May 2011
An Opportunity for the Community
Presented by…
Brian Baldridge
Gary Thompson
Chico Air Museum
 501(c)3 Non-Profit Status, Established 2004
 Successful Fulfillment of Mission Statement
 Many Contributors and Supporters
 Growing Fleet of Display Aircraft and Artifacts
 Acceptance by Local Schools as Educational Venue
 World Class Aviation History Speaker Series
 Well Developed Relationships Within Museum Circles
 Certified Recipient of Military and NASA Surplus
 Extremely Dedicated Volunteer Staff
Vic Alvistur
CAM Board President
 CAM Co-founder
 Former CEO Aero Union
 Previous Chico Planning
Commission Chairman
 Lifetime Chico resident
Norm Rosene D.D.S.
CAM Board Member
 CAM Co-Founder
 Established Local Dentist
 Lifetime Chico Resident
 PV High School, UC Davis,
UCSF School of Dentistry
 Pilot and Aircraft Owner
 Aircraft Acquisition Specialist
Noel Wheeler
CAM Board Member
 CAM Co-Founder
 Former Shell Oil Executive
 Longtime Chico Resident
 Docent Manager
 Former Butte County ALUC
Commissioner
 Speaker Series Coordinator
Brian Baldridge
CAM Board Member
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CAM Co-Founder
Former President NVPA
Commercial/Instrument Pilot
Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic
Former Chico Airport Employee
CSU Chico Graduate
Former Manager, Tech Support
Diamond Aircraft, Eclipse
Aviation
 Department of Defense Program
Manager, Surveillance Aircraft
Contractor
Gary Thompson
 CAM Co-founder
 Former Executive Director
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Evergreen Aviation and
Space Museum
Former Executive Director
Pearson Air Museum
Vintage Aircraft Restorer
Author and Pilot
Barnstormer
Aviation Historian
CAM Mission Statement
 The 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
Thad Kearns 1911
Vultee BT-13 in
Formation 1944
Friesley Falcon 1921
WASP’s 1943
Titan ICBM’s 1963
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 employed
 Development 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 History
 Chico 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 AntiNuclear 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 History
 1921 Freisley Falcon built at Eddie Rickenbacker's farm
in Gridley. First aircraft to fly a baseball team.
North Valley Aviation History
 1953 Invention of Aerial Fire Suppression, Willows
 Tactical U-2/SR-71 Base
Original CAAF Hangar Now Available
The Opportunity
 Built 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 Growth
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Create First Class Tourist Destination
Inspire and Educate all Ages
Provide Jobs
Build Aviation Reference Library
Acquire and Preserve Historic Aircraft and Artifacts
Provide Mentorship Program Opportunities
(CHAMPS) and CSUC Museum Management Program
 Stimulate Redevelopment of CMA
 Establish Corporate/Service Organization Meeting
Facility
CAM Board President
Admission
Gift Shop
Management
CAM Board Secretary
CAM Board Treasurer
CAM Board Member
Executive Director/Curator
Finance Administrator
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
Grant Acquisition
Corporate Sponsorships
Auctions
Pledges
Membership Dues
Memorial Program
Librarian
Web Master
Volunteer Management
Educational Director
Books and
Document
Collection,
Preservation and
Classification
Web design and
updates,
Newsletter Editor
and Publisher
Docent Scheduling,
Recognition Awards and
Recruitment
Outreach
School Tours
Model Building
Curriculum Design and
Accreditations
Facilities Coordinator
Maintenance, Improvements,
Safety Compliance and Training
Aircraft Restoration
Coordinator
Maintenance, Security and
Restoration of Display Aircraft
Mentorship Program Coordinator
Chico/PV High School
CSUC Museum Management
Scout Aviation Merit Badge
A&P Apprentice Work Credit
The Opportunity
The Opportunity
The Vision
We Need Your Support
Together We Can Make It Happen