Indy Transponder 12-DEC-2012 2300z

ICAS Convention – Wednesday by Steve Tupper | It’s Wednesday. Although the convention goes on through tomorrow, I’m bugging out on a red-eye flight this evening. Every day at ICAS is cool, but today is doubly so. It’s flight suit day. All performers are encouraged to wear their flight suits. In years past, I have either not worn a flight suit or I [...]

ICAS Convention 2012 – Tuesday Ends by Steve Tupper | My first full day of the 2012 ICAS Convention ended well. The exhibit hall opened in the morning shortly after the jet team announcements and it was time to check out all of the new stuff for the 2013 season. The Aerostars hosted a Redbird G1000 C-172 in their booth and I had a chance [...]

Thunderbirds, 'Fifi' to headline 2013 Dayton Air Show - WLWT Cincinnati | ... was made at the International Council of Air Shows' annual convention in Las Vegas. Others named to the Dayton show's lineup include the Birmingham, Ala.-based AeroShell Aerobatic Team and aerobatic pilots Skip Stewart and Melissa Pemberton.

Thunderbirds to fly at Jones Beach in May - Newsday | The event will be headlined by the Thunderbirds precision-flying team, the Air Force confirmed Tuesday. The park -- and especially the boardwalk at the Central Mall that has always been the center of the aerial event -- was so heavily damaged by the storm.

Air Force Thunderbirds to highlight spring air show in Martinsburg - Martinsburg Journal | In addition to the Thunderbirds, several civilian aerobatic performers will take to the skies over Martinsburg and an array of aircraft will be on static ground display for the event. Organizers expect 65,000 to 80,000 people will attend the 2013 show.

Kalispell chosen for air show - NBC Montana | According to the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, Kalispell has been chosen to play host to the US Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, during an air show. The event has been dubbed “Mountain Madness 2012.” ...

Don’t normally see aerial refueling from this perspective!... from You like airplanes, too? by marvinsmith

Air Force expected to fly in north Ga. air show - WRCB-TV | ROME, Ga. (AP) - Next year's Wings Over North Georgia Air Show in Rome will feature an elite group of U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The Chattanooga Times-Free Press reports (http://bit.ly/TOjWAI ) a top-flight group of F-16 jets will perform stunts ...

KentuckyOne to be sponsor of Thunder Over Louisville - The Courier-Journal | KentuckyOne Health has agreed to be a new major sponsor of Thunder Over Louisville, but three primary longtime underwriters of the fireworks and air show have yet to commit to sponsorship next year. UPS has sponsored the Kentucky Derby Festival's ...

Santa to fly in at Peter Prince Airport - Santa Rosa Press Gazette | Saturday Santa will pay a quick visit to the Peter Prince Airport from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. for the second annual Santa Fly-In. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Santa Rosa Kids House and will be hosted by the AMS Flight School. This year Santa ...

The Grinch won't steal Beale's Christmas from Air Combat Command | Santa Claus taxied into Dock 6 riding in a themed U-2 Dragon Lady for the Children's Holiday Party, and chased away the Grinch while more than 1,500 members of Beale Air Force Base, Calif., lined the entry control point Dec. 8....

Sywell Airshow raises £50000 for charity - Northampton Chronicle & Echo | Michael Bletsoe-Brown, managing director of Sywell Aerodrome, said: “We were absolutely knocked out by the support of the public at the airshow in August. Our volunteer team worked solidly for over a year in advance of the show, giving up their spare ...

A marble plaque unveiled in memory of the commander Edmond Marin Meslée from Passion for aviation by Xavier Cotton | ...Saturday 15 December 2012, at 10:30, at No. 9 rue Guillaume de Machault in Reims (opposite the tourist office and close to Notre-Dame), will be unveiled a marble plaque engraved in memory of the commander Meslée Edmond Marin (1912-1945), patron of the former airbase at Reims 112 (from 1953), this in the context of the celebration of the centenary of the birth of this pilot, as the as the campaign in France 1939-1940 (with twenty air victories, sixteen approved)...

Timeless Voices - Gene Sherrill from eaavideo.org | Gene Sherrill enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1953 and was trained as an electronic countermeasures operator. After serving on a RB-36 crew, he transitioned to B-52s. His career spanned 26 years until retirement from the service in 1979.

WAI's 24th Annual Conference set for Nashville - BlueSky Executive Aviation News | Women in Aviation, International will hold its 24th Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, from March 14-16, 2013. The Conference is to be held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Secure online registration is available at www.wai ...

Frontiers of Flight Museum from Travel for Aircraft by joseph_may | The Frontiers of Flight Museum is spacious, well designed and welcoming with several aircraft as well as aerospace exhibits centered on the aviation history of the United States. The museum also has learning facilities and programs for the young. On the visit that is the [...]

Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet. from Planeshots

Travel Air Trifecta from Nordo News by Rich Davidson | A few years back our good friend Glenn Frithcalled with a problem. Sitting in Seattle Washington was a beautiful Travel Air 4000 with his name on it. His home was in Ft. Meyers. That’s a problem alright and I had an idea how to fix it. A few weeks later, along with some friends in a Pilatus chase plane, we would start the journey home....

Emergency over North Sea: cockpit recording lets you hear aircrew ejecting from an F-4D Phantom jet from David Cenciotti's weblog

Sun 'n' Fun: Free Flights for 12 Children For Christmas - The Ledger | The flights are offered for children ages 8 through 18. Relatives, neighbors or friends may nominate a child through Dec. 20 using a form on the Sun 'n Fun website (www.sun-n-fun.org). The nomination requires a 500-word essay describing the ...

Indy Transponder 06-DEC-2012 1745z

Warbirds fly for open day - Auckland stuff.co.nz | Food and amusements will be also available. The $10 cash entry fee will go towards the continuing development of the aviation library and hangar display in the Warbirds visitor centre - and every entry will go in the draw for a flight in a Warbirds ...

All new Paradise City at SUN ’n FUN from General Aviation News by Janice Wood | After a lengthy delay while various government agencies squabbled about exact plans (gee... sound familiar?), earth is being moved on the grounds of the SUN ’n FUN campus on Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport in Florida, to create an all-new Paradise City..

Rowan airport hosts WWII-era B-17 'Memphis Belle' for restoration work - Salisbury Post | A World War II-era bomber banked over Salisbury and turned toward the Rowan County Airport early last week. The B-17 landed a few minutes later and taxied slowly into an area near the airport office. A large group of spectators welcomed the majestic bird.

Ohio governor declares December ‘General Aviation Appreciation Month’ from General Aviation News by Janice Wood | Ohio Governor John Kasich has declared December “General Aviation Appreciation Month.” In Ohio, general aviation airports contribute more than $5.5 billion into the economy every year.

Dec. 7, 1941, a day that changed our world - Lincoln Times-News | I flew the B-25 in advanced flight school and it was a delight, but if you had asked me if it could launch from an aircraft carrier with a five man crew, a load of fuel and bombs I would have thought you had lost your mind. But that is just what they...

WWII pilot recalls B-17 flights, crew - Chagrin Valley Publishing | CHAGRIN FALLS – William Basler was in high school on Dec. 7, 1941 and remembers listening to the radio when the news came that Pearl Harbor had been bombed. He did not know it at the time, but the life-changing event would cement his place in history ...

San Antonio's connections to famous military figures - San Antonio Express | David "Tex" Hill – Hill was a fighter ace and served in China in the famed Flying Tigers squadron before the U.S. entry into World War II. Hill died in San Antonio in 2007

Help the P-59 Fly Again! from Planes Of Fame News | Planes of Fame has been offered a matching grant challenge of $25,000 to finish the P-59 restoration!

FM-2 Wildcat to Be Raised From Lake Michigan Friday from EAA - The Experimental Aircraft Association | A submerged World War II fighter is scheduled to be raised from Lake Michigan this Friday, December 7, at the Waukegan, Illinois, harbor. The plane, a Grumman (Eastern Aircraft) FM-2 Wildcat, had been sitting at the bottom of the lake off the Chicago shoreline for more than 65 years after crashing during a carrier operations training flight.

Watch the drama unfolding: Israeli Air Force F-15D hits a pelican flock on take off from David Cenciotti's weblog | Although the video it’s not new (it was released shortly after the episode took place) the Israeli Defense Forces have recently released more detail about it.  In October 2011, an Israeli Air Force F-15D fighter jet with an experienced pilot and navigator on board, taking off from Tel Nof airbase in central Israel, suffered a series of birdstrikes with a flock of pelicans...

Pilot's Air Show Over Waukee Draws Scrutiny from National Guard - Patch.com | An F-15 fighter pilot with the Florida National Guard who put on an impromptu air show over Waukee Tuesday morning has been sent home as authorities look into his stunt.

New book released on experimental combat aircraft from General Aviation News by Janice Wood | Are Warbirds your thing? What about Warbirds developed by the Brits for World War II? If so, Specialty Press has just released Tony Buttler's 268-page book, "British Experimental Combat Aircraft of World War II."...

Decorate with a Warbird from General Aviation News by Janice Wood | Almost every pilot dreams of flying a Warbird like the F4U Corsair. Until that day happens, you can still dream of it when you see Sporty’s Corsair Shelf hanging on your wall or sitting on your desk.

Indy Transponder 04-DEC-2012 1145z

Entebbe air show set for December 15-16 - eTurboNews | Air Uganda has already offered to fly disabled children on a special flight on their MD 87 aircraft while the general aviation community from Kajjansi, the Kampala Aero Club, MAF aka Mission Aviation Fellowship, and Ndege Juu will join hands with their...

Al Ain Aerobatic Show postponed for a year - The National | Al Ain Aerobatic Show postponed for a year. Thamer Al Subaihi. The 2012 Al Ain Aerobatic Show has been postponed until 2013. When asked about the reason for the delay a spokesperson for the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, the air show's...

Rare Mosquito confirmed for airshow - Stuff.co.nz | Airshow director Tom Williams said securing the Mosquito was a major coup for the event. "The Mosquito was one of the fastest operational aircraft in World War II and the only one to be constructed almost entirely of wood. ''Its significance to World...

Blue Angels Arrive in Lynchburg to Prepare for May Air Show - WSET | Lynchburg, VA - The Blue Angels are in town, flying through the sky and touching down in Campbell County this afternoon. Blue Angels Number Seven landed at Lynchburg Regional Airport for a preseason winter visit before they perform in May. After the...

It’s Official, Kristal, the french team, is now the new... from Bonjour BlueSky | freefly World Champions. Congrats D...

Oldest Fly-in Breakfast Club to land at GMU from General Aviation News by Janice Wood |
On the morning of Sunday, Dec. 9, The South Carolina Breakfast Club will be landing at the Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU). They have been traveling to airports, in and right around South Carolina, since 1938, ceasing meetings only during World War II when there were restrictions on aviation fuel. The club has no dues, no attendance requirements and no bylaws; they have just one rule “Safety First.” Breakfast is about $6 a plate and is ready at about 9 am. It’s that simple...

Advance Purchase Ticketing Opens for AirVenture 2013 from News from EAA AirVenture Oshkosh | Advance purchase admission tickets and camping are now available for the 61st annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, scheduled for July 29-August 4 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. Daily and weekly admissions are available, as is the ability to join EAA and immediately receive the best possible admission prices available only to EAA members...

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012: Orbis International DC-10 Flying Eye Hospital from The Aero Experience - Celebrating Midwest Aviation by Carmelo Turdo | One of my top priority assignments in covering EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012 for The Aero Experience was to visit the Orbis International Flying Eye Hospital, a 1971 McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 airborne eye health training and surgical center. The importance of this feature to our team stems first and foremost from the use of aviation to perform humanitarian work around the world...

Reminisce Posters - TVR Photography

Rare WWII-era bomber could join South Carolina collection - Charleston Post Courier | The S.C. Historic Aviation Foundation has located one of the rare planes in a nearby state. ... “The heritage of the B-25 is particularly unique in South Carolina, and having a flying example would be a much more tangible tribute to all the airmen that...

OV-10 Bronco Association museum at Veterans Memorial Air Park from Travel for Aircraft by joseph_may | OV-10 Bronco Museum at Veterans Memorial Air Park 32º 48′ 12″ N / 97º 21′ 15″ W During the Vietnam War the Forward Air Control (FAC) mission evolved into Light Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft (LARA) — which was a specification issued by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps for a two crew aircraft which could [...]


Japanese WWII Aircraft Event - AirShowVid.com | PLANES OF FAME AIR MUSEUM’s DECEMBER LIVING HISTORY EVENT | The Planes of Fame Air Museum had their last living history event for 2012 Dec. 1 at themuseum’s Chino California location. This living history event was focused on Japanese WWII aircraft and featured two of the museum’s Japanese aircraft the Aichi D3A1 (Val) Carrier Bomber Val replica, used in the movie Tora!Tora!Tora!. We will be flying the Val (in actuality, a modified Vultee BT-15 Valiant) and on static display will be a Yokosuka D4Y-3 Type 43 Suisei (Judy) that is currently being restored to operational taxing condition....

Explore California’s Castle Air Museum from Airplanes Channel: Aircraft, Pilots, Heritage, Photos, Video, Events, News by Editor | Located in Atwater, California, the Castle Air Museum originated with the closure of the Castle Air Force Base in 1994. A group of aviation enthusiasts in the area decided to take steps toward preserving the collection of aircraft at the base, and the non-profit organization, Castle Air Museum Foundation, Inc. was formed. The goal behind assuming custody of the aircraft was to restore them and make them available to the public to view. Through the...

Larry Howard's Sopwith Pup from Antique Airfield News | Addison Pemberton was out visiting yesterday and sent us these photos: A visit to Sky Meadows and Larry Howard's shop in Spokane yesterday shows amazing progress on Larry's Sopwith Pup project...

Colorado and Texas Chapter December Newsletters from Antique Airfield News

Solar Impulse On '60 Minutes' from AVwebFlash Current Issue | Solar Impulse, the record-setting solar-electric aircraft built by Bertrand Piccard and his team in Switzerland, will visit the U.S. next year, according to a 60 Minutes report that aired on Sunday. The aircraft will launch from California and fly across the country to Virginia. No details have been released about the planned itinerary or public displays. Piccard's team is on track to attempt an around-the-world solar-powered flight in 2015, according to the report. That flight will take 20 days and 20 nights, in a new second-generation aircraft now under construction...

Dulles at 50: The 1970s - Leesburg Today | It was promoted as the world's largest air show featuring the new wide-body planes, high speed trains and the latest automated transit systems. More aviation firsts were to come, with Concorde supersonic service starting in 1976. On May 24 of that year...

Aviation: The Gift That Gives from Flight To Success by Karlene Petitt | ...She is funding this scholarship by donations. But this is a donation with a twist. Ruth has a talented friend, Brett Wilson, who designed a Christmas Card and Ruth wrote a poem (both are copyrighted). With this Christmas campaign you are able to donate on the behalf of someone else, and send them this priceless card. Your...

NORAD provides website, apps to track Santa from Air Force Link Top Stories | Children of all ages will be able to track Santa Claus on his annual journey, thanks to the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

Sun 'n Fun Offers Flights for Kids - The Ledger | Sun 'n Fun is offering free airplane flights for 12 children in a program called the Twelve Flights of Christmas. The flights are offered for children ages 8 through 18. Relatives, neighbors or friends may nominate children through Dec. 20 using a form...

NASA’s spooky plane on the way back to the U.S. after Tour of Duty in Afghanistan from David Cenciotti's weblog | After completing a BACN deployment at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan, one of the NASA’s last two flying WB-57Fs is on its way back to Ellington Field, Texas. Wearing the typical white color scheme, used to keep a “low profile” and appear similar to general aviation aircraft during its rather clandestine mission, the highly modified Canberra registered N926NA arrived to RAF Mildenhall, UK, from Souda Bay, Crete, on Dec. 2 and left the British airport to Lajes field, Azores, on Dec. 3....

Calling all Band Nerds -- Join the WAI Jazz Band from WAI Connect Blog by Pat | Imagine a group of women who are all passionate about aviation – great, smart, fun women – who wouldn’t want to hang out with them? But there’s a bonus. These women also share your passion for music. Gather them all together and you have the Women in Aviation, International Jazz Band. We’d like you to come be part of the band.

The Association of Space Explorers celebrates Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week  by Intl Team Leader | ...With a worldwide pilot population standing at less than 1 million, pilots are pretty special as they stand at less than one in 7,000. Female pilots are rarer: approximately one in 175,000 human beings. However, given the current world’s birth rate, a pilot is born every half hour and a female pilot is born every half day. There are even rarer individuals among us: cosmonauts and astronauts....

Voyager's Ride on the Magnetic Highway from Spaceports | NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft has entered a new region at the far reaches of our solar system that scientists feel is the final area the spacecraft has to cross before reaching interstellar space....

Indy Transponder 03-AUG-2012 0130z

Skytypers Set to Take Flight at Great New England Airshow - abc40 | (WGGB) — The Great New England Air Show kicks into high gear this weekend, but some of the planes and performers flew into Westover Thursday. I was able to get the same view the pilots with the Geico Skytypers Air Show team get when they perform at...

Annual Wings & Wheels Spectacular to Be Held This Weekend at Owls Head - Freepress Online | This year's Aerobatic Air Show will be held both days from 1:30 to 3 p.m., and feature high-speed performances by Kendal Simpson in his Pitts Model 12 and Dan Marcotte in his Ultimate 200 biplane. Jim Parker will put on a show in an aerobatic Salto ...

AirVenture Oshkosh 2012 – Day 6 from Other People's Airplanes by David | ...In this episode, we bring you a bunch of warbird heavy metal flying. The “Tora, Tora, Tora!” reenactment, the A-10 Thunderbolt II with a heritage flight, the venerable P-51 Mustang, the C-46 and C-47, and the mighty F/A-18 Hornet. Then we head over to Camp Scholler for...

"More Tunnel" UCAP Daily #298-golf from Uncontrolled Airspace: General Aviation Podcast | Jeb Burnside, Dave Higdon and Jack Hodgson are just about packed and ready to head home. They record one final UCAP Daily, standing beside Jeb's plane, out in front of the EAA Weeks Hangar.

RCCR Great Electric Radio Control Air Show coming Aug. 18 and 19 - Gates-Chili Post | The Radio Control Club of Rochester is hosting its 14th Annual RCCR Great Electric Radio Control Air Show and Fun Fly, Aug. 18 and Aug. 19, at the Model Air field located in Northampton Park, 304 Salmon Creek Road, Ogden. Examples of every type of ...

What role does radio-controlled flying have in GA? from General Aviation News by Ben Sclair | At the Arlington Fly-In in July I bought a Blade Scout radio-controlled (RC) helicopter. It's a beginner-level RC. It's also an absolute blast to fly. Horizon Hobby was the exhibitor. "We are trying to reach new markets, that's why we are here in Arlington," said Kim Payne from Horizon Hobby. "We'll be at AirVenture as well." Both displays were packed with people every time I happened by...

Albert Park a candidate for air race - 3AW | A member of the Save Albert Park lobby group has slammed a state government proposal to stage a high-thrills air race in the area. The global series run by Red Bull sees pilots race through slalom-style inflatable air gates and pylons...

Sun 'n Fun plans new dates, many improvements for 2013  - AOPA Pilot | Transformed into a year-round operation with a fresh focus on education and building the next generation of aviators, Sun 'n Fun will see many logistical improvements for 2013. President and CEO John “Lites” Leenhouts said the airshows will be shorter, ...

Contact! from General Aviation News by Jamie Beckett | In the old days, the word “Contact!” was central to the process of getting things going. The pilot yelled “Contact!” The mechanic then responded in kind while laying hands on the prop. Seconds later, after a grunt, a flip of the prop, and a puff of smoke, an airplane would leap to life. Technology has changed that process a bit. But the need to make contact is as important as ever, in whatever form it takes.

Goodyear zeppelin will retain iconic moniker - AOPA Pilot | The Spirit of Goodyear, the oldest blimp in a fleet being phased out in coming years, makes a slow circle around EAA AirVenture. Image 2. Pilot Michael Dougherty waits to take his turn at the wheel (and rudder, and valve controls, and throttle controls ...

Museum opens doors to aviation brigade - Topeka Capital Journal | Dave Murray, deputy chairman of the Combat Air Museum, came up with an idea several months ago to open the museum's doors for a day, free of charge, to soldiers with the Combat Aviation Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley and their families...

Duke Youth Voice: Aviator of the Skies and Words - my.hsj.org | Lillian “Lilly” Augspurger soars above the clouds of Pennsylvania while following the instructions of her uncle in his 1946 Aeronca Champ. To her, being an aviator means being above the clouds and escaping from the world. She hails from Raleigh, North ...

Google Street View and show pictures of the NASA Kennedy Space Center from AVIATION AVIATION NEWS NEWS | Google Street View users can add a new virtual interesting walk to the script. From now on you can view areas of Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, United States. That's where NASA frequently send their missions to space and the initiative is part of the celebrations of 50th anniversary of the foundation that was the starting point of travel of the Apollo Program.

Indy Transponder 15-FEB-2012 1145z

SUN n FUN Is StormReady - Alabama Aviator | Lakeland, FL - Recognizing the need for guidelines dealing with weather operations, the National Weather Service designed the StormReady program to help cities, counties, towns and events implement procedures to reduce the potential for disastrous weather-related consequences....

Lau: Singapore Is One of Top-Three Air Shows - AIN online | The Singapore Airshow will retain its world top-three ranking with a 2012 event that will be bigger than any of its predecessors, according to show organizers Experia Events. Covered exhibit space for this year’s show total 50,000 sq m–5 percent bigger than in 2010. Outdoor space spanning 100,000 sq m has been filled with more than 65 aircraft–up from around 50 two years ago....

M-346 on Schedule for Singapore - AIN online | ...Taking part in the air show are two M-346s of the Italian air force, which designates its machines T-346. The Aeronautica Militare Italiano became the first customer for the aircraft when it signed for six in late 2009. The air force officially accepted its first aircraft on November 15 last year, and a second followed shortly after. The pair was initially assigned to the air force flight test center at Pratica di Mare, near Rome. All six will have been delivered by the end of the year....

Golden Knights Video - SSG Rich Sloan shows you what the Diamond Track looks like from his point of view.

'Symbol of hope' to be erected at Robins air show and at museum - The Warner Robins Patriot | ...Now, everyone who visits the April 28-29 Air Show and Open House at Robins Air Force Base will pass through a replica of that tent. Eventually, the real canvas structure -- shipped here from Iraq -- will be on display at the Museum of Aviation...

COME FLY WITH BEN IN 2012 by Gerald Ferreira | On Thursday 21 June 2012 BEN the automotive industry charity launches its Summer Ball in conjunction with The Blades who are among the world’s best aerobatic pilots at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire....

2K U-2 Pilot - Code One | The thirtieth pilot in the fifty-seven year history of the U-2 Dragon Lady high altitude reconnaissance aircraft reached the 2,000 flight hour milestone during a flight over Southwest Asia on 10 February 2012. The pilot, flying from...

Charles Allen Crain: Our Tuskegee Airman (Part I) by Gary Thomas | Mr. Jeff Girres recently posted on our “Chillicothe, Missouri Remember When” Facebook Page a strong endorsement of the George Lucas movie (Red Tails) based upon the exploits of, and in tribute to, the Tuskegee Airmen of WWII. This led to an immediate discussion of Chillicothe’s own Charles Crain, one of the last Tuskegee Airmen. It is obvious that he is loved and respected by his hometown. All that knew...

Vin Fiz flying replica at the Hiller Aviation Museum - Travel for Aircraft | Dans SMith has been building flying replicas of Vin Fiz, perhaps up to four. His efforts are recorder, with many photos, here , and my thanks to those of the 456th Fighter Interceptor Squadron web site for reporting their story....

The P-40 Warhawk Looked Great, But Fell Just Short of Greatness - Defense Media Network | The P-40 Warhawk was among the most widely seen and used fighters of World War II, yet it’s often overshadowed in modern-day literature by readily recognized names like Lightning, Thunderbolt and Mustang. One reason the P-40 may have been largely dismissed in the history books: It looked better than it performed...

Spirit of '45 flies into San Diego - SDDT | ... The San Diego Air & Space Museum is a proud partner of "Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive" and on Saturday night, the museum will host a Spirit of '45 Awards and Celebration Dinner in Balboa Park. San Diego's own Jerry Coleman is the honorary chairman for the event. Coleman is well-known as a Padres announcer for 40 years. He was World Series MVP for the New York Yankees and played on numerous championship Yankee teams in the '50s. Coleman was also a Marine pilot during World War II, flying the SBD Dauntless and the F-4U Corsair during the Korean War. Lt. Col. Coleman is the only major league baseball player to fly combat missions in two wars....

Historical highlights, A place in history: Maricopa once on the frontline of a new frontier - Maricopa Monitor | One year prior to Arizona’s statehood, in 1911, Maricopa was part of aviation history. Almost eight years after the Wright brothers completed the first successful human flight in world history (Dec. 17, 1903), an ambitious young aviator named Cal Rodgers, flying a plane built by the Wright brothers, made the first transcontinental flight across the United States....

5/26/1928-Rockford, IL - x planes | Robert Myers of Rockford, IL, has invented an ornithopter, which he designed after an intensive study of heavy birds in flight,...

A fascinating piece of aviation and military history - Bayou Renaissance Man | Thanks to an e-mail from a reader who wishes to remain anonymous, I was led to a 35-minute propaganda/documentary film called 'The Last Bomb'. It was shot in 1945 by US Army Air Force personnel, and shows a raid on Japan by B-29 Superfortress aircraft based in the Mariana Islands. It was nominated for an Academy Award in the same year, in the category 'Best Documentary Feature', but did not win the Oscar....

Episode 185 - Richard Aboulafia Returns - Airplane Geeks Podcast | Guest Richard Aboulafia is Vice President of Analysis with the Teal Group. We talk about the A380 and B787, program breakeven vs. recurrent...

Barry author puts focus on 70 years of Cardiff Airport at Rhoose - Barry & District News | Geoff Jones spent 18 months writing ‘Cardiff Airport at Rhoose: 70 Years of Aviation History’, and is hoping the book will prove popular among aviation enthusiasts and people with an interest in the history of the local airport. "I grew up on Pontypridd Road and the airport was almost in our back yard," he said....

Obama to visit 787 factory - Aviation Week | As he tours the country talking about jobs, taxes and the federal budget, President Obama will visit one of the biggest export shops in the country Friday – Boeing’s widebody factory in Everett, Wash....

Teachers Fly Experiments on NASA Reduced Gravity Flights - NASA | More than 70 teachers had an opportunity to experience what it feels like to float in space as they participated in the Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston last week. The teachers flew aboard an aircraft that flies parabolic flight paths, which create brief periods of weightlessness. It is a key component of NASA's astronaut training protocol. The teachers were selected for the flights through NASA's Teaching from Space and Explorer School Programs...

Indy Transponder 31-JAN-2012 2345z

Tauranga Airshow 2012 - Classics of the Sky was held at Tauranga Airport on 28-29 January 2012. Hosted by Classic Flyers Museum this was an outstanding and must see show on the New Zealand circuit. A full two days of flying displays and a practice day on Friday. One of the biggest attractions was the Hawker Hunter ex Singapore Air Force flown by Dave Philips and a master at displaying this aircraft. He also displays the Tiger moth and a real joy to watch for all ages. The Warbirds from Ardmore were present and as always gave a fantastic...

Air Show Marketing Team Awarded Twice - Military.com | MCAS Beaufort -- The 2011 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Air Show received industry-wide recognition after winning 1st place for Best Website and 3rd place for Best Air Show Marketing Campaign during an International Council of Air Shows marketing ...

Nine Weeks and Counting – Sun ‘n Fun 2012 is on the Horizon - Flight Monkeys | We’re at nine weeks and counting. So go ahead and enjoy your winter extravaganza. Ski in Vail, hit Vermont for a long weekend of cocoa and marshmallows, make Minnesota your destination of choice, or trek on out to Calgary for a western adventure. But make sure you’ve got your calendar clear by the last week of March. It’s time for Sun ‘n Fun to rise from the cool grass of central Florida and burn a hole in your psyche....

February 4th: You're all Invited! - Flight to Success | It's a Sweetheart Fly-In and you're invited!

Air show returns July 28, this time with beer garden - Surrey Now | The air show will return to Boundary Bay Airport this summer after a one-year hiatus. Delta council has approved a request from Alpha Aviation, the company that has the long-term lease to operate the municipally-owned airport, to again host an air show. The event is to be held Saturday, July 28....

The OFFICIAL Reminder Blog Entry from CAF Red Tail Squadron's Blog by CAF Red Tail Squadron | February 1st is tomorrow! Our first of two webinar sessions with Tuskegee Airmen Harold Brown and Charles McGee is tomorrow! Coincidence? I think not! Dozens have signed up for tomorrow's 8-8:45 p.m. (Eastern time) online webinar, but there's room for more. Participants will have the opportunity to text questions to Harold and Charles, making this an interactive webinar. There will be no boring Powerpoint presentation. Instead, Harold and Charles will speak off the cuff about their experiences as Airmen and comment on the new Red Tails movie....

Celebrate Black History Month at National Museum of the U.S. Air Force from National Museum of the USAF | As Black History Month approaches and the United States commemorates the 70th anniversary of World War II, visitors to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force can learn about African Americans who served during that war. Near the B-24D Liberator in the World War II Gallery is the museum's exhibit on the famed Tuskegee Airmen. On July 19, 1941, the AAF began a program in Alabama to train black Americans as military pilots. Primary flight training was conducted by the Division of Aeronautics of Tuskegee Institute, the famed school of learning founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881. In addition to telling the story of their distinctive combat record, the exhibit presents uniforms, photos and other mementos of the Tuskegee Airmen....

A career in flying - x planes | ... A career in flying was like climbing one of those ancient Babylonian pyramids made up of a dizzy ...

In brief: Chinese aviator in rough landing - Commercial Appeal | Wei Chen flew around the world without a hitch last summer, but came in for a surprise landing at Charles Baker Airport near Millington on Sunday. Chen damaged his CJ-6, a Chinese-made military training plane, when the landing gear didn't extend during a landing. He was alone in the plane and wasn't injured, the Federal Aviation Administration said....

Marine Pilot Mourned In Hometown Service - Aero-News Network | The Marine Corps pilot of a CH-53D Sea Stallion was laid to rest Sunday in his hometown of Crystal Lake, IL. Capt. Nathan McHone was fatally injured when his helicopter went down during a mission in Helmand province in Afghanistan January 19th. Thousands of people reportedly lined the streets of the small town northwest of Chicago as his body was brought home....

Dahl served as gunner on a B-17 - Hot Springs Village Voice | Perched beneath the B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber was a 43-inch-diameter steel ball with .50-caliber machine guns sighted through a Sperry gun sight. Commonly known as the ball turret, it was a location on the bomber that saw plenty of action as ...

Restoration of iconic wartime aircraft nearing completion - Yorkshire Post | A PAINSTAKING restoration of an iconic Dakota aircraft is due to be completed in the spring in one of the most ambitious projects to be undertaken in recent years at the Yorkshire Air Museum. The 18-month project has seen the Douglas C-47/DC3 Dakota undergo a repaint, its two Pratt & Whitney engines have been revamped and new propellers have been fitted....

Progress on APM American Eaglet Restoration by EAA Chapter 211 from Antique Airfield News | EAA Chapter 211 in Grand Haven, MI has partnered with the APM to restore an American Eaglet. After moving the Eaglet to Michigan in November the chapter members have assessed the project and are busy restoring the wings to original configuration. ...

Museum education staff to participate at annual TechFest™ from National Museum of the USAF | The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force will participate in the 10th annual TechFest™ in the David Ponitz Center at Sinclair Community College on Feb. 18 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Feb. 19 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The museum's education staff will demonstrate fuel cells - a promising means of producing energy in the future without the use of nonrenewable resources. The museum fuel cell demonstration will provide information on what fuel cells are, how they work and the chemistry behind the process. A hands-on demonstration with a working fuel cell model car will allow participants to see the fuel cell in action. Historic, current and future advances in fuel cell technology will also be highlighted....

Spirit AeroSystems’ Jeff Turner Wichita Aero Club trophy winner - Air Capital Insider | Jeff Turner, CEO of Spirit AeroSystems, was the second recipient of the Wichita Aero Club’s trophy at a gala Saturday at the Wichita Airport Hilton. Turner was nominated for his deep connections to Wichita and for furthering the aerospace industry in Kansas, organizers said....

NTSB Study On Experimental - Amateur Built Aircraft from Alabama Aviator - Aviation News | ...innovators and aviators in the community information about accidents that will result in a real and immediate safety payoff for them when they are flying these aircraft." As part of the study, NTSB investigators have conducted in-depth investigations of 222 E-AB aircraft accidents that occurred during 2011. Fifty-four of these acciden...

Thousands Seek Astronaut Jobs for 2013 - Spaceports | A remarkable 6,372 people submitted applications to NASA for a handful of openings in the Astronaut Office — this despite the fact that NASA retired the shuttle fleet in July and its next NASA spacecraft for piloted missions won't be ready to launch until 2017. The astronaut candidates must be prepared to be patient for the job, though. The application period closed on January 27, 2012. There is an extensive period of review, interviews, medical testing, and other things to start to weed through and narrow the 6,372 candidates for NASA to hire but a few....

Florida Air Museum Welcomes All To An Open House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information contact: James Bernegger       Director, Corporate Marketing and Communications      863-644-2431 x112 jbernegger@sun-n-fun.org January 19, 2012

 

FLORIDA AIR MUSEUM WELCOMES ALL TO THEIR 2012 OPEN HOUSE FLORIDA AIR MUSEUM AT SUN 'n FUN , LAKELAND, FL. – The Florida Air Museum (FAM)  at SUN 'n FUN  will host its 2012 Open House on Thursday evening, January 26th.     We are very please to open our museum to the residents and visitors to Central Florida" says FAM President, John Burton, "and that the open house will allow us to demonstrate the breadth of the aviation treasures we offer in the Museum which the state legislature designated as the State of Florida's official aviation museum and education Center." The Museum is best know for its collection of 45 full-scale aircraft from every chapter of aviation's rich and colorful heritage, its exhibits documenting the contribution that Florida has made to aviation & aerospace innovation, the Hall of Fame wall displaying inductees selected by the membership of the Florida Aviation Historical Society and the remarkable collections of the personal papers and artifacts of Howard Hughes, one of aviation's most prolific innovators. The Open House will also allow visitors to opportunity to learn about the Museum's extensive education programs and camps for both youth and adults, including the series of STEMtastic™  weekend  and holiday camps designed to engage youngsters in the STEM curricula of science, technology, engineer and math. The FAM 2012 Open House is scheduled from 7:30 to 9:30 PM on the evening of January 26th. Light refreshments will be served.  Florida Air Museum on the SUN 'n FUN campus is located on the south side of the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. The main entrance is at 4175 Medulla Rd is accessible from either West Pipkin or County Line Roads, Lakeland, FL, For additional information visit  www.FloridaAirMuseum.org  or call (863) 644-2431.  SUN 'n FUN, a 501(c) (3) not–for–profit organization based in Lakeland, Florida, is best known for its annual International Fly–In & Expo. The origination is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of the future of aviation, through  production of world class events that inspire, engage and educate people of all ages. The annual International Fly-In and Expo is the primary source of funding for an expanding menu of year–round, aviation-oriented education programs offered through the Florida Air Museum (FAM) on the SUN 'n FUN campus. FAM is a separate 501(c) (3) not–for–profit organization that was named the state's "Official Aviation Museum and Education Center" by the Florida legislature in 2003.  FAM has initiated education programs for aviation enthusiasts of all ages – especially young people – featuring valuable "hands on" learning experiences primarily through science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiatives.  SUN 'n FUN and FAM provide ongoing support to the Central Florida Aerospace Academy (CFAA), a high school career academy located on the SUN 'n FUN campus that was created in partnership with the Polk County School Board, Polk State College, the University of South Florida Polytechnic, Gulf Coast Avionics and other education-minded organizations.  A growing scholarship program provides financial support to ensure these education programs are accessible to all.

Indy Transponder On Site At Sun-N-Fun Friday 4-1-11 (AirPigz)

(16 pix) AirPigz.com

 With the damaging storm of Thursday over and gone, Friday began with a lot of mud on the Sun-n-Fun grounds. This scene above is oddly reminiscent of Oshkosh 2010 where muddy roads like this were all over. In another similarity to Oshkosh, wet grounds and mud weren't about to dampen the spirit of the event, and Friday wound up being a great day at SNF11.

 A quick run thru the commercial exhibit area first thing Friday morning revealed several vendors still in the process of cleaning up after the storm. Many of the temporary structures had collapsed as you would expect in such high winds. Some vendors were fortunate to only have displays damaged. Others, like the Air Cam people were left with a tremendous amount of damage to their aircraft.

 Three different Air Cam's can be seen in these pictures with devastating damage. A fourth airplane had been blown backward across the display area and also wound up with significant damage. Reports are indicating that the storm was possibly a tornado, and the very localized damage as seen here would seem to support that idea. 

 I then made a run thru some of the homebuilt parking area which wasn't as full as usual due to the frustrating weather early in the week. N18DW is a Dyke Delta built long enough ago to be wearing a 'Flying Over 30 Years' sign. If you haven't seen the really cool video of the electric RC Dyke Delta I posted recently, you should check it out. I keep bringing this very unique aircraft design up from time to time because it is such a remarkable accomplishment. Plus, how awesome is that shadow!

 There are a lot of Vans RV airplanes that have made the journey the SNF11. Here's an RV-6 or 7 that was arriving in the morning. It's sure easy to understand why the RV's have been so popular over the years... really great looking airplanes with very good performance. If I had a pile of cash, I'd definitely have me a snazzy RV-8 : )

 The morning sun made this Stearman look really nice. It was one of many airplanes that was taking advantage of some genuine good weather to finally get on the airport. Even tho the early part of the week at SNF11 has been full of challenges related to the weather, the weekend is shaping up to be great for both good attendance and excellent airshow weather. 

 After making a run thru most of the grounds at Lakeland Linder airport, I decided the best use of my time was to go back over the Fantasy of Flight Museum to try to catch the 'Splash-In' seaplane event on Lake Agnes. It was scheduled for Thursday, but the weather messed that up. As it turned out, it couldn't have been any nicer on Friday with a beautiful sky and lots of seaplanes with lots of people enjoying the show.

 This SeaRey in a Coast Guard paint scheme really caught my eye. With two seats, very nice performance, and a look that's really distinctive, the SeaRey from Progressive Aerodyne is a pretty slick flying machine. Way back in the day I used to fly some ultralights that were built by a company that's part of the family tree of PA. I even flew one of their weight-shift ultralights on floats!

 This Legend Cub was just about as close to perfection as you can get. With doors on both sides, amphibious floats, a place at each jury strut for you fishing poles, and even an small electric troll motor mounted on the struts between the floats, there's just no limit to the fun this gas miser could bring you. It had great performance too... what a joy to watch it fly!

 There were two specific competitions that were part of the Splash-In. First up was a bomb drop. You don't have to look very hard to see that each of the pix above has a bomb (round fruit) that just been dropped. 7 or 8 airplanes were making two drops each to see if they could hit a floating target. I'm not sure who won, and it didn't matter cuz everyone was having fun... and that was the point of it all : )

 I'd never seen a seaplane spot landing contest before, but I found out they're pretty cool. I was surprised how well everyone did in coming very close the imaginary line between two floating markers (the red tube and the green raft) - and once again I'm not sure who won. The swanky 'one float first' landing of the Super Cub sure looks to be about right on the line. The judges are in the boat behind the markers.

 This B-25 made for a nice airshow/fly-in picture... sunny skies, a Warbird, and people to enjoy it all. Friday ended up being a great day with lots to see and do, and an airshow that went very well. Keep watch for lots of airshow pictures from the upcoming weekend. Now that I have things somewhat under control for my SNF11 experience, I can focus on getting some great Blue Angels pictures!

Indy Transponder 01-APR-2011 2052z

Updates from Sun 'n Fun 2011 - EAA | Long lines were reported this morning at the gates of the Sun ’n Fun Fly-In after a major storm yesterday caused widespread damage to aircraft, exhibits, and tents at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Florida...

High Winds Damage 69 Airplanes, Several Buildings at Sun 'n Fun - The Ledger | LAKELAND | Destruction at the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In in South Lakeland was the most visual evidence of the tornadoes that tore through Polk County about noon Thursday. At least seven people were taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center with minor injuries...

NWS: Tornado Likely Hit Sun 'n Fun - AVweb | "It looks like there was a small tornado" among the straight-line winds and downbursts that hit Sun 'n Fun on Thursday, a National Weather Service spokesman told AVweb on Friday morning...

AOPA renews platinum-level sponsorship for Sun ’n Fun 2012 - AOPA | In the wake of a powerful storm that swept through the grounds of the Sun ’n Fun fly-in, AOPA President Craig Fuller on April 1 announced that the association has signed on to be the Platinum Sponsor of Sun ’n Fun for 2012...

UPDATE: Spangdahlem A-10 crashes - U.S. Air Force | SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) -- An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II crashed about 3:57 p.m. local time April 1 north of the city of Wittlich, Germany...

A-10 Thunderbolt Crashes in Germany - Wired | Bad news for the A-10: a Thunderbolt belonging the 52nd Fighter Wing crashed over Germany on Friday. Flying from Spangdahlem Air Base, the Thunderbolt was on a training mission when unspecified conditions brought it down.

Want to know who'll be flying at this year's Bournemouth Air Festival? - Daily Echo | IT'S back and bigger than ever. That was the promise from Bournemouth Air Festival bosses as they launched the 2011 event this morning. Favourites like the Red Arrows will return, alongside the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight...

April edition of the Heartland Warrior now available - Grissom Air Reserve Base | The April issue of the Heartland Warrior is now available. The official E-Paper of the 434th Air Refueling Wing includes eight pages of stories, photos and features pertaining to Grissom and the U.S. Air Force...

Todays Photos - Friday, 1st April - Non-prank version - MilitaryPhotos.net | I'll start a new thread for the daily pix...

Richard Branson purchases Pluto with hope to reinstate it as planet - Flight Global | British billionaire Sir Richard Branson is hoping to set a can-do example for "struggling entrepreneurs facing setbacks" by purchasing Pluto, his Virgin company has today announced...

Strange But True Aviation News - Aviation Week | British Airways has some explaining to do.  A pregnant woman took exception to British Airways' attempt to downgrade her from business class to coach after the airline allegedly...

UAV crashes at Edwards AFB - Air Force Dad | A Global Observer unmanned aircraft crashed at approximately 2:30 a.m., April 1, near the southwest corner of Rogers Dry Lakebed...

Lightspeed Aviation Foundation Announces Finalists for 2011 grants - Vertical mag | Lakeland, FL. -- March 31, 2011 -- The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation has announced the names of 20 charities, selected from hundreds of nominees, that will benefit from grants to be awarded this year. The Foundation is in its second year of partnering with the pilot community to identify worthy causes, give pilots a voice in who they will support and make a lasting difference...

"Vintage" Airliners - MRC Aviation | The following images represent what could be deemed "vintage" airliner action at Auckland Airport on 31 March.