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GOPHERS TAKE FLIGHT

On Saturday, February 18, 2006, a small but hardy band of Gopher Alums braved near-Minnesota-like temperatures to visit the C.R. Smith Airline Museum.  The museum is primarily dedicated to the history of American Airlines, including its predecessors, but in many ways more broadly chronicles commercial aviation in this country.  A small section is dedicated to TWA, eventually subsumed by American.  Much of the museum is dedicated to artifacts, both large (jet engines) and small (what WAS that hatchet for?), many of them donated by current and former employees.  American Airlines retirees serve as volunteers, and provide a wealth of interesting personal anecdotes (e.g., the trials and tribulations involved in working on the project that enabled the space shuttle to be carried by a 747), as well as more general information.  An example of the latter:  Commercial aviation had its early impetus from mail delivery, and all pilots carrying U. S. Mail were required to be armed.  (This was discontinued after a teenage would-be hijacker was fatally shot.)  One of the highlights of the museum is a resident DC-3, the first major commercial aircraft to receive significant use by American Airlines (interesting to tour, albeit a bit malodorous—it had served as a crop duster).  Another highlight is the large screen IWERKS theater, rather similar to IMAX, which took everyone on a visual historical tour—at times vertigo inducing.  The movie is viewed from first class airline seats, which of course was viewed as only befitting our group.  One tidbit gleaned from the movie—commercial jet engines are completely replaced on aircraft after 8000 flying hours.

  After being both entertained and edified, the group adjourned to Capistrano’s, a delightful restaurant in the Embassy Suites hotel not far from DFW.  Again reflecting an attempt to make our Alumni group feel at home, the fountain outside the entrance was barely flowing, as it was entirely encrusted with ice.  The setting inside, however, was warm and welcoming, and the group was joined by a few others to enjoy a pleasant early evening dinner and socializing.  This was followed by a business meeting and election of officers.

Contributed by:

Malcolm Burdick, Ph.D.