Guns & Roses Valentine's Breakfast - 14 February 2026
Chapter 973 celebrate Valentine's Day in true aviation style
By Willie Bodenstein
15 February 2026
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Saturday the 14th of February saw Chapter 973 celebrate Valentine's Day in true aviation style with their Guns & Roses Valentine's Breakfast at Jack's, the Chapter's clubhouse at Jack Taylor Airfield.
Niel Bowden & Laura McDermit
TC Schultz & Goitse Diale
When I last visited on 24 January for the inaugural breakfast, Jack's was still very much a work in progress. Now, with the floor fully tiled and the clubhouse dressed up in red-and-white checkered tablecloths, flowers, and balloons, it looked festive and welcoming, the perfect setting for a Valentine's-themed gathering of aviators and friends.
The keynote speaker for the morning was the Chapter's secretary, retired United States Air Force Colonel T.C. Schultz, a former F-111 Aardvark pilot. TC's lifelong passion for aviation began in childhood, flying with his father, who served as a Marauder pilot in World War Two. Since earning his wings in 1972, TC has accumulated an impressive flying career, holding a Commercial Pilot's Licence with Instrument and Multi-Engine ratings and is a Certified Flight Instructor.
Commissioned into the USAF in 1983, he flew the F-111 operationally in the UK, served as an instructor in Idaho, and later worked in flight test operations in California. His diplomatic and administrative career was equally distinguished, serving as Air Attaché at the U.S. Embassies in Tel Aviv and Pretoria, and later with U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany, before retiring to South Africa in 2020.
I have always found the F-111 a fascinating aircraft, perhaps because its name carries a distinct Afrikaans ring to it!
Developed in the 1960s by General Dynamics under Robert McNamara's TFX program, the F-111 was revolutionary for its time. It pioneered variable-sweep wings, afterburning turbofan engines, and automated terrain-following radar, setting the stage for later multi-role strike aircraft. Despite early developmental challenges, especially with its engines, the F-111 became a proven performer. Variants such as the FB-111A strategic bomber and EF-111A electronic warfare aircraft followed, while the naval F-111B version was cancelled before production.
The F-111 entered USAF service in 1967 and saw heavy use in Vietnam, flying over 4,000 combat missions with remarkably few losses. It also served with distinction during the 1991 Gulf War, achieving one of the highest mission success rates of any strike aircraft. The Royal Australian Air Force's F-111C variant, delivered in 1973, went on to serve as Australia's primary long-range strike aircraft for decades.
Following TC's fascinating presentation, Goitse Diale provided an insightful update on the long-debated 12-year engine overhaul rule. He outlined the regulatory progress and acknowledged that, while significant common ground has now been reached, it will still take time before many of the affected aircraft are airborne again.
The technical portion of the morning continued with the first of a planned series of hands-on workshops. Kevin Hopper presented a practical demonstration on relocating the Rotax oil pressure sensor - explaining not only the procedure, but also the reasons, materials, and tools required. As Kevin noted, the sensor, typically located at the oil pump, plays a vital role in monitoring oil pressure and preventing engine overheating - crucial to ensuring safe and reliable operation.
Many thanks go to the ever-hospitable members of Chapter 973 for another well-organized and thoroughly enjoyable morning. With such passion, camaraderie, and enthusiasm, the Chapter's future looks as bright as the polished tiles in Jack's!
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