The
Goldenheart Foundation works with the Dallas Schools, especially with the Jr. ROTC programs, to expose them to role models and career opportunities. The Commemorative Air Force,
DFW wing and The
Cold War Air Museum have helped the organization bring several of these South Dallas events to the Lancaster Airport over the last few years.
As is appropriate, the events always begin with a flag ceremony. This event was estimated at over 700 people, slightly exceeding the
career day in May. These events are generally scehduled around the start and end of each school year.
The F4U is a poignant background for the Navy information table. Services, academies and colleges display and recruit at these events.
The Mi-24 in the CAF hangar serves as a backdrop for the Air Force Academy table. While the kids may not know the history of the Mi-24, they understand about air power from all that they have seen on TV and at the movies.
Pete helps answer questions and lets the youngsters take a peek in the cockpit of our
L29, a former Soviet jet trainer. While it doesn't seem as if the kids are as interested as "our" generation (of fifty years ago), prior generations did not have the stimulus rich environment of TV, games, movies and the internet that causes them to take so many of our modern marvels for granted.
A few of the kids asked questions and showed interest as we did when we were young. That is why we are here, today.
The
Antonov came to the event and while few of the kids took the opportunity to learn of the use and history of this unusual bird throughout the U.S.S.R and China, those of us parked in the sun appreciated the sight of an airplane/exhibit that brings its own shade.
One of the items received was a replacement engine for one of our Cold War Air Museum. Mi-2 helicopters. This turned out to be an example of "Just in Time" scheduling for our flyer, Bord 211.
There is a saying to the effect that "The worst turbine engine's worst day is better than the best piston engine's best day", even so, turbine engines do have problems from time to time. It turns out that this was the time for the right engine in Bord 211. When a bearing went out, the comment was that it sounded as if "the engine ate a bunch of walnuts". Fortunately the engine did not "eat a bunch of walnuts", as the turbine blades are fine. With a maintenance crew on hand, the old engine was out in about three hours and the new engine went in just about as quickly. 
With maintenance and flight experience on hand. The new engine was closely monitored through a number of exercise cycles before it was ignited. 
After a number of runups with the igniters off to insure that everything looked good, the new engine was started and ran flawlessly. The long "extension cord" is a very heavy duty APU power cord used to supply battery power during the engine exercise and starting sequences.
The old engine will be inspected and repaired.
