propwash
august 2026
© Photographer Name
Photo courtesy of Eddy Silva
DEDICATED TO AVIATION, SAFETY, FRIENDSHIP, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND EDUCATION SINCE 1984
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ARTICLES
President's Message Update from the Manager's Desk of KAUN As the Prop Turns Distant Biplane Memories: The Royal Chicano Flying Circus
AAA Events Photos Wreaths Across America Endowment Fund Corporate Sponsors Member List 2026 Board Members Support AAA Endowment Join Us!
INFO of INTEREST
MISC.
In This Issue
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
NEBIL ALMAKDESHI, AAA PRESIDENT
August is the hottest month of the year. It signals the last time it’s going to get ridiculously hot, as we move into September and October (hopefully). Meaning change is on the horizon. It goes through a process. The AAA will also have a change: I have decided I will not be running again for President of this awesome organization. We’ve done a lot of things this past year, and taken it to a different level. A level nobody could fathom. Yet it’s done. I will serve out my remaining term till the end of the year, and still bring it. Nominations will be taking place soon for positions, so if you have a curiosity in joining, feel free to let anyone in the organization know. I will miss the August membership meeting, and please throw paper balls at the substitute like y'all did in grade school. I’ll see y'all in September. Fly safe! Nebil Almakdeshi President Auburn Aviation Association
Main Dish: AAA Annual BBQ-- Hamburgers & Hotdogs Side or Salad: A-L Dessert: M-Z
General membership meeting
Join us for our monthly membership meeting and potluck dinner: August 5th, 2026. Guests and non-members are welcome!
Aircraft Display Days at KAUN Saturday, August 1, 2026
EVENTS
potluck menu by last name please provide:
Aviation Career Day Saturday, October 17, 2026 Save the date!
upcoming
saturday, october 17th
Metro Fire Sacramento - Retired Pilot
Emmie Smith - Cirrus Aircraft
invited GUEST speakers
Major Anthony "Judge" Tisdale - Air National Guard
William Jessup University Aviation Program
FLYERS HANGAR WEST OF MACH 5 AUBURN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
Stephen K Robinson - Astronaut
12:30 pm start 1:00 pm presentation
Discover more about the many exciting career opportunities in different facets of the aviation industry. Meet educators and mentors from numerous aviation career fields. Free snacks and raffle prizes! Registration is required and seating is limited, use QR code to reserve your place.
2026 AVIATION CAREER DAY
Major and Regional Airline Pilots
"Blancolirio" - Airline Pilot and Youtuber
Sac City College A&P Mechanic Program
ABOUT
TYGHE RICHARDSON, AIRPORT MANAGER
Fourth of July Flyover Celebrates America's 250th Anniversary Auburn Municipal Airport was proud to partner with the Auburn Chamber of Commerce in helping celebrate America's 250th Anniversary during the City of Auburn's annual Family Fourth of July Parade. A flyover was coordinated in support of one of Auburn's longest-standing community traditions, bringing together residents, visitors, veterans, and families for a day of patriotic celebration. The aircraft flyover served as the opening highlight of the parade and was met with enthusiastic applause from the thousands of spectators lining the downtown parade route. Following the event, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce expressed its appreciation to the airport and everyone involved in making the flyover possible, noting that it was "a great addition and a major highlight of our traditional parade." Events like these showcase one important role Auburn Municipal Airport plays in supporting community celebrations, fostering partnerships with local organizations, and connecting residents with their airport. The success of this year's flyover was made possible through the coordination and professionalism of the participating pilots, airport staff, and our public safety partners, helping create a memorable Independence Day celebration for the Auburn community. I would like to personally thank the pilots and families who made this event possible. Community flyovers such as this are made possible through the generosity of volunteers who donate their time, aircraft, fuel, and expertise to support our community. These individuals spend countless hours planning, coordinating, and participating in these events, often sacrificing time with their own families on holidays to help create memorable experiences for others. Please join me in thanking the Dwelle Family, Halloway Family, Wells Family, Wolfe Family and our partners on Falcon 30 for their dedication, generosity, and commitment to the Auburn community. Their willingness to volunteer their resources and talents helped make this year's celebration a tremendous success. Auburn Airport Apparel T-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, and more are available for order just in time for the holidays! Visit the online store here: Auburn Airport Store Aircraft Incident at Auburn Municipal Airport On July 14, 2026, at 11:36 a.m., Auburn Municipal Airport responded to an aircraft accident involving a single-engine aircraft that came to rest inverted alongside the runway following an apparent loss of control during landing. Fortunately, the pilot and passenger were uninjured. The City of Auburn Fire Department, CAL FIRE, California Highway Patrol (CHP), Auburn Police Department, and airport personnel responded immediately to the scene. First responders quickly stabilized the aircraft, confirmed there was no fire hazard or injuries, and secured the area. Airport Manager Tyghe Richardson coordinated the airport response and worked closely with local emergency responders, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the aircraft owner to ensure the incident was managed safely and efficiently. The runway remained closed for approximately five hours while the aircraft was documented, investigated, and safely recovered. Once the aircraft was removed and the runway inspected, normal airport operations resumed. The aircraft owners expressed their appreciation to the first responders and airport staff for their prompt, professional response and coordinated management of the event. The incident also served as another example of the strong working relationship between Auburn Municipal Airport and its public safety partners, whose training and coordination helped ensure a safe outcome for everyone involved. Safe flying! Tyghe Richardson Your Airport Manager Auburn Airport City of Auburn, CA (530) 888-8174
UPDATE FROM THE AIRPORT MANAGER'S DESK OF KAUN
AS THE PROP TURNS
This past month has been great for accomplishments. We started off with the youngest of our many students: Max Schulz, who soloed on his 16th birthday. Max started flying when he was only eleven years old, with the encouragement of his grandfather, Jim Ellsworth. Max spent many hours on his home flight simulator and then wanted to fly a real airplane, so his grandfather scheduled an introductory flight with us and the adventure began. While Max was too young to solo, he was able to move ahead with much of the dual required for his Private, Instrument, and Commercial ratings. He learned to navigate and communicate with ATC and fly an occasional instrument approach. His instructors said he flew better than many licensed pilots! After spending many hours, and flying with several instructors he finally soloed on the 12th of July, 2026 at Auburn Airport on runway 25. Chris Hale is his latest instructor. While not as dramatic as Max’s accomplishment, Karsten Murphy passed his private pilot check ride with Vinh Truong as his instructor and Mark Montague as the pilot examiner. Mark was very busy this month. Not only did he do Karsten’s check ride, he did four other checks rides; one Instrument and three Commercial rides. Spencer Beane passed his instrument check ride with Holly Brusa as his instructor on the 11th of July. Aidan Drake passed his Commercial with Holly Brusa, once again, as his instructor. Rain Wrenn also passed her Commercial with Kellen Bodine as her instructor. And last but not least, Shaea Payne passed her Commercial rating with Holly as her instructor. Shaea used a DPE from Reno named Danny Briston. With these three new ratings attributed to Holly, she qualified for her FAA Gold Seal CFI. CFI’s are awarded this by the FAA when they have a pass rate of 80% or better for the last two years. Good work, Holly! For those who wonder what goes on at the airport when planes are not flying, see the pictures here. The one picture is of Katie Mitchell and Caleb Bartlett acting as a counter-weight in the nose of the Civil Air Patrol 206 after the engine had been removed. The airplane is being towed back to the hangar for a new engine. Some of the other pictures are of the hangar where they work, and all the planes they will be returning to service. The aircraft maintenance folks are a very large part of what keeps us flying. Like pilots, mechanics go through a comprehensive amount of training. To begin with, the mechanic must attend a full time school for two thousand hours of book and lab work just to qualify to take three FAA tests. In lieu of the formal school, the future mechanic can work as an apprenticeship under an Authorized Inspector (AI) for two years. After formal school or the apprenticeship path, then the applicant must pass three written tests: General Maintenance, Airframe and then a test on Powerplants. After all of this training and tests, the applicant is now a certified Airframe and Powerplant mechanic. Now to build their reputation as an aircraft mechanic! Your reputation is everything. Every year the Auburn Journal has a “Best of The Best” contest. The idea is to help highlight the businesses in Auburn. What this means for the Auburn Aviation Association is more recognition for what we do. The voting process is a little long-winded, looking through the many categories, but it is worth the effort. Check the section for “Arts and Community” and then, “Non-Profits” organizations. The voting process is a little different because you can vote everyday, once a day for your favorite business or charity. oting ends August 14th so you can vote twenty times if you wish from today. Please take some time to help spread the word about Auburn Aviation Association to help it get the recognition it deserves. While you are at it, check out who else you might want to vote for at the airport, such as the Wings Restaurant. Well that is about all for this month. Good Night Miss Daisy. The Prop Turner, Michael Duncan
MIKE DUNCAN, SUNSHINE FLYERS
BEN MARSH, EHGF BOARD DIRECTOR
Bernie White was an airport kid. His folks divorced in his adolescence, splitting him between families. He sought to create his own cadre at the Nut Tree Airport, the Seghetti and De Rosier families proving prominent in his life, as they are in mine. At the age of majority, Bernie took his father’s surname of Vasquez, formally acknowledging his Mexican-American heritage and leaving behind a confusion of lineage. Like many children of wonder in those days, before the impenetrable cyclone fences effectively locked kids out, Bernie rode his bicycle to the airport at every opportunity to immerse himself in the community and goings-on. Over the years, he would climb high and fly fast in the antique and warbird worlds as an airplane painter, fabricator, mechanic, flyer, air racer and airshow pilot. Bernie connected with a lot of people, many of whom were the right people. His team included the Who’s Who in old airplane aviation. From his early days, as a fledgling in a small nest, Bernie surrounded himself with the fastest flying falcons who crested on great mountaintops, extending his wings wider year after year, climbing higher, flying faster, until he became one of them, one of the first call guys, flying rare, expensive and exotic machines, and getting paid for it. But that was in the future. In that long ago time, Bernie was building time and experience ferrying airplanes from lower 48 states back to Nut Tree for disassembly and export to customers in Australia and South Africa, under the tutelage of the wily and crafty Afrikaner, Jeff Sharman. One of Bernie’s tricks was to get up before sunrise on a Saturday or Sunday to fly as many different airplanes as he could. He’d start with his own clipped-wing Taylorcraft for some light airbatics and pattern work, transitioning to the Jelly Belly Stearman, Brant Seghetti’s S-2 Pitts Special, then a De Rosier-built Giles 202, and/or a customer’s Sukhoi SU-26 and a friend’s Christian Eagle. After all of that, he’d fly my Yak-52 and his Yak-55M, all before lunch. After lunch, Bernie and Brant would load-up a bunch of model airplanes to fly RC models the rest of the day. It was from this that the notion of the Royal Chicano Flying Circus was formed, a flying force of one. Though I had my Yak-52 to fly at will, it was Bernie’s intention that I get back into the Stearman to fly a taildragger again. He swooped in on me, mixing me up in his vorticities. He was relentless. On a perfectly still late winter morning, I drove my 1995 Mustang to the hangar to fuss with my -52. Bernie was into his Flying Circus routine by the time I’d arrived, the last cup of morning coffee cooling in my travel cup. I heard the Jelly Belly Stearman in the distance, heard the chirp of the mains as he touched down with a wheel landing. A few minutes later, the report of the engine grew louder, echoing off the corrugated steel of my hangar row. Then it was silent. Looking out of my partly open rolling hangar doors, I saw Bernie de-plane from the Jelly Belly Stearman. He looked at me with a mixture of invitation and insistence. He said, “It’s got plenty of fuel, the oil is warm and you need to fly this thing. It is perfect out there, not a breath of wind.” I protested, halfheartedly, but Bernie wasn’t having it. “Get your headset, plug it in and GO,” he said, now more insistent than inviting, “I don’t have time for this. GO.” “Okay,” I said, “I’ll go, but you are coming with me, in case I screw-up.” Bernie fussed for a bit, but knew it was years since I flew a taildragger, so we both acquiesced to go flying. He climbed into the front cockpit, as I got my David Clark cloth flight helmet from the Yak, then mounted the Stearman into the rear cockpit. Everything was in order and familiar, as if I’d flown the Stearman just last week. I strapped-in, checked the rudders and stick control for full movement. Pressing the toe brakes firmly, I called “Clear,” switched on the battery master and generator, pushed the mixture to RICH, cycled the throttle twice, then engaged the starter. Five blades into rotation, I switched the magnetos to BOTH, the engine coming to life with the thinnest puff of smoke from the exhaust collector. Oil and fuel pressure came instantly to life with oil temperature flight ready. We taxied to Nut Tree’s runway 20 with gentle S-turns left and right to clear the nose, while alternately looking out from the rear cockpit right and left. I checked in with Bernie on the intercom, but there wasn’t much to say. We knew and were attentive to the mission. At the run-up pad at the North end of the runway, I went through the CIGARS, calling them out over the intercom to Bernie in sequence. As I taxied to the end of the runway, I made a call to local traffic, announcing a right downwind departure. Lining up with the centerline of the runway, the runway disappearing in front of the forward fuselage and lower wings, my peripheral view found the sides of the runway, which would be my references for take-off and landing. I announced to Bernie, “Here we go,” as I pushed the throttle up gently to the full power stop. Predictably, my rudder control was a little too enthusiastic at first, so we departed the true trajectory of the runway centerline by a gear with or so to the right, then to the left, until I settled down my overcontrolling inputs. As we approached flying speed, the tail lifted and the Stearman decidedly darted to the left. Though slightly behind the airplane, I caught and corrected this gyroscopic force, still with a little too much right rudder input. Then, we were flying. We climbed smoothly at 75 miles per hour, oil pressure holding rock steady at 80 psi. By the end of the runway, we were 700 feet above the ground in cool, whispering waves of sky rolling over the windscreen, the winter green of the Blue Ridge uplift fully illuminated in morning light. I was flying a Stearman anew, for the first time in over five years. We climbed through 1,200 feet on downwind, heading North from the field for some air work of turns and stalls, slow flight and a couple coordination challenging lazy eights. Bernie and I chatted back and forth about nothing in particular as I went through my familiarization maneuvering. We flew like one might doodle with notepad and pencil, lines and patterns in the sky, each turn and twist flowing from the imagination, indistinguishable to anyone else, destined to be crumpled and discarded, their value only for the moment. Our litany was measured by the steadiness of the ball in the turn coordinator, the altimeter and airspeed indications. It was a marvel to fly a Stearman again, its windswept cockpits open to the world from on-high, noisy, but far from the noise of life. This was flying, a connection of human invention in a fundamental, elemental environment, unknown to all but the winged few who share the atmosphere with the creatures and beasts that inspired us to venture high above the boundary of earth. Bernie Vasquez flying the Jelly Belly Stearman over the orchards and cultivated fields of Solano County, the Royal Chicano Flying Circus of one. Photograph by Rick Pisio. We swooped down toward the near hills of the Blue Ridge, to pattern our approach for landing, drawn back to the gravity of our lives, having visited the sky just enough to reset our worldview. Downwind and abeam the numbers, our GUMPS checks complete and configured, I reduced throttle to 1,200 RPM, setting up a descent at 75 miles per hour and a descent of 500 feet per minute. We turned right base leg, heading toward the extended centerline we would join in a few seconds, with one last look at the runway before it disappeared on our final approach, airspeed easing to 70, the features of land slipping by, nearing. Throttling back to idle in the last moments of flight, we flared, mimicking a great white crane, its wings spread wide with an upward tilt to fight gravity’s pull one last time for our inevitable reconnection with earth, all three wheels chirping as one. Even though our flare to landing was true, my feet were simultaneously in front of and behind the Stearman, our directional control weaving beyond the preferred main gear width of the runway centerline. As we slowed to taxi speed, I sensed a more appropriate approach to landing might be achieved with less effort. The Stearman was doing what I asked of it, which put me in a compromised trajectory I had to correct. We taxied back for another take-off, which led to several touch & gos and a last full stop landing. Each pattern, approach and landing smoothed and crisped as my feet and hands began to find equilibrium with the Stearman. Taxiing back to the Jelly Belly hangar, Bernie said, “I told you it wouldn’t be a big deal for you.” On shut down, the steel propeller winding to a stop, I sat there, comfortable in the seat, my feet still on the rudder pedals, my elbows resting on the laced leather of the cockpit enclosure. It was an unexpected treat to fly the Jelly Belly Stearman, but the real surprise was still at hand. Bernie got out of the front cockpit, jumped off the lower wing and said, “You need to fly this airplane more. And, I need your help to take it to airshows. The Jelly Belly people want people to see it as a promotional tool for the brand. I don’t have the time to go to all the events they want me to attend, so you need to take some of those trips.” I told him I’d consider it, but didn’t want to get backed into a bad situation, like marginal weather just to hand out Jelly Belly stickers and samples. Bernie assured me that this would not be an issue, but that I just needed some more time in the airplane. He told me he would call the office to have me added to the insurance. With that, I was committed to getting back into the Stearman. It felt great.
DISTANT BIPLANE MEMORIES: THE ROYAL CHICANO FLYING CIRCUS
Stearman Two-Three-Three on the vertical over Rogers Creek Fault. Sear Point Raceway on the mid-horizon. Marsh photo, 1993.
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Scholarship Winners/Lifetime Members
GENERAL MEMBERS
OFFICERS President - Nebil Almakdeshi - president@auburnaviationassociation.org Vice President - Doug Bolsover - vp@auburnaviationassociation.org Secretary - Doug Fee - secretary@auburnaviationassociation.org Treasurer - Deborah Sandbank - treasurer@auburnaviationassociation.org BOARD MEMBERS Past President Chris Haven pastpres@auburnaviationassociation.org Scholarship Director Don Wolfe flyfund@auburnaviationassociation.org Assistant Scholarship James Jacobson skyfund1539@gmail.com Membership Director Andrew Van Wagner membership@auburnaviationassociation.org Publicity Director David Sanborn publicity@auburnaviationassociation.org Propwash Editor Mike Duncan duncan7kcab@sbcglobal.net 5AC Chair Ken Dwelle 5ac@auburnaviationassociation.org Board Member at Large Joanie Mooneyham joaniemoon05@gmail.com Donations Coordinator Nancy Benjamin don_benj@pacbell.net
2026 AAA Board