MCB Camp Pendleton

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Wings and Rotors Museum charity workers rebuild airplane for deployed Marine

24 May 2007 | Lance Cpl. Chris T. Mann Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Members of the Wings and Rotors Museum began to notice severe damage to a small Cessna 172 airplane that had been sitting at the French Valley Airport for several years.

After further investigation, former Army Air Cavalry Sgt. David L. Barron, a volunteer for the museum, discovered that the plane belonged to Master Gunnery Sgt. Michael D. Tyndale, Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity, Marine Corps Systems Command, Camp Pendleton.

Tyndale has been in the Marine Corps for 26 years and had deployed to Iraq several times over the past two years. Because of his deployments, he was unable to properly maintain his airplane.

"I saw the plane just sitting there building up corrosion, and a bird's nest had been built inside," Barron said. "After finding out who the plane belonged to and what was going on, I wanted to do something to help."

The Wings and Rotors Museum restores older aircraft to their original conditions and displays them at the airport. They also use the repaired aircraft for fly-over events at airshows.

Barron and other volunteers from the museum decided to adopt the plane and began reconstruction of the badly corroded aircraft. The volunteers, composed mainly of retired military members, began contacting major aviation companies and soliciting donations of parts for the Cessna. They nicknamed the project 'Semper Fly.'

"I can't wait to jump back inside the plane and fly again," Tyndale said. "I love to take Marines for rides and show them just how easy it is to pilot a plane."

Prior to back-to-back deployments, Tyndale used his Cessna to fly to Arizona and visit his family.

The volunteers from the museum donated more than 200 hours of their time, using equipment owned by the museum and the donated aircraft parts.

"The repairs were going to cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $20,000 dollars, and Mike didn't have nearly enough resources to cover the costs," Barron said.

Museum workers also arranged for Tyndale to retake a bi-annual flight review for free. The bi-annual flight review is required for anyone who pilots a small plane and allows them to renew their pilot's license.

"This was a way for us to show our support to the military, and it let us offer our appreciation," said Shayne M. Meder, museum marketing director and aircraft maintenance worker. "Mike has a military career and a family, and we didn't want to see him have to sell his plane."

Tyndale hasn't seen his aircraft in months. He will be able to see all repairs and new paint job for the first time in June, when he comes home from deployment.

A dedication ceremony and exhibition is scheduled for June 9 at the French Valley Airport. The plane will be presented to Tyndale, who will pilot the aircraft as part of the museum's airshow.

Wings and Rotors Museum charity workers rebuild airplane for deployed Marine

24 May 2007 | Lance Cpl. Chris T. Mann Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Members of the Wings and Rotors Museum began to notice severe damage to a small Cessna 172 airplane that had been sitting at the French Valley Airport for several years.

After further investigation, former Army Air Cavalry Sgt. David L. Barron, a volunteer for the museum, discovered that the plane belonged to Master Gunnery Sgt. Michael D. Tyndale, Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity, Marine Corps Systems Command, Camp Pendleton.

Tyndale has been in the Marine Corps for 26 years and had deployed to Iraq several times over the past two years. Because of his deployments, he was unable to properly maintain his airplane.

"I saw the plane just sitting there building up corrosion, and a bird's nest had been built inside," Barron said. "After finding out who the plane belonged to and what was going on, I wanted to do something to help."

The Wings and Rotors Museum restores older aircraft to their original conditions and displays them at the airport. They also use the repaired aircraft for fly-over events at airshows.

Barron and other volunteers from the museum decided to adopt the plane and began reconstruction of the badly corroded aircraft. The volunteers, composed mainly of retired military members, began contacting major aviation companies and soliciting donations of parts for the Cessna. They nicknamed the project 'Semper Fly.'

"I can't wait to jump back inside the plane and fly again," Tyndale said. "I love to take Marines for rides and show them just how easy it is to pilot a plane."

Prior to back-to-back deployments, Tyndale used his Cessna to fly to Arizona and visit his family.

The volunteers from the museum donated more than 200 hours of their time, using equipment owned by the museum and the donated aircraft parts.

"The repairs were going to cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $20,000 dollars, and Mike didn't have nearly enough resources to cover the costs," Barron said.

Museum workers also arranged for Tyndale to retake a bi-annual flight review for free. The bi-annual flight review is required for anyone who pilots a small plane and allows them to renew their pilot's license.

"This was a way for us to show our support to the military, and it let us offer our appreciation," said Shayne M. Meder, museum marketing director and aircraft maintenance worker. "Mike has a military career and a family, and we didn't want to see him have to sell his plane."

Tyndale hasn't seen his aircraft in months. He will be able to see all repairs and new paint job for the first time in June, when he comes home from deployment.

A dedication ceremony and exhibition is scheduled for June 9 at the French Valley Airport. The plane will be presented to Tyndale, who will pilot the aircraft as part of the museum's airshow.