The February 2024 Colorado Pilots Association Flight Lines newsletter celebrates the organization's history and announces its return as a regular publication. The issue features the legendary U-2 Dragon Lady reconnaissance aircraft and highlights a significant milestone: the 100th birthday of Walt Barbo, a founding CPA member and two-time president who has shaped general aviation in Colorado for decades. Walt's remarkable career spans from flying P-38s in World War II to developing Colorado's airport infrastructure and founding key CPA programs like scholarships and organizational partnerships.
Editor Vince Otto announces the revival of Flight Lines as a recruiting and member engagement tool, introducing new recurring sections including "Pilot's Tip of the Month," "Did You Know ForeGlide Did This?" and "The $100 Hamburger...Colorado Style" to showcase member content and Colorado's fly-in destinations. The newsletter emphasizes community engagement and invites members to contribute articles and photography to make the publication a collaborative effort.
Key Topics
- U-2 Dragon Lady high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft capabilities and history
- Flight Lines newsletter revival and new member-contributed article series
- 2024 Fly-in Schedule announcement and planning
- Importance of general aviation community and member participation
- Walt Barbo's extensive contributions to aviation and infrastructure development
Events & Activities
- May 17-19 – Gallup, NM Fly-in: Historic El Rancho Hotel on Route 66, El Morro National Monument tour, Navajo Code Talkers Museum visit, Happy Hours and group dinners
- June 28-30 – Gunnison Fly-in (details forthcoming)
- Additional 2024 fly-ins in development with details to be published in future newsletters
- January 27, 2024 – Surprise award ceremony at Wings Over the Rockies
Member News
- Walt Barbo honored with CPA's first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his 100 years of life and decades of service to aviation, including founding CPA membership (since 1975), two terms as CPA President, development of Colorado airport infrastructure, creation of CPA scholarship programs, and youth aviation inspiration through the Fantasy of Flight foundation and Wings Over the Rockies board service
- Walt continues to fly his Cessna Turbo 210 weekly at age 100
- Recognition of Terry Barbo for her decades of CPA contributions, and Bob Kinney and Cindy Jewell for organizing the surprise ceremony
