Climb For The Museum

Climb For The Aviation Museum Foundation

Restoration Project for the Army YH-41A Seneca Helicopter

Our goal

Our goal is to raise $9,500 to fund the restoration of the U.S. Army’s sole remaining YH-41A helicopter and the only known surviving aircraft of the 50 CH-1 Skyhook variants built by the Cessna Aircraft Company. Ten CH-1Bs aircraft were purchased in 1956 by the U.S. Army for testing and evaluation before a possible future production contract. These aircraft were designated as the YH-41A Seneca helicopter. On Dec. 27, 1957, Army test pilot CPT James Bowman with the Army Aviation Board from Fort Rucker, flew a YH-41A to a record altitude of 30,335 feet MSL at the Wichita Airport in Kansas, setting two records for a piston-engine helicopter and a helicopter in the 1,102 to 2,204 pound range. Our aircraft is in storage in museum facilities on Fort Rucker, Alabama.    

About Cotopaxi

This mountain is an active stratovolcano located 31 miles (50 km) south of Quito, the capitol city. It is one of the world's highest volcanoes and the second highest in Ecuador’s “Avenue of the Volcanoes,” reaching up 19,347 feet (5897m). Since 1738, Cotopaxi has erupted more than 50 times. The last eruptions occurred from August 2015 to January 2016, closing the mountain to all climbers. It was officially reopened on October 7, 2017 to climbing. The oxygen level at the summit is 48% of sea level and temperatures range from 20 to 26oF without wind chill factors in February. Cotopaxi’s summit is 46.9 miles or .5 degrees south of the Equator, and it is the second closest point to the Sun and third fastest point in space along the Equatorial line as the planet rotates. The summit is traveling about 9/10th of a mile per hour faster than a point at sea-level on the Equator.

Bama Hiker YouTube Channel

Climb for the Aviation Museum

Our Goal!

$9,500.00

$10,220.00

$

We Appreciate Your Support!

  The AAMF received pledges based on a given dollar amount for every 100 feet of elevation completed (45 segments) during the climb

  All pledge donors will receive a certificate of appreciation from the foundation. *Pledges of $100 or more will receive an autographed postcard carried by the expedition team during the climbing in Ecuador.

  Leah Dunkle, foundation manager, is coordinating the pledge donations from individuals, families and business sponsors. One hundred percent of the funds raised will be used to support the restoration project and all contributions are tax deductible. Any funds raised above the $9500 goal will be applied to future restoration projects. All travel costs and climbing expenses are self-funded by James Bullinger. This event is not sponsored or affiliated with the U.S. Army or the Department of Defense.

  The Army Aviation Museum Foundation, Inc., is a non-profit (501c3) organization. Your contributions are tax deductible gifts to the Foundation and support the U.S. Army Aviation Museum through restoration and upkeep of its aircraft, artifacts and collections. Your support in our endeavor to restore Army aircraft and artifacts is essential to preserving the Aviation branch history for Soldiers and the public.

 

The Climbers

In February 2020, Army Aviation Museum Foundation (AAMF) board member James Bullinger will embark on a charity climb to benefit the Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker, Ala. He is helping to raise awareness and funds to support the restoration efforts of a YH-41A helicopter built by the Cessna Aircraft Corp. The goal is to raise $9,500 for the restoration project. Internationally certified mountain guide Estalin Suarez with tour company Andengipfel Reisen of Quito will pair up with Bullinger. Suarez has led Bullinger on previous successful climbs on the volcanoes Rucu and Guagua Pichincha, El Corazon, Illiniza Norte and Cayambe. Bullinger is attempting a new personal high altitude on Cotopaxi, Ecuador’s second tallest volcano without using supplemental oxygen. Bullinger will document this adventure for his Bama Hiker YouTube channel. The team will begin their Cotopaxi attempt from 14,765ft (4500m) and climb a 3-mile route to the summit at 19,347ft (5897m) -- an elevation gain of 4,582 feet (1397m).