Indy Transponder 26-DEC-2011 1500z

Tickets already on sale for chance to see Air Force Thunderbirds in 2012 - Bangor Daily | The
2012 Great State of Maine Air Show is scheduled for closer to next Christmas than this one, but tickets are already on sale for a show that has the United States Air Force Thunderbirds booked.  In its decades-long history, the air show — which until last summer always was organized and manned by the U.S. Navy — has welcomed the Thunderbirds to Brunswick only once. The Thunderbirds, a flight demonstration and military recruitment tool, performed at 70 air shows in 2011. In Brunswick, they are expected to fly F-22 Raptors, according to Marty McMahon of the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, the group overseeing the civilian redevelopment of the now-closed Brunswick Naval Air Station, which is now called Brunswick Executive Airport....

Hill Air Force base to hold Thunderbirds air show - Herald Extra | Hill Air Force Base officials announced this week that an open house and air show featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will be held at Hill on May 26-27. The two-day event, which is free and open to the public, will include aerial demonstrations and displays to provide the public a personal look at the Air Force and its airmen.  "Open houses and air shows serve as premier platforms that enable us to showcase the Air Force mission and the extraordinary things our Airmen do every day," said Col. Sarah Zabel, 75th Air Base Wing commander. "This is significant to our recruiting efforts, but also essential to educating the American public on the training and capabilities of their Air Force."...

Thunder Over The Blue Ridge Moves On - Aero-News Net | A West Virginia airshow which closed early this year following a fatal T-28 crash will be back for 2012. The website for the Thunder Over The Blue Ridge Open House & Air Show in Martinsburg announces, "The 167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard will once again partner with the local community and Thunder Over The Blue Ridge, Inc., to host the 2012 Thunder Over the Blue Ridge Open House and Air Show. The event is scheduled for September 15-16, 2012....

Leuchars Airshow will be held in 2012 - Fife Today | THE RAF Leuchars Airshow will definitely take place next year, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed.  In a letter to North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell, Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey said the annual event would be held on Saturday, September 15.  However, Mr Harvey warned that the future of the Airshow beyond 2012 could not be guaranteed...

With skyscapes painted on the tops of our wings… - Flying With Amelia | Every pilot I meet seems to want to put into words the vigor and excitement that flying brings to the table. Photos, words, videos… all of these options come close to personifying our need to soar into the big ole blue sky, but there was always something missing. Until now. I am excited to share the videos that we took today during our....

Aviation Nation 2011 – Sunday - Parrot Head Jeff | It’s Christmas Eve and I’ve been working on getting a whole bunch of photos edited and ready for uploading.  Oh, I’ll have some pics from...

A Rare Opportunity for an Up Close Look at the F-22 Raptor - Airplanista |"Congratulations," the email started, "you have been selected to attend our first Lockheed Martin Tweetup". That led to frantic trip planning, and a bunch of excitement.  Twitter and these 'Tweetups' have given me an incredible number of experiences that most could never imagine, something I'm very thankful for. My first Space Shuttle launch at STS-129, visiting...

The San Joaquin Siren: Another Great Pilot Story - Fly Me Friendly | I really enjoy reading aviation books (funny that) and especially (auto)biographies that give me an insight into the experiences of the times, from growing up to learning to fly and then on to surviving various aviation adventures. With that in mind, it was a pretty even bet that I’d probably enjoy reading The San Joaquin Siren, An American Ace in WWII’s CBI by William M Behrns & Kenneth Moore.  Not only did I enjoy the book, I loved it. It starts with a...

Combat Air Museum features P-51 fighter - CJ Online | Holiday visitors to the Combat Air Museum can view a World War II-era fighter on display.  The P-51 fighter is valued at $1.8 million, said Gene Howerter, chairman of the museum’s board of directors.  The P-51 Mustang originally was part of the Royal Australian Air Force....

T6 – So African Style - Moose Peterson Aviation Photography | Brian Churchill out of Phoenix has a couple of amazing T-6 Texans. I photographed another of his T-6 a few months backed and love its color scheme which is authentic for the field in which he flies out of, Falcon Field, AZ. One of the many training fields around the country, that kind of living history is just cool....

Ice Pilots' Buffalo Joe down to earth - Times Colonist | Buffalo Joe McBryan is a hard man to pin down.  The head of the Northwest Territories' long-standing renegade airline Buffalo Airways and gruff centre of History Television's hit reality TV series Ice Pilots NWT is sitting in his cluttered Yellowknife office on an relatively warm December morning. (It's roughly -10 C.)...

Soyuz reentry over Europe (not a comet) - High Power Rocketry

Astronaut Cady Coleman To Visit International Women’s Air And Space Museum - Aero-News Network | The International Women’s Air & Space Museum, in partnership with NASA Glenn Research Center, will host a special guest appearance from astronaut Catherine “Cady” Coleman on Tuesday, January 3rd.  Cady (pictured) will provide a post-flight mission briefing with a question and answer session. Following the presentation, there will be an informal meet and greet and autograph session....

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 >>

Indy Transponder 05-JUL-2011 1030z

A WW2 pilot takes one last ride on the last B-29 bomber still flying. – WFAA | Please take a moment to review the available e-mail newsletters has to offer. Place a checkbox next to the newsletters you wish to subscribe to. Thank you for becoming a member of wfaa.com. You now have full access to the best local coverage and late ...

Making Good on a Deal - On Sunday, I went to the Battle Creek Field of Flight Airshow and Balloon Festival in the more traditional sense. I spent Friday and Saturday at Hangar 1 on the field, embedded with The Hoppers, a civilian L-39 jet team, setting up cameras, offloading video, and riding on a couple of hops in the back seat. Sunday was about hanging out with the crowd and touching base with that element of the airshow experience…

Pictures From The 2011 New York City Blimp Race - For the first time in 25 years, a fleet of blimps darted across the Manhattan skyline in the Great Blimp Race of 2011. Perhaps darted is too strong – maybe ...

A 98000-pound challenge planned at Pease - Seacoastonline.com | Proceeds from the plane pull will benefit the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire and its work with US military members who are now living with traumatic brain injuries. According to Ron Snow, director of marketing and development at the Brain ...

Motat's aviation display hall has more action on the 'wings'  – Voxy | New Zealand's largest clear span wooden structure is steadily taking form at MOTAT, with the new $15 million Aviation Display Hall set for completion in time for the anticipated influx of domestic and international visitors in September. ...

Taking flight in Estherville - Estherville Daily News | Jones said he was looking for a T-6 or a Stearman (an open biplane) when he discovered his T-6 in a museum in Galveston, Texas. "It was just sitting in the corner for sale," he said. The interior of the plane wasn't as nice as the museum wanted to ...

Terrafugia Transition aircraft gets DOT roadworthiness sign-off, can now drive you to the airport  from Engadget by Zach Honig | For most experimental aircraft, earning an airworthiness certificate is enough of a challenge. But the Terrafugia Transition is a unique type of flying machine, requiring approval not only from the FAA, but also from the USDOT's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), since this air / land hybrid is likely to spend just as much time cruising down the highway as it will flying 5,000 feet above…

Airshow pilot Seamus McCaughley and passenger killed in Santa Paula, California plane crash.  from Velozia Air by Fernando Montalvo | A small, single-engine plane crashed soon after takeoff from Santa Paula Airport (SZP) in Santa Paula, California yesterday (July 3rd) at approximately 8:25 PM PDT.  Well-known pilot Seamus “James” McCaughley and passenger Kristin Keppel were both killed when the Cessna 180 Skywagon they were flying in went down.  Santa Paula is northwest of Los Angeles…

Final Flight of Robert H. Widmer  from Travel for Aircraft by joseph_may | Final Flight of Robert H. Widmer Many thanks to the New York Times newspaper which published this obituary notice of Richard H. Widmer, a man who was one of the most significant persons in this country’s (the USA’s) aviation history. Mr. Widmer worked originally for Consolidated and stayed with them through the acquisition of that [...]

30 years of Space Shuttle missions  from The Original Rocket Dungeon by Dick

NASA's space shuttle leaves wildly diverse legacy - The Tennessean | That suggests that the 30 years of reusable shuttles was a diversion from the natural evolution of rocketry, said Howard McCurdy, author of several books on NASA. It may be an anomaly, but astronauts call it an engineering marvel in versatility and ...

Sky's the limit for young pilots - Coff's Coast Ad vocate | COFFS Harbour Aero Club is encouraging more young women to get their wings this weekend by celebrating its historical link with the Australian Women Pilot's Association. On hand at mark Saturday's fly-in will be one of the country's renowned 'women of ...

Indy Transponder 08-JUN-2011 1030z

Family and Friends Honor Local Wing Walker Who Died After Plane Crash - Family and friends gather to celebrate the life of a local wing walker whose life was cut short after a plane accident. She was just 25 years old.  Planes soared through the summer sky Tuesday, a fitting tribute to 25 year old Amanda Franklin. Hundreds gathered to remember the Springdale native, a renowned pilot and wing walker. She traveled the country doing air shows with her husband Kyle.  “She had a spirit like you wouldn't believe,” says Kyle Franklin. “I mean she just she just glowing smile blue eyes and whoever met her just loved her to death.”…

Air Show celebrates 100 years of Naval Aviation as a Tier One Centennial of ... - Aledo Times Record
By Anonymous The Blue Angels are back! After being grounded for their past four shows, the US Navy Blue Angels return to the Quad City Air Show! Aviation enthusiasts young and old are gearing up for one of the largest air shows in the Midwest at the ...

F-16 Down In Wisconsin  from Aero-News Network  | Pilot Ejected During A Training Mission An F-16 on a training mission went down in Adams County, WI Tuesday afternoon. The pilot, who ejected from the aircraft, was recovered in the town of Chester, WI, and is being medically evaluated…

Fly-in event June 11 landing with fun in Defuniak - Walton Sun | More than 2000 people and 40 pilots are expected June 11 at the first Marvel of Flight Fly-in at the DeFuniak Springs Municipal Airport. The event, initially inspired by another airport's fly-in, was created to help foster tourism in Northwest Florida. ...

John R. Alison, daring WWII ace who led Burma invasion, dies at 98 - Washington Post | John R. Alison, a retired Air Force major general and World War II fighter ace who helped lead a nighttime invasion by glider into enemy-held Burma — a logistical feat that included the transport of troops, heavy machinery and even ...

WWII bombers bring back memories for veterans - Visalia Times-Delta | Eric Woomer ª Where: Visalia Municpal Airport; 9501 W. Airport Drive, Visalia It was a sentimental walk into history as David and Phyllis turner approached two World War II-era combat planes at the Visalia Municipal Airport Monday. ...

Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s – 21st Anniversary World War II Weekend from photorecon.net | The stage was set for the 21st annual WWII Weekend in Reading PA. The cast of characters were the over 2000 military and civilian re-enactors, that assembled here to provide an awesome living history experience. It has been characterized by many as like being on a movie set…you pass through the gates and you find yourself in a quaint French villa. Soldiers mingling about, while families sit outside their homes, enjoying a cool breeze...

Flying Fortress takes to skies above Centennial - The Aurora Sentinel | Bobby "Gunny" Baumgartner prepares a B-17 Bomber for a flight June 7 from Centennial Airport. Veterans and members of the local media flew in a B-17 World War II bomber on Tuesday. The B-17 is at the Wings Over the Rockies Museum from June 9 - 12 as ...

Pensacola NAS — home of the Blues and the National Naval Aviation Museum, prelude  from Travel for Aircraft | The nation’s naval air museum lies with the Pensacola Naval Air Station (NAS) and is open to the public. Entry is through a security gate, of course, where one is guided to the visitor’s lane. I was asked if I had weapons in my car, then given a pass to place on the dash to show I was permitted to be at the museum, Barrancas National Cemetery, historical forts and the old Pensacola lighthouse…

Aviation Heritage Park Will Unveil New Plane – WBKO | Graduate of Western Kentucky University, native of Glasgow and, Aviation Heritage Park looks for guys like General Russ Dougherty that have a distinguished Aviator Career," said Arnie Franklin. The Hanger Party will take place June 25, at the Bowling ...

It’s T-6 Time Again!  from Moose Peterson Aviation Photography » Moose Peterson Aviation Photography | PRS is just around the corner (Pylon Race School) and that means spending time with one of my favorite aircraft, the T-6 Texan. “Midnight Express” and its owner/pilot Dennis Buehn are dear old friends that I always look forward to seeing. Dennis has had nearly 100 T-6s over the years, always looking for that special one to fly and more to the point, race…

CAP wins World Peace Prize  from General Aviation News by Janice Wood | Civil Air Patrol will be awarded a World Peace Prize during a June 14 ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. Continue Reading »

'Bride Flight' - Moving Pictures Network | The year is 1953, and the women are part of a select group of emigrant passengers chosen to travel aboard KLM in the Last Great Air Race from London to Christchurch. En route, the three women happen to meet a particularly gallant young man seated ...

Photos: Wings and Waves water park – KATU | The water park, which is next to the Evergreen Air Museum holding the Spruce Goose, contains 10 water slides - four of them exiting directly out of the fuselage of a Boeing 747 on the roof.(AP Photo/Don Ryan) The nose of a Boeing 747 looks out over the ...

Episode 150 – John and Martha King  from Airplane Geeks Podcast by thegeeks@airplanegeeks.com (Airplane Geeks)  Both John and Martha King from King Schools join us as guests this episode. These two have flown almost everything that flys. They also provide video and computer-based training to countless pilots.  The week’s aviation news:...

Rocket program lifts off - Post-Tribune | Susan Peterson of Action Science guided the NASA hopefuls in a rocketry workshop, which was hosted by the Portage Parks and Recreation Department. Parents watched as their children created miniaturized versions of rockets, which they would take home to ...

Volcanic ash halts air travel in Argentina  from PhotoBlog by Rich Shulman | Rich Shulman writes - We've seen some stunning eruption shots in the past few days. These ash fall pictures have an eery beauty of their own…An aircraft belonging to Austral with ash on it from Chile's Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano chain remains standred on the tarmac of the sky resort San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina's Patagonia June 6... 

The Women of Reno Air Racing

Last month, we talked about Women in Aviation and I shared with you some of my mentors along my path. This month, I’d like to share with you a little about the women who have raced at Reno.


No Surprise - Formula One has had the second highest number of women racers

Since there is really no definitive source on all of this, I’m relying on the facts I have been able to gather through RARA and through conversations with other racers. If any of this is incorrect, I apologize – and contact me with the correct information.

Through the years

The numbers are not remarkable, Over the 47 years of Air Racing at Reno – 24 women have raced. The Biplanes take the lead with 9 women; Formula 1 has had 7; Sport Class has had 2; T6 had 3; Jets have had 2 and Unlimited – just one. Several others have attended PRS and have been listed as racers, but have not actually put up a qualifying time or completed a race.

The first woman to race at Reno was Connie Marsh in the Biplane Class. Connie started in 1969. She was about 90 lbs soaking wet with dimes in her pockets and the Biplane Class decided her size was a benefit for her. They required her to be weighed and decided to add ballast to her aircraft to make up for her diminutive size.

Another Biplane Racer at the time was also under the 150 lbs arbitrary number the Biplane Class chose. He told me about going into town and getting as many silver dollars as he could and he wore a heavy leather jacket with many pockets to hide the coins he used so he didn’t need to add ballast to his own aircraft.

Her first year, Connie flew Lowers Special – a Smith Mini Plane. This model is rarely competitive in the Biplane Class and all of the angst was for nothing, really. The next year, she returned with the Hill Mong and was more competitive. But, she broke the barrier and slowly but surely – women started to become Air Racers.

In 1970, Connie was joined by Joan Alford. Joan flew in the F1 Class in Pogo for two years. In 1971, Joan was joined by Judy Wagner flying the Wagner Solution. She became the first woman to win a Formula One race – actually any race at Reno. Judy raced the Solution from 1971 until 1981. This plane was renamed Judy and has returned to Reno with new owner Holbrook Maslen.

Colene Giglio was the first woman to race in the T-6 Class starting in 1974. T-6's raced at Cleveland in the late '40s in the Halle Trophy Races with all women pilots. Colene raced until 1977 and last I heard she was running a Flight School at Long Beach Airport.

Erin Rheinschild is the sole Unlimited Racer. She raced from 1990 – 1992 in Miss Fit. She won the Bronze in 1990. Then in 1992, she qualified, and her husband Bill ended up racing the airplane. I’ve always wanted to meet Erin. I understand she was highly respected by the “brethren”. Bill continues to race but Erin has not returned. Bill owned the Sea Fury named Bad Attitude and still owns Risky Business, a beautiful P-51 Mustang.

Lori Love raced the in the F1 Class from 1983 to 1995. The Scholl Special was owned by Chuck Wentworth. She showed up her first year with an all female crew. She later raced Flying Dutchman for Tommy Aslett. From what I’ve been told, she was highly respected as a pilot and enjoyed her years racing. She moved on to other flying adventures after her racing days concluded. In 2007, her plane was lost while flying over Western Africa.

In 1985, Patti (Nelson) Johnson joined the races. She flew Spring Fever and then Miss USA in Formula 1. Adding the Biplane Class to her resume in 1992 – she flew Full Tilt Boogie, winning the Biplane Gold in 1993, 1995 and 1996. She was a member of the U.S. Aerobatic team in 1980-82, winning one gold, three silver and two bronze medals. She was also Women’s National Aerobatic champion in 1982.


Over the years, Biplanes have attracted the most women racers

In 1987, Peggy Penketh decided to race in the Biplane Class. Her husband at the time, Mike Penketh, had been racing for a few years and had recently built a new racer. His old racer was her way into the game. She flew for three years in Biplane #4 (same number I have now) called Passion Pitts. Peggy is now married to long time racer Tom Dwelle and can usually be found in the Dwelle Pit Area.

In 1987, Katharine Gray joined the Formula Class in Pogo – the same aircraft Joan Alford raced in the early 70’s. In 1994, Katharine moved over to Geronimo, a GR-7 designed by Robbie Grove.

Also in 1987, Linda Finch joined the T-6 Class. She raced until 1992. In 1997, Linda participated in a recreation of the final Amelia Earhart Flight in a 1935 Lockheed Electra 10E. Wisely, Linda’s Electra was outfitted with a GPS and was modified to carry 1800 gallons of fuel, compared to Earhart’s estimated 800 gallons. It took her 10 weeks to make this trip.

Madelaine Kennedy flew in the F1 Class from 1990-1994, in Video Cassutt (cute play on words) and later Fandango. I believe she still owns her Cassutt.

Bonnie Warner may be a name you will remember from the Winter Olympics. She competed in the Luge and Bobsled. After the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Bonny received a $10,000 scholarship and decided to earn her pilot’s license. She added the Reno Air Races to her resume with the coaxing of fellow racer Randy Howell. She flew only one year.

Lynn Getchell raced one year, 1994, in Okie Twister. She was the wife of popular warbird pilot Ellsworth Getchell who owns one of the remaining Bristol Centaurus powered Sea Furys.

Mary Dilda joined the T-6 Class in 1996. She and her then husband, Steve,shared flying duties for Two of Hearts for years until she won the coin toss and he bought Felix. She first one the Gold in 1997 in Mystical Power. Later she won again in 2005. She also raced in the Jet Class from 2002 – 2004 – winning the Gold in 2003. Mary is the only woman to have won Gold in two different classes at Reno. Jackie Warda raced Biplane from 2002 – 2004; leaving to fly airshows.

Vicki Cruse and I attended PRS together in 2003. Vicki raced her Glasair intermittently between 2003-2006. When she wasn’t racing at Reno, she was preparing to fly at the National Aerobatic Championships to complete her other goal of being the USA’s National Aerobatic Champion. She accomplished this in 2007 and was killed in 2009 at the World Aerobatic Championships. Before her untimely death, she was being touted as a front runner for Steve Fossett’s LSR Driver. She was a racer and a competitor all the way.

In 2006, Leah Sommers, Erica Hoagland and Amber Applegate were all Rookies in the Biplane Class. Due to a paperwork issue, Amber was unable to compete that year, Leah and Erica finished in the Bronze. Later Leah would come back and I believe will race again in the future. Erica left the Biplane Class and moved to the Formula 1 Class in 2008. She was unfortunately lost during a training flight that year. Casey Erickson joined the Biplane Class in 2008.

In 2010, both Heather Penney, daughter of John Penney – and Vicky Benzing attended PRS. Heather raced in the Jet Class and Vicky raced in the Sport class in Vicki Cruse’s Glasair as a tribute to her late friend.

That’s it, in a nutshell - the 24 women who have raced at the Reno Air Races since the beginning. I can only hope this is just the beginning and women will do more for the sport in the future.

Until next time .. Fly low, Fly Fast and Turn Left,
Marilyn Dash
Ruby Red Racing

**Thanks again to Tim Adams Photography for the use of his incredibly photos.**

Indy Transponder 13-SEP-10 1030z

Snowbird Jet Hits Bird from Aviation.ca News | The show began like every other this season, but ended quite differently for Snowbird #7. About a third of the way through the performance at the Nova Scotia International Air Show on Sunday afternoon, the jet struck a bird...

Alabama's Sanders T-6 Team Returns to 47th Reno Air Race from Alabama Aviator - Aviation News | Opening September 15 is the National Championship Air Races, held at the Reno-Stead Airfield. The 47th annual edition takes off Wednesday and flies through next Sunday. Action begins at 8 a.m. daily with Biplane and Formula One class races, followed by Jet, T-6, Sport and Unlimited, through the afternoon. The races run usually until 4:30 p.m. The theme for 2010 is "The Next Generation", celebrating the rise of new competitors, new aircraft, and new speed records…

Record crowds turn out for Wings Over Pittsburgh air show - Pittsburgh Post Gazette | Tens of thousands of people craned their necks in unison this weekend at the Wings Over Pittsburgh air show, which returned to record crowds after a hiatus ...

Smith Reynolds Airport Hosts The Winston-Salem Air show - WFMY News 2 | Winston-Salem -- Whether you're a kid dreaming of flying your own plane or wishing you had the guts to do aerobatics, the Winston-Salem Air Show was the ...

All Eyes to the Sky - Winston-Salem Journal | He got his fill of planes yesterday at the Winston-Salem Air Show at Smith Reynolds Airport. "I like the stunts," Michael, ...

All eyes to the sky for Seething airshow - Norfolk Eastern Daily Press | All eyes were raised to the skies yesterday at Seething Airfield's Charity Airday, which attracted huge numbers of visitors. ...

Air show takes flight in Kirksville – KTVO | MILLARD, MO -- The 3rd Annual Depot Inn and Suites Kirksville Regional Air Festival ended with a bang on Sunday with the crowd favorite Air Show. ...

Aviation enthusiasts display rides in Urbana - Springfield News Sun | "It just seemed like a bottomless pit of parts," Kissell of Beavercreek recalled Sunday as he stood outside his plane at the Mid-Eastern Regional Fly-In at ...

Oceana's air show prepares for takeoff - The Virginian-Pilot | Oceana Naval Air Station's annual air show, featuring the Navy's Blue Angels flight-demonstration team, will be held Friday through Sunday. ...

United States - Illinois - Air Power Over The Midwest 2010 - Scott AFB, Belleville - 09/11/10 :

THE Red Arrows have just eight flying displays left for this season. - Lincolnshire Echo | The Diamond Nine, based at RAF Scampton, north of Lincoln, is set to perform at a private military event on Wednesday, followed by a show for Great Ormond ...

WAI Hosts European Regional Conference from AvStop » As part of an aggressive international outreach, Women in Aviation (WAI) International, in partnership with two of its British chapters, will host a regional conference on November 5-6, 2010. The regional conference will be held at the Brooklands Museum…

US Army Golden Knights: 'Might As Well Jump!' from Aero-News Network | U.S. Army Golden Knights Selection And Assessment Begins Sixteen individuals hoping for a spot on the U. S. Army's official parachute team have begun the rigorous assessment and selection process to determine if they'll earn the right to wear the official Golden Knights patch…

US Airways Flight Immortalized with Special Approach Chart from Jeppesen from Aviation Blogs by Av8tor | Jeppesen, known in the aviation industry as the worldwide leader in navigation and charting services, recently presented Miracle on the Hudson pilots Captain Chesley Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles with a specially designed approach chart and engraved Jeppesen chart binders to commemorate the remarkable ditching of US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River in New York in January 2009. The items were presented by Mark Van Tine, Jeppesen president and CEO, during the 2010 Gathering of Eagles fundraiser dinner and auction held during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh…

Robin Olds and the Nuclear Voodoos from Aviation Trivia of the Day by JP Santiago | When SAC lost interest in the McDonnell F-101 Voodoo as a bomber escort, the Tactical Air Command (TAC) saw potential in the big fighter as a tactical nuclear bomber given its large fuel capacity and solid low-level stability...

Indy Transponder 05-MAY-10 1100z

Red Bull Air Race Returns To Brazil from avstop.com | The Red Bull Air Race World Championship returns to Brazil for the third stop of the eight-race 2010 season on May 8/9 in front of what promises to be another record-breaking crowd in Rio de Janeiro after one million spectators watched the first South American race here in 2007. Defending champion Paul Bonhomme of Britain is clinging to a slim lead with nine rival pilots all within range of overtaking him in Rio…

 Fly to the Windsor Red Bull Air Race - The Red Bull Air Race GmbH is pleased to announce the launch of the first Official Red Bull Air Race Starflight which will take place on the Red Bull Air Race Windsor weekend June 5 and 6.   The Red Bull Air Race Starflight will be conducted in close partnership with Windsor International Airport YQG which at the same time will be the host for the Red Bull Air Race Airport.   The highlight of this Starflight is that private pilots will land at the ...

Chino Airshow Soon from Another Time by Dan Linn - The last time I made it to the Chino Airshow was back in 2007.  The years since my last visit have proven to be quite the aerial spectacles!  One year the show attracted a large collection of Grumman Bearcats.  Scott Germain caught the powerful Grumman fighters in the air as can be seen in the picture above.  The 2010 show is nearing and I have been talking about it to just about anyone who will listen!  This year should provide another amazing show with some of the rarest ships flying the skies today and it will be my first time to see The Horsemen live in action.  The Planes of Fame Museum will host the airshow and will display their rare Warbirds for the weekend.  Another museum on the field is the Yanks Air Museum.  This museum also features many rare Warbirds but has a large collection of vintage aircraft as well.  Watch this blog for updates and photos from the event and the visits to these museums.

The North American P-51D Mustang. Part two. Includes a mission profile. from AirSpace by dakota67 | This is part two and includes my attempt to 'create' a typical escort mission profile from the UK to a target east of Berlin. My trusty old Jepp. CR-2 'whiz-wheel' was working overtime on this one! I spent so many hours on it, that it rather reminded me of the tortured hours spent in exam. rooms during the 1960s to gain an eventual pass in the Australian ATPL Flightplanning examination. No electronic calculators permitted to be used in those days; just our Jepp. manual thingys and a set of Log. tables...which I still have in my office today. It was written for my Email chums, so is a tad meandering here and there…

Marriage proposals, awards, and tandems. Great day at Lakehurst tandem camp #ArmyStrong #GoldenKnights from armygoldenknights's | Another day of great weather and 15 outstanding tandem passengers. As posted earlier, today was Army ROTC day. All the passengers today were from Univeristies and High Schools from the area. Probably the highlight today was the marriage proposal by DOD Police officer Carmine "Chops" Czapla to Jessica Ruzicka after he landed from his tandem. The entire audience went crazy when "Chops" got down on one knee to propose. And she did say Yes. Tandem passenger Mark Smith presented one of his supporters, Ms. Bernice James, with her 25 year government service pin that he took with him on the jump. Ms. James retired after 25 years from the Navy and now continues to serve as a governent employee of 7 years. Congratulations Ms. James. Although you spent your time in the Navy, we still consider you Army Strong!..

Win an Airplane Ride in Big Red the T-6 Reno Air Race Champion from Alabama Aviator - Aviation News

-BIRMINGHAM AL- You could win an exciting ride in Big Red, the North American T-6 Reno Air Race airplane with Championship Pilot Joey Sanders, during the Second Annual Tuscaloosa Airshow this weekend, May 8 and 9. The Birmingham Aero Club -BAC is sponsoring a benefit raffle for the chance to win an unforgettable airplane ride over the lovely City of Tuscaloosa in the T-6, Big Red with Reno Air Race winning pilot, Joey Sanders. One winning ticket will be drawn and announced each day between 2:00- 3:00pm before the Blue Angels perform on both Saturday and Sunday. The ride will take place at the end of the Airshow on each day, approximately 5:00pm…

United States - Texas - Dyess Big Country AirFest & Air Race 2010 - Dyess AFB, Abilene - 05/01/1 from FenceCheck Forums

Liaisons needed to help more than 50 flying teams for 2010 Air ... ... to assist if needed and would be asked for a cell phone number to be available for any last minute requests or emergencies. ... Read the complete article: Liaisons needed to help more than 50 flying teams for 2010 Air Race Classic.

Sully in Seattle from Randy's Journal by Randy Tinseth | Yesterday's announcement by the NTSB of 33 safety recommendations following an investigation into U.S. Airways flight 1549 called to mind the recent visit here by the captain of that miracle landing. The visit to Boeing was several weeks back, but I thought it might be worthwhile to share a bit of it with you. Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who successfully ditched an A320 into the Hudson River, visited with about 300 Commercial Airplanes employees at Boeing Training & Flight Services in Renton - with another 1,000 or so employees taking part virtually via the Web….

Vintage airplane, vintage pilot from General Aviation News by Meg Godlewski | When Brad Larson learned to fly, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was president and "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" was at the top of the jukebox hit parade. The year was 1932. If you do the math that's 78 years of aviating. The 94-year-old is still flying. During Sun 'n Fun 2010 he could be found in the vintage aircraft display area basking beneath the wing of his 1938 Ryan SCW. "I came to the first show," he said from his lawn chair. "There were only six airplanes then. Look at it now."…

The European Suborbital Shuttle [Aerospace] from Gizmodo by Jesus Diaz | Following the trail of SpaceShipTwo, Dassault has been working on a new suborbital civilian spacecraft. Not to be confused with the Future High-Altitude High-Speed Transport 20XX, the new aircraft could be a 11-ton vehicle derived from their VEHRA satellite launcher. More »

Cornelia Fort Airpark, airplanes, inundated by floodwaters From The Kathryn Report by Kathryn | Airplanes are seen partially submerged in floodwater at the Cornelia Fort Airpark Tuesday, May 4, 2010, in Nashville, Tenn. Heavy weekend rain caused the Cumberland River, which winds through Nashville, to over flow its banks flooding part of downtown and other areas around the city. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Cool Aircraft Ramp Spotters (CARS): Lonely S-2 At Lampson Field by Martt | We're out in northern California living on my mom's dime this week, which I should add is a pretty good gig if you can get it, and we took a little car trip yesterday over to Lampson Field not far from Lakeport, near Clear Lake.  I flew some Citabrias out of Lampson a really long time ago but have only stopped by a few times over the last 25 years when I've been out here visiting just to see what's happening.  It didn't take long to spot this big blue Grumman S-2 Tracker sitting on the west side of the ramp in an open hangar.  I knew this looked like a good candidate for being a CARS post, and was glad this time I was the Cool Aircraft Ramp Spotter! …

Aviation Trivia of the Day by JP Santiago | Following the October 1957 launch of Sputnik 1, the US was badly in need of a morale boost in the nascent space race. The Navy's Vanguard rocket program was given the green light to launch in December 1957 and the first stage failed on the launch pad, giving the Soviets a propaganda coup as the launch was publicized in advance. The Army's Jupiter program led by Werner Von Braun had been given the green light after the failure and on 1 February 1958 a modified Jupiter IRBM designated Juno I put the Explorer 1 satellite into orbit…

Indy Transponder 6-APR-10 0015z

B-17 bomber finds new home at Hooks - Ultimate Spring
The aircraft, which is owned by the Gulf Coast Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, has been undergoing restoration for the better part of eight years at ...

Local Museum Lands New World War II Plane By Brett Crandall, Local News 8 Reporter
The 600 horsepower T-6 Texan warbird is the newest member of the Legacy Flight Museum's fleet of World War II era aircrafts.
"Whatever fighter it was, they flew them," said plane care taker, Brad DeBow.  "It would have been the last plane that they tried in before going into the fighter."
All of the planes in the Legacy Flight Museum are air worthy including the new T-6 Texan warbird used in World War II.
The museum spent quite a bit of time and money to refurbish the 60 plus year old engine and give it a new paint job.
"We're pretty proud of this plane," said DeBow.  "We've put a lot of effort into it." ...

Saturday, Apr 17, 2010 - Plane Crazy Saturday, Mojave, CA from FunPlacesToFly.com Aviation Events
Plane Crazy Saturday - April 17, 2010 - Mojave Airport Historical Aircraft Display Day sponsored by Mojave Transportation Museum, Foundation - Plane Crazy Saturday held every 3rd Saturday at Mojave Air & Spaceport, in front of Voyager Restaurant, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.! JoAnn Painter's pristine 1949 Cessna 140A is Aircraft of the Month! Fly in and display your aircraft or drive in and enjoy visiting with people who speak aviation! Walk in traffic enter through Voyager Restaurant. Bring your camera, take lots of photos and visit with some of Mojave Airport's famous pilots! Aerospace-oriented art, collectibles and other aviation memorabilia will be on sale. Vintage aircraft, jets & rocket planes on display, all free for public viewing! Bring the kids, ride the tram and tour XCOR Aerospace! Great Restaurant on the flightline named after famous Voyager Aircraft flown around the world by Dick Rutan & Jeana Yeager! Sit and have breakfast or lunch and watch the airplanes at your "table with a view!" Contact: Cathy Hansen 661.824.2889.

click for larger image!

Thursday, Apr 29, 2010 - ATC Operation Raincheck - (AID), Anderson, IN from FunPlacesToFly.com Aviation Events
The Operation Raincheck team has briefed over 300 pilots with our revised and updated Operation Raincheck program. We have teamed up with top representatives from ATC and the aviation safety community to build relationships and educate GA pilots on effectively using the ATC system to enhance situational awareness. This 2 hour informal education forum will begin at 7:00pm. Topics include: Aviation Meteorology and Thunderstorms, Operation in the Tower/Tracon Environment, Operation in the ARTCC (center) Environment, FAA System Operation, IND FSDO. Find out more at FaaSafety.Gov.

Women pilots even paid own way to training - Lake Forester
... another female pilot, Amelia Earhart, there was another who flew under the radar but was the leading force behind women in aviation - Jackie Cochran. ...

Learn About Aviator's Life and Legacy - NJ TODAY
... show entitled "Determined Spirit: The Story of Amelia Earhart," which reveals the life and legacy of the world's most celebrated female aviator. ...

Enjoy Thrilling Aerial Exploits At The National Museum Of Naval Aviation - Xforce
... If you are visiting during the months of March through November you can watch the aerial exploits of the Blue Angels. The practice sessions of the Blue Angels take place on most Tuesday and Wednesday mornings of these months and are followed by autograph sessions that are sure to be a hit with your kids.
Regardless of when you visit, the museum has plenty of exhibits that will make you appreciate the 100 year history of naval aviation. Special exhibits include Faces of Aviation History, Medal of Honor, Enlisted Pilots, P.O.W. Exhibit, Hall of Honor, Then and Now Frontiers of Aviation History , Lighter than Air, WWI, Space, World War II and the Age of Carriers and several others. ...

Aviation History Museum - WOOD-TV
That's what's in store this week at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo, one of the premiere aviation history museums in the world, right here in West Michigan. ...

Military Academy Day scheduled for May at Dobbins - Rome News Tribune
In addition, a number of aircraft will be on display at the event, including an F-22 Raptor, a UH-1 Huey helicopter and an AH-1 Cobra helicopter. ...

April 5 from Cut and Paste Aviation
...1976 -- Howard Hughes dies aboard a Learjet, aged 70.
Howard Robard Hughes, Jr., was one of the most influential aviators in history: he set multiple world air-speed records, built the Hughes H-1 Racer and H-4Hercules (better known to history as the Spruce Goose) aircraft, and acquired and expanded Trans World Airlines. Perhaps he is best remembered for spending his later years as an eccentric, reclusive billionaire, caused in part by a worsening obsessive–compulsive disorder. ...

Last Night Launch as Discovery Reaches Space from Alabama Aviator - Aviation News
NASA- Space shuttle Discovery lit up Florida's Space Coast sky 30 minutes before sunrise Monday with a  launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. With main engine cutoff confirmed and external fuel tank separation, space shuttle Discovery, STS-131, has reached orbit. The shuttle and crew lifted off from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida as planned at 5:21 a.m. CDT. The spacecraft now begins a two-day pursuit of the International Space Station.  ..

3 women flying on space shuttle Discovery - The Associated Press
Poindexter became an astronaut in 1998 after more than a decade as a naval aviator and test pilot. He considers Rockville, Md., home. ...

Fire, Flame and Thunder in Florida! from Spaceports

AirPigz CARS: Cool Aircraft Ramp Spotters - This Post Needs A Pic! by Martt
Calling all CARS (Cool Aircraft Ramp Spotters) I need your pix!
I'm always trying to find fun.cool ways to blog up aviation, and about a month ago I dreamed up another interesting idea.  It's called 'CARS' and it stands for Cool Aircraft Ramp Spotters.  It's all about YOU spotting a cool aircraft on a ramp (or in a hangar) and taking a good pic of it and sending it to me.  If I agree that it's CARS worthy, I'll post it for everyone to see.  It's a way for us all to share the great and wide world of aviation with others. ...

Formation flight Sunday (on Monday) from Planeshots
Working on the line. SR-71 from Planeshots
Carla Bruni Just Plane Right In Baby Blue Jumpsuit (PHOTOS, POLL) - Huffington Post
Image of the Week: CF-104 Starfighter from Flight Image of the Day

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