Indy Transponder: Indy Transponder 1-MAR-10 0230z

Bob Hoover at Reno 1988 from Tailspin
The great Bob Hoover performs in the Shrike Commander and the Rockwell sabreliner at the Reno Air Races in 1987-88. Notice Bob had a habit of shutting off the engines in the Skrike AND in the sabreliner to demonstrate his mastery of ...

Soaring to the Next Level: Business Climate Won't Dampen AV Companies - San Fernando Valley Business Journal
Nemesis Air Racing, a small company making racing airplanes, recently moved to Arizona, Witt said. The airfield is intent on being the location for first ...

Pilot Part of History - The Ledger
Howie Keefe's days as a pilot flying fast and high may be gone but the 88-year-old's passion for aviation is still flying high with the ...

Ex-aerobatic pilot's plane shown at state air exhibit from The Kathryn Report
An airplane flown by Howell's world-famous aerobatic pilot Henry Haigh Sr. is a featured exhibit at the Air Zoo in Portage. Haigh piloted the plane, called the Superstar, to win countless national and international competitions, including the 1988 World Aerobatic Championship in Alberta, Canada. At 64 years old, Haigh etched his name with Guinness World Records as the oldest pilot to win the a world championship in aviation. No pilot before or since has matched the accomplishment. Now, the 86-year-old's name and accomplishments are on display to the world, and so too is his most-trusted plane — one he built himself in the early 1970s. ...

Louise Thaden flies from Santa Monica to Cleveland to win first women's air ... from www.cleveland.com:
News stories reported that an "enormous" 18-passenger Boeing airliner attracted the largest crowds at the exhibits at 1929 Cleveland National Air Races. ...

Daily Headlines from the IndyTransponder can now be heard on...

Macross 25th Anniversary Valkryie Airshow from OneRiot.com
The 25th Anniversary for the Macross Saga, with all the Valkyries from the various series, including the recent Valkyrie models from Macross Frontier

Hollister Airshow - May 29-30, 2010:
AEROBATIC PERFORMANCES, AIRCRAFT DISPLAYS, FLY-IN   VENDORS, SAT & SUN 10AM - 4PM

DVD Review: RAF Waddington International Airshow 2009 by Flightline UK
The largest of the RAF airshows, the Waddington International Air Show took place in relatively good weather in early July. The show featured the usual mix of RAF and international military displays as well as few select civilian acts. ...

DVD Review: Sunderland International Airshow 2009 by Flightline UK
Sunderland International Air Show is one of the biggest seaside airshows in the country. 2008's 20th Anniversary show was wiped out by persistant sea fret but 2009 saw clear conditions on both days. The footage starts with the Red ...

Free concert to honor Doolittle Raiders from General aviation News
The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders will be honored in a special way during their 68th reunion with a tribute concert performed by the U.S. Air Force's "Airmen of Note" at Wright State University's Nutter Center April 17 at 7:30 p.m.
The concert, which is free to the public, will feature patriotic and World War II-era music. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. No tickets are necessary and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Created in 1950 to carry on the tradition of Major Glenn Miller's Army Air Corps dance band, the "Airmen of Note" features 18 of the most talented jazz musicians in the country and is one of the last touring big bands.
Other events planned during what could possibly be the Raiders' last major public reunion include three autograph sessions, a memorial service and a B-25 flyover at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Fundraising efforts by the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association, Inc. to fly in and land 25 B-25 Mitchell bombers on the runway behind the museum continue. If their efforts are successful, this aviation event would be the largest gathering of B-25s since World War II. To date, 18 B-25 bombers have agreed to participate. Those interested in helping to make this flight of B-25 bombers possible should contact Tom Casey with the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association, Inc. at 941-921-7361 or by email at: tomcat911@comcast.net.
For the full reunion schedule, including event times, click here.

Exclusive Video: Last Flight of an English Electric Lightning (And Pilot Dave Stock) from AVwebFlash Current Issue
The crash of a rare and historic English Electric Lightning MK T5 on November 14, 2009 was unique for the history of the model and the renown of its pilot, Dave Stock. Here AVweb compiles historic video and actual event footage to review the event that saw both Stock and the aircraft lost. ...

Taking flak: WWII gunner, bombardier shares his story - Taylor Daily Press
... he saw his fair share of flying metal during his two-year stint in the European theater as a turret gunner flying missions in B-17 bombers. ...

Meet two Dragon Ladies on March 13 from You Fly, Girl by Cathy Gale
from Aero-News Network:
Smithsonian Celebrates Women In aviation And Space
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Will Host Events On March 13
The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM) will host a free "Heritage Family Day" themed around "Women in aviation and Space" on Saturday March 13, from 10am to 3pm. Events will take place at the NASM's Udvar-Hazy Center where parents and children will learn about the accomplishments of women in aviation, science and aerospace.
Visitors will learn about the accomplishments of Amelia Earhart, the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs), astronaut Sally Ride, and women who are currently contributing to aviation, science, technology, and space exploration. Book signings, story time, and fun and educational hands-on activities will take place throughout the Museum.
Speakers for the day include Maj. Nicole Malachowski, the first female plot in the USAF Thunderbirds exhibition team, and Maj. Merryl Tengesdal and Capt. Heather Fox, two of only six female pilots in the history of the U-2 "Dragon Lady". The Women in aviation and Space program is presented in partnership with the Girl Scouts of America, and visitors will be able to view science projects by local Girl Scout troops.

WASP reflects on time flying in WWII from Air Force Times
At a time when women were restricted from many occupations, Elizabeth Munoz became one of the first in the country to fly military aircraft during World War II.
"Women were considered not quite up to doing most things," said the 92-year-old Pomeroy veteran. "You could only be a teacher, a nurse, a clerk or something like that."
But in 1942, America was faced with a shortage of pilots.
"They were losing pilots very heavily," Munoz said. "The outcome of the war was not all certain."
At the request of Gen. Hap Arnold, famed female pilot Jacqueline Cochran began a program to train women to become military pilots. The Women Airforce Service Pilots program began.
On Dec. 20, 1944, WASP was disbanded. Those women could join the military, but they wouldn't be able to be pilots again, Munoz said.
"That was kind of a letdown," she said. "When we went in, the promise was if we succeeded, we'd be brought in and militarized. They didn't need us anymore. So we went back to whatever we were doing."
Decades would pass before WASP was recognized by Congress and President Carter as members of the armed forces. Formal accolades finally came in July when President Obama signed a bill co-sponsored by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to those who served in the WASP program.
A March 10 Congressional Gold Medal ceremony at the Capitol will recognize the contributions of WASP flyers. ...

Groups come to female pilots' aid from WASP & WINGS
Waco-based groups seek funds to pay for medals for WWII flyersThe female pilots who served during World War II had to pay their own way to enter training. When a fellow "fly girl" died, their only option was to take up a collection to cover ...

Road Trip to WAI Conference from Life on the Road as a Pilot
A picture of the Girls With Wings traveling road show....Pretty impressive, isn't it? An 11 year old car which was badly vandalized (can you see the gouges I can't afford to fix on the hood and down the side where someone took a screwdriver or other tool to the paint? Grr.) towing a simple little trailer filled with marketing materials and items sold to raise funds for the Girls With Wings organization. And no, I have not learned to skillfully back up with a trailer. I usually unhook it and push it to where I need it to be. I am a whiz at many things, but I have my limitations. ...

Illinois Hall of Fame Class of 2010 from General aviation News
Four airmen from Illinois will be inducted into the Illinois aviation Hall of Fame May 19. William Coons from Lombard, Arnold Zimmerman from Downers Grove, Rick Weinberg (deceased) from Champaign, and Billie Somerville (deceased) from Coal City.
Also, the Spirit of Flight Award has been awarded to the Womens Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of Illinois.
All have been recognized for their good character and excellence over a period of time and their volunteer efforts within the aviation community, according to Hall of Fame officials.
For more information: 217-528-5230 Extension 4 or IlAvHallOfFame.org

Most memorable aviation records of 2009 from General aviation News
The National Aeronautic Association (NAA), as the official record keeper for United States aviation, each year tracks dozens of world and national record attempts. New U.S. records are certified and those qualifying as world records are then ratified with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world air sports federation. ...

March 2010 from Pacific Wings Magazine
..... Tauranga City Air Show | Diane Jeffrey reports on the recent Tauranga City Airshow.
Derek Erskine—Double Survivor (Part 2) | In the last issue, we featured the story of Derek Erskine's first aviation "survival" story—his WWII fighter pilot days. In part 2, we tell the story of his survival of New Zealand's early topdressing years in an industry that claimed many lives.
Letters from War—The Journey | Veteran combat helicopter pilot—now a civilian, but still flying in a war zone—Don Harward talks about helicopters and the journey of life.

College students, grads can fly with Marines at Broomfield airport from The Kathryn Report
Enterprise staff | The Marine Corps` Denver office will give college students and graduates a chance to experience aviation firsthand during an orientation program March 8 and 9 at the Rocky Mountain Regional Airport in Broomfield.
Participants will be allowed to fly a King Air aircraft with the guidance of a Marine Corps afromtor as part of an awareness and recruiting campaign to inform students and graduates about alternative job opportunities.
"This is a great way for students to further their education and gain practical experience to know if aviation and the Marine Corps is right for them," said Sgt. Justin Pack, marketing and public affairs Marine for the Denver office. ...

Aero Club of Atlanta presents Epps Award from General aviation News
The Aero Club of Atlanta recently honored Dr. Debi Huffman with the First Annual 2009 Epps Award for Outstanding aviation Achievement in Georgia.
Huffman has inspired students who later become astronauts, including two students from Henderson High School, the only known school in the world to graduate two NASA astronauts. Huffman initiated aerospace programs at Fernbank Science Center in 1976 and has taught there ever since. She is the founder of the SEMAA (NASA's Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy) LINKS Engineering team and sponsored the Wild Blue Wonders Team America Rocketry Challenge. She is a founding advisor of the Transportation Education Foundation of Georgia (TEFGA). ...

This is flying from Unicom
It's an amazing place to fly, and the D140 Mousquetaire is a pretty special aeroplane.

Bahamas Day at Banyan from General aviation News
Bruce Woodrell, Banyan's customer support ambassador, Bill Garghill, Banyan's director of customer support, and Bahamian Policeman Lafayette Dorsett welcomed attendees to the first Bahamas Day.
Banyan Air Service, at Florida's Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), hosted the first annual Bahamas Day Feb. 20, for pilots who wanted information on flying to the Bahamas. ...

WIll a SpaceShipThree be Advanced By New Commercial Space Policy in Washington? from Spaceports
While flights are being set to commence at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California for the first tests of SpaceShipTwo (SS2) to make way for the first human-rated commercial spaceflights from New Mexico in 2011, commercial space policy advocates will seek to advance a commercial ferry for Point-to-Point (P2P) exo-atmospheric spacecraft conceptualized as SpaceShipThree (SS3) inspired by the 1960's design of the Dyna-Soar. ...

The Politics of NASA's New Path by Miles O'Brien
The NASA boss Charlie Bolden is a former Marine fighter and test pilot and astronaut and he is used to taking flak – after all he flew a hundred combat missions over southeast Asia during the Vietnam war. So facing off with some lawmakers on Capitol Hill over the controversial Obama NASA budget proposal – piece of cake- right? Well, it started out that way – he began with the Senate Subcommittee on Science & Space. The chairman – his former shuttle crew member – then Congressman – now Senator Bill Nelson. Watch their exchange here.

Shuttles and Astronauts by Miles O'Brien
The Space Shuttle Endeavour was fresh off its night time landing at the Kennedy Space Center. The 6 person crew – led by Marine Colonel George Zamka – the guy they call Zambo – logged a successful mission to the Space Station – installing the Tranquility Node – with its stunning Cupola. Matter of fact station keeper Soichi Noguchi watched Endeavour streak through re-entry "He tweeted that "The view was definitely out-of-the-world." ...