The Middle Peninsula-Northern Neck chapter of the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society will hold its monthly luncheon next Thursday, Nov. 18, at 11:30 a.m. at the Pilot House Restaurant, Topping. A presentation is planned by fighter pilot and TOPGUN (U.S. Navy Fighter Tactics Instructor program) instructor James “Jim” Ruliffson.

2019 marked the 50th anniversary of the advanced training program which dramatically increased shoot-downs by Navy aviators during the Vietnam War. The first four pilots invited to join TOPGUN as instructors included Ruliffson.Upon completion of his tour at TOPGUN, Ruliffson made his third combat deployment, after which he completed training at the Naval Test Pilot School before returning to TOPGUN as Commanding Officer in 1975.

The chapter meets on the third Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and a presentation of informative aviation programs. Everyone interested in aviation is invited to join the members at the restaurant, which is adj...