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Late notice concerning Schedule Master
As of now Schedule master is up and running. For your personnel pin and user #,
you may either call Don Gutzwiller at Home 239-939-7887 or
Cell 239-989-5864. Once that is done you will be able to login at www.ScheduleMaster.com/smlogin.htm.
For further advice call Heinz at 239-482-5712.
History The Sundowners Search and Rescue Flying Club had its beginnings in Lee County Florida in November 1965. The seven original club members formed a flying club for the usual reason...to share expenses. Because they were also boaters they decided to provide a needed community service of search and rescue flights along one hundred and twenty-five miles of Lee County coast line. The first club aircraft was ground looped on the initial taxi and destroyed. As a result of the accident the first patrols were flown in leased aircraft. The club continues to lease and own aircraft to this day.
The SundownersNo history of aviation in Lee County would be complete without mention of the Sundowners, a community service club started in November 1965 by a group of local pilots and boaters including Simon Martin, Bob Hampton, John Langan, Dale Regnier, Lewis Staerker, Don Anderson, Walter Horn, George Cartwright, Lou Beasley, and still remembered as a member today marine staff sergeant Bill Bryant (who shows up at every general meeting). They were all from the Civil Air Patrol and, in the beginning, used the CAP plane to make search-and-rescue flights along the coastal areas in Lee County. CAP had the priority use of the plane so before long, the men decided to form a separate organization and purchase their own aircraft. Still active today, pilots devote weekends and holidays to their mission. They fly from Page Field, about 90 minutes before sundown, searching for stranded boaters which they report to the U. S. Coast Guard. Each flight, manned by a pilot and a lookout, takes about 1-1/2 hours, and encompasses a 125 mile route. That route traces a path from the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River along Matlacha Pass, around the tip of Bokeelia, around the coast of Pine Island, Sanibel and Captiva and then down to Bonita Beach. The planes fly at an altitude of about 500 feet and are equipped with a radio, personal floatation devices and a six man life raft. The Sundowners receive no government support and are financed almost entirely by contributions from individual boaters and fund raisers put on by the organization. As Page Field grew, Fort Myers Airways' business also grew, but Wilson's first love remained teaching and training. Hundreds of students, young and middle aged, earned the right to solo and become pilots under his tutelage. Wilson recalls, "The heyday (of general or private aviation) around here was in the mid 1970s. People were learning to fly on the Gl Bill and we were selling airplanes." |
Operations The Sundowners Search and Rescue Flying Club fly the patrol searching for boaters in distress. The patrol is flown on Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays. Depending on funding, additional patrols are added as needed. The Sundowners also fly specific search missions in response to a request from the United States Coast Guard or other missions at the request of different governmental and community agencies.
Funding The Sundowners, a non-profit organization, receives no government support or funds. The operations are funded by the voluntary contributions of individual boaters, civic, fraternal, and business organizations. The pilots and the observers donate their time as crew members. As a member of the club, a member can rent aircraft by the hour for their own personal use at cast rather than market rates.
Membership Membership in the Sundowners is gained by making application to the club and payment of the initiation fee and/or dues. Membership is restricted and changes of strength are authorized by the Board of Directors. Each new pilot and observer is required to complete the pilot/observer ground school and check ride prior to being assigned to the patrol or search and rescue missions. The pilots must also take an initial check ride with a club approved instructor before being permitted to utilize club aircraft. In addition, each pilot takes an annual check ride to retain flying privileges. Persons desiring to apply for membership as pilots or observers should contact BILL SUTTON, V.-P. @ 1-239-561-5926 e-mail; suttonklwc@aol.com or attend a regular meeting.
Meetings The Sundowners Search and Rescue Flying Club meets the first Wednesday of each month in the E.A.A. hanger on Page Field at 6 p.m. The public and prospective new pilots and observer members are invited to attend.
Slide Presentations The Sundowners Search and Rescue Flying Club provides a speaker and slide presentation about the Sundowners Search and Rescue Operations to interest community groups on request.
Contributions Persons or organizations who wish to contribute to the Sundowners can do so by making a check payable to The Sundown Patrol and mailing to:
The Sundowners, Inc.
P.O. Box 101107
Cape Coral, FL
33910-1107 - or you can call Heinz anytime or send e-mail to >heinzhrubin@comcast.net<