Indy Transponder 12-May 0945z

Tumbling Bear Airshow Pilot Survives Modesto Crash from AVwebFlash Current Issue - Airshow performer Rob Harrison Saturday crashed his Zlin 50LX while performing at Modesto airport, and though one witness told a local ABC news channel, "the plane just went all to pieces," Harrison, 66, survived the impact with serious injuries. The pilot, nicknamed "The Tumbling Bear," was performing a rolling maneuver at low level near the end of his routine when the aircraft touched the ground and slid for about 100 feet before coming to rest on its side, relatively far from spectators. A crowd of about 4,000 people witnessed the crash and stayed to watch remote-control aircraft perform following Harrison's evacuation by helicopter to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto. Harrison was reported Sunday to be resting in stable condition. Details of his injuries were not released.
http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Tumbling_Bear_Modesto_Crash_Harrison_197840-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS

Zlin 50LX Aerobatics / Rob Harrison "the Tumbling Bear" from Keith Breazeal Video Productions - by keith - Rob Harrison puts the Zlin 50LX through it's paces and creates a crowd pleasing display of aerobatics. The "Tumbling Bear" fills the sky with twisting and tumbling smoke trails that display Rob's aerobatic talent and the capability of the Czech built Zlin 50LX. Rob honed his aerobatic skills at the Zlin advanced aerobatics school and then ordered his first Zlin 50.

Upset Training Aircraft Crash Kills Two from AVwebFlash Current Issue - An Extra 300L operated by Aviation Performance Solutions LLC (APS) crashed Friday, killing two aboard. APS offers upset recovery and spin training. APS instructor Jim "Clap" Clapper was killed in the crash along with another pilot identified by a local CBS news affiliate as "an experienced commercial pilot." Clapper is a former F-4 and F-105 pilot. He had 20 years and 1,400 hours experience flying competition aerobatics, with 8 years flying competitive unlimited aerobatics. In 1995 Clapper was Arizona State Champion -- Advanced Aerobatics. Clapper was employed with the school as an instructor in aerobatics, upset recovery and spin training. The aircraft was returning from a training flight when it crashed approximately eight miles east of the Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona. "The type of maneuvers they were doing during that flight were very basic, nothing advanced," said Paul Ransbury, president of APS. "It is clear that numerous families were affected by this terrible tragedy," he said. "Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with all of those who were involved in this tragic accident and their families."
http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/APS_extra_crash_clapper_197841-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS

OC Air Show lineup announced Salisbury Daily Times, MD ... NASA's P-3 aircraft, aerial maneuvers by the US Jet Aerobatic Team and a performance by the US Army's Golden Knights parachute team. ...
http://www.dailytimesonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080512/NEWS01/805120308/1002/NEWS01

Flying ahead Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, CA - CHINO - Between two hangars filled with colorful and imposing warbirds from a bygone era, construction is under way on a new museum attraction. ...
http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_9229255

Victorians fly high with 'true aviator' Harrison Times Colonist, Canada - 13 minutes ago... the first flight of the reborn "high-tech marvel" across Canada to the original de Havilland factory in Downsview, Ont., for a 60th anniversary fly-in. ...
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/arts/story.html?id=59c5e7f7-8df4-4e9f-b9b6-ab321112e096

Spokesman: Pittsburgh air show draws record first-day crowd CBS 3, PA - (AP) An Air Force Reserve spokesman says an annual air show held in the Pittsburgh area over the weekend attracted a record number of people on its opening ...
http://cbs3.com/pennsylvaniawire/22.0.html?type=local&state=PA&category=n&filename=PA--PittsburghAirShow.xml

Last Surviving Crew Member of the Enola Gay from Military Photos - General Discussion by Hilbert - This weekend the National World War Two Museum, formerly the D-Day Museum here in New Orleans gave host to Captain Theodore VanKirk, the navigator and last surviving crew member of the infamous "Enola Gay" B-29 that dropped the Little Boy Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima. In addition to telling stories of his adventures, the man was also signing autographs for a recently published book "The 509th Remembered -- A History of the 509th Composite Group as told by the Veterans that Dropped the Atomic Bombs on Japan," and doing pictures. http://www.nationalww2museum.org/cal...iew/1210395600
As I live in Metairie, just across the river from New Orleans, I had the honor and privilege of going to meet Captain VanKirk. He signed the book I purchased, we took a picture together, and when all was said and done sat down and had a short conversation. Truly an incredible man with awesome sense of humor. Sorry for the late posting of this, it's been an exceptionally busy day -- it is Mothers Day here in the United States after all. P.S. Pictures of Captain and Book to follow.
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=134021

WW2 German fighter pilot saved U.S. bomber crew from Military Photos - General Discussion by Bluewings - WW2 German fighter pilot saved U.S. bomber crew - Franz Stigler's death in Surrey, B.C., received little notice in the local press, but friends knew a remarkable story about the man -- he had been a decorated German fighter pilot who saved the lives of a U.S. bomber crew.
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=134031

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