The Riverhead News Review
9/4/2008
By Denise Civiletti

On the wings of an angel
Rays from a rising sun broke through the low, dark clouds that had gathered over Riverhead High School’s athletic fields Thursday morning, providing a dramatic backdrop for a dramatic tribute to a fallen hero.

The high school’s entire student body, faculty and staff assembled on its fields at 7:30 a.m. to witness an aerial display honoring beloved longtime art teacher, Vincent Nasta.

Mr. Nasta, 47, a pilot who enjoyed performing stunts in air shows, perished in a plane crash during a performance at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Aug. 17.

His friends and fellow pilots flew five flights over the school where Mr. Nasta was to have begun his 18th year of teaching on Thursday. Each of the planes in the display had a role in Mr. Nasta’s flying career, and each of the pilots were close friends of his, according to Riverhead High School principal David Zimbler. Another of Mr. Nasta’s close friends, David Jensen, narrated the display over the school’s public address system.

First in the sky, partially obscured by the clouds, were two Stearman-World War II primary trainers, which Mr. Nasta flew at air shows. They were followed by a Piper cub, the type of plane used by Mr. Nasta, a licensed flight instructor, to teach his students how fly tail wheel airplanes. Next came a Piper Saratoga, which Mr. Nasta flew for Angel Flights, a volunteer organization of pilots who transport people for medical treatment. The fourth flight was three aerobatic planes, which Mr. Nasta flew in the aerobatic competitions that he loved.

The fifth and final flight provided the most spectacular display. Four Warbirds burst through the clouds, silhouetted by rays of sun that also pierced the cloud cover, and flew low in a military missing man formation over the hushed crowd.

Two of the Warbirds were planes Mr. Nasta flew while skytyping, and they left in their wake long entrails hanging in the sky over Riverhead High School. Another, a green P40 that Mr. Nasta flew in airshows, pulled up and headed west as the formation flew overhead in a ceremonial salute to a fallen pilot.

The field erupted with cheers and applause as the Warbirds roared off over the treetops.

“It is a fitting tribute to a special man, a great way to get the day started, thinking of Vincent Nasta,” said Mr. Zimbler.

Mr. Nasta’s widow, Kathleen, who watched the display in the parking lot with some of her husband’s students and fellow teachers, said she was touched by the tribute. “Vinny would have loved it,” she said.

Warbirds featured on CNBC
July 9

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Warbirds Over Long Island welcomes the newest member of the family
The Warbirds Over Long Island Organization is proud to introduce the newest member of the family, Christopher Peter Baranaskas. On February 5, 2008. CJ as he is now being called was born to Chris and Jen Baranaskas at Huntington Hospital in Huntington, NY.

Jen did an absolutely fantastic job bringing this new little pilot into the world. He arrived at 6:32 in the morning at 5lbs 8oz, after a long final approach. Both proud parents are very excited about their new pride and joy. Chris is shopping for a flight jacket in a newborn size.

Proud Grandparents Cynthia and Bob Baranaskas and Susan and Peter Zarcone are ecstatic over the new addition to the family. He is sure to be spoiled. CJ is already a regular fixture at the Warbirds Over Long Island hangar and has been seen trying out the saddle of the P-51 with his dad.

Warbirds Over Long Island and everyone in the Warbird community could not be happier for Chris and Jen and the whole Baranaskas Family. Much luck and safe travels.

We will see you on the flight-line.

JONES BEACH P40 EMERGENCY
On the Saturday of the Jones Beach Airshow I was descending in our P40 for a low pass on the crowd line when I noticed smoke and oil coming from my engine. I quickly pulled up and contacted Wayne Boggs, Airboss, and indicated that I was having an emergency was returning to Republic Airport. Within seconds the windscreen and cockpit were covered in oil. I opened the canopy to get a visual on the airport and lost communications with the wind and noise from the open cockpit. Wayne quickly contacted the tower and Chris (my son) who was flying the P51. Chris left the show and flew my wing into the airport.

I landed with no damage to the aircraft. Further examination on the ground showed the oil return line from the oil cooler to the engine separated from the engine block intake flange and the oil discharged into the cockpit and fuselage.

We have removed the current engine for a breakdown check and replaced it with our spare engine. The P40 will miss McGuire (American Airpower’s P40 will replace me at McGuire), but with some great help from Lenny Boyd and Ryan Parente from Ocean Aire and the use of American Airpowers Hanger, our P40 is up and running and will be back for the WWII weekend.

I would like to thank all that took part in getting me on the ground safely, Wayne, Cecil and the Republic Tower and of course my son, Chris, who is always on the “Old Man’s Wing” wing when it counts. It would also like to thank Ed Shipley and Josh (F16 Pilot from Atlantic City) who were the right there with the emergency crews looking after me.

Just another Airshow day!!!!

Robert Baranaskas

CELEBRATING A LIFE WELL LIVED: ED YEZARSKI

Abraham Lincoln once said, "it's not the years in your life that count; it's the life in your years." That is definitely true for Edward Yezarski of Long Island. Mr. Yezarski, a New York native celebrated his eighty-first birthday recently by taking a flight over Long Island in a WWII Stearman Bi-plane.

It was perfect day for flying as Vinny Nasta, a pilot for Warbirds Over Long Island rolled out the Bob Baranaskas's 1941 Boeing Stearman trainer from its hanger located at Northeast airpark.

Gathered to watch the flight were Mr, Yezarski's son, Ed J. Yezarski owner of Ed's Aircraft Refinishing and his shop manager Nick.

Mr. Yezarski, or "Pop" as he is known around the field, maintains quite an active lifestyle for a man of his age. Still working six days a week, Pop also finds time to hit the gym four days a week at the YMCA and make time for a few rounds of golf when he can fit it in.

Joining the Navy at a very young age, or "underaged", Ed served as a cook on LST's during World War Two. Once his obligation to Uncle Sam had been completed Ed began a career in aviation that still continues today.

The sound of the five o'clock whistle signaled it was time to take to the sky. Ed gave the thumbs up and and the sturdy Boeing trainer lifted off the runway. Vinny and Ed took a slow and lazy tour over the Long Island Shoreline and a added a special flight over Swan Lake Golf Course where Ed loves to play.

As the flight touched down, Ed Sr. gave a big thumbs up and there were smiles all around. It is truly special day when a classic airplane and a classic gentleman can come together to celebrate a life well lived.

SO, YOU WANT TO FLY THE MUSTANG?

For many aspiring pilots and airshow attendees, the dream of flying in a World War Two fighter is a strong one. A key factor to remember is that these warbirds were the top of the line fighters just sixty years ago. In order to fly these aircraft today, the path is not so different than a young pilot in the nineteen thirties and forties. Training starts with basic flight training, possibly in tail wheel aircraft like the PT-17 Stearman. The pilot then moves to progressively more complex aircraft such as the T-6 Texan and ultimately graduating to the high performance fighters.

Warbirds Over Long Island attended the FAA Tailwheel seminar at Brookhaven Calabro Airport in Shirley, New York last week. Warbirds Over Long Island is dedicated to promoting education and application of safe flight practices for all aviators. The FAA requires aspiring pilots to attend training seminars and obtain the approval of a flight instructor before being allowed to fly tailwheel planes solo, so seminars like these are offered to provide attendees an overview of those specific aircraft operations. The Tailwheel seminar was offered to expose and educate attendees to the unique and dynamic flight characteristics of tail wheel aircraft. Speakers for the event were Al Schnur, FTM FAA and Vinny Nasta, FR.

The possibility still exists for those pilots that long for the thrill of piloting a vintage combat aircraft. The path starts with dedication, hard work and sufficient flight hours and experience. With proper maintenance and upkeep, these planes will be flying much longer than the pilots inside them. Finding someone to let you fly their classic warbird may prove the hardest challenge. But someone needs to keep these planes flying as the current group of pilots cease flying. Read more about the Mustang

CHRIS & JENN TIE THE KNOT

Chris and Jenn were married on July 8th 2006 on Long Island. The ceremony was attended by family and friends, and surrounded by the Warbirds Over Long Island aircraft. We wish the happy couple a long happy life and many safe returns.

CURTISS P-40 N9837A
s/n 15280 Mfg 10-31-41 RCAF #1051
Total Time since Award Winning Restoration: 380 hours
Engine: Allison V-1710, 350 hours since overhaul by J.R.S.

Warbirds Over Long Island is thrilled to announce the representation of a beautifully restored Curtis P-40 E Warhawk. Working with the great people at Courtesy Aircraft Sales, Warbirds will soon be taking delivery of this historic fighter. The P-40 should be a regular on the 2006 airshow schedule flown by Bob Baranaskas. This will put Chris in the cockpit of the Glamorous Gal, Warbirds P-51 Mustang. The P-40 restoration is finished in colors of the first P-40 flown by Col. Robert L. Scott between April 29 and September 1, 1942 during his tour of duty in China/Burma. In 1942 and early 1943 he had three P-40's assigned to him. The first, which is this aircraft, was an E Model loaned to him by General Chennault.

Col. Scott's exploits with this first P-40, which he nicknamed, "Old Exterminator", were colorfully written in his book, "God Is My Co-Pilot". Fortunately, retired Brigadier General Robert L Scott was able to provide his assistance in documenting the paint scheme. The aircraft is restored to appear as it would have appeared during May or June of 1942. This was just prior to his taking command on July 4, 1942, of the remnants of the American Volunteer Group, better known as the Flying Tigers. Later, Scott became the first Commanding Officer of the newly formed 23rd Fighter Group.

All of the detailed markings on the aircraft were done with reference to Curtis original factory drawings on micro film as obtained from the Smithsonian Institution. In addition, black and white pictures from the Smithsonian were obtained to document other items such as the instrument panel and radio layout, and to the extent possible, given the need for modern radios; we replicated the original with WWII instruments and gauges, including P-40 NOS items.

The paint colors were obtained from paint chips and military spec numbers and painted as the original in flat finish. The original aircraft was painted with a flat lacquer and used a Sikin's two-part process with a clear flat. The nose art is hand painted as were the original aircraft in the field, utilizing locally available paint, usually gloss enamel. We are truly excited to add the "Old Exterminator" to our collection as it is a beautiful example of the early primary fighter used in our national defense from Hawaii, China and Burma and the many other theaters of World War II.

Read more about the P-40