Sierra RotorCraft Club

Who We Are!

The Sierra Rotorcraft Club is a group of home-built and commercial helicopter enthusiast through out the Western United States. Members come from as far east as Arizona, and North from Canada and Washington. The club meets every third Saturday at various locations around San Francisco Bay Area. The members are from all kinds of professions.

Our Purpose!

The purpose of the club is for its members to share information with others that are in the process of building a helicopter. Most of the helicopters in the club are Rotorway 90′s and Exec 162′s. There are also some Gyro-Copters and Heli-Cycles. There is even an Exec with a rotary engine that is a masterpiece of engineering.
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The beginning of what became Sierra Rotorcraft Club was a letter to “Dear Scorpion And Exec Owners” on RotorWay Aircraft, Inc. letterhead stationary. It was signed by Don Alvik who proposed a meeting on 10/30/82 at the Fremont Airport, “last hanger behind Sikorskys”.

The purpose was to gather aviation enthusiast to share and learn from each others experiences. Once organized as a club there would be helpful hints in
construction, latest flight techniques, speakers and discussions on construction, visits from RotorWay’s professional staff, special guest speakers, motivation and support from members, and a closer and more direct line of communication with RotorWay.

In January of 1983 an announcement of a meeting at Don’s hanger at Fremont on the 10th , to show a film provided by RotorWay. A roster of members of the ROTORWAY AIRCRAFT CLUB FREMONT CHAPTER’s 12 members was included.

Don next sent a letter advising of a meeting at Nick and Angie Stoopin’s. The agenda included selecting a club name, a logo for a letter head or badge and the possibility of dues to cover operating expenses.

The news letter for August 8, 1983 is headed SIERRA ROTORCRAFT CLUB and announced the next meeting would in Acampo (one block from the Lodi Airport) on August 14. Mention was made of RotorWay’s “Sight and Sound” presentation in Sunnyvale and Oshkosh 83. An instructor and a Hughs 300 would be unhand for instructions, checkrides or orientation flights. The letter was signed by Bill Tjerald (the “T” is silent).

In mid ’80′s Bill “TJ” was an authorized Rotorway Aircraft sales rep. In February l985 a get together was held at T’J's home in Acampo. Rotorway sent technical representatives to provide added assistance for Scorpion and Exec builders. (8 Scorpions and 3 Execs, as we remember).

In 1986, Rotorway was so pleased with the previous years meeting that they scheduled another for March of that year at Rancho Murietta Airport
with “Stretch” Wolder and Tom Murphey as advisors. These annual meetings were referred to as “factory weekends.”

In 1988 the first “WESTERN STATES FLY-IN” ,an extension of the factory weekends, was held at Chandler Downtown Airport in Fresno, CA. Rotorway sent 3 tech reps. There were 12 Exec’s. and one Scorpion. Homer Bell was presented a special 3 ft. trophy by Terry Kuenzli in recognition of his efforts and contributions to Rotorway Helicopters. Homer, who hosts fly-ins annually at his home in Ohio, flew to “Western States” in his Exec via Phoenix and Anaheim.

The 199l Western States saw Rotorway International continue the recognition award idea with the perpetual “Rotorway International Achievement Trophy” presented to Dan Van Dusen at Haigh Field in Orland, CA. Beginning in 1992 Rotorway no longer provided tech. reps., however,Homer Bell’s attendance provided answers to any technical questionsanyone could think of and a few they had not thought of! Phil and Christine Verbeek were this year’s “Rotorway International Achievement Trophy” recipients.

Western states Fly-ins have also been held at Mather AFB,Sacramento; and MontagueField near Yreka,Ca.

Although the club originated for Rotorway builders/owners/pilots interest quickly broadened to include all makes and varieties of rotorcraft. Some early members were in National Guard helicopter units. Others were owners of Hillers, an Enstrum, a Brantley, Mini 500′s and gyrocopters;others flew rental Robinsons and Sweitzers.

Many of the early members are still in the Sierra Rotorway Club, as of this writing and include: Dave Schroder, charter member, Fred & Joan Adams, Terry Kuenzli past president, Dan Van Dusen past president, and Lois & Ruffin Apperson.

Research by: Ruffin&Lois Apperson, Club Historian And the Archives of Dave Schroder