Aviation History

 1953 Invention of Aerial Fire Suppression, Willows  Tactical U-2/SR-71 Base

Original CAAF Hangar Now Available

The Opportunity

   Built 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 Growth

 Create First Class Tourist Destination  Inspire and Educate all Ages  Provide Jobs  Build Aviation Reference Library  Acquire and Preserve Historic Aircraft and Artifacts  Provide Mentorship Program Opportunities (CHAMPS) and CSUC Museum Management Program  Stimulate Redevelopment of CMA  Establish Corporate/Service Organization Meeting Facility

CAM Board President CAM Board Secretary 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 Treasurer Finance Administrator Grant Acquisition Corporate Sponsorships Auctions Pledges Membership Dues Memorial Program CAM Board Member Admission Gift Shop Management Librarian Books and Document Collection, Preservation and Classification Web Master updates, and Publisher Web design and Newsletter Editor Volunteer Management Docent Scheduling, Recognition Awards and Recruitment Educational Director Outreach School Tours Model Building Curriculum Design and Accreditations Facilities Coordinator Maintenance, Improvements, Safety Compliance and Training Aircraft Restoration Coordinator Maintenance, Security and Restoration of Display Aircraft Mentorship Program Coordinator Chico/PV High School CSUC Museum Management Scout Aviation Merit Badge A&P Apprentice Work Credit

The Opportunity

The Opportunity

The Vision

We Need Your Support Together We Can Make It Happen