Gary Vacin “Our job was to start battles, not to end them. We were always looking for a fight.” That’s how Sun Lakes resident George Abernathy described his missions in Vietnam as a 19-year-old helicopter scout door gunner during a presentation to the Sun Lakes Aero Club gathering on Feb. 16. More than 50 club…
Gary Vacin A mission that qualified NASA to carry a man into space will be the topic of a presentation at the Sun Lakes Aero Club gathering on Monday, April 20, at the Cottonwood Country Club Lecture Hall. Camaraderie starts at 6:30 p.m., followed by the presentation, which begins at 7 p.m. The public is…
Gary Vacin “There are easier ways to kill yourself.” That’s what Dik Cusveller’s father said to him when the youngster told him he wanted to fly airplanes. Cusveller related this tale during his presentation to the Sun Lakes Aero Club gathering on Jan. 19 at Cottonwood Country Club. The Canadian resident briefed his audience on…
Gary Vacin A retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral will relate his journey to become a Navy pilot, a Rear Admiral, and an airline executive during a presentation at the Sun Lakes Aero Club gathering on March 16. Scheduled for the Cottonwood Country Club Lecture Room, the session begins with camaraderie at 6:30 p.m., followed by…
Gary Vacin How Pan American Airways became one of the world’s most storied airlines and how and why it fell from grace—that was the topic of a presentation to the Sun Lakes Aero Club gathering on Dec. 15. More than 50 club members and guests, including several who had worked for the airline in its…
Gary Vacin A Sun Lakes resident, who, as a 19-year-old, logged 625 combat hours as a helicopter torque (scout-door gunner) during the Vietnam conflict, will be the featured speaker at the Sun Lakes Aero Club gathering on Monday, Feb. 16, at the Cottonwood Country Club Lecture Hall. The event begins with fellowship at 6:30 p.m.,…
Gary Vacin A Canadian citizen who flew many years with KLM Airlines in Europe will be the featured speaker at the Sun Lakes Aero Club gathering on Monday, Jan. 19, 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…
Gary Vacin The rise and fall of one of the country’s most storied airlines, Pan American Airways, will be the topic of a presentation to the Sun Lakes Aero Club gathering on Monday, Dec. 15, at the Cottonwood Country Club Lecture Hall. The session will begin with camaraderie at 6:30 p.m., followed by the presentation…
Gary Vacin A retired U.S. Air Force officer who logged hundreds of hours flying C-130 aircraft and later flew for several airlines will be the guest speaker at the Sun Lakes Aero Club gathering on Monday, Nov. 17, at the Cottonwood Country Club Lecture Room. Festivities start with camaraderie at 6:30 p.m. followed by the…
Gary Vacin The Sun Lakes Aero Club has announced a slate of speakers for its gatherings for 2025-26. The events begin with camaraderie at 6:30 p.m., followed by the presentation at 7 p.m. at the Cottonwood Country Club Lecture Hall. The public is invited to attend all gatherings. The Nov. 17 speaker will be Pete…