Flight Deck’s Hot August Flights

Press Release
July 25, 2011


Flight Deck will be holding our 6th annual Hot August Flights on Saturday, August 6, 2011. The FREE event runs from 9am to 3pm at McNary field (Salem Airport) near Flight Deck Restaurant – look for signs for parking near the Main Terminal building at the corner of Madronna and 25th Street.



We have many different activities for you and your family to enjoy starting with a Fly-in or Cruise-in benefit breakfast from 7am to 10am outside on Flight Deck’s back patio near the tarmac. The cost is $7 per person and a portion of the proceeds will support the Salem Civil Air Patrol. We will also have a Car Show (Registration Fee to participate) and Airplane Show judged by participants and Salem’s Mayor Anna Peterson. There will be Airplane and Helicopter rides for a fee per person offered throughout the day. Airplane rides will be offered by Tillamook Air Tours in a 1942 WWII Stinson Reliant V-77 for $45 per person. Helicopter rides will be offered by Konect Aviation and will cost about $40 per person. The Boys and Girls Club will be hosting a FREE talk about basketball, sports nutrition & fitness by Mel Counts, an Olympic Gold Medalist and NBA Star from noon to 2pm. Salem Civil Air Patrol will be soliciting donations for parking. We hope to see you at the event!

ABOUT MEL COUNTS:
Mel Counts was born in Coos Bay Oregon. He graduated from Marshfield High School and went on to Oregon State from 1961 to 1964 where he played in the final 4 game and was a 2 time All American. He then played on the 1964 Gold Medal Olympic Basketball team in Tokyo Japan. He was a first round draft pick by the Boston Celtics and played 12 years in the NBA in Boston, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Phoenix. He played on two World Championship teams in 1964 and 1966. He has been a Realtor in the Willamette Valley since 1978 and involved in many community activities. He is married and has 5 children and 19 grandchildren.

ABOUT SALEM CIVIL AIR PATROL:
The Civil Air Patrol began in the earliest days of World War II providing aerial surveillance of the coastal waters of the United States. We continue to serve our communities 70 years later with our three programs of Emergency Services, Aerospace Education and Cadet Programs.



Salem Composite Squadron currently has 20 cadet members, who range in age from 12 to 20. The cadets focus on learning leadership skills, physical fitness and aerospace education, all from within the framework of a unit modeled after the US Air Force. The cadets are also exposed to emergency services and ground search and rescue. They receive several "orientation flights" in both powered aircraft and non-powered sailplanes (gliders). This introduces them to the wonder of flight, and will, hopefully, inspire our next generation of pilots, aerospace workers and air traffic controllers. Cadets often use their experience as a launching point for military careers. In fact, one of our recent cadets is attending the US Air Force Academy In Colorado Springs, Colorado.



We also have 23 Senior (over 18 year of age) members. Our members come from all walks of life. We have a pastor, an optometrist, a police officer, a high school teacher, and 2 professional flight instructors, to name just a few. Our senior members also participate in the Cadet program as mentors and supervisors; we have two officers who specialize in Aerospace Education, both within CAP, as well as in our schools and communities; and most of our members specialize in our Emergency Services program. Salem is a flying squadron, with a specially equipped Cessna single engine aircraft that is ready and on call 24 hours a day. We have 5 specially trained search and rescue mission pilots and aircrews ready to serve in disaster relief and aerial search and rescue. Salem crews have found several missing persons and aircraft over the years, as well as assisting in missing person searches, and aerial photography missions for state and federal agencies.



Although the Civil Air Patrol serves as the Auxiliary of the US Air Force, it is an all volunteer service, even at the highest echelons of leadership. All CAP units are self funded, and rely on the generosity of it's volunteers and sponsors for financial support. Many states provide funding to CAP in the pursuit of it's missions. Unfortunately, Oregon is not one of those states. Our unit is responsible for its funding and support. Our greatest need is to have a regular meeting place, and storage for our aircraft at the Salem Airport, but so far this remains just a dream.



If you are interested in membership opportunities, or if you a in a position to help us with our funding needs, please call our Unit Commander, Major Dennis Wyza at (503) 743-3811.