[Home Page]  [Newsletters]  [About Mil Harmon]  [Future Plans]  [Sponsors]  [Advisors] [News Coverage]  [Acronyms]

TEN ROMEO NEWSLETTER

HEL-SVO SPORT PILOT CORRIDOR, Report 4

July 20, 1989

Dear Friends:

Recent weeks have been filled with exciting TEN ROMEO action - new sponsors, static displays, a  "Top Cover" assignment, and participation in filming a TV safety flight-training cassette but before detailing these matters, a chronicle of my May trip to Moscow should be provided.

Just before I departed for the USSR my minister here in Delmar gave me interesting information indicating that the largest Methodist congregation in Europe is located in Tallinn.

Thus, my first priority in Tallinn was to locate the Rev. Olav Parnamets, and learn more about his congregation.  The Tallinn Methodist church was destroyed in 1944, and worship now occurs in a building shared with the Seventh-Day Adventists.  It is an attractive structure in the center of town a few hundred yards west of Hotel Viru.  Brother Olav is a warm, sincere and dedicated pastor with a congregation of nearly 900 souls.  Olav and my minister, Rev. Dr. Art Hagy, are excited about the prospects of a FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE between the Delmar and Tallinn congregations.  That process has begun.  A modest Delmar contingent may be in Tallinn in the spring of 1990.

While in Tallinn, contact also was made with Assistant Principal Tonu Seene, of School #7, where there was interest in arranging an exchange with a school in the Albany area.  I'll see Olav and Tonu in September and set dates for these two FRIENDSHIP BRIDGES.

Moscow action was fast and furious, as always.  My first contact was with my friend Journalist Elena Ivanova.  I was sorry to learn from her that Igor Chkalov had been ill and in the hospital.  As a result, no plans had been made for me to actually view the P-39 which needs to be repaired before being displayed in a Soviet Museum.  I must see the aircraft to assess the magnitude of the repair and to obtain the serial number so that proper plans for reconstruction may be located.  Perhaps this can be done on my September trip.  (Before leaving the States I spoke with Ivan Marshall who had worked with P-39s in World War II.  Ivan was TEN ROMEO's crew chief until his recent retirement, and he has forgotten more than most mechanics ever knew about aircraft - a real master of his trade.  When I asked him if he would spend some time in the Soviet Union assisting with the rebuilding if I could arrange it, he did not say "No".  What he did say was, "Well, Doc, I do have the right name for that kind of an assignment!")

Igor was recuperating at his Dacha, but came to Moscow for a quick visit with me.  His looks belied his recent illness, and he was delighted with the medical book I gave him from my son-in-law Doctor Chuck.  (Igor had requested information on cardiac arrest during my last visit.)

Igor is planning a trip to our West Coast in the summer and is looking forward to it with great pleasure.

(With Igor's illness, I dropped any expectation of his assistance in moving my plan for a combined Mig-29 and F-15 flight to General Moiseyev.  I handled this thrust upon my return to the States with a direct contact to the General.)

Elena and I had lunch in the Izvestia dining room, and I brought her up-to-date on matters since my previous visit.  I'm pleased to report that my request for assistance in completing her husband, Igor's, Kennedy half dollar collection was wildly successful.  Frank Haile of Dallas, Texas, (a friend and "Technical Advisor" to TEN ROMEO) provided a 1970 Kennedy half dollar in mint condition as a gift for Editor Igor.  I also received from Marty Maciejewski a complete 1970 proof coin set for Igor.  Marty was a member of the Sperry team which installed the IONS-1020 in TEN ROMEO for my first flight across the North Atlantic in 1984.  He's received my reports ever since, and is a generous friend.

It was later, in Elena and Igor's home, that I learned how much the coins were appreciated.  Igor reveled in sharing his new coins with his numismatist colleagues at their regular meeting, and, when I came to dinner, he gently took out his two gifts.  He slipped Frank's coin out of its plastic sheath, felt the heft of it, and enjoyed looking at and feeling the lines of its engraving.  He then put it down and lifted up the proof set for my closer examination and said, "Look, Millard, see?  Marty must have enjoyed this proof set very much.  See how the box is worn?  He must have opened it hundreds of times.  This wear means he often looked at these beautiful coins, handled the sealed mounting container, and turned it over and over to enjoy their magnificent design!".

I have seldom seen a happier, more delighted individual!  Soooo - thank you Frank and Marty.  You both have a new Soviet friend who was ecstatic over your generosity!

A delightful errand was accomplished on the May trip to Moscow, when I delivered teaching material and cassettes to Moscow School #34.  I recalled my many visits to Moscow before the Gorbachev thaw, when I suggested to my friend Ray Benson of the US Embassy, "Don't leave out elementary school exchanges as you structure your protocols!"  Those documents were signed in December of 1986 by Reagan and Gorbachev, and in April of this year a group of youngsters from the Scotia Sacandaga Elementary School (not ten miles from my home in Delmar) visited Moscow School #34 in the first elementary school exchange between US and USSR children.  Soviet students will be here in the spring.

I hand delivered material from my colleagues in Scotia to School #34, spoke with youngsters about my FRIENDSHIP BRIDGES, and took part in a ceremony honoring a woman who had been the school custodian for over 50 years.  It was her 70th birthday.  I returned by METRO, the Moscow subway, to my room in the National Hotel.

On Saturday, May 6th, I met with colleagues of the USSR CIVIL AIR BOARD (CAB) for our fifth negotiating session to establish policy for light Western aircraft to fly Red Airway One to Moscow without a Soviet navigator.

An exciting statement came out of Washington recently when President Bush said, "I will assist the USSR in its integration into the community of nations."  This statement may sound casual but it carries a breadth of possibilities with tremendous hope for the future.  There are many ways in which our president may help the Soviet Union become more "normal" by Western standards.  BUT - the president needs help in this tremendous task and those of us with special skills need to provide what help we can.  I have carved out a small area within my expertise, and am a partner with my president by focusing upon CAB airspace policy.  My goal is to make Soviet airspace more like Western airspace.  CAB must be gently persuaded that instrument-rated pilots of light aircraft should be trusted in their skies.  They need to be told that their navigation aides are more than adequate for Western pilot navigation, and they must rid themselves of the paranoia of requiring a Soviet navigator in light Western aircraft flying into Moscow.  This is the partnership task I have assumed as one of my contributions toward making the USSR an integrated member of the community of nations.

Negotiations with the USSR CIVIL AIR BOARD (CAB) cannot be rushed.  In each of my negotiating sessions I have offered a small number of concepts for their consideration, established a future meeting date, and returned in three or four months with additional information or suggestions for them to consider.

This time, my suggestions dealt with ways of protecting Soviet controllers from inexperienced pilots who might become disoriented in the Soviet system.  I suggested. there was little risk to CAB if proper requirements were established.  For example, pilots approved for independent Soviet flight should be instrument rated, file IFR flight plans for daylight hours only, carry an acceptable level of current aircraft equipment (which could be predetermined by CAB), and have current maps.

In time, the airport at Tallinn should be open to civilian Western flights.  Its current military activity has precluded that to date, but when Tallinn is opened, the Soviets will have Leningrad and Tallinn where light aircraft could land, clear customs, and then proceed to their destinations within the USSR via established air routes.  When this happens, Soviet skies will be like skies you and I have flown in the farthest reaches of the world.  And, when Soviet skies become like Western skies, we will have made one small step in helping the Soviets become a more integrated member of the community of nations.

The meeting with CAB went well.  I discussed two pending Soviet flights with them - the eleven-year-old youngster's trip with his father and family in their Cessna 210, and a Cessna float-plane pilot who wants to land next to the Kremlin on the downtown Moscow river.  A more appropriate landing area was identified as "Serebrjanjy Bor" or "Silver Forest" on the Moscow River just outside of the city.  The next meeting was scheduled for September 20, 1989.

On Sunday, May 7th, I preached for my friend Rev. Anatoly Sokolov.  This was a commitment arranged months in advance, and it was once again pleasant to "preach the Word" to Soviet Christians.  The text was "Faith" based upon the Biblical reference of Ephesians 2:8.

There was also time to visit with Anatoly and I asked him, "What changes has the church undergone with the advent of 'glasnost'?"

"Millard - the change is remarkable!  Had you asked me two years ago where we would be today, in my wildest dreams I would never have guessed we could have made such progress!  We can now do charity work in hospitals to minister to the pain and suffering of the sick.  Elections allow our leaders to be a part of government, and under the new law the church is an equal partner in society.  And, - our children and youth work has blossomed!"

This was good news, and I enjoyed seeing Anatoly so animated with enthusiasm.

*  *  *  *  *  *

I've enjoyed reading "Voyager", Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager's story of their non-refueled circumnavigation of the earth.  A fascinating story, and how often I felt a tinge of "deja vu" as it brought to mind similarities.  Their chapter on fund-raising recounted identical experiences we've had.  Everyone has a friend "who would surely provide the funding you need."  Of course, the Voyager had hundreds of volunteers in one location, and a fully manned communication center for their flight, while my sponsorship partners are scattered.  I "piggy-backed" on the BENDIX/KING Home Base HF Center for my communication with the world on my Washington-Moscow record flight.  TEN ROMEO's weather problems over the North Pole, where we almost "lost it", the nearly disastrous turbulence over Greenland, and the very real likelihood of failure on the Bermuda Triangle flight due to unpredicted headwinds were vividly brought to mind as I read of Voyager's trip.  But, Dick and Jeana were flying an aircraft that was basically unstable, and the comfort of my cockpit is almost a sin to contemplate along with thoughts of Voyager.

You may recall that Jeana provided assistance when I was having problems retanking TEN ROMEO following my first ocean crossing.  That was back when the Voyager crew was mighty busy, and I certainly appreciated her help.

In "Voyager" I found reference to Jeana's "magic door" - that point in time when unexpectedly good things happen.  My reference to similar events is "prevenient grace" - that lucky break just around the corner waiting to give your spirits a boost.

*  *  *  *  *  *

A pleasant "magic door" opened for me on the May Soviet trip when I met Adriano Callegari and his bright son and beautiful wife.  Adriano is director of the Honeywell operation in Moscow, and since Honeywell bought Sperry, it was like finding a member of my sponsorship family right in Moscow!  What fun that was!  I had a delightful lunch with the Callegaris, spoke about my FRIENDSHIP BRIDGES at the Anglo-American School where their son is a student, and gained much insight and assistance through Adriano's Moscow knowledge and contacts.

A primary objective upon arrival in Moscow was to attempt to remove whatever roadblocks there might be to the arrangements for a group of ten students from School #29 to take part in the Bavarian Mountain Retreat Seminar with West German students under the sponsorship of the HYPO-BANK.  The fifteen West German students I met at the retreat a year before had been delighted and fascinated by my stories of the wonderful Soviet students in School #29 who are my friends, and steps were immediately taken to invite a Soviet student group for the 1989 program.  I stressed to Klaus, the program coordinator, that it might require that someone from Bavaria go to Moscow to guarantee success of the project, but that seemed an unlikely possibility.  I said I would represent them when in Moscow and do what I could to put in place their FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE.

On Friday, May 5th, I called my friend Yanna, the Head English teacher at School #29, and asked if the invitation from Bavaria had been received.  The first one had been lost in the mail she said, but a follow-up copy had been received.  I asked if they had responded to it.

"Millard, we received the invitation, and we were absolutely delighted.  But we didn't know how to respond to it.  You see, Millard, we want to go so very much, but we don't have any money for travel to Bavaria.  We didn't know how to handle the problem of money.  They might have thought we were asking them for travel money, and that would have been so impolite when they have sent us such a generous invitation!"

How could the sterling quality of these delightful Soviet friends be more obviously expressed?  Such sensitivity, mixed with the strong desire to respond properly to the generosity of the Bavarian education and bank officials, was clear.  However, she was aware of the risk of making an inappropriate statement to be criticized by Soviet education officials.

By phone I helped Yanna structure an appropriate response that expressed pleasure with the invitation, identified the time frame as excellent, told of the students' excitement, and indicated that obtaining visas should be no problem.  She closed the telegram by saying they (School #29 officials) were "exploring possibilities of funding for the travel costs".  Yanna sent this telegram to the Bavarian school officials first thing Saturday morning.

On Monday, I received an ecstatic call from Yanna.  "Millard, Millard, - we have solved the money problem.  We are all set to go!!!!!"  What excitement!

My departure from Moscow was scheduled on the night train Thursday, May 11th.  I was packing in my room Thursday at 2:00 p.m. when a telephone call came from Yanna.  "Millard! Come quickly!  We have an unexpected problem!"

The taxi trip to School #29 took five minutes, and I went to the anteroom of the principal's office to wait for Yanna to come down from the third floor.  In the waiting room a man was filling out papers; I introduced myself.  His English was impeccable, and when I learned he was a Soviet, I gave him copies of a couple of my reports and a brochure saying, "I build FRIENDSHIP BRIDGES between America and the Soviet Union".  Yanna and the principal, Anna, arrived and we went into the office.

Yanna was terribly agitated.  "Millard, we have a terrible problem!  The local political office - just down the street - has forbidden the issue of our visas!?!?!  They say there is a Soviet law which states no minor child under 18 years of age may leave the Soviet Union unless accompanied by a parent!  What can we do????"

And there it was!  A local political stronghold where "glasnost" had not yet penetrated!

The next 45 minutes were highly focused on calling friend after friend for advice and help.  This friend was out of the office, that friend would be back tomorrow, and so it went. Between calls, I paced the office floor, desperately searching my memory for a contact, a piece of information, a possible solution to such a minor mechanical problem that could deny untold pleasure to my Soviet and Bavarian student friends!  (A similar concentrated effort occurred in 1968, when the SDS [Students for a Democratic Society] attempted to close down my campus.  That battle I won.  This confrontation with Soviet Ward officials I would lose.)

The several friends I could reach did not have a solution.  I held out one last possibility to Principal Anna and Head English Teacher Yanna - a direct contact with my friend in Bavaria asking that he pull all stops in applying political pressure for the release of visas on the basis of "in loco parentis".  I left the room dejected and spent by the Herculean effort.

As I entered the anteroom, a most unexpected "magic door" opened!

The gentleman I had met before entering the office thrust his hand into mine, put his other hand on my shoulder and said, "Dr. Harmon, I've been reading your material!  I never dreamed there could be an American working so hard, alone and without support, for the benefit of Soviet/American friendship!  I am particularly impressed with your desire to use TEN ROMEO as an assist in the disengagement of forces in Europe."  (Was it my published material that impressed him, or had he heard my efforts in the inner office as he waited to see the principal?  One door is not a tight sound barrier.)

This was Igor Sevostianov, PhD, former member of the Soviet Arms Negotiating Team, who was filling out transfer papers for his son to accompany him to his new assignment in Turkey.  We discussed the changes in NATO and Eastern Block thinking on arms control.  With the excitement of rapprochement between East and West, I have felt that ushering in a new era of peace in the European region is far too important to leave only to the military and political entities.  This event needs to be joined by a "civilian" component to complete the triad, and TEN ROMEO is available. Igor agreed with the premise, but said, "Millard - you are structuring TEN ROMEO's contribution too specifically.  There may never be a European DMZ for you to fly over.  We may have gone beyond that point already.  What you need to do is simply offer TEN ROMEO's service to the negotiating teams and allow them to plan the best way to make use of your "civilian arm" in support of the present exciting changes!"

Igor gave me the names of three Soviets to contact, and I left, encouraged by meeting a new friend who had helped to expand my thinking.

There were many contacts with friends in Moscow that deserve more attention, but space is short: Andrew has a friend exploring Soviet publishing options for our NEWSLETTERs; there was coffee with Sara and Victor; first steps were taken to arrange an exchange of pursers between the Gorge Ots (the HelsinkiTallinn ferry) and a US ferry line.  And, in Tallinn just before departure, I joined a wedding party - that of Rita Kesa's best friend, Kire.

In leaving this part of my report I must mention a problem with potential long-range implications for my continued Soviet efforts.

In January Intourist, the Soviet Travel Agency, eliminated "Category D", their 40-rubles-per-night Moscow "economy" hotel fee.  This more than doubled my USSR costs.  I had a very satisfactory meeting with Deputy Shagalov on the matter, and while his arrangements must be reviewed for final approval, if approved, my Soviet work could continue for the foreseeable future.  I requested credit on slippage between November confirmation and the January increase, and asked for status as an Intourist "Tour Planner" which would give me a reasonable reduction in costs.  Final approval was expected in early June, but has yet to be received.  This report is late, since I have momentarily expected approval from Intourist for our NEWSLETTER report.

While I am reluctant to admit it, my travel plans for September are not yet firm, pending Intourist's decision.  It would be disappointing to sever a 31year relationship with Intourist.  What is needed now is a "magic door", or a large dose of prevenient grace.  If Intourist is unwilling to give me the special status requested, I will request help from my Soviet friends in finding a way to reduce expenses within the USSR.  (I have neither the energy nor the inclination to start in at "ground zero" with another bureaucratic Soviet agency'.)  If I'm unable to reduce expenses, it may mean my Soviet FRIENDSHIP BRIDGES have served their purpose and perhaps, even, that my Soviet efforts should be discontinued.

But - on to TEN ROMEO matters!

An unexpected byproduct of my TEN ROMEO activities is the warm, friendly relationships which have developed with sponsors.  When I arrived at the BENDIX/KING hangar in Olathe, Kansas, for an annual check of my King panel, Gil and his crew seemed more like family after all these years of partnership.  This is a real "magic door", and is true of dozens of friends scattered across the country whom I'd never have known without TEN ROMEO's team of interested sponsors.  I appreciate their help, but treasure their friendship.

I was at the ABS Annual Convention in St. Louis recently where I presented a seminar and placed TEN ROMEO on static display.  This meeting is always great fun.  Time to see old friends and gain new sponsors.  John Baker, president of AOPA and one of my earliest sponsors, was a speaker.  What a dynamic proponent of flying interests he is in Washington as he fights for General Aviation rights!  In 1990 I'll provide a safety seminar at the AOPA convention.  My friend Don Engen spoke.  He is president of the AOPA Safety Foundation, and I've heard good things said about him in my worldwide travels.  TEN ROMEO may be used in the safety films he is presently planning.  Don Carey, a friend for 20 years, did an excellent job presenting Beech factory's support of their products in the field.

Following my presentation, I agreed to lead a flight of six Bonanzas into Moscow next spring.  My friends have suggested this each year since my first Moscow flight, and my answer has always been, "when the time is right".  Negotiations with the USSR CAB are going well enough so that I was comfortable in saying "yes" for next spring's flight.  That will be fun!

On my return from the mid-west, TEN ROMEO's engine seemed to run a bit rough.  Investigation revealed the magnetos needed attention.  I called my friend at the CONTINENTAL magneto plant in Atlanta, and what a delightful response.  "No problem, Mil - send them down to me and I'll turn them around in 24 hours!"  Thanks, Bud.  (Sure is nice to have committed sponsors!)

I made a quick flight to Buffalo recently to film a TV training package.  Toward the end I was asked, as I stood in front of TEN ROMEO with the cameras running, "What's the biggest change you've seen in your many years of flying?"  My answer was, "I've been fortunate in flying nearly 50 years.  My greatest appreciation is for those who build equipment that make aircraft safer.  John Youngquist developed a solid-state computer called a GEM which sits in my panel and gives me twelve pieces of information at a glance.  Everyone knows about Paul Ryan's Stormscope, and now he has an aircraft avoidance system which will soon be in all of our panels.  Howard Botts has a transistorized tachometer.  Walt Dean, a grand old gentleman, is Mr. Loran, himself.  These talented men have focused their genius to give pilots state-of-the-art equipment which makes our flying far safer than we ever dreamed it could be just a few short years ago!"

On a new subject, the July 4th Pittsfield, Massachusetts, parade was carried on national TV this year, and I served as "air coordinator".  Our plans were carefully laid - my call sign was "Top Cover", the A-b flight was "Hit Man", (there were others) and our ground controller was "Sir Lancelot".  TEN ROMEO made two sets of passes over the parade, but weather' was restricting.  A pity, but thanks for the credit line, Steve!  (It'll be better in 1990!)

We have a number of new sponsors which are listed on the cover page.  OMEGA has become the official timepiece for TEN ROMEO's flight activities through factory support in Bienne, Switzerland.  NBAA joined us through help of an admirer on their staff.  (Thanks, DeeDee.)  Rosen Product Development signed on with a pair of their see-through sun visors.  Chelton purchased the Shaw static wick operation, and picked up replacement of our broken wicks.  (Static display continues to be rough - folks don't realize how delicate static wicks are.)  Professional Electronics provides help when we need it, and Repeat Business Systems helped my efforts become more efficient with FAX capability.

These folks have become the newest members of our great team, and will be partners in the excitement ahead for TEN ROMEO.

*  *  *  *  *  *

My September Soviet trip will be exciting.  Hopefully, I'll have a final successful session with CAB and open Soviet airways.  I'll have a beautiful gift for a Soviet museum.  (If the Soviet customs officials guess its dollar value, it may be confiscated!)  I'll get the P-39 serial number.  (Pack your bag, Ivan!)  In Tallinn I'll lock in American visitation dates for spring, 1990, with School #7 and Rev. Parnamets' congregation.  I'll prefile flight plans with CAB for next spring, and have coffee with many Soviet friends.

I have fond memories of my May Soviet visit.  I was on the METRO, returning to my hotel from School #34 where I'd visited students and staff.  I stood in front of a woman who studied me intently.  She saw the American flag on my flight jacket.  She had a tattered coat carefully buttoned around a generous figure, and wore the standard grandmother-type babushka.  Her eyes carried the contented look of a woman who had dealt for 70-plus years with a hard life, but had come to an acceptable accommodation.  There was sparkle, and a question in her beautiful eyes as she studied this tall American before her in the strange uniform.  I leaned down and whispered in her ear, "MIR" (PEACE), as the subway came to a halt.  The woman stood, made her way through the crowded subway car, and stepped out onto the platform.  She turned and her eyes met mine as she gave me a beautiful smile, a slight wave, --- and was lost in the throng of Moscow commuters.  A small brush with eternity as two souls momentarily met, then parted, the better for the meeting.

Moscow is a wonderful city!