Dillon Robertson, 15, completed his Boy Scout Eagle Project on
May 15. He created a 120-foot compass rose at the Hollister
Municipal Airport. The compass rose will allow pilots to accurately
calibrate their instruments for flying. A compass rose is necessary
to perform a
”
compass swing,
”
which is a technical term for lining up aircrafts’ compass with
the compass rose.
Dillon was referred to Mike Chambless, the airport director,
after he met with Clayton Lee, the community services director,
about possible projects that were available to complete in
Hollister for his Eagle Project. Chambless was interested in having
a compass rose painted for the airport and pilots of all airplanes
that frequented the area. Chambless referred Dillon to the 99s, an
international organization of women pilots, for their expertise and
experience in
”
airmarking
”
– creating compass roses for airports.
Dillon Robertson, 15, completed his Boy Scout Eagle Project on May 15. He created a 120-foot compass rose at the Hollister Municipal Airport. The compass rose will allow pilots to accurately calibrate their instruments for flying. A compass rose is necessary to perform a “compass swing,” which is a technical term for lining up aircrafts’ compass with the compass rose.
Dillon was referred to Mike Chambless, the airport director, after he met with Clayton Lee, the community services director, about possible projects that were available to complete in Hollister for his Eagle Project. Chambless was interested in having a compass rose painted for the airport and pilots of all airplanes that frequented the area. Chambless referred Dillon to the 99s, an international organization of women pilots, for their expertise and experience in “airmarking” – creating compass roses for airports.
The Monterey Bay 99s’ Nic Kinsman and Michael Seracio were very interested in helping Robertson complete his Eagle Project.
After many phone calls, meetings and e-mails, Dillon made all the necessary arrangements to have his project approved and scheduled.
The Hollister airport donated the paint, Starkweather Painting, Home Depot and Ace Hardware donated tools and supplies. The Monterey Bay 99s would supply the design and instructions along with a few volunteers. Dillon would provide leadership and ask his Boy Scout troop as well as family and friends to perform the task of painting a 120-foot compass rose.
Cheap Seats, The Ding-A-Ling Cafe, Safeway and Costco provided lunch for all the volunteers after hearing about the Eagle project for the Hollister Airport.
Starting with drawing the chalk outlines, then carefully filling the design in with paint, the project took a little over eight hours to complete. There were 20 to 25 volunteers throughout the clear sunny day.
The last finishing touch was stenciling the initials of Dillon’s grandmother, Connie D. Smith, who passed away last month before seeing the completed project. Smith was the first female pilot in Guam and was a member of the 99s. “It seemed fitting to dedicate this ‘rose’ to my grandma,” said Dillon.
You can be sure to see this scout’s Eagle Project compass rose at the first Hollister Air Show: May 29th and 30th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be aerobatic performances, aircraft displays, and fly-ins for the whole family to enjoy. For more information: www.hollisterairshow.com.
