Featuring
Zach Reeder
Test Pilot,
Joby Aviation
Wednesday Aug 3rd, 2022
No Host Bar: 5:30 p.m., Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m.
For the last three years Zach Reeder has been a test pilot for Joby Aviation. Prior to Joby Reeder was a test pilot and engineer at Scaled Composites where he started working after graduating from Texas A&M in 2005 with a BS in aerospace engineering. He is a commercial multi-engine instrument rated pilot who has flown 42 different aircraft types.
Zach’s first solo flight was in a hang glider that he designed and built for $100. At Scaled he currently flew the Firebird Demonstrator, Proteus, and Task Vantage in addition to a Baron, Duchess, Extra 300, and L-39.
Outside of work Zach currently flies several types including his RV-8 (completed in 2010), Rutan’s record setting Catbird (Restored in 2011), and the family Super Cub back in East Texas. He spent several weeks in the spring of 2016 flying an AN-2 around northern Canada and Baffin Island.
As an engineer at Joby Zach has significantly contributed to the design, construction and flight test of a new eVTOL aircraft.
Zach will be discussing Joby Aviation's electric solution to air travel -- what's called an eVTOL aircraft, which stands for electric vertical take off and landing. As the name suggests, the aircraft can take off and land like a helicopter but fly like a plane. You can read more information on Zach Reeder and Joby, at this link.
Dinner is catered and open to the public ($25/person), reservations are required prior to 6 p.m., Monday prior to dinner, either On-line HERE or call 805 296-1935.
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FA/18 Flight Simulator In Action
After a lengthy shortage of volunteers, we now have the FA/18 Flight Simulator back on track, currently available for 3 spots on Friday and 3 on Sundays. For more information and to sign up for available flight training, see t his link. Highly recommend that you signup online as it has the most up-to-date availability as to hour and date. |
Volunteer Highlight - Mike Brophy |
I remember the first time this writer met Mike Brophy. I thought, here is one unique individual that possesses a "can-do" attitude regardless of the task at hand. He was quick to meet strangers and start a conversation and had a sense of making any job he was doing as fun, regardless of the task, whether it be helping out in Freedom Hall with the exhibits, restoration of vehicles and aircraft or picking up tasks in grounds maintenance that many people are afraid to tackle. |
Hot blazing desert sun or not, Mike has truly shown the spirit of volunteerism and never expects anything other than a 'thank you' for all his efforts. It has indeed been an honor to know him and to work alongside him. Thanks, Mike, for a job well done! We all appreciate your efforts! |
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Home to the world class Woodland Auto Display:
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The Estrella Warbirds Museum has always been "the place to go" for local meeting, group dinners and even company events. We greet visitors from around the world!
If you enjoy new people and groups, love history and want to be involved in a community project, we'd love to hear from you! We always need volunteers in our gift-shop, or docents in the museum or Auto Display. Maybe you want to get involved in restoration?
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805 674-3939
805 674-3939
What is AmazonSmile?
AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support your favorite charitable organization (like Estrella Warbirds Museum, every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com
Please choose Estrella Warbirds Museum, from over one million organizations to support.
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Stuck on what to buy for a special person?
There is always the perfect gift of a flight on a real WWII veteran, our C-47B, Betsy's Biscuit Bomber.
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Would you like to volunteer at the museum? We keep expanding and it stays busy all year. Are you a history buff? Want to learn more about our military history? Want to make new friends? We would love to meet you! We have plenty of opportunities available to suit your needs. Contact us today!
Speaking of volunteers, we have designated the Second Saturday of each month, from 7 a.m. to noon as
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We Asked, You Responded! Thank You
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Special 'thank you' goes out to all who responded to the request for plastic models of military air and water craft. We listen to what our customers ask for. Sometimes all it takes is something small, like an individual military boat model that turns into a lifetime of interest and commitment in preserving a small bit of military history. In fact, just ask one of our long term promoters of Estrella Warbirds Museum, an 80 year old, former teacher and editor of the Atascadero News plus a columnist for the Tribune in San Luis Obispo, Lon Allen. Anyone who has toured the Freedom Hall displays would have to be blind to miss Lon's scratch built replica's of many WWII ships. They are incredible to see as the detail is so extensive and realistic. Each one is a tribute to the men and women who served on the real-life full-sized vessels. |
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During this past month and a half, Betsy's Biscuit Bomber has been on an Eastern Tour as part of promotion of the video, "Into Flight Once More," which highlights the DC-3's and C-47's that returned to Normandy in 2019, for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day.
The C-47B has made appearances at the National Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH, the Smithsonian Museum, an airshow last week prior to EAA AirVenture 2022, and this week at Oshkosh Wisconsin, joining some fellow flight mates and aircraft which accompanied them to Normandy.
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Yes, she will be making her way back home to Paso Robles starting next week, with a few more stops along the way. |
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Update From John Couch, President
We are moving full swing into summer with a lot of visitors, tours, and other activities at the museum. The most notable activity is an addition to the most northern building of the Woodland Auto Display. Construction is well under way and it will be a nice addition to the existing four-building display. Woodland Auto Display is consistently noted by visitors as one of their favorite features of our museum.
That partnership between Estrella Warbirds Museum (EWM) and Woodland Auto Display (WAD) has proven to be very beneficial to the long-term viability of our museums. This construction is very timely as well, since EWM and WAD have recently entered a long-term arrangement, making much of the Woodland Auto Display a permanent asset of the museum. The Woodland Auto Display continues to be an attraction that is an integral part of the Estrella Warbirds Museum.
Please come and check out what is going on at the museum! As we expand, the need for volunteers is a critical part of the museum experience. Please consider volunteering in any capacity. Our volunteers along with our staff are the museum’s lifeblood and facilitate an enjoyable historical adventure. Thanks, John
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Highlighted in the Woodland Auto Display |
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One of the awesome things about Woodland Auto Display is the vast array of historical race cars. One in particular is a 1945/46 Solar Midget race car built by the Solar Aircraft Company which was the parent company of Ryan Aircraft. It was intended to give the company some diversity at the end of WW II as Midget auto racing was extremely popular during that era. (The Solar race car plant used the same facility that had been used for building Charles Lindberg's Spirit of St. Louis.)
When you look at the actual size of the midget race car, it's almost hard to imagine that it is powered by a Ford Motor Company Flathead V-8 60, at 136 cubic inch. One can only imagine the power and speed within this vehicle, especially knowing a normal 6 foot, 170 lb individual would have a difficult time sitting in this 4 wheeled rocket!
One of the unique things about the Solar chassis is something they borrowed from the aircraft industry in that the main frame rails were built using stainless steel. According to the dash plate, this is number 16, which makes it a very early model. The Ford V-8 60 was a very popular engine in early midget racing. These engines were plentiful, inexpensive and easy to "hop up."
This beautiful piece of Midget racing history, the #2 Solar, was donated to the Woodland Auto Display by Reba Warren in memory of her late husband, Dale. We can't thank you enough for the opportunity to display this beautiful race car.
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1945-46 Solar Midget Race Car on display at the Woodland Auto Display |
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Membership has its benefits! Why become a member? The museum is supported solely from private sources. Minimal membership dues go a long way in helping to preserve history for tomorrows generation. Membership gives you free access to the museum and our wonderful research library. Individual memberships are pro-rated at $75/year or $125/year for families. We have six different categories. You can find more information on membership and how to sign up the the link listed below. |
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4251 Dry Creek Road
Paso Robles, CA 93446
805 238-9317
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