Indy Transponder 25-AUG-2013 1200z

Lehigh Valley Airshow stunts impress visitors; traffic headaches arise - The Express Times - LehighValleyLive.com | Lehigh Valley International Airport’s runways saw a bit more action than usual today as private planes performed eye-popping tricks amid the backdrop of landing commercial airliners. A contingent of planes dipped, nosedived and shot up into the air at the start of the Sands Lehigh Valley Airshow at the Hanover Township, Lehigh County, airport....

Airshow soars through the Valley - Allentown Morning Call | Seated on a folding chair under a cloudless blue sky, an awestruck Ron Sierzega cocked his head upward and watched the fighter jets streak by. "It's just awesome," he said as four L-39 Albatroses that make up the Black Diamonds soared overhead in tight formation. "It seems as though they're roped to each other."...

Local residents treated to "old school" air show - WKTV | FRANKFORT, N.Y. (WKTV) - Frankfort residents received a blast from the past, as a 1930's/1940's-style air show took place at Highland Airport, Saturday. The 12th Annual Radio Control Airshow included combat demonstrations, giant scale aerobatics, clown flying acts, and vintage flying models, dazzling local residents on a beautiful day in August...

Air show raises money for Wounded Warriors - UpNorthLive.com | BENZIE COUNTY -- The Benzie Area Radio Control club (BARC) held their 16th Annual Model Aircraft Show on Saturday, but changed things up this year by donating what they raised to a special cause. There were model planes of all different shapes and sizes at the show held at the Thompsonville Airport. Hundreds of spectators watched as pilots made their aircrafts dip, dive, twirl, and jet through the air...

Owatonna airport hosts aviation-filled weekend for area residents, WWII ... - Southernminn.com | OWATONNA — When the Minnesota Wing of Commemorative Air Force landed its World War II aircraft at the Owatonna Degner Regional Airport Saturday, Jim Fairchild had a smile on his face. “I like airplanes,” Fairchild said. Fairchild of Owatonna said he has a pilot’s license, but hasn’t flown in years...

Russian air show rehearsals canceled - UPI.com | MOSCOW, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Rehearsals for a major Russian air show were postponed after media reports said several planes suffered mechanical failures and couldn't get off the ground. The MAKS-2013 air show, set to run in Moscow from Tuesday to Sept. 1, will draw 100,000 visitors per day, organizers said. But rehearsals were halted, officially due to poor weather...

Fifth Annual EAA Warbirds Badger Squadron 6 Oconto Fly-In: 9/14/13 - Warbirds News | The air will be filled with excitement at the 5th Annual Oconto Fly-In hosted by Wisconsin’s EAA Warbirds Badger Squadron 6. The event will take place at the J. Douglas Bake Memorial Airport in Oconto, Wisconsin on Saturday September 14th 2013 with gates opening at 9am with festivities running throughout the day until 5pm. Admission is $4 per person and children under 12 are FREE.

Cascades airshow lifts off Video: Restored World War II bomber flies at Airshow - Bend Bulletin | MADRAS — At the edge of the taxiway at the Madras Airport on Saturday afternoon, a B-17 bomber paused in front of the VIP tent at the Airshow of the Cascades. Already nearly close enough to reach out and touch its wing, the VIPs crowded in to take a better look, just in time for the plane to belch a cloud of pungent black smoke directly into the tent...

The 23rd annual Fly/In Cruise/In to take place Aug. 31 - Chronicle-Tribune | The event features a number of air and motor vehicles. The Tri-Motor Ford 5-AT will offer rides from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the purchase of a ticket. Food tickets for the all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast are also available for purchase. All proceeds from those sales will benefit the Marion High School Band.

Labor Day Benefit Event to Be Held at St. Louis Downtown Airport The Aero Experience | Flyer

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013: Warbird Nose Art Is Still Popular Attraction - The Aero Experience | In any large gathering of aircraft, there will be a number of examples of what is traditionally known as "nose art," here loosely defined as a personalized emblem or nickname given to an aircraft and applied near the nose of the aircraft. Finding examples of nose art at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013, with over 10,000 aircraft in attendance, was not difficult - it was more a matter of how many examples would be missed during the week. Nose art is most...

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013: More Aircraft Markings - The Aero Experience | With so many aircraft at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this year, there were bound to be interesting markings besides the typical "nose art" featured in the previous post. Again using warbirds and...

Grandfather a nearly famous B-17 crew chief - Concord Monitor | Looking over the .50 caliber waist guns of the B-17 flying low over Hooksett, it was easy to imagine ourselves transported back 70 years to the skies over Europe. Except of course, we were warm. We were within sight of a safe landing strip. And no one was shooting at us...

Residents, vets enjoy flights in Vietnam-era helicopters - Dothan Eagle | OZARK – Dozens of area residents and military veterans showed up at Blackwell Field Airport on Saturday for the unique chance to fly in Vietnam-era U.S. Army helicopters. The Friends of Army Aviation-Ozark partnered with the Hampton, Ga.-based Army Aviation Heritage Foundation to present an open house event of sorts, celebrating the permanent arrival of a UH-1H Huey N104HF and an AH-1F Cobra Attack Helicopter N766HF to Ozark. ...

Historic Aircraft Finds Permanent Home in Ozark - WTVY, Dothan | OZARK -- Veterans, soldiers and civilians all connected today at Blackwell Field Airport. They had the chance to ride in a UH-1H Huey and an AH-1F Cobra Attack Helicopter. The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and the Friends of Army Aviation-Ozark chose to permanently station the two aircrafts in Ozark...

Students experience rides aboard Yak 52s · General Aviation News Staff | FRANKFORT, Kentucky — Several students from the Institute of Aerospace Education recently met at Bowman Field in Louisville, Kentucky, to fly in Yak 52s. Six Yak pilots from around the country gathered at the airport, letting each student experience formation flight in these amazing World War II Warbirds...

Virgin launches glass-bottomed plane - Virgin.com | I’m thrilled to announce that Virgin has created another world-first with the introduction of the technology required to produce the world’s first glass-bottomed plane. This technological innovation coincides with the start of Virgin Atlantic Airways’ first ever domestic service to Scotland...

NASA to crash helicopter to study safety · General Aviation News Staff | NASA researchers will drop a 45-foot-long helicopter fuselage from a height of about 30 feet to test improved seat belts and seats and advance experimental techniques and crashworthiness data. The test is slated for Wednesday, Aug. 28, at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va...

Indy Transponder 15-OCT-2012 1045z

Felix Baumgartner breaks speed of sound, jumps from a record 128,097 feet -- UPDATED from Aerial Sports Feed | With the world watching, Felix Baumgartner jumped from his Red Bull Stratos capsule at 128,097 feet and into the record books, breaking the speed of sound...

'Fearless Felix' Does It! from EAA - The Experimental Aircraft Association | Austrian Felix Baumgartner became the first human to go faster than the speed of sound Sunday over Roswell, New Mexico, during the highest parachute jump ever made...

5 Reasons Why The Felix Baumgartner (Red Bull Stratos) Spacedive Today Was Pure Awesome | from AirPigz by Martt | After trying but failing last week to launch the largest manned helium balloon ever from Roswell New Mexico, and then battling similar challenging winds this morning, Felix Baumgartner and the Red Bull Stratos crew succeeded in getting off the ground late this morning Mountain Time. And then after a successful ascent, Felix left the capsule step at 128,097 feet above the Earth setting records for the highest manned balloon flight, the...

Bumgartner Should Win the Harmon Trophy from Spaceports | The 2012 Harmon International Trophy for Aeronautics should go to Felix Bumgarter. His aeronaut skills, and those of the Red Bull Stratos Team, the record setting jump 24-miles from a balloon over the skies of New Mexico and the contribution to fuure space aeronautics, have been proven to be adept...

‘Fastest Man Alive’ celebrates 65th anniversary with re-enactment at Nellis from Photorecon by contributor | 10/14/2012 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. – Retired United States Air Force Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager, the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound, celebrated the 65th anniversary of his ground breaking event with a re-enactment here Oct. 14. Yeager was serving as a test pilot and flying the experimental Bell X-1 named the, “Glamorous Glennis,” Oct. 14, 1947,...

First manned supersonic flight – 14 October 1947 from Roger-Wilco by steve | | 1947 was a tumultuous year for the US armed forces. The U.S. Air Force was created as a separate service in September and on 14 October Captain Charles “Chuck” Yeager broke the sound barrier in the first manned supersonic flight. At the controls of an XS-1 rocket plane, built by Bell Aircraft. The plane was named Glamorous Glennis after Chuck’s wife. It was...

Kalispell's Captain and Thunderbird Pilot Returns Home - Flathead Beacon | ...Back in his hometown of Kalispell, Curtis shared his inspiring story at an assembly at his former grade school. The 31-year-old Flathead High School graduate has spent the last decade living his dream from inside the cockpit of F-16 fighter jets. Curtis has more than eight year of experience flying twice the speed of sound in skies around the world. He has flown combat missions in Afghanistan, providing critical support during times of need. Most recently he achieved another exceptional distinction after being chosen by the Air Force to become one of “America’s Ambassadors in Blue,” a Thunderbird pilot....

Miramar Air Show wows thousands - ITN | Thousands of spectators have turned out for the largest air expo in the US, the Miramar Air Show in San Diego, California. The display is billed as the largest exhibition of military aircraft in the United States. Spectators were mesmerized by aerial ...

'Sky kings' and a skydiver cap day of wonder - U-T San Diego | The spectators who snaked through the base's gates in long lines of traffic got to see everything from a vintage P-51 long-range fighter-bomber to the MV-22 Osprey to blindingly fast F-22 Raptor and FA-18 Super Hornet. Soldiers, sailors and Marines ...

Embry-Riddle air show wraps up with another day of thrills - Daytona Beach News-Journal | DAYTONA BEACH — Airplanes old and new dazzled tens of thousands of spectators as they soared above the ocean Sunday for the second and final day of the 2012 Wings and Waves air show presented by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Air Show a success - Santa Maria Times | With over 10,000 spectators in attendance at this two-day event and the additional air show acts, sponsored by the Airport District added to our celebration of 100 years of service by the U.S. Marine Corps. We would like to acknowledge our major ...

Biplanes Flock to Ozark Fly In from Alabama Aviator - Aviation News | OZARK AL- Blackwell Field hosted nearly 30 aircraft and thousands of aviation fans on Saturday, according to an airport official. The annual Biplane Fly In drew crowds estimated of two thousand, many more than last year....

Silver Falcons Team 73 Benefit Dinner from Airstrike Aviation Photography by Justin de Reuck | The Silver Falcons hosted a benefit dinner in order to raise some funds for the team. I was asked to cover the event, which included a flying display, followed by a three course meal, an auction and talks by the team members on all aspects of the team. From the history of the team to how they fly their displays. An incredible evening which ended as well in the Silver Falcons presenting me with an award certificate for my photographic work with the team. An honour indeed. What a...

Bahamas Pilot Challenge takes off from General Aviation News by Janice Wood | A new Bahamas Pilot Challenge has been launched for 2012-2013, drawing general aviation pilots to more of the many islands of the Bahamas starting just 50-60 miles off the Florida coast. Pilots who document landings at 12 of the 20 Bahamas airports of entry before Nov. 30, 2013, will be eligible to win a total of 23 hotel nights at top resorts on various islands...

Louis P. Tiner (1922-2012) - Newsday | He served as aircraft Armorer for the famous Flying Tigers. Louis later worked as a police officer for the Village of Haverstraw Police Department for 29 years. He was past president of the Haverstraw Patrolmen's Benefit Association. He also was a ...

Brian McCann from Test & Research Pilots, Flight Test Engineers

Donald Bowen from Test & Research Pilots, Flight Test Engineers | XR219, the first British Aircraft Corporation TSR.2, took off on its maiden flight at 1528hr local time on Sunday, September 27th 1964. The white-painted strike/reconnaissance aircraft is based at the...

Formation flight Sunday. Shuttle carriers from Planeshots

Army UH-1H finds new home with Air Force from Air Force Link Top Stories | The Inter-American Air Forces Academy at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland recently landed a new training tool that upgrades the helicopter maintenance courses it offers to students from Latin American partner nations.  The arrival of an Army UH-1H helicopter at IAAFA's 318th Training Squadron is expected to meet the growing needs of students who are here to learn how U.S. Airmen perform their mission...

Hawaiian Airlines DC-9-51 spends her retirement years at at Honolulu International Airport
from Aero Pacific Flightlines by Michael Carter | I was in Hawaii recently and meet with HNL Rarebirds blog editor Ivan Nishimura who was very kind to show me around the westside of Honolulu International Airport (HNL/PHNL) where there are lots of classic aircraft to be seen and photographed. I can't thank Ivan enough for his kindness. ...

AOPA to create flying club network from General Aviation News by Janice Wood | The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association will create a national network of flying clubs as part of a long-term initiative to facilitate flying club growth, association officials told attendees at the AOPA Aviation Summit Oct. 12. The network is part of AOPA's efforts to grow the shrinking pilot population, according to a report at AOPA.org, noting that flying clubs offer affordability, community, quality instruction, an entry (or re-entry) point to aviation, and a viable business model. The flying club initiative, built on extensive research, also promotes flying clubs and helps new clubs get started, with a goal of increasing the number of clubs nationwide from 661 to 1,000 in five years...

Day 39 - October 13, 2012 from TeenFlight! by TeenFlight Crew | Arguably the most difficult part of the entire RV-12 build, the fiberglass lay-up around the canopy is unlike the other parts of the RV. Instead of manhandling metal into submission, this careful procedure requires concentration and patience. ...

Endeavour's long slog home - CNN.com - www.cnn.com | Crowds lined streets and gathered on rooftops early Sunday in Los Angeles as the space shuttle Endeavour, the beloved symbol of the end of an era, inched its way to its resting place hours later than originally planned.

One More Mission: 1965 Huey UH-1D drafted into service at Reno

Huey Rescue

By Connie May and Phil Myers

Photo: Courtesy of LiveAirShowTV

      Called to serve- then and now.  The 1965 Huey UH-1D Serial number 65-09961 -  One more mission-not in the hot, humid, jungles of Vietnam amid enemy fire nearly 45 years ago, but in the high desert of northern Nevada on a clear, calm early fall day in 2011. She had seen so much action back during the days of the Vietnam War taking anti-aircraft-small arms fire hits and transporting the wounded.

     On September 16, 2011 she sprang into action, heroically transporting injured to a local medical center after the horrific plane crash that claimed the lives of veteran air race pilot, Jimmy Leeward and ten spectators and injuring 75 others at the National Championship Air Races at Reno-Stead airport in Nevada.

    It was the Unlimited Gold Class Heat (2A) of the air races that afternoon and Leeward was piloting #177 Galloping Ghost. According to the National Transportation and Safety Board a piece fell off the aircraft after Leeward completed several laps and made a steep left turn toward the home pylon and grandstand. The plane banked suddenly left, then right, turned away from the race course and pitched into a steep nose-high climb, the report said. The plane then rolled and plunged nose-first into a box seat area in front of the center of the grandstands.  

     Approximately 200 yards east of the impact the 1965 Huey owned by the 25^th Infantry Division, LLC sat on static at the National Aviation Heritage Invitational (NAHI) and quickly moved to aid.   Each year the Invitational hosts a competition for restored vintage, classic, warbird and large aircraft. This was the first year there were two helicopters (the other - a 1970 Bell Cobra) in the static display.       

     The Huey and Cobra were popular attractions at Reno and were visited by many veterans and air racing fans throughout the week. In fact, there was one fan who spoke to Pilot in Command of the Huey, Ray Murphy earlier that day-each would meet again in what many called what looked like a war zone when Murphy and his crew of angels flew the man and three others to Renown Medical Center in Reno.

    On that Friday afternoon the Huey, the most identifiable symbol of the Vietnam War epitomized the goals of the NAHI mission- to bring restored, original aircraft in flying condition to Reno. This 45 year old rotary wing aircraft and her crew showed she still had what it takes to conduct medavac operations.     

     Immediately after the crash a sheriff approached the helo display and asked for help. The owners and ground support crew started putting on the ground handling wheels and with help of the Cobra crew and others got the 6,000 pound helo ready to wheel out of the static area on to the ramp, get fueled and prepared to go.

Co-pilot Tim Horrell gives his account:

“I was near our helicopter and watched the warbirds take off for their heat. Except for when they pass in front of you, the race is kind of slow, and I was looking at a Navy Douglas A-4 Skyhawk (in the static area) when the Mustang impacted about 200 yards away. I looked up not knowing what had happened and saw the debris field spreading across the ramp. I didn't realize it had impacted in a populated area and I stayed in our area as most people did. I could smell 100 octane a few minutes later. None of us knew how extensive it was. After about a few minutes or so, the owners and our ground support crew started putting on the ground handling wheels and getting the bird ready to wheel out of the display area. I thought, you got to be kidding, what the hell we are going to do?

      When someone said mass casualties, I understood. And as I understand it, an event official had requested us. The aircraft was rolled out of the display area, fuel added, two jump seats removed, and the bench seats folded up.  We (Chief Pilot Ray Murphy) cranked up and hovered over to just outside the debris field. Two stretcher cases and two ambulatory patients were loaded. During this time we're trying to figure out where we are going to land with these people. Ray and I don't know where the hospitals are or which one we're supposed to go to (turned out to be Renown Hospital). A guy who assisted loading the patients ended up behind our seats and said he knew where to go, so we took him along.

      While we sat with rotors turning, waiting for the patients to be loaded, a medical A-Star helicopter landed next to us. We departed first and headed for Reno.  Ray was handling the radios and I was flying.  Pretty soon the A-Star is passing us on the right, so I kept him in sight and followed him to Renown. 

     He took the helipad so we landed in a park next to the hospital.  I'm seated and Ray is outside the aircraft in a VHPA T-shirt assisting the patients.  We hauled back to Stead expecting to fly another load, but were told that's it.   We shut down and the aircraft was rolled back inside the static display area. 

I always wanted one more mission!”

     One of the critically injured, who had earlier visited the Huey and Cobra static display, suffered a hit by debris on the back of his head and one of his Achilles tendons was cut. His calf was shredded and his shoulder separated.  

     Co-owner of the Huey, Christopher Miller was able to get a hold of the injured man by telephone after he had been released from the hospital. “The man said that just 30 minutes before the crash he had been in our area talking to Ray,” Miller said.  “He returned to the box seats area and when the plane was coming down he started to run…the next thing he knew he comes to, on a stretcher, and he can’t believe he is being loaded onto the Huey and he sees Ray’s face.”

      All four of the injured survived and Murphy has since heard from two of them, including the man who had visited him at the static display.  The man was able to phone Murphy to personally thank him. One of the others got in touch with him via email.  “That meant so much to me,” Murphy said. “We’re glad we were there to help.”

     The Huey has seen a lot of action in her life. In 2006 pilot Tim Horrell came across her and had her restored to the 25th Infantry Division colors. “This particular Huey has combat history and both she and I served with 25th Infantry Division out of Cu Chi, South Vietnam,” he said. “Although not at the same time.” 

     “It didn't take long to decide that this would be a neat tribute to the 25th Infantry Division,” he said. I'd had enough of seeing 1st Cav markings on this and that aircraft, so move over 1st Cav. and let the 25th Infantry in.”

      The 25th Infantry Division stood between Saigon and Cambodia, and was a large division in which many a member could identify with.

     The deal was made with the helicopter company and after eight months of restoration, in which the aircraft was completely stripped and disassembled, Horrell took delivery in the spring of 2007.  The Huey is basically 50's technology, simple to work on, and maintenance support is available.  “Amazingly, after 40 plus years there are still plenty of parts available, although quite expensive,” he said.         

      “In country, there were many add-ons, or equipment that was slipped in, or attached, to enhance the mission. After Vietnam there were some modifications to Army UH-1H's, such as wire strike kits, two antenna mounts on the nose, painting the cockpit black, and adding some small exterior lights for its new night vision role.”

     Horrell says except for some slight changes, this aircraft now looks as it did in 1969.

     Two VHF radios and a new transponder have been added to the center console. The original radios remain. A white VHF antenna was added to the top of the aircraft, and an ELT was added so that it can fly in today's world. The nose mounted pitot tube was recently relocated to the roof. Except for Dustoff, every Huey had M-60's or greater.  

     “Flying the Huey in Vietnam with a crew of four was exciting and dangerous, as one can imagine,” said Horrell.

     “Thinking back, things sometimes seem larger than they really were (during Vietnam).”          

     This Huey,  now based out of Buchanan Airfield in Concord, California also served in Korea, the Georgia National Guard, and a had post military life with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, South Carolina.

               In 2010, Horrell sold the Huey to business owners Michael Haus and Christopher Miller of the San Francisco bay area.  

               Today this Vietnam era testament and her crew valiantly honor our veterans who fought so bravely during the tumultuous conflict.  

     The Huey and her crew regularly give rides to veterans; participate in parades, veterans and military events and fundraisers throughout the greater San Francisco/Oakland Bay area.   The Huey’s distinct ‘thumping’ sound can be heard when she performs flyovers.  The 25^th Infantry Division, LLC is a nonprofit corporation operated also for the purpose of providing education and visual materials about the history of the 25^th Infantry Division and the vital part it played in the Vietnam era helicopter units.

     The individuals and at 25^th Infantry Division, LLC are a steadfast example of American patriotism with firm dedication to our nation’s past and present armed forces.

     “Ray Murphy is dedicated on a daily basis with our mission; he gives of his time and skills tirelessly and mentors our young co-pilots as well,” said Miller.   “Ray retired after putting in his twenty in the Army then went on to a career in the FAA for another 25 years or so.  He has been an active aviator for all of those years and his breadth of knowledge and experience is impressive, not to mention he is just a cool guy and we love him dearly.  Ray is the man!”

     All the crew shares a bond and certainly what they did on September 16, 2011 was bigger than life and cultivated their bond even more.

     There were many acts of courage that day in September as the community and aviation family came together as one to help brothers and sisters in need.

     The actions of the 25^th Infantry Division Huey were just one of many acts of valor on that dark day and there is no doubt their quick response and decisiveness saved lives.     

#####

2011 Heritage Trophy Winner Profile

PFLUGERVILLE, TX – OCTOBER 11, 2011 – One of a kind aircraft is nothing new to the NationalAviation Heritage Invitational, and 2011 was no exception.  The 1911 Bleriot XI, is the only one in the world today.  It is owned by CC Air Corp. and restored by Chuck Wentworth of Antique Aero and was the winner of the 2011 Rolls-Royce Aviation Heritage Trophy.  This wood and fabric aircraft shows how elementary were the early days of aviation.  A small engine, pushed this frail looking aircraft through the air using “wing-warping” to control its movements. 

The winners of this year’s invitational were recognized in a low-key ceremony on Sunday, September 18^th where only the competitors, officials, and organizers were on hand.  Ken Perich, Heritage Invitational Director said, “All facets of our competition had been completed, and we felt it was important to finish what we started.  These aircraft had been judged and even People’s choice ballots had been cast so all we had to do was award the trophies.”

The entire field of winners can be seen on the LiveAirShowTV website in the video column on the left-side of the home page.

LiveAirShowTV has several more stories from Reno that will be produced, including a profile of the crew of the Huey helicopter that was pressed into action following the crash on Friday.  Highlights and profiles from the upcoming Wings Over Houston air show, and the El Paso Amigo Airsho are also scheduled in the coming weeks.

Mobile updates will be posted on our Facebook Fan Page, as well as Twitter during those shows.  Links for both can be found on the LiveAirShowTV home page.

Whether we are live from the ramp, of getting you the inside story from those in the aviation community, you can count on LiveAirShowTV to be “The Eyes and Ears of Aviation, Today”.

Indy Transponder 29-SEP-2011 1000z

Hawkins Field Airshow - Jackson Clarion Ledger | The gist: Plane fun and thrilling aerobatics fill the skies for the Hawkins Field Airshow Saturday and Sunday, a free fest organizers hope will draw at least 10000 per day. Attractions target families all the way from tykes through seniors and everyone ...

Air Fest organizers need help - Culpeper Star Exponent | Volunteers will receive a parking pass, an Air Fest shirt and lunch. Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact Culpeper County Airport manager, Tonya Woodward, by email at twoodward@culpepercounty.gov or by phone at 540-825-8280. ...

5NEWS Takes a Ride with Aerobatic Team - KFSM  from http://www.5newsonline.com/  Pilots practiced Wednesday morning for the Fort Smith Regional Air Show that will take place on Saturday and Sunday. Members of the Air National Guard Aerobatic Team allowed 5NEWS to preview some of their stunts from the cockpit. Pilots make their planes twist, turn, and spiral. “I have a bond with all my airplanes,” said Lieutenant Colonel John Klatt, a pilot…

RIVERSIDE: March air museum 'M*A*S*H* Bash' is Saturday - InlandSoCal.com | Event sponsors include Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley, Visterra Credit Union, Waste Management Inc., and the County of Riverside. This event begins at 5 pm Saturday. Tickets cost $45 per person. March Field Air Museum is at 22550 Van Buren ...

'Marine One' lands at Naval Aviation Museum - Gulf Breeze News | “Marine One” not sits in display as a unique piece of Naval Aviation history, for all who visit the museum to enjoy. The National Naval Aviation Museum is open daily from 9 am-5 pm, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day…

Red Checkers to perform in Wellington – Voxy | Wellington and its visitors will be at an advantage on Sunday 2 October as the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Red Checkers perform their brilliant aerobatic display for crowds before the New Zealand vs Canada game. Approximately one hour before ...

Pilot ejects before stunt plane crash - Houston Chronicle | A deputy tells KTVB-TV (http://bit.ly/oldcYW ) that the pilot of the Skybolt plane was doing aerobatic maneuvers at about 1 pm Monday when the plane had some type of "structural failure" and crashed near Greenleaf. The pilot nearly hit a house on his ...

Museum owner worked with pilot killed in crash - Coon Rapids Herald | During the “Amelia” trip, Herrick said Leeward talked about the highly modified P-51D Mustang Leeward was getting ready to return to the air racing circuit. “I was a bit surprised to learn he was flying it [at Reno] after hearing about the accident,” ...

Students Honored For Help in Plane Crash – KTVN | Twelve days after that deadly plane crash at the Reno Air Races, we're still hearing the amazing stories of heroism. Fifty students were honored Wednesday for answering the call on that tragic Friday afternoon. Their instructor says it's important to ...

Huey Chopper Owners Reflect on Air Races Crash – KTVN | Moments after the deadly Reno Air Races crash, a group of men jumped in to help with their vintage Huey helicopter. "As soon as you heard the thud. 'Cause you just knew something was wrong," says pilot Brent Marker. Marker along with Ray Murphy and ...

Reno Victim Still Supports Races  from Aero-News Network: General Aviation by editor@aero-news.net (Jim Campbell)  Injured Woman Calls Leeward Crash 'Freak Accident' With the future of the National Championship Air Races at Reno being questioned, at least one of those still hospitalized after the crash of the Galloping Ghost on September 16 says the tragedy should not bring an end to the event…

'Sawbones' crew, fans see positive effort cut short by air race accident - Coon Rapids Herald by Tim Hennagir Expectations were running high for the Blaine-based Sawbones Maximum Air Racing Team just before an accident ended the 48th annual Reno Air Races. his 1949 Hawker Sea Fury competed at the National Championship Air Races in Reno and ...

From an Irish bog, a Spitfire with a tale to tell  from AirSpace by flyvertosset | One morning last January, amateur aviation historian Jonny McNee embarked on what he suspected was a doomed mission: to find the wreckage of a Second World War Royal Air Force Spitfire that had crashed in the peat bogs of County Donegal in northwest Ireland in November, 1941.  For two decades, other historians had sought it – in vain.  Amazingly, five minutes after he stopped to seek information from knowledgeable locals, he found a man who knew the precise location of the crash…

Sunday fundraiser aids Honor Flights - The Tennessean | Music City Honor Flight plans a new annual fundraiser to support and honor surviving Middle Tennessee veterans of World War II. “America's Greatest Picnic” will be held from noon to 6 pm on Sunday at Charlie Daniels Park in Mt. Juliet and will feature ...

WWII Veteran Seeks To Honor Those He Flew With - KGTV San Diego | A 90-year-old World War II veteran from Vista is on a mission to honor those he flew with during the war. Paul Bonilla hopes to get through layers of red tape and bureaucracy to fulfill a dying man's effort. "I'm not a hero. The heroes are the ones who ...

The C-17 Turns 20  The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III military transport plane turned 20 on Sept. 15. In celebration, the first one built, the T-1, repeated its maiden two-hour 1991 flight from California’s Long Beach Airport to Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert…

Profile 59 - "Miss America" as crewed by Howard Jensen  from WWII & Korean Conflict Airplane Profiles by JSM | I've been asked "How do you find these guys?!"  Fair question.  The fair answer is by hook, crook, this, that and a lot of travel.  But sometimes, I see them almost every day and have no appreciation until a quirk of circumstance forces a meeting.  Not that you care, but I work out as much as I can.  And, the Club to which I belong has a chalkboard in the entrance of the Men's locker room.  The Porters use it to write generic notes to the Members - "Good morning!  Your porter for today is Troy" and stuff like that…

Clipped wings - Marlborough Express | A Douglas A4 Skyhawk heads along New Renwick Rd early today on its way to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, on the outskirts of Blenheim. It is one of the 17 fighter jets mothballed by the Government in 2001 that have been in storage at Base ...

Safeguarding aviation history  -Trentonian ... names lining the paths through the airpark at the National Air Force Museum of Canada are proof "individuals and organizations recognize the importance of safeguarding Canada's aviation history for future generations," says Trenton's top soldier. ...

Rocket City Rednecks moonshine rocket post mortem  from The Original Rocket Dungeon by Dick | If you haven't seen the episode and are worried about spoilers, hit your back button now.  However, I won't spoil it much since the attached promo photo pretty much already did that. The idea is that they had a few days to build a moonshine and nitrous oxide powered rocket, including distilling the alcohol.  It was pretty clear to me that the rocket itself was well under way before the idea was supposedly hatched and it played 2nd stage to the construction of the still…

New Flying Un-Reality Show  from PropBlast.org | What with all the “reality” flying shows lately, (like Ice Pilots, Alaska Wingmen and Flying Wild Alaska) why not try a little un-real flying entertainment: “Allison & Will” is an anime series from Japan that follows the exploits of a young couple in the year 3287…

Shorpy.com Image: North American Aviation B-25 Factory 1942  by Martt | Every trip I make over to Shorpy.com is a real adventure. I typically search for anything aviation oriented I can find (I don't have enough time in the day to broaden the search!) - it's an amazing resource for hi-res images from 50 to 100 years ago.  I found this interesting image of a large quantity of B-25's being built at North American Aviation in Kansas City, Kansas back in 1942. It caught my eye specifically since I had just posted that awesome early morning dawn patrol CoolPix of the B-25 Lady Luck from OSH11...

Today in Aviation History – September 29  from Calgary Recreational and Ultralight Flying Club by bikeal

Indy Transponder 28-SEP-2011 1030z

MIRAMAR MARINE CORPS AIR STATION: Air show begins Friday - North County Times | MIRAMAR ---- The US Navy Blue Angels are slated to take to the region's skies Friday when the annual Miramar Air Show begins its weekendlong run, authorities said. "A Salute to San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation 1911-2011" will honor the ...

Wings over Houston Air Show headed for landing at Ellington Field Oct. 15-16 - Your Houston News
Ellington Field will once again play host to the Wings over Houston Air Show on Oct. 15-16. Celebrating its 27th year, the air show features the re-creation of famous World War II air battles by expert pilots flying vintage aircraft. ...

Air Force aerobatics over Wellington - The Dominion Post | The Air Force's Red Checkers aerobatic team will fly over Wellington Harbour between 10.30am and 11.30am tomorrow. The fly-over comes as the pilots prepare to perform a display during the All Blacks versus Canada rugby game at Wellington Stadium on ...

Vintage Helicopter, Crew Flew Into Service After Reno Air Race ...  by bdisbrow - In the moments after the September 16th Reno air race crash, a group of men who were uniquely qualified to help leapt into action…

Thunderbird 150 Air Race Wickenburg, Arizona  from VAF Forums by jrovey | The first Sport Air Racing League event in the Southwest will be held at Wickenburg, AZ (E25) on October 8th. If any RV or Rocket owners in the area have considered participating in one of these races please sign up. There will be a free dinner for racers on Friday evening, EAA breakfast, fly-in and classic car show on Saturday morning and then the 150 SM race will start at 11:00 am. Mandatory briefing at 10:00 am. Registration is closed when the briefing starts. www.sportairrace.org

Fly-In success has organizers' spirits soaring - The Columbian | Last weekend's regional Fly-In, including its gala dinner Saturday at Pearson Field, was a success in marketing the Portland-Vancouver area to 14 business executives and investors, according to event sponsor Greater Portland Inc. ...

F-16 Movie: Anadolu Kartallari  from Military Photos by MustafaK | Anadolu kartallari is gonna cost 6 million dollars. Pretty high for a nonprofit movie. A special jet and crew with aerial camera systems rented for the movie from US company Wolfe Air Aviation...

Second Annual IX Piston Power Show, World's Largest Indoor Power Display ... - MarketWatch | 30-Oct. 2 show will feature a fully restored B-17 replica from the movie Memphis Belle, a virtual reality NASCAR racer simulator and an appearance by auto designer Chip Foose, star of the hit TV show Overhaulin' on TLC. Classic motorcycles and Star ...

Lockheed pitches retired C-5As to commercial market  from The DEW Line by Stephen Trimble | The US Air Force has some big decisions to make soon about strategic airlifters. The backlog for the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III runs dry in 2014. That year also is the current expiration date for the Lockheed Martin C-5M programme, which is converting about 50 C-5B models to the re-engined and more reliable M-model configuration.  Perhaps sensing little immediate enthusiasm by the USAF to buy yet more strategic airlifters, Boeing and Lockheed are seeking to extend those products as long as possible. Boeing is working on collecting even more foreign orders for the C-17A. Meanwhile, Lockheed has some new ideas for preserving the life of the C-5M production line…

Flying museums on display - Vernal Express | The Commemorative Air Force has arrived in town with two flying museums, the B-17 “Sentimental Journey” and the B-25 “Maid in the Shade.” The two planes arrived on Monday and will leave after today. “We know everyone can't get to our big hangar in Mesa ...

50 years on, 'Catch-22' still resonates - Focus News | Heller, who died in 1999 at age 76, had tapped his own World War II experience flying 60 missions as a B-25 bombardier. At first they were largely uneventful, but by the 37th mission, things turned bloody. "There was a gunner with a big, ...

GAU-8 Avenger  from I n f o r m a t i o n 2 S h a r e by pawangkul | The General Electric GAU-8/A Avenger is a 30 mm, hydraulically-driven seven-barrel Gatling-type rotary cannon that is mounted on the United States Air Force’s Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II. It is among the largest, heaviest and most powerful aircraft cannons in the United States military. Designed specifically for the anti-tank role, the Avenger delivers very powerful rounds at a high rate of fire…

Great sunset canopy picture (by faktoryboy)  from Bonjour BlueSky 

Episode 166 – Delta Knows Social Media  from Airplane Geeks Podcast by thegeeks@airplanegeeks.com (Airplane Geeks)  Guest Susan Elliott is a senior member of the Delta Air Lines cross-divisional social media team. She has primary responsibility for leading strategy and implementation efforts surrounding issue management within emerging media. Susan also acts as company spokesperson and maintains day-to-day relationships with top-tier media and digital influencers. Like us! …

Today in Aviation History – September 28  from Calgary Recreational and Ultralight Flying Club by bikeal

Indy Transponder 06-JUL-2011 1030z

Red Devils and Spitfire among star attractions at Rescue Day - Yorkshire Post | A Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will also fly past at the fundraising event, which aims to boost the coffers of Help For Heroes, East Midlands Air Ambulance, Humber Rescue, and other local charities. On the ground at Lakes Country ...

Make-A-Wish Child Meets the Blue Angels - Patch.com | Wish child Joshua Tedeschi, a Cranston resident, recently posed for a photo with US Navy Blue Angels Pilot Lt. Rob Kurrle, Jr., USN at a special air show viewing thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. ...

Blue Thunder II Update - John Parker ... We brought Blue back from the Golden West show on Sunday morning so that we could get her in a few shots of a 3D IMAX feature that was being filmed here at the Stead Airport.  The next morning, June 13, I started formation and pylon race course practice, flying once a day for a week. Steve Edmonson was here for the week and he did a great job of finding places on Blue to mount our GoPro Hero camera. We got a lot of footage and Rhonda has edited some of that footage and uploaded it onto You Tube. The links below show some pretty cool stuff.

http://evanflys.com/golden_west_2011#Next - Golden West 2011 photo gallery
http://youtu.be/7Z_5vIay-4s - Blue II flight test #7
http://youtu.be/MUqv6umwHJg - Yellow in formation flight with Blue
http://youtu.be/2GR-1a8cwuA - Blue II at PRS 2011

Tuskegee 'Museum' Under Fire  from Aero-News Network | $5 Million Facility Being Called A Federal Stimulus Boondoggle Last summer, the Fulton County Commission in Georgia approved borrowing five million dollars from the federal government to build an "aviation cultural center" to honor the Tuskegee Airmen...

Three more museums to get Skyhawks - New Zealand Herald | Now they are a central part of our aviation history. "Over the years, in various ways they have touched the lives of thousands of New Zealanders. Now they will be on display around the country for the enjoyment and education of future generations. ...

Last Skyhawk jets heading for museums - Stuff.co.nz | Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said the last three of nine Skyhawks earmarked for museums will be sent to the Warbirds Association in Ardmore, the Warbirds over Wanaka and Ashburton Aviation Museum. Three of the 16 Aermacchi jet trainers will also go to ...

‘I never flew a combat mission in my B-17, I was lucky,’ John Ross  from War Tales by Don Moore | John Ross, who until relatively recently lived in North Port for 33 years, was the pilot of a B-17 Bomber during World War II. He and his bomber crew were members of the 388th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force flying out of a field near Cambridge, England. “They say when I got over there with...

Flying fortress brings back memories for WWII veterans - Peoria Journal Star | Jim Fischer, 80, of Morton looks out a window of a B17 Flying Fortress at Byerly Aviation Tuesday. By MICHAEL BOREN The German fighter planes were so close that LeRoy Mace could see the enemies' faces when he flew 46 missions in Europe during World War ...

B-25 Bomber on Display at Yakima Air Museum - KIMA CBS 29 | The pilots made sure France was given the ride of a lifetime, gliding across the Yakima Valley, even encouraging him to climb into the nose for a spectacular 200-degree view. The B-25 is on display at the McAllister Museum at the Yakima Airport through ...

Restoration of Glacier Girl, Part 3  from Featured | In Flight USA has run the story of Glacier Girl in three parts. The first part, the history of Glacier Girl, ran in the May Issue. The second part covered The Recovery of Glacier Girl and ran in the June issue. Here we present the third part that tells the story of the Restoration of Glacier Girl. This story leads us to AirVenture, July 25-31, where Glacier Girl will be on display…

Vintage German Airplane Down In UK  from Aero-News Network | Pilot Walks Away From Accident In Bucker Juhgmann A pilot preparing for a flying display in a Military Pageant Air Show in Bedfordshire village in the UK was able to walk away from an accident which damaged the Bucker Jungmann airplane he was flying...

Accident Fatally Injures Santa Paula Air Show Pilot  from Aero-News Network | Cessna Went Down In Riverbed Near The Airport An air show pilot based at the Santa Paula, CA airport (KSZP) was one of two people fatally injured when the Cessna 180 they were flying went down in a riverbed near the airport Sunday night…

Daleville’s Heroic Huey — the 325  from Travel for Aircraft | Daleville AL has a Bell UH-1H Huey proudly displayed at the Daleville Cultural and Convention Center — but not an ordinary display. One may expect that this aircraft is dedicated to a group in the armed services, Army would be a good supposition, or perhaps to nearby Fort Rucker where the U.S. Army first trains its aviators, or even to local veterans. Any of the foregoing would be admirable but this display is exceptional since it is dedicated to the aircraft itself, the specific Huey that became to be known as “3-2-5″ — in radio-speak, this term would be said as “three-two-five” to be heard clearly at the receiving end of the transmission…

Bush pilots, their planes, and their so-called airfields  from Bayou Renaissance Man by Peter | I've written before about 'bush pilots'; and, although Miss D. would deny that she qualifies for that label, she's nevertheless regarded as at least a fledgling 'bush pilot' by others who've earned that moniker. I've encountered the breed in Africa, and I know they're all over the world, wherever their services are needed…

Pole dancing Karrie's skydiving for charity - Belper News - A BIG-HEARTED Belper beautician hopes to break a world record when she leaps from an aeroplane 30000ft up in the air with 80 of her pals from pole-dancing classes. Karrie O'Donnell, 24, who runs Unique Hair and Beauty, on Grosvenor Road, Ripley, ...

Episode 154 – Bits and Pieces VI  from Airplane Geeks Podcast by thegeeks@airplanegeeks.com (Airplane Geeks)  The Geeks take the week off in celebration of the July 4 holiday, but still manage to assemble enough content for an episode. We have...

“Sexy Lady” in Track in Cahors’sky...  from Bonjour BlueSky  “Sexy Lady” in Track in Cahors’sky (thanks Jennifer BOISSEAU for sharing!)

July 6 – This Day In Aviation History  from Aviation Earth | In 1919… The first person to arrive in the United States by air from Europe is Englishman Flt. Lt. J. E. M. Pritchard. He arrives with the airship R.34, which has entered American skies after leaving Scotland on July 2 to cross the North Atlantic. (F&F) In 1951… The first in-flight refueling under combat conditions...