January - March 2014
As Compiled by JT Smith
Who would like to fly the F-35? For a look at how the Navy does it, [if you are on FaceBook] click here.
The NW Falcon's latest gathering took place on 13 March. George Luck's report with picture can be seen here.
Who is that masked man?
This from Chuck Diver: " Hi Troops, Attached is a photo of some of the regular NW Falcons, augmented by some visiting firemen from Minnesota and Colorado. The occasion was the celebration of Jim O'Rourke's life after his Rememberance Ceremony. Picture was taken at a restaurant called Pier 19, on the 19th of Feb2014. All set up by Nels-Thank you Nels. Chuck Diver Still Class of 60"
This quick update from Kathy and Charlie Liggett: "In Madang, Papua New Guinea yesterday; will be in Koror, Palau tomorrow."
Many of you may have already seen this YouTube video forwarded by Bill Zersen via George Lester, but I think it is something everyone will enjoy or enjoy again. Click here and remember.
This from Dave Reed: "Just got an email from John McCullough wondering if I was trout-fishing in NZ; so, I sent him (and now all of you) my CV as an easy way of explaining what I have been doing [click here to view the CV].
"In addition, I assume we all remember celestial nav? Well I started into ocean nav before the days of satnav and WELL before that of GPS. Probably very few of you have seen or used a marine sextant, and I thought bubble-oriented guys might be interested in how celestial is done in such a different environment; so, a photo of mine is attached.
"Principle is that at sea --especially on a small sailboat --things are just too unstable to use a bubble sextant. Thus, instead of using a bubble to register a horizon, one must use the sea horizon to measure the angle instantaneously (no averager) to the celestial body. The sextant micrometer superimposes the sea horizon and the celestial body. You then swing the sextant in an arc as though it were a pendulum and adjust the micrometer so that with each swing the celestial body just barely touches the sea horizon as you swing the sextant-pendulum back and forth then quickly check the time. Calm weather, fine, but in rough weather, quite a challenge. Sextant in left hand, right hand around the mast then on the Yep micrometer while green seawater fills your boots. Sort of like trying to keep the bubble centered during turbulence.
"And of course at night one cannot see the horizon accurately. Daytime is fine, but a marine navigator can also use venus and the moon which we never could do with our bubble sextants.-- the calculations are a bit hairy, but now with celestial computers, not so bad. The problem is nighttime--no horizon. So just when all the stars come out and we AFA-types could bubble accurately, a marine sextant is useless. BUT there is a way. Just at first light and just after sunset there is a brief period of time when you can still see the horizon and also the brighter stars and maybe a planet or two. Need to move quickly before the horizon vanishes in the dark at sunset or the stars vanish at daybreak, and of course that is just when there is a cloud bank on the horizon.
"But how to do distance for DR? I have attached a photo of a Walker Log that consists of a propeller on a long line attached to a revolution counter registering nautical miles traveled. Sounds great, but there is a problem or two. Believe it of not some fish (especially sharks) think they are edible and the prop does sort of look like a trolled lure. Then if your speed is too high the prop may keep jumping out of the water. Oh, there are always realities to simple principles, eh?
"So I hope I have not bored anyone, but assumed this was interesting stuff to folks who earned air-navigator wings."
Sadly, we must report the passing of another Classmate and friend. Jim O'Rourke, succumbed to pneumonia after a long illness. The funeral will be on Wednesday, 2PM, February 19th, 2014; Christ Lutheran Church, 8211 112th Street, SW, Lakewood, WA 98498. Donations may be made to: Fred Hutchinson, Cancer Research Center, www.FHCRC.org. Burial will be at the Academy
This from Doug Rekenthaler via George Lester: "I've included the segment for you to view. Basically, if I understand it correctly, do not let the hospital admit you with the words, "Under Observation." Insist on an "In-Patient" designation. Otherwise, you will be responsible for the hospital expenses. It might be wise to inform family members too."To view the video presentation that aired originally on NBC Nightly News click here. (Be patient; there's a short commercial that you have to endure before the content starts.)
The DC '60 group's latest luncheon took place on 14 January. Tony Burshnick's report with picture can be seen here.
Happy New Year to all. Diane and I had a nice Christmas with daughter Rocella and family in McHenry, Illinois. A foot of snow and -6F reminded us of why we like Tennessee in the winter, but a white Christmas is always nice. We returned home on 30 Dec.to make sure we were in place for yesterday's motorcycle ride, a upheld every New Year's Day starting in 1978.
Surely there are other holiday reports you wouldn't mind sharing with classmates; so, let's get those emails and pictures headed this way.