Air Force Association Miami-Homestead Chapter, The 317th Leadership Embeds Itself With The Greater Miami Aviation Association (GMAA)

Shown above is the Greater Miami Aviation Association "Banner Plane" which was created by the AFA-317th past Chapter Secretary Catherine Smallwood who operates and manages the Digital Aircraft Factory the aviation marketing arm / subsidiary of the 94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consultant Group and who flys as an ERJ-170 Regional Jet First Officer for Republic Airways

Shown above are AFA-317th President, Lt.Col. Rodrigo Huete (left) and past Chapter President Benny Benitez (right) with past Greater Miami Aviation Association (GMAA) President, Mr. Marc Henderson. The AFA-317th Leadership has embedded themselves via elected positions into the (GMAA).

Miami, Florida 14th April 2010: Founded in 1927, the Greater Miami Aviation Association, commonly known in South Florida as the GMAA is the Nations oldest, professional aviation association. Founded four years before what is now a days Miami International Airport, the GMAA 83 year span has seen the progressive development of the U.S. commercial aviation industry, whose roots were established in Miami with such famous airlines as Pan American World Airways and Eastern Airlines.

The "Relevent" leadership and mindset in which Benny and Rod have implemented within the AFA-317th since November of 2009 and having worked in a sort of "wing-man" concept is now being "exported" to another Miami based organization. It should be noted that with the election of Rod onto the GMAA it marks the first time in the organization 83 year history that it has had a dual Military & Civilian Test Pilot as an elected official on it Board of Directors. Benny has been a member of the GMAA since he stood up his organization, the 94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consultant Group back in 2003 and has held previous positions within the GMAA as a member of the its Board of Directors and was formerly 1st Vice President.

In 2009, Benny took a leave of absents due to operational commitments, as he applied time and effort to other ventures of which included the ramping up of the AFA-317th, but maintained his contacts with the (GMAA) as an advisor to the past President Mr. Dan Sullivan.

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead Chapter, The 317th Vice President Speaks at the Miami Quite Birdmen Association Meeting About Flight Testing

Shown is the famed "Century Fighter" the Convair F-106 "Delta Dart". Aside of the two common platform which both Rod and Eric flew, thus being the F-16 & F-15, they too share flight experience with the F-106. The F-106 was flown by the Florida Air National Guard.

Air Force Association Miami-Homestead Chapter, the 317th, President Lt.Col. Rodrigo "Rod" Huete USAF (Ret.) speaks to the audience of the Miami hangar of the Quite Birdmen Association about the realm of military and civilian test flight and the requirements of test pilots.

Lt.Col Rodrigo "Rod" Huete USAF (Ret.) a former F-16 & F-15 test pilot poses for a picture with "Eric" also a former F-16 & F-15 pilot who was formerly with the Florida Air National Guard. Eric a member of the Miami hangar of the Quite Birdmen Association and who like Rod for flew THE famed Convair delta wing F-106 "Delta Dart". Lt.Col Huete USAF (Ret.) explains to the audience comprised of both civilian and military pilots of his experience as a member of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and as a test pilot for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) while based out of the FAA Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) New York

Miami, Florida April 6th 2010: AFA-317th Chapter member Bernie Schumacher, who is an active member of the Miami Quite Birdmen Association, extended a special invite to AFA-317th Chapter President Lt. Col. Rodrigo "Rod" Huete USAF (Ret.) who spoke about the realm of military and civilian flight testing and test piloting at the Quite Birdmen Association April meeting, which was held at the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant.

Also, present by invite was AFA-317th Chapter President, Benny F. Benitez, who along with Rod proudly represented the 317th and provided copies of AFA magazines to the attendees.

Rod's speech present an in depth look at what is often a secret and unknown world of the test pilot. From the days of our Nation's space exploration "The Right Stuff" to today's corp of American and foreign test pilots, both military and civilian, the audience was able to obtain a detailed briefing as to how it all plays out. Rod's ability to blend his real life experience as test pilot with the USAF and the FAA with formulated instructional visuals cues and slides, provided a brilliant, informative and entertaining evening for all who attended and gave yet another positive exposure to the AFA-317th within the community.

A special thanks goes out to the member's of the Miami Quite Birdmen Association for extending a warm welcome to the AFA.