Page 7 - Aerotech News and Review, October 16, 2020

High Desert Hangar Stories
From flying circus to hybrid air show

by Bob Alvis and more of the incredible experience
special to Aerotech News of seeing what amazing accomplish-
ments were taking place in the world
The week of Oct. 5-10, 2020 saw a of flight.
first that only Edwards AFB has ever With the loss of our air shows and
attempted, when it comes to aviation fly-ins this year, a great void was cast
entertainment and education. for some of the most important and
Billed as the Aerospace Valley Hy- cherished guests at any of our air shows
brid Air Show and online STEM event, — our youth, who from a young age
the leaders and support staff at Edwards start the learning process of how and
got together and figured out a way to why these amazing aircraft can perform
give the aviation community and its in such a manner. The planes and crafts
fans some form of entertainment, filling we see today are the gifts to the future
in that void left by all the coronavirus that came from the imagination of
restrictions which we are all doing our young people of yesteryear, who were
best to endure. inspired by those early air shows that
Back in the early days of aviation, they attended holding Mom or Dad’s
when flying entertainment was billed hand. Given the fact that we have lost
as a Flying Circus or a barnstormers almost a year’s worth of that inspira-
gathering, the new technology of flight tion, it was great to see Edwards step
was not so much about the science and up and figure out a way to reach out
engineering — it was about the poten- to those future leaders of the aerospace
tial of failure. That dramatic possibility community, sitting at home in front
is part of what kept the townspeople of one of those screens that have been
constantly making a trip to that remote their classroom for way too long. I’m
field outside of town, to maybe witness sure the Hybrid Air Show was a great
the unthinkable by those early day risk- inspiration for all those STEM kids who
takers who became legends of the air. wanted to see the mechanics and sci-
With the evolution of the airplane ence they all long to achieve and be a
over the last 100-plus years, the air part of!
show communities have done nothing Not long ago I wrote an article about
but expand. The development of aircraft the very first air show at Muroc, when
has inspired the spectator to want more the event was just referred to as a mili- Photograph by Melinda Rodriguez
Brig. Gen. Matt Higer, 412th Test Wing commander, prepares for the 2020 Aerospace Valley Hybrid Air Show live
broadcast Oct. 9, 2020.

tary appreciation day. and commercial aviation industry, but say, my greatest joy is seeing that same
When Muroc became Edwards, its will someday take us to far off places interaction of parents and kids — that
mission statement changed to one of in- in that vast area we call space! is where I really put the value of those
novation, experimentation and testing, Of course, we all look forward to the traditional air shows. They will come
all while supporting the Air Force mis- return of the traditional air show in the back! But for now, we embrace the pos-
sion. With the best and brightest minds, near future. The family interaction at sibilities and lessons we are learning.
Edwards became, and has always been, an air show is just as important to the Maybe the best of the two formats can
the location that was looked up to as the bonding of family, as parents and their be combined, and future air shows can
place that the greats of flight test called children share the dream together and be a hybrid of the past and the future.
home. Today that is as a true statement make those memories that someday will The potential is there to expand the
as ever. That is why the importance of be passed on to future generations! reach to thousands more young minds,
this new format of air show should be This old guy writing will always hungry to be a part of something bigger
embraced, for those young bright minds have those memories of my Dad and than themselves!
who may not ever get a chance to visit a I walking those flight lines, when my Edwards Air Force Base, the place
live show. They may very well venture hand was just big enough to maybe hold where the word innovation was truly
into the world of science and technol- on to one of his fingers while trying to born, continues to expand its meaning
Photograph by Melinda Rodriguez ogy thanks to an online visit with those match him step for step! in the world of science, technology and
A C-12 Huron from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., flies over Southern California legends, and seeing firsthand the equip- I am typically involved with many air show participation!
during the 2020 Aerospace Valley Hybrid Air Show.
ment that not only serves our military air shows each year and I can honestly Until next time, Bob out …
City of Palmdale names John Parsamyan Veteran of Year

The City of Palmdale has named Blue Star Moms. eral community projects including a The Palmdale Veteran of the Year away on June 7, 2020. Hilzendeger
John Parsamyan, owner of Armed Ser- “It is an honor to name John as our monthly food drive, food giveaway, Awards in the future will be named in was the founder of Vets4Veterans and
vices Autobody, as the 2020 Veteran Veteran of the Year,” said Palmdale veteran training program, car care honor of Tom Hilzendeger, who passed the first recipient of the award.
of the Year. City Manager J.J. Murphy. “His de- classes, as well as hosting a commu-
“John was a very obvious choice sire to serve veterans and his way of nity restoration project to raise funds
this year,” said Palmdale Mayor Steve giving back to the community is hon- for veterans facing hardships. A por-
Hofbauer. “I’ve seen the work he does orable and admirable, and an example tion of the profits from Armed Services
at his shop, how he teaches and trains for others to follow. We are very fortu- Autobody are donated to local veteran
other veterans, and how he gives so nate to have someone of his character support organizations.
much back to the community with and compassion in our community. As “I am honored and humbled to re-
food drives and donations. As a resi- they say in the Army, lead, follow, or ceive this award, not only for what it
dent of Palmdale, I appreciate all he get out of the way. John is a true ser- stands for, but also for the previous re-
does.” vant leader.” cipient, Tom Hilzendeger,” Parsamyan
Parsamyan served in the U.S. Army Parsamyan is also the owner of said. “Since I first set foot in the An-
from 1998 TO 2002 in an Infantry Armed Services Autobody in Palm- telope Valley, my mission has always
Platoon with the 10th Mountain Di- dale, where he employs an exclusive been simple: to provide veterans with a Courtesy photograph
vision, 2/4 Infantry Regime based in veteran staff and provides hands-on judgement free zone where they could
Fort Drum, N.Y. He currently serves job training to help veterans avoid learn hands on skills and use our facili- From left: Palmdale City Manager J.J. Murphy, Mayor Steve Hofbauer, John
Parsamyan, and Councilmembers Austin Bishop, Laura Bettencourt and Juan
as vice president of Vets4Veterans, as homelessness and joblessness. Armed ties as a stepping stone to move up to Carrillo.
well as working with Coffee4Vets and Services Autobody is involved in sev- bigger and better things.”
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