Oops! Someone (not I) made an error in not confirming speaking arrangements with our October speaker. He has since been invited back to speak during our January dinner, which will be on Jan 8th as, the first Wednesday is New Years Day.

If there is one thing that nearly all pilots at KSBP (San Luis Obispo Airport) have in common, they talk to the Air Traffic Control (ATC). They rely on the expertise of the controller in the tower to give them the advice and directions they need whether they are taking off, landing, or, in that awkward position of not sure what to do. The ATC is there to help the pilots, not intimidate you. If there is something you need assistance with either in the air or on the ground, don’t ever be afraid to ask the tower. (If your question isn't pressing, though, consider waiting to ask it until the controllers don’t have sixteen other people in the pattern!)

Our guest speaker for our January dinner is Dylan Krassensky, the current Air Traffic Manager for the Control Tower at the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport. He has worked at multiple locations in California, Nevada, Texas, and Alaska. He started his career in Air Traffic Control in 2006 and is also a pilot. Dylan is also know for his "Tips From The Tower" and an online training guide, Air Traffic Control (ATC) for Simulator Pilots.

Join us on January 8th for an insider's view from the tower and your chance to ask the questions you always wanted to ask the tower but never got the chance. We guarantee it will be an great learning experience for all involved.

The Monthly Dinners are catered and reservations are required not later than 6 p.m. the Monday evening prior to the dinner so as to allow the caterer sufficient notice of how many are attending. Dinner cost $25/pp and reservations should be made at this link.

Recent Restoration Completions

The M60 tank turret restoration was completed and returned back to our guests! It took a few months and very dedicated cleaning, scraping and painting but is now looking great again! A big thanks to the Restoration Dept. and EWM Youth Group (not so much fun cleaning) for making this artifact shine again!

2024 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

On Sunday, November 24th, Estrella Warbirds Museum and Woodland Auto Display hosted the 2024 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner for those whom have volunteered their time and services over the past year whether serving in positions ranging from general labor, docents, greeters, gift shop workers, restoration or museum representatives to the general public. Whatever the role played, it has been greatly appreciated. With their assistance, the museum has continued to grow and maintain a sizeable presence in the Paso Robles area. Awards were based on hours volunteered, ranging from 25 to over 500 hours dedicated during the past year. Three young men, Ron Brooks, John Everett and Steve Foss, garnered top awards of a leather bomber jacket. Awesome job everyone! We could not do it without you!

New At The Woodland Auto Display

No Thanksgiving turkey for the Woodland clan again this year. Once again it will be racetrack hot dogs as the Woodland Auto Display sponsored 8w midget will be competing in the 83rd running of the Thanksgiving Midget Grand Prix in Ventura, Calif.. We have rising star Chase McDermond in the driver's seat for both this final midget race for 2024 as well as for the January opener in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Chili Bowl. (McDermond is fresh off 1st and 2nd place finishes at the BC Classic at Indianapolis.)

Other news; We will be moving out several of the race cars currently on display in order to make room for 3 of our cars that have been on display for approximately 3 years in Knoxville, Iowa at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame as well as the East Coast Museum of Speed in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. One is 5 time Calif. Racing Assoc. champion Jimmy Oskie's famous Hank Henry built car. Another is the Bogar Special that was piloted by the great Jan Opperman and the 3rd is the Bobby Allen built car driven by Smokey Snellbaker who was considered one of the best of the "Pennsylvania Posse". While it was great to have these cars on a national tour, we are glad to welcome them back home.

In the vintage car department, Alex is making excellent progress on our 1953 Hudson Hornet. We hope to have this car on display sometime late next year. We recently acquired a 1926 Dodge Bros. sedan that should be ready for display shortly after the first of the year.