Centennial of Naval Aviation (CONA)
A yearlong celebration of 100 years of Naval Aviation will cover many aviation activities including aircraft, people, ships and significant events. The kickoff event is scheduled for January 2011 in San Diego. Additional events are scheduled throughout the year including:
- February — Super Bowl XLV, Dallas, Texas
- April — NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas
- May — Naval Aviation Week, NAS Pensacola, Fla.
- May — Fleet Week, New York, N.Y.
- June — Battle of Midway celebration, several locations
- July — Experimental Aircraft Association, AirVenture, Oshkosh Wis.
- August — Seafair, Seattle, Wash.
- September — Tailhook Association Reunion, Reno, Nev.
- September — NAS Oceana Airshow, Virginia Beach, Va.
- November — Blue Angel Homecoming, NAS Pensacola, Fla.
The CONA celebration will end with a gala ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum — Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport in December 2011. Make plans to attend the kickoff events in San Diego, events in your local area, the Tailhook Association reunion in September and the closing event at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in December.
The Economy
With a downturn in the U.S. economy, unemployment and stimulus packages, we planned for the overall effect on the Tailhook Association. In 2008 we prepared a budget for the worst situation and trimmed our expenses for 2009. We cut administrative expenses by reducing staff hours for the Association and the Foundation. We reduced building maintenance expense by delaying routine upkeep. We reduced sales expenses by minimizing new item purchases and selling stock on hand. We kept The Hook magazine expense nearly flat because it is our outstanding benefit to members. In the past, the Association sponsored three scholarships worth $4,000 each, and in 2009 we reduced the scholarship grant value to $2,000. With all of these adjustments, we made it through 2009 with positive cash flow.
Membership and Recruiting
During a typical year, the Tailhook Association draws about 800 new members. At the same time we lose about 800 members, and over the last 10 years, our membership has remained relatively even with a total of between 10,500 and 11,500. In 2007 and 2008, 1,703 Tailhookers let their memberships lapse. We sent invitations to all of them to rejoin the Association, and 92 returned to us. During the summer we continued our membership drive and recruited 248 new active-duty members and 41 new Life Members. At the same time, our losses exceeded our gains and the membership total has declined to 10,500. Total memberships from the last five years are:
- 2005 = 11,142
- 2006 = 11,293
- 2007 = 11,273
- 2008 = 10,645
- 2009 = 10,500
You can help by recruiting new members, sponsoring a school library or giving a gift membership.
Corporate Sponsorship
In 2009, ITT Corporation joined as a new sponsor. Please welcome our new sponsor by contacting them directly or by visiting their Web site, www.itt.com to view their services. If you have the opportunity to use the services of any corporate sponsor, please thank them for supporting the Tailhook Association.
Scholarship Season
Last year we received 312 applications for 2009 scholarship grants and we were able to award 87 scholarships between $1,500 and $15,000. The application for a 2010 scholarship is posted on the Tailhook Association Web site, and they are due by 15 March 2010. A complete application package will include proof of eligibility, transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters and a letter of acceptance at an accredited college or university. Our goal is to provide undergraduate educational scholarships to the best and brightest students.
To be eligible for consideration for a Tailhook Educational Foundation scholarship, an individual must be a high-school graduate, the natural, step or adopted son, daughter or grandchild of a current or former (U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps/U.S. Coast Guard) Naval Aviator, Naval Flight Officer or Naval Aircrewman and accepted for undergraduate enrollment at a accredited college or university. Also eligible are individuals or children of individuals who are serving or have served on board a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier in ship’s company or the air wing.
Tailhook Logo Merchandise
We have added two new shirts to the Tailhook logo merchandise. The first is a 100 percent silk Hawaiian shirt with the American flag attached to a tailhook as the logo on the left chest. The second is a Tailhook reunion shirt with the 2010 reunion logo on the left chest. Both are available through the online store or by calling (800) 322-4665 to shop with one of our sales representatives.
2010 Reunion
Advance planning is already under way for the next reunion. The working theme is “Naval Air Training.” There will be several other reunion groups with us, so it is time to make your hotel reservations. See you in Reno/Sparks.