About
Us
History
Florida Warbirds, EAA Warbird Squadron 24, Inc. was founded in October
2000 by Earl Walsh, a retired U.S. Navy Commander and owner/pilot of a
North American T-28 Trojan. It started with only a handful of Warbird
enthusiasts who believed there was a need for a local Squadron. Since
its inception membership continues to expand. Members are scattered
throughout Florida. Florida Warbirds is the only EAA Warbird Squadron
in Florida.
Florida Warbirds, EAA Warbird Squadron 24, Inc. is affiliated with the
EAA and EAA Warbirds of America. Squadron 24 members are required to be
members of both organizations.
Our goals are to educate our members and the public in the history,
preservation, safe operation and maintenance of World War II and other
such historic aircraft. Squadron 24 members are a diverse group of
Warbird enthusiasts, some of whom own Warbirds, others who enjoy
maintaining them and yet some who are just in love with them? Many of
the SquadronÕs aircraft are displayed at various aviation
events throughout Florida where sometimes they are demonstrated in
formation flights and combat simulations.
EAA Warbird Squadron 24 also participates in the Young Eagles Flight
Program in association with local EAA chapters. In this regard, we have
fundraising events to sponsor candidates to attend the EAA Air Academy
Summer Camp in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This is a most rewarding and
educational experience for young people interested in aviation and a
chance to learn new skills and make new friends, too.
Our members are not only Warbird enthusiasts, but educators as well. If
you would like more information about Florida Warbirds, please contact
President Jim "Zack" Olzacki at
WarbirdZack@aol.com
or write to the address below.
EAA Warbird Squadron 24, Inc.
3954 Crooked Island Drive
Punta Gorda, FL 33950-8128
Florida Warbirds is a non-profit 501©(3) Corporation.
Warbirds of America
It was in Reno in 1964 that the concept of a club for warbird owners,
whose members could discuss mutual problems in keeping their airplanes
airborne, was conceived. Walt Ohlrich, Jr., a U.S. Navy Commander who
raced an F8F Bearcat, and others on the west coast formed the Warbirds
of America, Inc., which was incorporated on March 25, 1966.
The original intent was for owners and operators of World War II combat
aircraft only.
Membership in the first year grew dramatically, thanks to the efforts
of Walt and regional presidents Jerry Walbrun, Pete Brucia and Frank
Sanders. Walt Ohlrich became the first president; Pete Brucia took over
in 1967 when Commander Ohlrich was assigned a combat tour in Vietnam.
It was at that time that the Warbirds of America became a division of
EAA. It was also in 1967 that the Warbirds of America began to include
the T-6/SNJ/Harvard, so the membership ranks grew even more.
As the years progressed, so did the organization. Membership increased,
with enthusiasts being accepted, and additional ex-military aircraft
types entered the picture as they were surplused by the armed forces
and as warbirds were recovered from all over the world and made flyable
again. Even the liaison aircraft were welcome and within the past
decade, a major influx of jet aircraft has swelled the ranks.
Purpose
The purpose of this Squadron is to:
Promote, encourage, and facilitate an atmosphere where all are welcome
to join-in and become a part of recreational aviation.
Promote and encourage the preservation and operation of World War II
and other such aircraft that are representative of military aviation
operations.
Educate its members and other interested persons, in methods of safe
operation and maintenance of World War II and other such aircraft that
are representative of military aviation operations.
Promote a positive, productive, and cooperative relationship between
the Squadron and those governmental agencies and private enterprises
that provide aviation services and facilities to the members of the
Squadron.
Promote, encourage, and facilitate membership in the EAA (Experimental
Aircraft Association, Inc.) and the EAA Warbirds of America, Inc.
Support and promote the mission, vision, goals and objectives of the
EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc.) and the EAA Warbirds of
America, Inc., through programs and services within the Squadron
family.
In addition we will:
Promote exposure to, recognition and support from the public
Maintain a relationship with various entities and the community
Have fun!
Officers
| President/Commander |
Jim "Zack" Olzacki |
| Vice President |
Denny Labbe |
| Secretary/Membership |
Lynn Olzacki |
| Treasurer |
Owen Stiegelmeier |
Board Members (non
officers)
| Jim
McClain |
| John
Strickland |
Committees
| Membership |
Lynn Olzacki |
| Flying Activities
& Safety |
|
| Social |
TBD |
| Fundraising |
TBD |
| Young Eagles |
TBD |
| Nomination |
TBD |
Warbird Safety
One of the most important safety factors in operating warbirds or any
aircraft is education. In order to properly operate and maintain these
aging examples of our history each person operating a warbird must be
fully informed and trained in the type of aircraft you fly. Much
emphasis is put on flight training and rightfully so, but the area I
see lacking, is in truly understanding what makes your airplane work.
Many pilots of warbird type aircraft are not mechanics, but that
shouldn't prohibit you from taking part in the maintenance or annual
inspection. When you become intimately familiar with your aircraft's
systems and truly understand how they operate, you become a safer
pilot. It also may give you some insight in how to handle and recover
from an emergency that the book may not cover. It is always nice to
know what really happens when you throw a switch or push a lever in a
system. Most planes will Ò talkÓ to you. You just
have to be attuned to what it is saying. If your mechanic is
conscientious, he will let you participate in an inspection and
thoroughly explain what each system does and show you the breakdown of
its various parts. Everyone makes mistakes, but the more acquired
knowledge you have and the greater number of
ÒeyesÓ you have looking at a plane during an
inspection, the better the chance is that mistakes and oversights will
be minimal and not life threatening. In future articles I will take you
through a typical condition inspection on a T28 and show you what
problems and issues can crop up in a year.
Jamie Trudeau
President
Trudeau Warbird Enterprises
