Frozen Fingers

It seems recent winters are creating more writer's cramp due to frozen fingers...or maybe a numbing of the brain. At any rate here we go again trying to update as well as enlighten those who may still be interested in what goes on at 2B2. Most of the activity seems to be inside the hangar, as we see some progress on the restoration of the Birddog from Maine. This will be another Noyes rebuild, with all of Steve's FAA approved mods, and will end up as another "Super Dog".The main outdoor activity has been snowplowing on a rather frequent basis. As a result attendance at the monthly "Pot Luck" lunches have fallen as compared to past winters.

The Frothingham name is a significant part of the history of Plum Island Aerodrome. Everett Frothingham gave his life on February 10th, 1945 aboard the USS Missouri in the service of his country. In commemoration of his sacrifice, on February 10th, 2009,two flags were flown over our Nation's Capital, in his honor and memory. The flags were then certified and sent to his son, Larry, and daughter, Sandy. The Frothingham/Plum Island Airport story can be visited in the Burgess Museum thanks to the research and writings of Ted Russell.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched the Real World Design Challenge (RWDC), a new annual competition that provides high school students with the opportunity to work on real world engineering challenges in a collaborative environment. The purpose of the RWDC is to ensure the future of our Nation's economic competitiveness and national security by inspiring today’s students to become tomorrow’s engineers. This, the 1st year , has an aviation theme "to design an economical twin-engine jet that meets assigned cruise and stall speed requirements of 400 knots at 37,000 feet and stall less than or equal to 130 knots at 15,500 feet". The competition began at the state level and will continue in Washington DC to determine a national winner. The challenge was given to a team of students and a faculty coach, who were given access to software available from DOE for the design project. The design, once completed, was judged at the state level. The good news is that the Massachusetts Winner is the team from Newburyport High School. Ms. Sarah Leadbeater, Technology Instructor, coached the team of students for the design project. The students pictured from L to R are Tom Svirsky, Molly Picillo, Travis Souther, Irene Jacqz, Phil Arets, Belle Douglass and Thayer Adsit. The Massachusetts Aeronautic Commission will present the team their well earned award on March 18,2009 at the Plum Island Airport(our own 2B2)! A tour of the facility will follow the presentation. Weather permitting, Dick Bunker will fly in with the MAC helicopter.

Hopefully by the next posting we will have the calendar of events for 2009. Planning has begun for the 100th anniversary of the aerodrome next year and we will keep you posted on the progress.