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About Arizona Cloudbusters
History
Though the first
airplane owned and operated by the club was previously owned by some of the
founding members in 1958, the club was actually formed in mid-1959 and the first
shares were sold to 10 charter members in September, 1959. This first
plane was an early model Luscombe and was based and operated at Phoenix's
Sky Harbor Airport. At that time it was not much more than a small
uncontrolled airport. Soon after forming, in 1960 the club purchased
a 1952 Cessna 170B and grew to a membership of roughly 20 members.
The growth of the club quickly accelerated and the members traded the
Luscombe for a brand new 1961 Morrisey Shinn
2150A (manufactured in Chandler, AZ).
The
club continued to grow and it was soon learned that new members had a
broader base of flying skills. This demanded that the club
trade for a larger variety of airplanes, including, several Mooney M20Es,
Cessna 150s, Cardinals/Cardinal RGs, Skyhawks, Skylanes, and a Piper
Comanche.
After about 1965, the club rarely had fewer than 3 airplanes and
often four or more. The By-Laws allow for up to 50 members, but after
losing several members in the late 1990s, due to the hassles associated
with operating out of Sky Harbor Airport, the club moved to Stellar Airpark
in Chandler, AZ in late 1998. Since that time, the club has begun to
grow again and currently has a full complement of 50 members.
Board of
Directors
- President: Bill McGrath
- Vice President: Gil Day
- Treasurer: Jerry Doris
- Secretary: Walt Turansky
- Avionics Officer: Doug Makinen
- Maintenance Officer: Steve Pauken
- Safety Officer: Bob McKinion
- Board Member at Large: Ron Greenbank
- Board Member at Large: Greg Clouse
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