The Sopwith Camel, like the one shown here, is one of many aircraft that fought over the trenches during World War I. Air power development during World War I will be the topic of a presentation at the Sun Lakes Aero Club gathering on Monday, Dec. 16, at the Cottonwood Country Club Lecture Hall.
Gary Vacin
Pioneers of the Air will be the topic of a presentation to the Sun Lakes Aero Club gathering on Monday, Dec. 16, at the Cottonwood Country Club Lecture Hall. The session will begin with camaraderie at 6:30 p.m. followed by the presentation at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Our speaker will be Art Vernon, a docent at the Commemorative Air Force Museum at Falcon Field in Mesa. Vernon is a U.S. Army veteran who served 16 years with the Scottsdale Police Department Field Training Unit. He is a member of the Army Aviation Historical Foundation.
Vernon will discuss how, long before the days of Masters of the Air that took on the German Luftwaffe in World War II over the skies of Europe, a newer and younger breed of aviators braved the early development of flight that established the foundations for the Mighty 8th Air Force. These were the pioneers who led the development of air power on and over the trenches telling the story of the air power development and its application in World War I.
Vernon’s presentation is the second in a series of aviation-related topics given at monthly Sun Lakes Aero Club gatherings November through April.
Future presentations include: Jan. 20, 2025, longtime Aero Club member Jim Theobold discussing his experiences flying for Federal Express and Flying Tigers Airlines; Feb. 17, 2025, Wayne Marsh discussing his flight around the perimeter of the country from city to city in a sport aircraft; and March 17, 2025, Tom Webster, flying A-10 and F-16 jet fighter aircraft.
For additional information on the Aero Club, contact Cannon Hill at 509-539-7857 or Gary Vacin at 480-298-7017.