Indy Transponder 07-JUL-2011 1030z

Blue Angels to perform during Yankee Air Museum's 'Thunder over Michigan' air ... - The Republic | The Yankee Air Museum says the Blue Angels military demonstration team is coming to southeastern Michigan this month. The museum says the US Navy's Blue Angels will perform during the "Thunder Over Michigan" air show. It's scheduled for July 23-24. ...

From staff reports - Pensacola News Journal | US Navy Blue Angels will participate in a full dress rehearsal Friday. This year's show, including the Blue Angels and other military and civilian aircraft, begins at noon Saturday. Cost: Free. Casino Beach, Pensacola Beach, Robbie Lofty, 932-2257. ...

Local A-10 pilots seek to set record - Shreveport Times | On July 15, the four Barksdale-based Air Force Reserve pilots will carve their names into aviation history by surpassing a total of 20000 combined cockpit hours in their A-10 Thunderbolt II fighter jets. The four, all lieutenant colonels, ...

Set a world record, get a leather jacket to prove it  from General Aviation News by Janice Wood | Need just a little more incentive to attempt a world record? From July 6 through Sept. 30, pilots setting a world record through the National Aeronautic Association in a fixed-wing aircraft will be eligible to receive a leather flight jacket inscribed with the NAA Logo and the words "World Record Holder." Continue Reading »

RAF's biggest aircraft to take Air Tattoo bow - Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard | THE first public appearance of the Royal Air Force's largest and newest aircraft will take place at the Royal International Air Tattoo next month. The much-anticipated A330 tanker will feature on static display at the airshow at RAF Fairford on July ...

Kodiak Jack's owner steps in to save Mayor's Breakfast again - Oshkosh Northwestern | For the second time in three years, Kodiak Jack's owner Lee Englemann has stepped forward to sustain the Mayor's Breakfast during AirVenture later this month. The event, scheduled for the morning of Friday, July 29, at the Leach Amphitheater, ...

Aviation celebration held at Caldwell Airport – KTVB | She is on a panel with other pilots like Joe "Rifle" Shetterly, Greg Poe and members of the Idaho Division of aeronautics. Both Morgan and Poe hope by sharing their adventures in space, local kids will be inspired to explore the wonders of flight and ...

Burbank throwing big party to celebrate 100th anniversary - Los Angeles Daily News | The animatronic dinosaur, the B-25 Mitchell bombers and fireworks inspired by films will all be part of the city of Burbank's centennial celebration on Friday. Dubbed the Party of the Century, the free festivities are expected to draw more than 10000 ...

History takes wing - ReporterHerald.com | Three World War II-era warplanes, from top a P-51 Mustang, B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator, will visit the Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport this weekend. They are flying museums, ...

First aeroplane flight from Liverpool to Manchester recreated 100 years ago today - Liverpool Daily Post | FIVE light aircraft will take off from Liverpool John Lennon Airport this morning to recreate the first aeroplane flight from Liverpool to Manchester exactly 100 years ago. Aviator Henry Melly, the first man in ...

Vintage flights were fantastic - Edmonton Journal | Big thanks to astronaut Chris Hadfield and the pilots of Vintage Wings of Canada for the terrific flyby and great flights for the public at Airfest at the Alberta Aviation Museum on Canada Day. ...

Aviation history comes to life at Paine Field - Military & Aerospace Electronics | Attractions include one-of-a-kind and rare aircraft restored to pristine condition by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen at the Flying Heritage Collection and by local attorney and businessman John Sessions at the Historic Flight Foundation, ...

Big Sky Air Race ready for takeoff - Helena Independent Record | It's the first time the Sport Air Racing League, a nationwide group, will hold an event in Montana. The league has about 20 races a year with a grassroots spirit reminiscent of the early days of NASCAR, with the only prize being bragging rights. ...

Saluki Fly Girls place highly at Air Race Classic - Media Newswire | CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Erin Jackson and Melanie Murdock believed they performed well last week during the shortened 2011 Air Race Classic. (Media-Newswire.com) - CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Erin Jackson and Melanie Murdock believed they performed well last week ...

Paris-Madrid Air Race 1911-2011  from CAFE Foundation Blog by Dean Sigler | 100 years ago, the idea of flying an 800-mile cross-country anywhere was a grand and dangerous adventure.  With aerodynamics not yet a science and aircraft powered by the self-destructive engines of that day, it took a brave pilot to even make the attempt.  The Paris-Madrid race of 1911 was a disaster from the start, and yet one man managed to achieve triumph despite the tragedy…

Restored B-26 graces the skies again  from Air Force Times - News by Lancaster (Ohio) Eagle-Gazette | It took more than 12 years, 12,000 man-hours and $200,000, but the B-26B World War II bomber that was restored by the local Historical Aircraft Squadron is returning to its owners…

The T-6 Texan in South African service  from Bayou Renaissance Man by Peter | Following my recent three-part Weekend Wings series on the South African Air Force (SAAF), I've had a couple of questions from warbird enthusiasts about the North American T-6 Texan trainer in South African service. I thought I'd put up the details and some pictures in a separate blog post…

Airport Appreciation Days getting off the ground - The Banner-Graphic | This event also marks the eighth year the event will allow Young Eagles and children aged 8 to 17 to fly around Putnam County, said Jack Sutton, member of the Appreciation Days Group. "We're hoping someday it will be a county-wide event," Sutton said, ...

Old 1930’s aviation goodness. Though, some seem to argue...  from You like airplanes, too?  Old 1930’s aviation goodness. Though, some seem to argue that is not an accurate depiction because neither the mechanic or the engine are covered in oil. :) Photo by James Vaughan.  Full version here.

July 7 – This Day In Aviation History  from Aviation Earth | In 1914… American physics professor, Robert H. Goddard receives a patent for his two-stage solid fuel rocket. (OTM) In 1929… Transcontinental Air Transport Inc. inaugurates a 48-hour combined rail and air passenger service from coast to coast in the U.S. Colonel Charles Lindbergh flies the first plane over the air route. (OTM) In 1962… Colonel…

FREE Kid’s Admission with One Paid Adult Admission  from Fargo AirSho by jimb | Bring this coupon to the Air Museum and receive one FREE child admission (age 11-17) with one paid adult admission. Redeemable only at Air Museum. Limit one child per one paid adult admission while supplies last. Not valid with any other offer. Offer expires 08/07/11 at 11:59 pm. Download Coupon >>

RAF’S BIGGEST AIRCRAFT TO TAKE AIR TATTOO BOW

THE first public appearance of the Royal Air Force’s largest and newest aircraft will take place at the Royal International Air Tattoo next month.

The much-anticipated A330 tanker will feature on static display at the airshow at RAF Fairford on July 16-17 and will take part in an official naming ceremony to confirm its prestigious title, Voyager.

It will be the longest and widest aircraft in the RAF’s fleet with a wing span of 60 metres.

Voyager has been designed to carry a payload of up to 45 tonnes, which can include up to 291 passengers or 111 tonnes of fuel for its air-to-air refuelling or air transport missions.

Dave Mitchard, Managing Director for AirTanker Services Ltd – the company delivering the fleet to the RAF at Brize Norton - said: “We are delighted to have the Voyager aircraft on public display for the first time this year. 

“The Air Tattoo provides the perfect showcase for the RAF’s future tanker and transport aircraft and we’re thoroughly looking forward to bringing it into service towards the end of this year.”

AirTanker’s contract with the Ministry of Defence will see them provide 14 purpose-built A330 tanker and transport aircraft, as well as the associated support services, including training, maintenance, infrastructure, flight operations and ground services.

Dave continued: “We’re going to provide a step change in capability for the RAF.

“We are using a new, modern aircraft, where traditionally the RAF has used existing aircraft and converted them for specific usage. Voyager will therefore have all the benefits associated with a new aircraft such as better fuel efficiency, greater reliability and quieter engines, which is particularly good news for those living in the local area.”

The first two aircraft within the Voyager fleet, which will replace the VC-10 and Tristar, have been converted by Airbus Military in their purpose-built facility near Madrid, Spain. Once the aircraft have been certified and qualified, they will be owned by AirTanker and leased to the Royal Air Force.

AirTanker has five shareholders – all well-known names within the defence and aviation sectors - who are also subcontractors for the programme.  They are Babcock, Cobham, EADS, Rolls-Royce and Thales.

The A330 will also have an aeromedical capability, which will enable it to carry up to 40 NATO stretchers and three critical care patients.

The name Voyager follows the heritage of a number of RAF tanker aircraft, with the names beginning with V, specifically the Victor and the VC-10 Tanker aircraft.

Squadron Leader Kevin Latchman, 30, who will be one of the first pilots to operate Voyager when the first of 14 A330s come in to service in the autumn, said: “This is a completely different way of doing business for the Royal Air Force and it has the potential to revolutionise an existing capability. The aircraft is brand new and being one of the first pilots to fly it is a very exciting prospect.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the Voyager at RIAT, especially because it will start to focus the mind on the fact that the aircraft will soon be entering service.”

This summer’s Air Tattoo will be marking its 40th anniversary and hosting a gathering of specially-decorated ‘Tiger’ aircraft from the NATO Tiger Association. ‘Tiger’ aircraft come from NATO squadrons that have a Tiger or Big Cat in their emblem and their association marks its 50th anniversary in 2011. The ‘operational’ spotlight STAR 11 will focus on aircraft and equipment involved in the roles of Strike and Reconnaissance.

Tickets are available by visiting www.airtattoo.com or calling 0800 107 1940. All tickets must be purchased in advance. All accompanied under-16s go free.