Andreini, Kobelt, and the Thrasher Brothers Inducted into Air Show Hall of Fame

Air show pioneer William W. "Pappy" Kobelt, the innovative Thrasher Brothers, and lifetime performer Eddie Andreini are the 2013 inductees into the International Council of Airshows (ICAS) Foundation Hall of Fame.

Eddie Andreini has performed in nearly a thousand air shows over a period just shy of 50 years, flying a customized Russian Yak, a modified 500-hp Super Stearman, and beginning in 2012, a fully restored P-51 Mustang. Andreini also earned the ICAS Sword of Excellence in 2004. Performing primarily on the West Coast, Eddie has also flown internationally, including in the countries of Canada and Australia. According to Eddie, "There is always some small child who you know just became passionate about flying because of what he saw my plane do. Or even an older person will tell me that my performance really went deep into his or her heart and touched him in an unexpected, but so meaningful way," Andreini said. "That, for me, is what keeps me flying."

William W. “Pappy” Kobelt established Kobelt Airport in 1958. Located in New York State, the airport was intended to support Kobelt’s power line patrol operation. But since he was also an air show performer in a Ryan PT-22, he soon added an aerobatic flight school, one of the first in the country. Kobelt Airport became the aerobatic mecca of its day with fly-ins, air shows and the school. In the early 1960’s it was "the" place to find performers, where fledgling aeronauts and experienced fliers went to aviate or just hang out. Today’s performers, competitors, and flight schools owe a debt to Pappy Kobelt for his foresight and love of flight. Pappy Kobelt died in an automobile accident in 1966, but will always be remembered as a visionary with a passion for flight, aerobatic training, and air shows.

The Thrasher Brothers – Grady, Richard (Bud) and Tunis – performed from 1945 to 1950 in 378 air shows from Houston to Erie Pennsylvania to Miami, and were known for organizing and promoting their own shows, known as the Thrasher Brothers Aerial Circus. They also performed as featured acts in other established shows, along with pilots including Woody Edmunson, Bevo Howard, Betty Skelton, and Ben F. Huntley. Their outrageous performances included the aerobatic routine of their Twin Ercoupe (two airplanes bolted together sharing common outer wings), a Piper Cub which took off with Bud hanging on a wingstrut during a complete airport traffic pattern, a "World's Smallest Airport" (cartop landing), car-to-aircraft human transfers, and a parachute jump with Bud displaying an American flag.

The Thrashers, Kobelt, and Andreini will join the impressive list of fifty-nine honorees who have entered the Hall of Fame since 1995. The ceremony will be held on the evening of Thursday, December 5, 2013 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas during the annual ICAS Chairman’s Banquet.

The ICAS Foundation Hall of Fame was created in 1995 as an independent nonprofit organization to honor those who have made a significant impact on the air show industry, to educate today’s generation about their contributions, and to recognize the industry’s top performers throughout the history of air shows.

For more information on the ICAS Foundation: http://www.icasfoundation.org/

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Patriots Jet Team dazzles at the Oregon International Air Show 2013 (photos) - OregonLive.com | The Patriots Jet Team, Mike Wiskus, Kirby Chambliss and Jacquie B, among others, help make opening night a memorable one at the air show in Hillsboro. (15 total photos)....

Visit the ICAS Foundation FB page  - They posted videos this week of 2012 Hall of Fame Inductees Debby Gary, Bill Adams and Bob Davis!

Spectacular Launch For 25th Sunderland International Airshow - Spark Sunderland | A performance from the Red Arrows and a fireworks display helped launch this year’s Sunderland International Airshow in spectacular style on Friday night. Thousands of people attended the launch of this year’s Airshow at Cliffe Park, on the Seaburn/Roker seafront, which also featured a muscial performance from Take That tribute band Re-Take That. The 25th staging of the Airshow was opened up with a display from the Battle of Britain memorial flight, before the Red Arrows made the first of two performances this weekend....

Our Katy hits new heights in reporting - Sunderland Echo | I'd been given the once-in-a-lifetime chance to fly with The Blades aerobatic display team – one of the most agile and adventurous stars of the Sunderland International Airshow. After a safety briefing about what to do if the engine stops mid-air...

The Abbotsford International Airshow is an aviation festival that has grown well beyond its borders over the past 5 decades. With a role from very early on as a significant stop on the 'Airshow Circuit,' Abbotsford has distinguished itself as an event focussed on aviation excellence, aerospace advancement and community participation.

Hope on the horizon for Santa Maria air show - KSBY San Luis Obispo News | Santa Maria's air show has been grounded this year. Organizers say they fell short on raising the funds needed to put on the show this year but are already planning how to get back in the air next year. Funding comes from a combination of donations from the Santa Maria Airport, public donations and sponsors. According to officials for Thunder Over the Valley, they were about $40,000 short and just couldn't raise the rest of the money in time...

Air shows reeling from federal budget cuts watch air traffic control fee fight ... - Washington Post | This is the first time the Federal Aviation Administration has charged for air traffic control at AirVenture, which draws hundreds of thousands of people each year. The event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Experimental Aircraft Association, which paid the $447,000 fee but has petitioned for a refund in federal court. Air show organizers nationwide are watching the fight under the assumption that if EAA loses, they too could soon be asked to pay....

Air-to-air photo shoot - VulconToTheSky.org | We are grateful to Ray A. Evans MInst LM Flt Lt RAF (retired) from Oxfordshire, captain of a Hercules tanker who has sent us a series of images showing XH558 approaching the basket of a Victor tanker. These pictures were taken ahead of the 1992 display season, which ultimately, was to be the last full display season completed whist XH558 was still part of the RAF....

Living History: Boy dreaming of flight earned wings in war - Reading Eagle | Pilot James Elduff, kneeling, and his crew enjoy some downtime while gathered around their B-17 bomber, nicknamed "Bad Time Inc.," during World War II. James Elduff recalled that ever since he was a boy growing up in Philadelphia, he wanted to fly and become a pilot. That's not an unusual wish for a young man who witnessed the early days of aviation and went on to study engineering before the advent of World War II....

Alberta Aviation Museum getting a new look inside - iNews880.com | You're invited to grab your camera and bring the family down to the Alberta Aviation Museum this weekend to catch a view of the aircraft as they are rarely seen. Executive Director Tom Hinderks says the museum is making a rare and major floor change. "Virtually every aircraft is going to be moved," remarked Hinderks. "Most of them will be moved outside into a special compound set up on the taxiway next to the airport." All ready, two aircraft have moved. The B-25 and the 737, so as you drive to work on Kingsway you'll see them smiling at you. And the rest all come out and will be going back in to new positions. Even the hanging aircraft and the very large scale models are being dropped down and moved into new positions."...

SAC's Elite Guard protected Air Force's most sensitive site during Cold War - Omaha World-Herald | If you visited Strategic Air Command's Bellevue headquarters back in the Cold War era, you might have suddenly seen a blue-bereted flash barreling down the corridor bellowing, “Clear the halls!” And if you didn't flatten yourself against the wall, you could expect to pick yourself up off the carpet — no matter how many stars you wore on your shoulder....

STEM Students To Launch 'The Future' Of Aerospace On Saturday, July 27 - Aero-News Network | Largest Rocket To Launch From Colorado Featured At Unique, Hands-On STEM Event | STEM education is a hot topic among technology companies and state and national leaders. It is a national priority to compete globally by advancing students' math and science learning and inspiring young people to pursue careers in STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering and math. At one of the nation's most unique "hands on" STEM events, more than 100 students of all ages will launch their rockets and payloads high above the plains of Pueblo, CO, during the sixth annual Student Rocket Launch on Saturday, July 27...

Indy Transponder 20-MAR-2013 0200z

Almost 50000 at Air Show - KXO Radio | (They came from around the Country Saturday)…They gathered at the Naval Air Facility, El Centro. They all came to see the Blue Angels Air Show. Many knew there may not be another chance to attend an Air Show featuring the Navies Ace Flight...

Blue Angels Fly One Of Final Shows In El Centro Before Sequestration ... - KPBS | Sequestration cuts are expected ground the Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force's Thunderbirds next week. The final flight demonstration planned for both elite flight squadrons is March 24 in Florida, according to USA Today. Defense spending researcher ...

Budget cuts may permanently ground Blue Angels - WXYZ | It may be time to say 'bon voyage' to our friends, the Blue Angels. For now, automatic budge cuts will ground the elite military air show. This means no flyovers for funeral services or academy graduations. It also means we won't see the ...

The Aero Experience Editorial: Sequestration - Don't Let It Stop Aviation Dreams from The Aero Experience - Celebrating Midwest Aviation by Carmelo Turdo |The Aero Experience Editorial, by "Mr. Airshow" Leo Cachat | With sequestration taking place, many airshows throughout the country have cancelled their events, and the list keeps growing. At The Aero Experience, we strive to provide top quality aviation-related stories, events and media material complete with pictures and sometimes video. We try to keep everything as positive as we can because aviation is great, and I'd even reach out and say it is a magical thing. It's the closest we can get to heaven and the stars while still enjoying life - and what can be negative about that?...

WTVM goes behind the scenes at Thunder in the Valley's Media Day - WTVM | News Leader 9's Jason Dennis got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity on Friday, flying in a B-25 bomber used in World War II. He and WTVM photographer Paul Therrien were the only local TV crew who got to fly in this 1944 Warbird. This plane and many more ...

Nominations open for Air Show Hall of Fame from General Aviation News | The International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) Foundation is looking for nominations for the Air Show Hall of Fame.  The Hall of Fame was created in 1995 to recognize those who made significant contributions to the air show industry. It is currently home to more than 47 people representing the pilots, stunt persons, announcers, producers, aircraft designers, builders and other innovators who have changed the face of air shows forever. Some past inductees include Bob Hoover, Curtis Pitts, Patty Wagstaff, Sean D. Tucker and Paul Poberezny...

Air show planned for Myrtle Beach this summer canceled - MyrtleBeachOnline.com | Among the other acts that had been scheduled to perform: AreoShell Aerobatic Team, Mike Lucas-Lucas Oil Air Show team, Raiders Aerobatic team, the Fowler Cary T33 Jet and the All Veteran Parachute Team. The U.S. Army Band also was scheduled to ...

AIRSHOW NEWS: RAF Red Arrows Display Dates 2013 from Flightline UK - UK Airshow News

Women in Aviation conference hits record attendance - AOPA Pilot | Among those in the hall were representatives from the all-female Air Race Classic; the Abington Co., sellers of a female flight watch; and the Professional Women Controllers Inc. The hall also featured long lines of potential pilot candidates at booths...

The Fly With Amelia Foundation from Amelia Earhart | It is with great pleasure and excitement that I announce the creation of the Fly With Amelia Foundation, a Colorado non-profit organization providing aviation opportunities to all, free aviation based educational curriculum to grades K-12, and scholarship funding of flight training to young women. In partnership with Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, [...]

Phantom biplane to attend from Mojave Experimental Fly-In by Mojave FlyIn | ...He plans to bring his exotic biplane racer Phantom to the event....

Showcase Sprints and Cat Shot debut at SUN ’n FUN from General Aviation News | A pair of fun events for performance enthusiasts will be held at Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport during SUN ’n FUN, which is slated for April 9-14. “Here is the opportunity to demonstrate your piloting precision and test your airplane’s performance in a time trial,” organizers promise. The events will be held Wednesday, April 10, during the fly-in’s daily Showcase segment....

The wild blue yonder - Mohave Valley News | “In 1929 the air race classic was known as a Powderpuff Race where many of the ladies competing were famous pilots.” “It is going to be great and hopefully this year we will do better,” said Irwin, who, along with her husband, received her pilot's ...

Aerobatic Box Permit Sought - Northwest Arkansas News | Louise Thaden Field could be a home base for the type of flight often seen at air shows if an application to the Federal Aviation Administration is approved for an aerobatic box west of the city airport.

Remembering a Doolittle Raider - WYSO | They were known as Doolittle's Raiders. Griffin lived in Cincinnati and he was 96 years old. Now only four members of that elite group survive. WYSO aviation commentator Dan Patterson knew Griffin and tells us his story. Listen. In March of 1942 this...

Capt. "Red" McDaniel, USN (Ret.) from What is Silver Wings Over Washington? by Ron David | ...On May 19, 1967, while on his 81st combat mission over North Vietnam, Eugene B. “Red” McDaniel was shot down while flying his A-6 Intruder aircraft. He was listed as “missing in action” until 1970, when the Hanoi government acknowledged that he was being held prisoner. A POW for six years, McDaniel was released 4 March 1973, after the Vietnam cease-fire....

Finding Nobility in the Middle of Wartime - Patheos (blog) | In December 1943, Lt. Franz Stigler honed in on a beleaguered B-17 bomber, determined to blow it from the sky and avenge the death of his older brother. The B-17 had suffered massive damage and was far behind enemy lines when Stigler came in for the...

Air and Space Curator: The Wright Brothers Were Most Definitely the First in Flight - SmithsonianMag | ...Perhaps the strongest argument against the Whitehead claims is to be found in the fact that not one of the powered machines that he built after 1902 ever left the ground. Nor did any of those machines resemble the aircraft that he claimed to have flown between 1901 to 1902....

Sky Siren - Travel Air Restoration from Another Time by Dan Linn | In California at the restoration shop called Aerocraftsman they are putting the finishing touches on a beautiful Travel Air. A Travel Air biplane they are calling Sky Siren...

The Boneyard Project: Kenny Scharf Paints a Lockhead Jetstar -- On View This ... - Phoenix New Times (blog) | This past Saturday afternoon, Scharf took a break from painting his Lockheed Jetstar at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson to talk to the public about the future of The Boneyard Project alongside Eric Firestone and Carlo McCormick.

Video: Boeing Presentation On 787 Battery Problem And Fix (+ CoolPix) from AirPigz by Martt | I've been pretty quiet about the Boeing 787 battery issue that grounded the fleet on January 17, 2013, but mostly because situations like this are really hard to comment on when you simply don't have access to the facts....

Photo essay: Cope Tiger 2013 from Air Force Link Top Stories | More than 1,900 U.S., Thai and Singapore airmen are participating in the Exercise Cope Tiger 2013 at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, and the surrounding area. ... View the SLIDESHOW to catch a glimpse of what the Airmen have had during the exercise....

Nellis pilot first reservist to fly F-35 from Air Force Link Top Stories | A reservist from the 706th Fighter Squadron here recently became the first to fly the F-35 Lightning II, Air Force's newest aircraft.

Solo Flight! from Flight To Success by Karlene Petitt | Solo: To Take that first flight without your instructor. A right of passage for all student pilots. We all remember that first solo flight. Please enjoy Swayne Martins' experience... something he will remember for the rest of his life....

Indy Transponder 15-NOV-2011 2345z

ICAS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES AIR SHOW HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES By ICAS Foundation via ASB | Air show legends Jim and Ernie Moser, Julie Clark, Steve Oliver and Suzanne Asbury-Oliver will be inducted into the International Council of Airshows (ICAS) Foundation Hall of Fame on the evening of Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas during the annual ICAS Chairman's Banquet....

Blue Angels to visit Tuscaloosa this week to plan for 2012 air show - Al.com | TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Two U.S. Navy Blue Angel pilots will visit Tuscaloosa this week to begin planning the 2012 Tuscaloosa Air Show, according to the Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports Commission.  The pilots will meet with Tuscaloosa...

LIVE EVENT: Breakfast with LiveATC.net Founder! - The Pilot Report | Join us LIVE online Thursday, November 17, 2011 for a virtual breakfast of sorts as I interview Dave Pascoe, founder and creator of LiveATC.net!  I’ll be interviewing him about how he got started with LiveATC and more....

This USAF pararescueman decides he’s been cooped up in... from You like airplanes, too? by marvinsmith | This USAF pararescueman decides he’s been cooped up in this HC-130 for too long. Can’t decide what’d be funner, flying this bad bird or jumping out of it!...

Airmen screen Tuskegee Airmen documentary at Pentagon - USAF | WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- More than 150 Airmen came out to screen a documentary about the original Tuskegee Airmen during a red-carpet event here Nov. 10.  "Double Victory" was produced by George Lucas, of "Star Wars" fame, in support of his new feature film about the Tuskegee Airmen, "Red Tails."  Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Tuskegee Airmen William Broadwater and...

Tuskegee Airmen:A legacy of love - USAF | PENTAGON (AFNS) -- Last week I had the opportunity to learn about some Air Force history as well as family history.  There was a screening of a new documentary about the Tuskegee Airmen that was produced, by George Lucas, in conjunction with his feature film called "Red Tails." I was especially excited to see the documentary because my paternal grandfather was a bombardier in World War II and an original Tuskegee Airman.  This was one of the most exciting times in my Air Force career. The...

Pilot’s long lost ring is key to forgotten crash - Oak Hill Gazette | This is a story about how a Christmas card to the sister of a local veteran started a chain of events that led to a ceremony in France and a monument to a forgotten plane crash in World War II.  Oak Hill resident John Tschirhart was a B-17 bombardier who flew 35 combat missions over Nazi occupied Europe. The 91 year-old is proud to be a member of the Oak Hill Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4443, and is also proud of his younger sister who he says is “a great patriot, who through diligent research solved a 60 year-old mystery.”  As we observed Veterans Day recently and honored all the men and women who have worn the uniform of our Armed Forces, what could be more appropriate than to share a story of patriotism, sacrifice, dedication and of a Ring of Honor—in this case an almost forgotten pilot’s ring found by a young boy in a small town in France....

Fallon Air Park Recce - Neptunus Lex

They yet live among us - McCook Gazette | Veteran's Day has come and gone but the memories continue. As a reminder of the annual commemoration of service by American GI's someone went me a YouTube video, produced by the History Channel, of a World War II B-17E mission in the Pacific, circa 1943. A lone B-17, Old 666, out on a long overwater photo reconnaissance mission to Bougainville and Buka Islands, was besieged by 17 Japanese fighters, collectively called the "Zero." The crew shot down at least two of the Zeros in a 45-minute combat, which ended only due to low fuel state of the Japanese combatants....

Honoring our Veterans - The Town Crier | We buried my Uncle Bill two weeks ago.  Then a few days later, before I put the coffee on, a dear friend phoned to say that her husband had died in the early morning hours.  He was my friend too. Both Uncle Bill and my deceased friend have been a part of my life forever, it seems....

North American F-86 Sabre 1947 onwards (all day-fighter variants) — book review by travelforaircraft | ...South Korea, the USA and Western Europe were surprised by the advanced technology of the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 with its swept wing and powerful centrifugal jet turbine engine as well as its fearsome cannon armament (2 x 23mm and 1 x 37mm). The U.S. Air Force quickly countered with the North American F-86 Sabre which was similar in design aspects but also having significant differences....

Exhibition on the assistance of military airplanes in 1911 from Passion pour l'aviation by Xavier Cotton | I spoke recently of Tender forgot to 14-18 # 1 -themed "Competition military airplanes" that took place in Reims in 1911 and was designed to select the best manufacturers in accordance with a specification very precise, in order to develop military aviation....

HyperMach Now Aiming for Mach 4 Bizjet - AIN Online | HyperMach Aerospace’s planned 20-seat supersonic business jet (SSBJ), dubbed the SonicStar, will be able to fly at Mach 4.0, the company said Friday in Dubai. This is faster than the Mach 3.6 top speed announced when the proposed V-tailed aircraft was first revealed in June at the Paris Air Show. At Mach 4, the SonicStar would be able to fly from New York to Dubai in just 2 hours 20 minutes. According to...

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Unveils New Exhibit Featuring Greg Olsen's Soyuz TMA-6 Descent Capsule - Space Ref | Space Adventures, the only company that has provided human space missions to the global marketplace, is pleased to announce that a new exhibit has opened at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City featuring the Soyuz TMA-6 descent capsule that returned to Earth on October 11, 2005 with spaceflight participant Greg Olsen, Ph.D. and the Expedition 11 crew onboard....

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo: Tourists in for a 'Magical' Ride - Space.com | The 400 space tourists who've already signed up to fly on the private Virgin Galactic space plane are in for a wild ride.  Virgin Galactic is developing the SpaceShipTwo vehicle to carry passengers to the edge of space for $200,000 each. Once the prototype is ready, a fleet of the spacecraft will be produced by The Spaceship...

Indy Transponder 10-NOV-2011 2345z

Air Show Hall of Fame inductees named - General Aviation News | Air show legends Jim and Ernie Moser, Julie Clark, Steve Oliver and Suzanne Asbury-Oliver will be inducted into the International Council of Airshows (ICAS) Foundation Hall of Fame on Dec. 7, in Las Vegas during the annual ICAS Chairman’s Banquet.  The ICAS Foundation Hall of Fame was created in 1995 to honor those who have made a significant impact to the North American air show industry and, in turn, educates each of us about noteworthy aviation history. Recognizing the industry’s top performers and contributors is one of the goals of the foundation....

First responders to Reno Air Races crash honored: 'These are the faces of heroes' - RGJ | Nearly two months after a modified World War II aircraft crashed into the tarmac near the spectators during the Reno National Championship Air Races, the first responders who reacted that day were honored by the Reno City Council on Wednesday.  Those first responders included two dozen members of the Reno Fire Department as well as many others with Reno Police Department, REMSA and 11 other organizations. With the help of bystanders who had medical and first-responder training, they...

U.S. Navy Blue Angels - FB page | Video: Take a look at the joint effort- The Black Daggers and the Blue Angels!

'Rogue Aviator' author to sign book at Stuart Air Show - TCPalm | By news release STUART — Author Ace Abbott will join the 8th Air Force Historical Society at the Stuart Air Show to present, sell, and sign "The Rogue Aviator." The book is a memoir of the tumultuous aviation career of a fun-loving, free-spirited, ...

Extra 300L aircraft accident in Chile kills Halcones of a pilot - Translated | The Chilean Air Force said on its website on Wednesday, November 9, during a training flight in the area of ​​El Bosque Air Base, in an accident with an aircraft of the High Acrobatics Squad Halcones, died Lieutenant ( A) Cristian Andres Padilla Bravo, a member of the Air Demonstration Squadron of the façade.  The pilot was on board an aircraft of Halcones Extra 300L, which has two years of flying experience with the aircraft, and was more than 10 years on the facade....

New Executive Director Named for the Salinas Airshow - KION46 | Salinas, Calif.   A new Executive Director has been named for the California International Airshow Salinas.    Long time airshow volunteer, Bruce Adams, will assume the role being vacated by Harry Wardwell.  Adams is the Vice President of Central Coast Federal Credit Union and has been a volunteer for the Airshow since 2005.  "It is an honor to serve such an iconic event as the California International Airshow", said Adams....

Tuskegee Airmen story delivered to Wash. school from Air Force Times - News by The Daily Herald via AP | EVERETT, Wash. — Some stories inspire others to overcome adversity.  Eisenhower Middle School students heard a story like that Wednesday, when two members of the Sam Bruce chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen visited the school.  The Tuskegee Airmen were trained in Tuskegee, Ala., to become fighter pilots in World War II. They were the first black aviators in the U.S. armed forces...

VETERANS DAY REMEMBERED - zwire | ...Finishing gunnery training in March 1944, Laughery was assigned to a B-17 crew, which consisted of 10 men. They were immediately sent to Alexandria, Louisiana for final crew training....

Veterans Day Salute: Belly gunner Fred Piper called back to service - Verde Independent | Cottonwood's Fred Piper has gotten a call. Now 86, Fred vividly remembers the narrow view through that belly gun turret on his B-17 when he was 19 years old. He proudly wears a jacket commemorating the bomb runs into Germany territory, and some close calls....

Wal-mart lends support to Montana Honor Flight - Smartbrief | 100 World War II veterans wanting to travel to Washington, D.C., in April to visit “their” World War II Memorial received significant support Wednesday from the West End Walmart...

Video: The Aviators - Goodyear Blimp from AOPA Live: Latest videos
Preserving The “Spruce Goose” – The Warbird Rescue Hour from WarbirdRadio.com by Matt | Live – Thursday – 8pm (EASTERN) | Podcast posted next day | WARBIRD RADIO – The Warbird Rescue guys are back this Thursday at 8pm (EASTERN) with an all new show.  Stewart Bailey from the Evergreen Air Museum joins the guys with news on the preservation of the Hughes H-4 “Hercules”.  Tune in and joins the conversation by using the contact info posted below.  Thanks for listening! [...]

Air Race: 1951 - shorpy.com | A race from Santa Ana, Calif., to Detroit, Mich. Ladies only.

DH 89a Dragon Rapide, B.E.A., Old Warden - Short Finals Blog | Building on the commercial success of the De Havilland DH 84 Dragon, and filling the need for a faster, more capable aircraft, De Havilland came up with the DH 89 Dragon Six – sometimes called the Dragon Rapide, and later just Rapide – the prototype first flying in April 1934. With its DH Gipsy Major 6 engines of 200hp, and capable of carrying eight passengers, it was an instant success in the civil market. The De Havilland factory at Hatfield was soon occupied with orders...

Auckland business taking off restoring warplanes - The Aucklander | Then I came to Auckland from Rotorua and started working on what was the first warbird, the first major plane owned by an Auckland syndicate. "It's a very small group who are mostly fascinated by World War II planes. Even today those planes provide ...

“WB771 Victor 1st prototype Farnborough 1953” (via this great album) - X planes

ICAS 2010: This Year's Winners Are ...

Dick Schram Memorial Community Relations Award:

139th Air Wing, Missouri Air Guard, St. Joseph, Missouri.

Sound of Speed Air Show

Since 1988, the Dick Schram Memorial Community Relations Award is annually awarded to the one military air show, open house or flying event that best represents the spirit of community for which Dick Schram stood throughout his naval career. Schram personified all that was good about the military's involvement in air shows as a Blue Angel pilot and later as the Department of Defense Aviation Support Liaison Officer .

Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award:

Steve Hinton: 

• ACC Bio
• Movie Pilots 
• Warbird Aero Press

The Scholl Award is presented each year to the air show performer who best embodies legendary air show performer Art Scholl's commitment to air show entertainment and showmanship.

Perhaps the most talented air show pilot of his generation, Scholl was a renowned aerobatic pilot and consummate air show performer. He flew his Chipmunk aircraft before an estimated audience of 80 million people over 20 years and appeared in more than 200 motion picture films, documentaries and television commercials.
:

The Sword of Excellence

Col. Larry Gallogly,

Rhode Island National Guard Show.  

The ICAS Sword of Excellence is presented each year to recognize outstanding contributions to the air show industry. The list of past recipients reads like a virtual Who's Who of outstanding air show professionals over the last 20+ years.

Since 1981, the award has been synonymous with air show excellence. The Sword of Excellence is widely considered to be the single highest honor an individual air show professional can receive.

ICAS Hall of Fame Inductees:

(Below via ICAS Foundation)

Air Show Hall of Fame 2010 Class of Inductees Announced.  They say everybody is a hero to someone... Who is your hero?  The ICAS Foundation will inducted three new members into the Air Show Hall of Fame for 2010 Wednesday night.  Harold Johnson, legendary Ford Tri-Motor pilot; Joe Hughes, performer innovator of the 70's; and Jim LeRoy,  member of the Masters of Disaster and a solo performer in his own right.

Indy Transponder 30-JUN-10 2345z

Win a Chance to Fly with the Thunderbirds - KCBA
Five finalists will be chosen by the California International Airshow Salinas and will receive 4 flight deck tickets to the airshow for either Saturday or ...

USAF Thunderbirds Schedule

Florida's Blues - SeattlePI
Florida is a state that is rich in aviation history. The first scheduled airline flight occurred there, in 1914 between St. Petersburg and Tampa, and the men who walked on the Moon launched from there — and a lot in between occurred. The US Navy’s Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron is based in Florida’s Pensacola Naval Air Station, it is the oldest aerobatic team flying today and are better known by the name Blue Angels — or the Blues, Florida’s Blues. ...

Battle Creek Field of Flight takes off Thursday: Annual air show, balloon ... - MLive.com
BATTLE CREEK — Eyes will be on the skies above Battle Creek starting Thursday as the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival gets underway ...

Deadline Extended for Hall of Fame Nominations - Indy Transponder
... Good news, the ICAS Foundation has given you another chance. The new deadline for nominations is July 31st. ...

OKLAHOMAN HOLDS WING WALKING RECORD - KOKC
She now holds the Guiness World Record for the longest wing walk. To earn this title she stood on the wing of a bi-plane for four hours. ...
Related Video - CNN

Extensive List of Attractions will 'Salute' Veterans Throughout EAA AirVenture ... 
AMTOnline.com | "Attendees at AirVenture can see more than 400 of these amazing warbirds up close and in action, giving you a glimpse into what these heroes went through ...

Steve Oliver and Suzanne Asbury-Oliver to Receive 2010 Bill Barber Award for Showmanship
... Steve Oliver and Suzanne Asbury-Oliver are the 2010 recipients of the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship. The award will be presented during EAA AirVenture 2010 at EAA’s Theater in the Woods on Monday, July 26. Steve and Suzanne join a list of honorees that reads like an airshow hall of fame over the past 25 years. ...

B-17 bomber's visit brings WWII history to life - Brookfield Elm Grove Now
Seeing a 1945 B-17 bomber restored to its original splendor at Wings Over Waukesha was a proud moment for World War II veterans Robert ...

Simply the best - Whitehaven News
A stunning display from the Red Arrows aerobatic team provided a welcome boost after the Sunday afternoon disappointment of England's elimination from the ...

Anger at scrapping of air show at London City Airport Fun Day from Flightline UK
THIS weekend’s London City Airport Fun Day will have virtually no links to planes or air travel.
The annual event will take place this Saturday at the Thames Barrier Park – the first time it has moved out of the airport itself.
The move came because expected visitor numbers in excess of 25,000 meant the show could not be staged at the Royal Docks airport.
But London City has confirmed the move means the air show – normally the centre-piece of the fun day – will not be included in the event. Indeed, the only link to the air will be a flight simulator provided by British Airways.
“Due to the relocation of Fun Day to Thames Barrier Park the airport is unable to secure a license for an airshow,” said a spokeswoman. ...

Wings, Wheels and Steam at Groombridge Place - Only Kent
Over 400 lovingly maintained classic cars, a life-sized replica of a World War II Hurricane fighter plane and a daring aerobatic display will be just some ...

British pilots prepare for the EAC and the WAAC from Airsports.TV's Blog 
Sywell airfield near Northampton will be the place to see the best British aerobatic pilots as they compete to win two national titles on Thursday 15th, Friday 16th, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th July. The breathtaking freestyle displays will be flown in some of the World’s most capable aerobatic aircraft, flying figures that almost defy the laws of physics, and entrance is free.
The Nationals are part of the build up for the European aerobatic championships in the Czech Republic and the World Advanced Aerobatic Championships in Poland and both teams will be at Sywell to prepare their challenge for European and World championship medals. ...

Battle of Britain prelude: the birth of the Luftwaffe (Wolfgang... - from x planes
The end of the First World War in 1918 brought the German aircraft industry - largely military orientated - to a grinding halt. At least a hundred companies were suddenly without work.

Southport Airshow 2011 moves to July by Flightline UK
The 2011 edition of the Southport airshow will be held on the 23rd-24th July 2011, a move away from it’s traditional September slot ...

WASPs honored at museum gala
from General Aviation News 
Six WASPs (Women’s Air Force Service Pilots) of World War II were recently recognized at the Museum of Flight’s Hangar Gala at Seattle’s Boeing Field. In addition to the WASPs, the gala was held to recognize the anniversary of the B-17, built at the Boeing plant in Seattle. The WASPs ...

'STAGGERWING' honors women's contributions to aviation - Mormon Times
The cover of Robert Earl Wells' historical novel, "STAGGERWING," based on the 1936 cross-country air race competition between men and women. ...

Bell Helicopter Activities at Farnborough International Airshow - Helicopter Association International | Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, will display its latest commercial helicopter, the 429, at the Farnborough International Airshow from July 19-23, ...
   
Lanark children help airshow centenary celebrations - Carluke Gazette
... the centenary of the town's airshow, the first ever held in Scotland. ir flying machines at Lanark Racecourse almost 100 years before they were born. ...

Museum open for Independence Day from National Museum of the USAF Top Stories 
Start a new family tradition and visit the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force this Independence Day. Sunday, July 4, the museum will be open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come experience patriotism at its best with more than 400 aircraft that have helped establish and protect our individual rights and personal freedom. ...

Imagination Takes Wings - The News Star
First-Time Visitor Amazed by the Collection of NELA Memorabilia | It's embarrassing to admit, really. I've driven past the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum hundreds of times since its establishment. I've noted the occasional aircraft (generally in some advanced state of disrepair) and the rather drab barracks, and frankly assumed that something so unappealing in appearance couldn't possibly hold anything worth my time to see. How very, very wrong I was . . . GP
The day was hot and humid, more typical of a Louisiana August than June. I turned into the parking lot of the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum ...
   
Aviation milestone feted - Montreal Gazette
Visitors have until July 30 to take in an exhibit at Montreal city hall's main foyer celebrating the centenary of the first airplane flight over the city.
On display is a replica of French aviator Louis Bleriot's "Le Scarabee" (the beetle), which was flown over Montreal for 49 minutes by Comte Jacques de Lesseps on July 2, 1910. ...

Strong Finish By Embry-Riddle In Women's Air Race Classic Competition - Aero News Network | Two Embry-Riddle flight teams turned in impressive performances in the 34th annual women's Air Race Classic, a 2,483-mile race that began June 22 in Fort Myers, FL, and ended June 25 in Frederick, MD, including stops at airports in several cities throughout the central United States. ...

DVD Review: 'Obsession' - Inside Sport Class Racing At Reno - Airpigz
Scott Alair spent 2-1/2 years building up his Lancair Legacy which was like an obsession for him... to get the airplane built, and then to race it at the Reno Air Races. This DVD is a pretty detailed look at Scott's experience in the Sport Class racing his Legacy at Reno 2006. The airplane is named 'Obsession', and so is this approximately 50 minute DVD video. ...

Solar-Powered Plane Will Fly in the Dark - EcoGeek
The Solar Impulse, a solar-powered, single-seater plane, achieved its first successful daytime flight just a few months ago and now we're about to see if it ...

The Supersonic Green Machine: Nasa looks at futuristic jet designed to minimise sonic boom - Daily Mail Reporter | It looks like a plane designed for a superhero or an invading alien force.
But this sleek, green aircraft could one day be the supersonic jet of the future.
Dubbed the Supersonic Green Machine, the design was submitted by Lockheed Martin as part of an investigation by Nasa into how air travel might look in 2035. ...

June 30 from Cut and Paste Aviation
Interesting facts about today in aviation history.

Flying Car A Reality from Flight International 
What's that? It is a plane, is it a car? Well, it's both. Remember those childhood dreams you had of flying in your car. Careering at speed down the road, and then suddenly a super-engine comes out the back, and you blast off into the skies, avoiding the traffic below.
Well, this vehicle comes quite close. Terrafugia, a small, privately-owned business, has developed a car, which, put simply, really can fly. ...

Terrafugia Flying Car Video from Pilotbug 

Astronaut Chris Hadfield Celebrates Canada Day at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum from Aviation.ca News | The Canada Aviation and Space Museum is happy to welcome Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Astronaut and former CF-18 fighter pilot Chris Hadfield for a unique "meet-and-greet" event on Canada Day 2010. Hadfield will talk ...

Photo Gallery: Red Bull Stratos Latest Testing Revealed from Aerial Sports Feed

Indianapolis Air Show 2010 - Indianapolis - 06/12/10 from FenceCheck Forums [pictured]
Yakovlev Yak-36 from Planeshots
Miltary B-2 Bomber Refueling Video
from Pilotbug 

Let me out. on Flickr
An airworthy Hawker Hurricane based at Duxford IWM Airfield in the UK, just waiting for the next airshow, so it can play in the skies again.


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ICAS: This Year's Award Winners Are....

Dick Schram Memorial Community Relations Award

Naval Air Station Oceana was recoginzed this evening with the Dick Schram Memorial Community Relations Award. Moving the date of the show from September to October was taken advantage of by the organizers. They chose to theme the show "A Celebration of Flight, A Celebration of Life" in honor of October's designation as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and there was a lot of pink at their air show. They linked up with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and despite the poor weather on show weekend, the team created an event that demonstrated everything this award encompasses.

Since 1988, the Dick Schram Memorial Community Relations Award is annually awarded to the one military air show, open house or flying event that best represents the spirit of community for which Dick Schram stood throughout his naval career. Schram personified all that was good about the military's involvement in air shows as a Blue Angel pilot and later as the Department of Defense Aviation Support Liaison Officer .

Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award

Chuck "Malibu" Aaron is the only FAA-certified helicopter stunt pilot and is the winner of this years Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship award. The most common thing you'll hear when Chuck flies the Red Bull helicopter is: "A helicopter isn't supposed to that!" Chuck Aaron is the master as making a helicopter do the things "it isn't supposed to do". The Red Bull helicopter is considered an experimental aircraft, and Aaron had to teach himself to fly the aerobatic routine he performs at air shows. Aaron's father was a military pilot who flew in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. Now 90, Aaron's father has logged 23,000 hours of flight time since age 17. Chuck has 23 years and over 17,000 hours of experience .

In addition to performing at air shows, Chuck Aaron has a number of movie and TV credits. You can view that list at IMDb.

The Scholl Award is presented each year to the air show performer who best embodies legendary air show performer Art Scholl's commitment to air show entertainment and showmanship. This year's Scholl Award Selection Committee was chaired by ICAS Board member George Cline.

Perhaps the most talented air show pilot of his generation, Scholl was a renowned aerobatic pilot and consummate air show performer. He flew his Chipmunk aircraft before an estimated audience of 80 million people over 20 years and appeared in more than 200 motion picture films, documentaries and television commercials.

The Sword of Excellence

The 2009 ICAS Sword of Excellence recipient is Pete Bunce. Mr. Bunce is better known as the President of the General Aviation Manufacturing Association. Pete served the ICAS board of directors as military liason to the Air Force for a number of years. Mr. Bunce has worked behind the scenes for many years and has served the air show community faithfully without a lot of fanfare.

The ICAS Sword of Excellence is presented each year to recognize outstanding contributions to the air show industry. The list of past recipients reads like a virtual Who's Who of outstanding air show professionals over the last 20+ years. The 2009 ICAS Sword of Excellence Selection Committee was chaired by ICAS Board member Ed Shipley.

Since 1981, the award has been synonymous with air show excellence. The Sword of Excellence is widely considered to be the single highest honor an individual air show professional can receive.

ICAS Hall of Fame Inductees:
(Below via ICAS)
Air Show Hall of Fame 2009 Class of Inductees Announced. They say everybody is a hero to someone... Who is your hero? The ICAS Foundation will induct three new members into the Air Show Hall of Fame for 2009. Tom Poberezny (President/Chairman of EAA), Robert "Bobby" Younkin (long-time solo aerobatic pilot and innovator), and Charles A. Kulp (The Flying Farmer) will be inducted during ceremonies at the ICAS Convention in December.