Page 47 - Discover Summer 2021
P. 47
The year 2020 was full of challenges. Two they share a common interest in all aspects
of Among the many things that we enjoy in of aviation. This interest is sparked by the
abundance here at the lake, there seems to be caliber of the monthly speakers, including
a club here for virtually every type of activity. WWII fighter pilots, Jimmy Doolittle’s co-
pilot on the famous raid on Tokyo, pilots
One of the more unusual offerings is the
having ferried single and multi-engine planes
Smith Mountain Lake Pilots Club. For 25
solo across both the Atlantic and Pacific
years, pilots and aviation enthusiasts have
oceans, a flight nurse making several trips into
been meeting regularly to celebrate flying.
Normandy after D-Day, a Navy fighter pilot
The inaugural meeting was held in the
who has made over 300 night carrier landings,
main hangar at Smith Mountain Airport in
an Air Force pilot who trained the first 10
Moneta, with some 9 people in attendance.
female pilots at the Air Force Academy, a
All were pilots and each owned an airplane.
Bedford native who flew the first U-2 spy
Most of these were based at the airport,
plane over Soviet territory, and hundreds
but some were based at the New London
of others. One recent speaker was longtime
or Roanoke
lake resident
Regional airports.
Frank Ernandes,
The an electrical
membership engineer who
ranks quickly designed a critical
swelled, as all are component for the
welcome to join, first Mars rover
not just pilots. “Curiosity”, and
Every meeting which controlled
features a guest the lander’s final
speaker. Those descent and soft
who are pilots touchdown.
recount their
Of the original charter members, three
aviation experiences as a pilot. Others who
remain, with two still active - Lorraine Judd,
are not pilots but have some connection to
president and Charlie Walker, treasurer. The
aviation will give a presentation that is of
club has held its monthly meetings for the
interest to pilots.
past 15 years at the Moneta Community
One early speaker was Robin Reed, the Room at 7 pm on the third Thursday of the
chief meteorologist at Channel 7, who was month, and anyone who has any interest at all
invited to speak on the subject of aeronautical in aviation is welcome. With the current virus
weather. Attendees recall his opening situation, an alternate venue is being used.
statement: “You all probably know more on Those attending are invited (Dutch treat)
the subject of aviation weather than I do,” but to join the guest speaker for dinner at 5:15
his presentation nonetheless enlightened the at Edo’s in Downtown Moneta prior to the
audience on the subject. meeting.
The club has grown to over 50 members Anyone interested in learning more about the
and still includes active pilots and aircraft club should call Lorraine Judd at 540-314-2190
owners, but the majority are neither; however to receive e-mail notifications of future meetings.
www.discoversmithmountainlake.com 45
