About Us

History

Florida Warbirds, EAA Warbird Squadron 24, Inc. was founded in October 2000 by Earl Walsh, a retired U.S. Navy Commander and owner/pilot of a North American T-28 Trojan. It started with only a handful of Warbird enthusiasts who believed there was a need for a local Squadron. Since its inception membership continues to expand. Members are scattered throughout Florida. Florida Warbirds is the only EAA Warbird Squadron in Florida.

Florida Warbirds, EAA Warbird Squadron 24, Inc. is affiliated with the EAA and EAA Warbirds of America. Squadron 24 members are required to be members of both organizations.

Our goals are to educate our members and the public in the history, preservation, safe operation and maintenance of World War II and other such historic aircraft. Squadron 24 members are a diverse group of Warbird enthusiasts, some of whom own Warbirds, others who enjoy maintaining them and yet some who are just in love with them? Many of the SquadronÕs aircraft are displayed at various aviation events throughout Florida where sometimes they are demonstrated in formation flights and combat simulations.

EAA Warbird Squadron 24 also participates in the Young Eagles Flight Program in association with local EAA chapters. In this regard, we have fundraising events to sponsor candidates to attend the EAA Air Academy Summer Camp in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This is a most rewarding and educational experience for young people interested in aviation and a chance to learn new skills and make new friends, too.

Our members are not only Warbird enthusiasts, but educators as well. If you would like more information about Florida Warbirds, please contact President Jim "Zack" Olzacki at WarbirdZack@aol.com or write to the address below.

EAA Warbird Squadron 24, Inc.
3954 Crooked Island Drive
Punta Gorda, FL 33950-8128

Florida Warbirds is a non-profit 501©(3) Corporation.

Warbirds of America

It was in Reno in 1964 that the concept of a club for warbird owners, whose members could discuss mutual problems in keeping their airplanes airborne, was conceived. Walt Ohlrich, Jr., a U.S. Navy Commander who raced an F8F Bearcat, and others on the west coast formed the Warbirds of America, Inc., which was incorporated on March 25, 1966.

The original intent was for owners and operators of World War II combat aircraft only. Membership in the first year grew dramatically, thanks to the efforts of Walt and regional presidents Jerry Walbrun, Pete Brucia and Frank Sanders. Walt Ohlrich became the first president; Pete Brucia took over in 1967 when Commander Ohlrich was assigned a combat tour in Vietnam. It was at that time that the Warbirds of America became a division of EAA. It was also in 1967 that the Warbirds of America began to include the T-6/SNJ/Harvard, so the membership ranks grew even more.

As the years progressed, so did the organization. Membership increased, with enthusiasts being accepted, and additional ex-military aircraft types entered the picture as they were surplused by the armed forces and as warbirds were recovered from all over the world and made flyable again. Even the liaison aircraft were welcome and within the past decade, a major influx of jet aircraft has swelled the ranks.

Purpose

The purpose of this Squadron is to:

Promote, encourage, and facilitate an atmosphere where all are welcome to join-in and become a part of recreational aviation.

Promote and encourage the preservation and operation of World War II and other such aircraft that are representative of military aviation operations.

Educate its members and other interested persons, in methods of safe operation and maintenance of World War II and other such aircraft that are representative of military aviation operations.

Promote a positive, productive, and cooperative relationship between the Squadron and those governmental agencies and private enterprises that provide aviation services and facilities to the members of the Squadron.

Promote, encourage, and facilitate membership in the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc.) and the EAA Warbirds of America, Inc.

Support and promote the mission, vision, goals and objectives of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc.) and the EAA Warbirds of America, Inc., through programs and services within the Squadron family.

In addition we will:
Promote exposure to, recognition and support from the public

Maintain a relationship with various entities and the community

Have fun!

Officers

President/Commander	Jim "Zack" Olzacki
Vice President	Denny Labbe
Secretary	Amanda Fox
Treasurer	Owen Stiegelmeier

Board Members (non officers)

Jim Lyons

John Strickland

Committees

Membership	Lynn Olzacki
Flying Activities & Safety	Bill Moyle
Social	TBD
Fundraising	TBD
Young Eagles	Jim Olzacki
Nomination	TBD

Warbird Safety

After our March meeting I was talking with Don Stamp in reference to the proposed tower closure at PGD. He informed me that he had talked to the tower manager and was reassured that they would be in operation for the NATA, North American Trainer Association, formation clinic that was scheduled to take place next weekend.

I approached him about the possibility of my sitting in on the Formation Ground School and he said that that was fine and if I liked I could come by sometime during the week and possibly get a 'back seat' for one of their flights. How could I refuse?

I arrived on Tuesday morning to find them all in the ‘Food Simulator’. They were already in 'formation mode' as there was talk of when, where and how. They were already getting prepared for the day.

I was privileged to sit in on the briefing and was greatly impressed on the degree of professionalism displayed by all involved including the backseaters who I learned later did a lot more than just go along for the ride.

I listened as Don gave the briefing, from the Start of engines, through the taxi and Takeoff. I was particularly interested in his discussion of possible problems during takeoff and how they would be handled. He discussed the join up after Takeoff and the issues that might crop up during the training exercise and how to handle them. His briefing was complete, all the way to exiting the runway and the taxi to parking. All handled by a true professional and all listened intently and asked several questions as they were unfamiliar to the Airport and its surroundings. Frequencies were jotted down on kneeboards and not until all were satisfied was the time for taxi agreed upon.

Needless to say the flight went flawlessly as we joined up and went thru some basic formation drills. My appetite for flying satisfied for the day I thanked all involved and departed. I was looking forward to Friday's Ground School.

I arrived for the 0800 joint briefing and again was impressed with the thoroughness and completeness of the discussions. I was particularly impressed by the copies of the local sectional chart, complete with locations of the designated practice areas and the radials that separated them. On the back of the laminated sectional was the Airport diagram for PGD. A 'Training Briefing Card' was also handed out that included all necessary information with areas to write all pertinent information.

The formation ground school for all us 'Newbees' was as thorough a discussion as I have had the pleasure to be part of. I sat on my hands and taped my mouth shut as to let those who were to be involved with training ask all the questions.

At the end all were asked if there were any questions and all through the discussions Safety, Safety, Safety was stressed and discussed.

I was asked at the end if I wanted a back seat but declined as I had found out the importance of the position on helping the frontseater both during the training exercise and the debrief.

Now I know that to some of you this is commonplace but to an old 727 driver I have never flown formation. My purpose in writing this is to stress how important the 'Preparation' is for any flight. We did this in my airline days and I try to stress this in my training flights with flight reviews and Instrument Proficiencies. I myself have always had a copy of the local area, a frequency card and an airport diagram in front of me for all flights and stress this to anyone I fly with in a training environment. As a safety pilot I always have one to lead by example.

In these days it is easy to print out copies prior to any flight from your home computer.

My whole point is if it is that if the airlines stress this and the Formation Clinics stress this why isn't it a worthwhile practice during our everyday flights. If we 'don't have the time' to copy a diagram or review the data and just get lazy with today's 'Electronic Wizardry' then I feel we are doing ourselves and our passengers an injustice. You would expect it of them.

Take the time to properly prepare for a flight. Take the time to brief and also debrief. Do this even if you are the only one on this flight. I just issued a Flight review and an Instrument Proficiency Check to one of the members of 565. His prep and details made it a pleasurable experience for the both of us. He had reviewed the plan for the day and looked over the approach charts. He was prepared and even debriefed his performance to me as we rode back to the FBO.

Such professionalism as demonstrated by the NATA members and this individual are standouts as we try to reduce the accident rate both in GA and the Warbird community. Thank you for your time. I am always available for anyone who has any questions or concerns.

Respectfully,
Blue Skys and Tailwinds,
Bill Moyle
Director of Safety and Flying Activities