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CAROLINAS AVIATION MUSEUM
FROM THE INTERIM PRESIDENT: KATHERINE SWARINGEN
Happy New Year To Everyone!
Last year was a very exciting year; the museum served 51,058 visitors and of that number 7,000 school aged youths participated in educational programs directly related to aviation principles. The Girl's STEM program experienced a 50% increase in the number of participants from 2015. We saw our audience grow with the number of visitors eager to lay eyes on Flight 1549, The Miracle on the Hudson which was recently featured in the major motion picture,
Sully.
As we look back on 2016 and think about the progression of the museum we can't help but remember the museum's founder Floyd Wilson and his great vision for this organization. In 1996, Floyd said, "CHAC (Carolinas Historical Aviation Commission) has only touched the surface in its goal and dream to preserve and present the story of aviation to the citizens of North and South Carolina. Through the dedication and effort of its Board of Trustees, and the continued support from its ever-expanding membership, CHAC continues to rediscover the past, preserve the present, and reach for the stars to tell the story of aviation." I was proud to have known Floyd and I am proud to play a role in making his dream come true today. All of our partners, including you, help make the museum a truly valuable community resource. We hope to carry on Floyd's legacy into 2017 and beyond by continuing our mission and expanding our educational reach.
This year will be the museum's
25th Anniversary
and we want to make it our most successful year to date! I hope that everyone will join us during this exciting time of growth for the museum.
As a member you play an important role as our partner and advocate. This year we are happy to extend to you newly enhanced membership benefits; take a look below! Another way to partner with the museum and gain hands-on access is to consider becoming a volunteer. We look forward to seeing each of you at the museum in 2017!
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FROM THE GALLERY
FLIGHT 1549, MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON EXHIBIT UPDATE:
In
November the museum unveiled an important part of the Miracle on the Hudson story; the newly restored left engine of the Airbus 320. It took eight days to recover the engine from the Hudson River which was found detached from the plane near the site on January 23, 2009. A lengthy investigation conducted by the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) ensued and among the findings were eight missing outlet guide vanes, the low pressure compressor, inlet guide vane, and inner platform were outwardly deformed, and foreign material consistent with bird feathers and tissue were wedged between the outer platform panels and the fan case.
Finally, after the insurance company released the engines the museum received them in October, 2012. Thereafter our partners at American Airlines began to work to restore the left engine which was disassembled. This was a difficult process due to numerous missing and damaged parts. In order to continue the restoration we turned to CFM International to source the right parts. We are proud to say that today the engine is 95% original.
The restoration of the left engine enables the museum to continue to tell the Miracle on the Hudson story which is an important teaching tool from the emergency landing, rescue efforts, recovery, investigation, to the planes final trip home. We talk about aviation as a safety system that is made possible not just by the pilots who fly the aircraft, but by the engineers, airlines, air traffic controllers, and aircraft maintenance technicians who all play a vital role in making the system work; even when something does go wrong.
MORE FROM THE COLLECTION...
Did you know the museum's collection goes beyond the gallery? You can find more by searching online through the museum's archives which are cared for and cataloged at the Dolph
Overton Aviation Library.
This research library contains over 9,000 volumes and is the largest dedicated historical aviation research archive in North and South Carolina. It is named in honor of Dolphin D. Overton, III, an Air Force Korean War ace from North Carolina.
Special Thanks, to the
Dolph Overton Library
volunteers, Charles Wagner, Dave Wentzel, and Steve West. We appreciate your oversight and management of the archives and also want to say thank you to John Andrews, Lane Demaso, Mark Foster, William Horne, Bob Idleson, Cynthia Kuntzelman, Richard Lautensleger, Leah McKechnie, Bill Sereno, Earl Schmitke, and Mary Wiley for your invaluable contributions to the organization of the archives. THANK YOU!
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GET TO KNOW THE CAM STAFF:
Meet Kyle Karbowski
Have you ever heard of the aviation bug or flight fever? Maybe you already have it? Well, if you don't just spend a few minutes with our very own museum docent turned Facilities Manager, Kyle Karbowski and you won't
be able to resist that feeling only flight can give you. The bug bit him at the young age of eight and hasn't let go since. All it took was one Army Basic Training Graduation and he was hooked.
Aviation is Kyle's first and foremost passion. If he's not talking about it he's reading about it while preparing for his role as an Airman First Class in the 145th LRS of the Air National Guard. He's working towards flying commercially and has said that the market for pilots and aircrew in both the military and commercial airlines is now wide open. He feels fortunate to be able to pursue his dreams.
Currently, he is enjoying working for Carolinas Aviation Museum and immersing himself in the historical richness that the aircraft collection provides. As a docent he is able to see the impact that the museum has on visitors, especially kids who leave with a gleam in their eye and a spark that fuels their interest in aviation.
Kyle is enthusiastically passing on his aviation passion to others and he's certain that with education, tenacity, and a positive attitude a rewarding career in the field of aviation can be achieved.
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NEW BENEFIT FOR 2017!
When you plan your next visit to the museum be sure to make time for lunch!
We've partnered with local restaurants to bring you 10% off your next meal. Just show your CAM membership card to your server!
MEMBERSHIP ADVANTAGES
- Complimentary admission to the museum
- 50% off admission passes for your guests each visit
- 2-4 passes depending on membership level
- Reciprocal membership to over 100 museums in throughout the southeast Participating Museums
- Special discounts for birthday parties, classes, and Museum Store merchandise
- Renew or Re-join Here
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Meet John Mebane
Many organizations throughout the country rely on volunteers and we are no exception. We are honored to work with a very special team of volunteers who are devoted to bringing you an exceptional museum experience. Each volunteer commitment we receive is essential to not only the current operation of the museum but also provides sustainability for the organization.
You may have already met John on one of your visits but you probably didn't get a chance to ask him about his own personal connection to aviation.
John joined the US Navy and immediately signed up for the Aviation Officer Candidate Program. After he was commissioned an ensign the flight training program commenced. For the next 18 months he would train to fly the F-4 Phantom and then be deployed to an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean Sea during the Vietnam War. T
aking off in a jet from an aircraft carrier is an exhilarating experience that he recants to those who want to know more. He tells us that, "learning how to fly turned out to be much more exciting than he ever imagined."
As a long time volunteer he works as a docent and offers CAM a tremendous commitment not only with his time but also with his willingness to convey his own story; which brings the aircraft collection to life for visitors. John encourages you to come visit and ask questions. He
says, and we agree with him that, "we're always learning more, which is part of the fun."
The museum would like to further recognize John Mebane for his generous support in naming Carolinas Aviation Museum as the recipient of the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation Grant.
This meaningful grant will directly benefit the museum's STEM program.Thank you.
EMAIL: volunteer@carolinasaviation.org
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