EAA Chapter 25

from On Final March 2005

Lou Martin (photo on right), from Apple Valley and a Chapter 25 member, was informed that his book, “Wings Over Persia” was designated the best aviation writing by a Minnesotan for the year 2004, by the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame. The letter, informing Mr. Martin that he was the recipient of the award stated, “Your book was exciting and personal, definitely the type of aviation writing the MAHOF wishes to honor and encourage with its annual award.”

Mr. Martin, following 22 years as an Air Force pilot, and 5 years as a captain for Japan Airlines, joined a small cadre of foreign pilots flying for an air charter company in Tehran, Iran. His military service included 10 years in overseas assignments, including flying combat cargo support missions during the Vietnam War. He retired from the Air Force in 1970 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

From 1970 to 1975, he flew as a captain for Japan Domestic Airlines where he commanded a Japanese aircraft, crewed by Japanese copilots and Japanese flight attendants. Many of Colonel Martin’s flights in Japan were unique, in that he flew with several senior Japanese pilots who had participated in the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. When in Japan he met, and later married, a senior Japanese flight attendant.

After his contract in Japan ended he relocated to Tehran, Iran where, from 1976 to 1979, he worked for an air charter company, flying throughout the Middle East transporting members of the late Shah’s family, high ranking Iranian military and government officials, and oil field roughnecks. He was in Iran during the troubling years of 1978 when Islamic fundamentalists rioted in the streets seeking the overthrow of the Shah. The tempo of the demonstrations rose to the point where thousands were killed, forcing the Shah to flee to Egypt.

When a personal friend was killed, Colonel Martin feared for his own safety and made a hurried exodus, abandoning unpaid salary, a Volkswagen, and personal property. The Shah’s abdication allowed the fire-brand Islamic leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, to assume the position as Iran’s despotic ruler, and form a ruthless Islamic theocracy government. Several of Mr. Martin’s Iranian pilot colleagues, and VIP passengers, were summarily executed by Islamic revolutionary guards after Khomeini’s takeover.

Lou Martin’s book, “Wings Over Persia,” is a true story of intrigue and adventure of an American pilot flying in Iran, during the revolution that overthrew the Shah. It provides a unique opportunity to share in the experience of flying in a troubling part of the world, along with a first hand insight into the inflexible attitude of Islamic Fundamentalists towards infidels.

Readers state that, “Wings Over Persia” has given them a much better understanding of the problems we face in the Middle East, while at the same time providing an interesting book that is difficult to put down. Congratulations Lou! “Wings Over Persia” may be reviewed on “Google” search web page, and Amazon.com. Lou Martin may be contacted at: pilotlou@aol.com, or Tel: 952-891-1250.

Gone West

September 11, 2004

We learned with great sadness on September 11th of the passing of one of our long-time members, Earl Adams. Earl was born September 24, 1930 in Hayward, Wisconsin. He moved to St. Paul for his freshman year at Central high school and joined the Air Guard in 1947. He had his first airplane ride in an AT-6 at Holman Field in October of 1947. He graduated high school in June of 1949 and then worked for General Air at the St. Paul airport until September. He then attended Air Force Mechanic School at Shepherd Field, Texas and graduated in May of 1950.

He flew his first solo in a PT-19 in Wichita Falls, Texas on October 30, 1949, and received his Private Pilot¹s license in 1950. Earl was activated in 1950 and shipped to the Far East. He was stationed in Japan as a flight engineer on a DC-3, and flew a few combat missions in a B-26 dropping propaganda material in North Korea. Earl returned home in August of 1952. He flew as a flight attendant for North Central until spring of 1954 when he became the fixed base operator at the Worthington Airport. He repaired aircraft, gave flight instruction, and sprayed crops until re-joining North Central Airlines as a pilot in 1956. He also did some barnstorming out of Worthington with Eldon Sorenson.

Earl had a long and distinguished career with Northwest Airlines. A number of chapter members served at Northwest with Earl, and recount their memories of flying with him. He began flying as first officer in DC 3¹s, and moved to the left seat in 1958. He later moved to Convair 340¹s, 440¹s, then 580¹s, and subsequently to DC 9¹s. He flew Republic Boeing 757¹s for a time until they were sold by Northwest, and then returned to DC 9¹s, this time DC 9-80¹s until his retirement in September of 1990.

Earl flew over 100 different types of aircraft, including many warplanes (C-47, P-51, B-26) and virtually all Piper, Cessna, and Stinson models. Earl owned many airplanes, including a plans-built Casset and a Hatz open-cockpit biplane which he completely rebuilt. Among his other aircraft were a Pitts Special, and a J-3 Cub which he restored and first flew in 2001.

Earl was a valued member of Chapter 25. He received the chapter¹s highest service award, the Traveling Trophy, in 1991. Members will remember Earl flying his Mooney 201 on chapter fly-outs and for Young Eagle events. Earl flew his last Young Eagle mission for the chapter in May of 2002 (photo above right), when his battle with Lewy bodies disease began to curtail his flying activities. Earl continued to participate in chapter events as his health allowed. We extend our sympathies to Earl¹s family. He will be missed.

Obituary Posted: 9/24/04 Earl Frank Adams, 73, of Rosemount, died Sept. 11, 2004, at Ebenezer Ridges Care Center.

Services were held at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Apple Valley and officiated by Rev. Duane Paetznick. Interment was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.