Gray Weather Does Not Dampen Air Show: Wings n Wheels Deemed A Success

by Christopher W. Hunt-


Despite weekend weather that featured low cloud cover and periods of light rain mixed with spotty sunshine, the 2011 Wings & Wheels: British Invasion air and car show, hosted by PALS, atttracted over 5,000 local and regional attendees to Sikorsky Airport in Stratford for the weekend event on May 21st and 22nd. The bustling tarmac in front of event co-sponsor Three Wing’s hangars provided eager transportation aficionados and paid guests with an array of machinery that would impress any impresario of classic automobiles and aircraft that visually told the story of air and car history throughout most of the 20th century.

Although low cloud cover did cancel some of the aerial events, the crowds were still treated to some stunning acrobatics, including a sibling rivalry motorcycle-plane race between Billy Werth in his Pitts SC2 Special who raced his brother David down the runway which thrilled the onlookers. Aerobatic performances were turned in by pilots Bob Cipolli who flew a Straudacher S300 monoplane and Bill Gordon in his Super Stairman WWII bi-plane trainer. Jim Bocell in his Corsair F4U and Dan Dameo in his Curtiss P-40 Warhawk rounded out the program with an array of impressive formation flybys.

Vintage aircraft and automobiles spanning decades of American and European manufacturers dotted the event site where attendees snapped photos and eagerly peered in through car windows marveling at the decades-old machinery. Antique Model A Fords, Bentleys and Rolls Royce’s in gleaming and immaculate condition were just a few of dozens of automobiles on display evoking memories of a grander period in car manufacturing. Individuals and families flocked to the many vintage aircraft on the tarmac as well; streaming under, around and through planes where event guests enjoyed examining their vast external underpinnings and the detailed interiors of such aircraft as the C-54, a former military cargo plane; the same model used in the famed Berlin airlift. Onboard, guests were treated to a miniature museum replete with a history of the 1948-1949 missions. A B-25 Ponchito aircraft was also present, the same model made famous by Jim Doolittle who lead his 18 bombers on the infamous one-way bombing missions from the USS Hornet which pounded Japan during WWII. Guests were also extended rides-for-hire in this historic aircraft. Also present was an H-34 Seahorse helicopter, manufactured by Sikorsky in the 1950s and 1960s which was the most commonly-used helicopter of its kind during the early days of the Vietnam War.

“Despite some inconsistent weather the event went off without a hitch,” said Joe Howley, Chairman and CEO of event host, PALS. “The aerial events we did hold were amazing as were the dozens of air and car displays on the ground. It was very evident that those who came had a great time.” Howley also pointed to Saturday evening’s fundraiser event as another aspect of the show that was greatly successful. “The Hoedown dinner and auction was clearly one of the highlights during the two days,” said Howley. “Not only did everyone have a great time but our silent auction brought in tens of thousands in donations all of which, of course, goes to a great cause at PALS.”

Howley also noted that the show was successful due to all of those who helped plan it. “Our PALS Staff, those representing our co-hosts, Three Wing and the literally dozens of volunteers and sponsors that participated, made the difference,” he said. “Months of planning went into this and it showed; every last aspect was extremely well coordinated and that made for an event that attendees were excited about.”

PALS Pilots- Your Annual Fly-In is Coming Soon!

On May 21 and 22, 2011, Patient AirLift Services is hosting Wings & Wheels 2011; British Invasion! at Sikorsky Memorial Airport. In addition to being a local favorite fun time, and a general awareness boost for Patient AirLift Services, this is also YOUR pilot fly-in. Wings and Wheels 2010 attracted over 25,000 guests to historic Sikorsky Memorial Airport. The 2011 event will provide visitors with a broader and even more exciting offering of classic warbirds, rare automobiles and other vehicles. Participating in this event provides businesses the opportunity to support Patient AirLift Services’ ability to help members of their community, and to be prominently visible at the largest early summer gathering in Fairfield County. Go to http://www.wingsnwheelsct.org/ for general info about the event and stay tuned for more information directed at you, our volunteer pilots.

AvWeb Podcast features Patient AirLift Services

In this podcast from Sun 'n Fun 2011, the organization's CEO, Joe Howley, gives a briefing to AvWeb representative Paul Bertorelli on how our new group — organized less than one year ago — works. The podcast's title is: "Volunteer Pilots for Patient Transportation". Go to this link to find it: http://www.avweb.com/podcast-content/index.html

PALS Chairman Joe Howley in New York Times!

March 8, 2011- PALS pilot Joe Howley is featured in today's New York Times. The article can be found in the Business Section (page B7; upper right and above the fold) under the column "Frequent Flier". Here is the link http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/08/business/08flier.html?_r=1&ref=business.

B103 Update: PALS pilot and Chairman on ISLAND OUTLOOK Radio Sunday, 2/13

PALS pilot Ron Siegel and Chairman Joe Howley were featured on ISLAND OUTLOOK radio with Frank Brinka Sunday, 2/13 on the following radio stations:
✈✈✈ 6am on WKJY/98.3 "KJOY" kjoy.com
✈✈✈ 7am on WBZO/103.1 "B103" b103.com
✈✈✈ 7am on WIGX/94.3 "94-X" my94x.com
✈✈✈ 9am WHLI/1100AM WHLI.com

Island Outlook is an hour long public affairs show.
The first half hour was hosted by Frank Brinka, news director of WHLI & WBZO (B103)
PALS would like to thank volunteer pilot Ron Siegel for arranging this outreach opportunity.

Bridgeport FBO Offers Discounts to PALS Pilots

Three Wing Flying Services (KBDR) applauds the valuable work of PALS and its talented cadre of volunteer pilots and aircraft owners. In recognition of PALS’ many contributions, and to support the flying of PALS members, Three Wing is pleased to offer the following discounts on our services for 2011.

50% discount on our Flat Rate Inspection Fee for an annual.
30% discount on our Flat Rate FAR 91.411 and 91.413 Tests (24 Month IFR/VFR certifications of the Static, Altimeter, and Transponder systems).
$.10 per gallon fuel discount off of current retail price (Three Wing already is typically the best fuel value in the area!).
10% discount on Pilot Shop purchases, to include FAA charts and approach plates.
10% discount on Line Services (e.g., aircraft washing, waxing)
Free check of avionics software revisions.

Three Wing is a certified Cessna and Diamond Repair Facility, as well as an authorized repair facility for essentially all of the major avionics and aircraft manufacturers. Simply show your PALS identification badge at time of purchase to receive your discounts! Please contact the following Three Wing professionals to schedule your maintenance, or request other services.

Director of Maintenance - Mike Schipp 203.375.5795 x-105 mschipp@threewing.com
Director of Avionics - Jared Gowlis 203.375.5795 x-106 jared@threewing.com
General Manager - Terry Dennison 203.375.5795 x-101 tdennison@threewing.com
Line Services – 203.375.5795 x-113

Thank you for your service, and please let us know how else we can support your flying.

Blue Skies!

Tim & Larry

Year-End Message

December 2010-

As we reach the end of 2010, all of us at Patient AirLift Services want to extend our best wishes for your Holiday Season. We end the year on a high note, having crossed the 100-flight threshold several weeks back. In our inaugural partial year, we have flown patients and passengers 50,000 miles—for free! We have 80 pilots and growing, supported by two full-time and three part-time employees, and a diverse twelve-member Board.

Our publicity exposure was nothing short of remarkable. Many local newspapers and television stations featured us. In addition, we were in the Greater New York section of the Wall Street Journal, and in a 7-page spread in Greenwich magazine. Amazing!

Our fundraising efforts in 2010 were likewise successful. In 2011 we will not only repeat our fall Connecticut Fundraiser (see articles below), we will also host Wings N Wheels on the grounds of the Bridgeport Airport the weekend before Memorial Day, and present a Hunter-Jumper equestrian event later in the year at an exclusive Bedminster, NJ facility.

You can stay current with our most recent news by visiting us often here on the web at www.palservices.org, or at our Patient AirLift Services Facebook page. We are still very much in need of volunteers of all kinds…pilots of course, but also CarPals who can help transport our patients from the airports to their healthcare appointment and volunteers to work at our events. You may volunteer by completing an application on our website, or get more information on the telephone by calling us toll-free at 888-818-1231.

Have a Healthy and Happy New Year!