“National Paper Airplane Day”

NATIONAL PAPER AIRPLANE DAY

On May 26th each year, National Paper Airplane Day commemorates the simple aeronautical toy that’s been around for thousands of years.

Flying paper planes is an inexpensive, healthy, and stimulating form of entertainment. So, put down your smartphones and get outside for some primitive fun – even if for only a few hours one day of the year.

The use of paper airplanes is believed to have originated 2,000 years ago in China. The earliest known date of the creation of modern paper planes was said to have been in 1909.

Did you know?

The largest paper aircraft had a wingspan of 59.74 ft. Students and employees made it in Germany on 28th September 2013.

The distance record (226 feet, 10 inches) was set by Joe Ayoob, with a plane in February 2012.

The record time for the longest-lasting paper airplane flight is 29.2 seconds.

There’s more than one way to fold paper for a test flight. Find tips for designs at www.foldnfly.com

HOW TO OBSERVE #PaperAirplaneDay

Test out your paper airplane making skills! Like the paper airplane day Facebook page to join in on the festivities. Watch flights on YouTube. Use #PaperAirplaneDay to share on social media.

Educators and families, visit the National Day Classroom to discover fun ways to #CelebrateEveryDay!

Quiz
Q: The four forces that influence the flight of a paper airplane are thrust, lift, gravity, and drag.
What is each of those forces?

A:
When you throw the plane forward, this is called thrust.
Lift is a force that acts on the wings and helps the plane to move up. Big wings increase lift.
Gravity is the force that pulls the plane down. The right materials can create a lighter aircraft that stays up for longer.
Drag is caused by the tail of the plane and is the opposite of thrust, and it makes the plane slow down.

Paper airplane contests compete for the top place in what two categories?
Distance and Time to float.

NATIONAL PAPER AIRPLANE DAY HISTORY

We were unable to determine the origin of National Paper Airplane Day.


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“Aviation Maintenance Technician Day”

AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN DAY – MAY 24

AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN DAY

On May 24th, Aviation Maintenance Technician Day honors the men and women who have worked behind the scenes making and keeping aviation possible.

Charles Edward Taylor

We all know the story of Orville and Wilbur Wright, Kitty Hawk, and the experiment of human flight. But how many of us know the name, Charles Edward Taylor? He came to work for the Wrights in 1902 when the research turned to powered flight. The automobile companies couldn’t supply an engine both light enough and powerful enough for flight.

Enter Taylor.  A machinist by trade, with a metal lathe, drill press, and other hand tools, he built the 12-horsepower engine, which propelled the Wright’s aeroplane 20 feet above the wind-swept North Carolina beach. The longest flight lasted 59 seconds for a distance of 852 feet.  It took Taylor 6 weeks to build the engine, and yet, history books rarely mention the man who helped make the historic December 17, 1903, flight possible.

Beyond First Flight

Being on the cusp of the aeronautics industry, Taylor continued to design aircraft engines for the Wright brothers as well as teaching them to build their own. When the first airport was established (by the Wrights), he was named the airport manager.

The partnership continued when the Wright brothers were awarded a military contract for the first military plane with Taylor designing and building the engine.

Taylor’s adventures continued in 1911 when William Randolph Hearst offered up a cash award to the first pilot to fly across the United States in 30 days or less. Cal Rodgers, a young pilot, accepted the challenge and hired Charles Taylor as his mechanic.

Rodgers made it, landing and crashing from New York to Pasadena, with Taylor trailing along in a car.

Charles Taylor continued in the field of aviation maintenance for more than 60 years. Like Taylor, aviation maintenance technicians around the world work in the background, keeping civilian and military aircraft safe. On May 24th, we recognize their achievements and humble history.

HOW TO OBSERVE #AviationMaintenanceTechnicianDay

Celebrate the innovators of aviation who may be behind the scenes. Learn about aviation maintenance and thank those who get us in the air and keep us there. Use #AviationMaintenaceTechnicianDay to share on social media.

AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN DAY HISTORY

Through the efforts of Richard Dilbeck, in 2001, the FAA created the prestigious Charles E. Taylor Master Mechanic Award to honor AMTs, who had served at least 50 years in aircraft maintenance. The following year, California Senator Knight introduced a resolution honoring Aviation Maintenance Technicians annually in honor of Charles Taylor’s birthday.


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“Sunday Afternoon Enjoy, Picnic with the Family”

Just think what it is like in these days when… due to the “Coviv virus”  and staying home and mostly inside… you almost do not know what roads to take to the various Family homes?

Getting in the vehicle…have to set the directions’ guider… since I do not drive…I do not know the name of all of the things that one needs to do… to get to their destination.

So with distractions on the Highways…we took the wrong turn…so we were redirected to get onto the correct turn…this will now make it… that we could be a little on the late side, and the last ones to the PICNIC!

Finally. we were on the correct roads… as I did recognize the BRIDGE that we were now approaching and I knew exactly what to do… 

As soon as the vehicle starts to cross the Bridge…we begin to sing…”Over the River and through the woods…to Grandmother’s house we we go… the horse knows the way to carry” and we stop just as we hit the end of the bridge! We all begin to laugh… because we all remember what to do…whenever we cross a BRIDGE!

That is the way we travel…having FUN…all the way… so that even though we may be running late… we are all as HAPPY as we can be… and it is a WONDERFULL day to be alive with your FAMILY!


and… This is me with wonderful Granddaughter, Alyssa and she is getting a good kick out of my wearing my favorite “Sun-bonnet” to keep the extra Sun off me…while sitting in the Sun all day.

If only I was younger…you would see me do the famous “Mexican Hat Dance” like only  I can do!

and… This is little LEX, himself…he likes to entertain me with some of the things that only he can do… and we all like and enjoy seeing how famously he can entertain!

That is my left hand giving little LEX the thumbs-up… since he likes what I have to say and that I will always comment on all that he does for everyone to enjoy with me… and that like  “ME”… takes notice!

…. A Picnic is what makes for a FUN day for everyone… and just so that you do not forget your FAMILY… take a few days off… real soon and do the same as we did…We had lots of FUN!


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“TOWEL DAY”

TOWEL DAY – May 25Observed annually by fans of Douglas Adams, Towel Day commemorates the work of the author most known for his series The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

First and foremost, it’s important to note for those who are unfamiliar with Douglas Adams, that according to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, “A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have.”

And that’s mighty important. Even we mere Earthly hitchhikers require towels for many immensely useful purposes. We dry our furry pets and roll towels neatly into coordinated rows. On long trips, they ease the kinks in our necks. Even our tiny humans use them to dry off after taking a swim. Though, perhaps not very effectively. It can also offer shade on a sunny day.

We’ve found that towels in small forms are effective for sport, too. Golfers and bowlers use them. Add a small towel to a footballer’s hip and call it a flag or wave a white one in a battle to surrender.

In an emergency, a towel can stop bleeding or can carry the wounded. It also can cool a fever. Wrap it around you on a cool day. Wash a car or wipe up the oil. A really large towel might suffice for a toga party. However, in reality, it probably wouldn’t.

The list of options goes on both here on Earth and beyond in every galaxy. The important lesson of the day is, don’t leave home without your towel.

HOW TO OBSERVE #TowelDay

Pack your towel to celebrate the day. And when you do, be sure to share all the ways to use your towel. Join the conversation using #TowelDay on social media.

NATIONAL TOWEL DAY HISTORY

Towel Day was created in 2001 by Douglas Adams’ fans as a tribute to the author two weeks after his death on May 11th of that year.


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“Just a Little Something Special from Yesterday”

“Memorial Day Memories from Son, Lee”

A Veteran Speaks…

My son’s thoughts, as he was listening to  Taps,  on the radio, this Memorial Day.  Lee,  remembers as a young Boy Scout, and in his SCOUT uniform, he and his Troop went to Jefferson Barracks – St.Louis, MO., to put American Flags, on the grave of each Fallen Solider.

The above being done, and not knowing then, what the future would hold,  that in just a very few short years, that he would be wearing a Navy Uniform,  aboard the, CV61 USS Ranger – The Flag Ship of the Admiral of the 7th Fleet.

Lee said,  “Brings me to earlier this week, getting out  our  “American Flag”  to run up the pole for this “Memorial Day”  because,  I know I am a Proud American, and I Love My Country.”     D.V. 

“Just hope that some of this – sticks with you…Partner?”


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“Celebrate Memorial Day with the FAMILY”

 

 

This weekend we honor the men and women who bravely served our nation and paid the ultimate price, giving their lives for our freedom. Take a minute to share this #MemorialDay message with others…

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