An Opportunity for the CommunityPresented by…

Brian BaldridgeGary Thompson

May 2011

Chico Air Museum 501(c)3 Non-Profit Status, Established 2004 Successful Fulfillment of Mission StatementMany Contributors and SupportersGrowing Fleet of Display Aircraft and ArtifactsAcceptance by Local Schools as Educational

VenueWorld Class Aviation History Speaker SeriesWell Developed Relationships Within Museum

CirclesCertified Recipient of Military and NASA SurplusExtremely Dedicated Volunteer Staff

Vic AlvisturCAM Board President

CAM Co-founder Former CEO Aero UnionPrevious Chico Planning

Commission ChairmanLifetime Chico resident

Norm Rosene D.D.S.CAM Board Member

CAM Co-FounderEstablished Local DentistLifetime Chico ResidentPV High School, UC

Davis, UCSF School of Dentistry

Pilot and Aircraft OwnerAircraft Acquisition

Specialist

Noel WheelerCAM Board Member

CAM Co-FounderFormer Shell Oil ExecutiveLongtime Chico ResidentDocent ManagerFormer Butte County ALUC

CommissionerSpeaker Series Coordinator

Brian BaldridgeCAM Board Member

CAM Co-FounderFormer President NVPACommercial/Instrument PilotAirframe & Powerplant

MechanicFormer Chico Airport EmployeeCSU Chico GraduateFormer Manager, Tech Support

Diamond Aircraft, Eclipse Aviation

Department of Defense Program Manager, Surveillance Aircraft Contractor

Gary ThompsonCAM Co-founderFormer Executive

Director Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum

Former Executive Director Pearson Air Museum

Vintage Aircraft RestorerAuthor and PilotBarnstormerAviation Historian

CAM Mission StatementThe Chico Air Museum was founded to

collect, preserve, document and display artifacts significant to the rich aviation and aerospace history of Chico Army Air Field and the North Valley. Our primary purpose is to educate and inspire people of all ages, while honoring the creativity, dedication and sacrifices of the men and women who contributed to the remarkable aviation heritage in the Northern Sacramento Valley.

Rich Aviation History

Titan ICBM’s 1963

Friesley Falcon 1921

Vultee BT-13 in Formation 1944

Thad Kearns 1911

WASP’s 1943

Thaddeus S.Kerns Chico Boy Pilot 1910

Built and flew first aircraft in Chico at age 16 only 7 years after Wright Bros. (1910)

Renowned airshow pilot

Granted several U.S. patents for aircraft design

Chico Army Air Field (CAAF)

Historic Chico Army Air Field 1942 to 1945

5,500 Combat Pilot Cadets trained, BT-13, P-39, P-63, P-38, B-29 Aircraft, Aerial Gunnery, Advanced Tactics

Thousands of Combat Support Personnel trained for overseas deployment

Women Air Service Pilots utilized (WASP’s) to reposition aircraft

Women aircraft maintenance mechanics employedDevelopment of the famous 555th Operation Firefly of

African American smokejumpers to counteract to Japanese incendiary balloons threat to U.S. West Coast

Notable Chico Airport HistoryChico City Council leases Airport Land to Army

Corps of Engineers for $1 per year to build Army Training Base 1941

Site of Nuclear Missile Silo Explosion and Early Anti-Nuclear Vigils at Titan I-C Missile Base 1962

Site of First Airline Hijacking in the U.S. 1961 Launch Site of Top-Secret High Altitude

Unmanned Balloon world record of 186,240 feet, the greatest altitude ever reached by a flying object requiring the surrounding air. Guinness Book Record 1972

North Valley Aviation History1921 Freisley Falcon built at Eddie

Rickenbacker's farm in Gridley. First aircraft to fly a baseball team.

North Valley Aviation History1953 Invention of Aerial Fire Suppression,

WillowsTactical U-2/SR-71 Base

Original CAAF Hangar Now Available

The OpportunityBuilt in 1943 as

line maintenance and engine change hangar for CAAF

Classic 40’s style construction

In-buildings perfect for museum displays, meeting rooms, gift shop

The Goals of GrowthCreate First Class Tourist DestinationInspire and Educate all AgesProvide JobsBuild Aviation Reference LibraryAcquire and Preserve Historic Aircraft and

ArtifactsProvide Mentorship Program Opportunities

(CHAMPS) and CSUC Museum Management Program

Stimulate Redevelopment of CMAEstablish Corporate/Service Organization Meeting

Facility

Executive Director/Curator Aircraft and Artifact Acquisition

Collection Database Exhibit Design and Creation

Public Relations Public Speaking Media Release

Marketing Special Events

Quest Speaker Series Open Cockpit Day

Model Aviation Demo Wings and Wheels Weekend

Big Band Swing Dance Facilities Event Rental

CAM Board President CAM Board Secretary CAM Board Treasurer CAM Board Member

Finance Administrator Grant Acquisition

Corporate Sponsorships Auctions Pledges

Membership Dues Memorial Program

Admission Gift Shop

Management

Librarian Books and Document Collection,

Preservation and Classification

Web Master Web design and

updates, Newsletter Editor

and Publisher

Volunteer Management Docent Scheduling,

Recognition Awards and Recruitment

Educational Director Outreach

School Tours Model Building

Curriculum Design and Accreditations

Mentorship Program Coordinator Chico/PV High School

CSUC Museum Management Scout Aviation Merit Badge

A&P Apprentice Work Credit

Facilities Coordinator Maintenance, Improvements,

Safety Compliance and Training

Aircraft Restoration Coordinator

Maintenance, Security and Restoration of Display Aircraft

The Opportunity

The Opportunity

The Vision

Together We Can Make It Happen

We Need Your Support