Indy Transponder©

Barnstormer Express - Final Edition of 2009

2009-12-21T09:37:00.001-05:00

The Barnstormer Express

21 December - Final Edition of 2009

1,000 Fans on Facebook!

As of Sunday, our fan base on the popular social media/networking site, Facebook, has grown to over 1,000 fans, making the American Barnstormer team just the second civilian air show team to reach this benchmark*.

The use of social networking sites like Facebook was the big buzz at the annual ICAS Convention just a couple weeks ago, with seminar leaders urging air show organizers and performers to take advantage of this public outlet to draw more people into becoming air show fans. We've witnessed this evolution through our fan page as we've interacted with both long-time air show fans, as well as numerous new fans to the air show world.

*Note on research: We searched for as many airshow teams and performers as possible on Facebook, using search terms such as "airshow", "aerobatics", and "wingwalking", among others, and took into account not only pages, but groups and individual profiles representing teams, as well. To the best of our knowledge, the only other civilian team which has surpassed 1,000 fans is Sean D. Tucker (at just over 1,500 fans), and we believe Mike Goulian Airshows will be next with a current fan count of just over 800. We apologize if we missed anyone in our research efforts.

Blast from the Past...

We wish you a Merry Christmas and

the best New Year ever!

[click photo to enlarge]

About this photo: The original picture was taken downwind from the active runway at Dulles Airport at 7am in May of 1972. The wing rider was William (Bill) Ottley who was head of USPA and National Pilot's Association at different times. Bill was known for sending bizarre cards at Christmas and Walt agreed to help him produce another great one before they returned home from Transpo '72 (a 10-day international transportation expo and air show held at Dulles). The photo ship was a Champion flown by the famous Ron David, Washington TV and radio personality, and narrator of the Discovery Channel series "Wings". Santa's whiskers were abandoned early in flight.

Quick Links...

American Barnstormer homepage

Pricing & requirements

Performance descriptions

Video

Looking to 2010...

2010 Season

The American Barnstormer team is booked at the Borden Canadian Forces Day & Airshow in Ontario for June 5 & 6, and is currently working on filling more dates for the 2010 show season.

If you are interested in hosting this very unique and entertaining team at your event, and have not yet received a packet with full-length DVD and other team info - and would like to, please email Jenny and she'll be happy to get one in the mail to you. Most of our pertinent info can also be found on our website especially for event organizers, www.AmericanBarnstormer.net

Barnstormer's Paradise...

Our New Summer Basecamp

We have found our summer home-away-from-home. With the confirmation of our first show, we know for sure that we'll be hangaring Ol' Smokey at Red Stewart Airfield in Waynesville, OH (40I) for the summer of 2010. This will keep our operating costs, and thus our fees to many more events, as reasonable as possible.

The Stewart family has a rich barnstorming history, lots of experience with taildraggers, and the hospitality at this field can't be beat.

Red Stewart Airfield

Interested in having American Barnstormer perform at your event in 2010?

Give Walt a call today...

toll-free: (866) 450-1930

cell: (216) 470-8088

or email Jenny at

Jenny@AmericanBarnstormer.com

www.AmericanBarnstormer.net

Indy Transponder 21-DEC-09 1130z

2009-12-21T06:13:00.003-05:00

'Thunder Over the Blue Ridge' - West Virginia MetroNews | The US Air Force Thunderbirds and the US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team will be in West Virginia next year. They'll be part of the Labor Day Weekend ...

Blue Angels thunder into Key West – KeysNet | By US AIR FORCE The Blue Angels have a long and storied history, dating back to 1946. (Photo courtesy BLUE ANGELS) The US Navy flight demonstration team ...

Fantasy of Flight - The Ledger | Anyone who has seen "The Longest Day," "A Bridge Too Far," "Tobruk," "The Flying Tigers" or any other great World War II-era films absolutely needs to ...

KIDS TAKE 172nd TO NORTH POLE – ASB.tv | What happens when you combine 60 Salvation Army "Angels" and the 172nd Airlift Wing in Mississippi? Magic. If snow has you stuck inside, this wonderful story will surely warm your heart. Read the story

MV-22 Osprey Arrives at MCAS Miramar from Defense News by DefenceTalk.com | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR: Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 entered a new era in aviation Saturday as the MV-22 "Osprey" landed to begin the replacement of the CH-46 "Sea Knight" and its... This is summary only, please visit DefenceTalk.com for more defense news, discussion and military pictures!

Cold War MiG to visit Gloucestershire airshow - Gloucester Citizen | The force will also send its latest support aircraft - the C-27 Spartan - to the airshow. Air Tattoo organisers welcomed the news and said it reflected the ...

2010 National Aerobatic Championships Dates – The IAC board of directors has decided on the dates for the 2010 Nationals. They are Sunday, September 19th through Friday, September 24th, 2010 at the North Texas Regional Airport. The 2010 contest director is Doug Lovell.

Aero-TV: Preserving Wichita History – The Kansas Aviation Museum from Aero-News Network | Director Lon Smith Describes Wichita's Living Aviation History Museum The Kansas Aviation Museum is more than just a showcase for Wichita's rich aviation history; it is history. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the museum is housed in Wichita's original municipal airport terminal. Dedicated on March 31st, 1935, the Wichita Municipal Airport served as a major mid-continent stopover for commercial operations as the last stop before crossing the Rockies to Denver or Los Angeles.

This Week In Military/Aviation History 21 - 27 December from Warbirds Online by Tom Kwiatkowski Sr. | Well Folks, here I am again. You know how many are gone to allow this. Geez, this will be the last post fully in December. Next week starts the new year. It's been about 4 years I've been doing this. You haveta be pretty tired of me about now. Well, file that under T for TOO BAD! I have no plans to stop. I've missed a few weeks this year due to circumstances beyond my control and hopefully next year will be more stable. We'll see. In the meantime allow me on behalf of myself and the Historical Aircraft Group Museum to wish you and yours a very safe and Merry Christmas. So, shall we move on to some serious history? Yes, I think we shall. Tom K.

Warbird News: Andy Anderson Warbird Radio LIVE! Monday - MONDAY- Join airshow pilot and author Andy Anderson on W... http://ow.ly/16bKYq

Ho, Ho, Ho Jetwhiners from Jetwhine by Robert Mark | I can't believe it's Christmas time again. Our thanks to the folks at Junior Flyer for this great Santa graphic too. Scott and I are going to take the rest of the week off to hang out with family, but we both wanted to leave you with a couple of cool things to keep in mind this week while you wait for the arrival of the big guy…

Airport Firefighters Watch As Hangar Burns from AVwebFlash Current Issue | Airport firefighters in Prince George, British Columbia, say there was nothing they could do but watch as fire took hold in a 70-year-old wood frame hangar as they waited for city firefighters to arrive to battle the blaze. By the time the city crews traveled the 10 miles from their hall (some witnesses said it took about 25 minutes), there wasn't much hope of saving the historic former military hangar, which served as the local headquarters for Northern Thunderbird Air, a scheduled, charter and medevac airline. Eight aircraft, much of the airline's fleet, were safely moved outside before the fire consumed the building. Airport Fire Chief Dan Moulder told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. that his crew followed long-established protocol. "Our concern is the airport itself. We look after the aviation side, the city looks after the structures," Moulder said. Although the aircraft were saved, the fire has disrupted operations by the airline and the airport itself.

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Indy Transponder 21-DEC-09 0500z

2009-12-20T23:58:00.000-05:00

Thunderbird flying team to be at next year's Amigo Airsho - El Paso Times
EL PASO -- The US Air Force Thunderbird precision flying team will perform at next year's Amigo Airsho at Biggs Army Airfield.

Base closing won't stop air show - Maine News Updates
Executive Director Steve Levesque says the civilian air show will feature a business aviation expo meant to showcase the shuttered Navy base's capabilities for the private sector. The authority hopes to attract tenants to utilize the ...

Bahrain International Air Show - Newsahead
The inaugural Bahrain International Airshow at the Sakhir Airbase will offer a totally new concept to the global aerospace community, according to its hosts. They describe the planned business-to-business setup at the show as unique.

2010 Civilian Airshow Schedules from FenceCheck Forums
Rob Reider - http://www.robreider.com

Farnborough International Airshow 2010 Event Tickets, Farnborough ...
Farnborough International Airshow 2010 will take to the skies in what will mark the 47th biennial show. Open to the public on the 24th-25th July, the show will maintain its status on the airshow calendar as one of the most diverse and ...

San Diego Air and Space Museum Hall of Fame 2009 from Aviation News
The San Diego Air & Space Museum has selected its hall of fame class of 2009. The honoree was selected for their historic contributions to aviation, space, or aviation technology.
Class of 2009:
Sally Ride, first woman in space
Sean D. Tucker, airshow performer
Clay Lacy, founder of Clay Lacy aviation
Lockheed Brothers & Skunk Works, Lockheed Martin Aircraft Co.
The Blue Angels, airshow performer
Cliff Robertson, pilot, Academy-Award-winning screen star, founder of Cliff Robertson Work Experience
Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) ...

Happy Holidays all my aviation friends! - http://evanflys.com
I finished two more interviews that I hope you like. Both are with Will Whiteside One is about his 2009 Reno race week and the other is about him flying the Collings Foundation P-51 and their new Me-262
http://evanflys.com/will_whiteside
http://evanflys.com/collings_foundation
Today my dad and I are driving down to Chino for a few days and visiting the Planes of Fame Museum! I've always wanted to go there and I'm really excited!
Hope you have a great Christmas and a super New Year!
Evan

Celebrate the Holidays with An American Aviation Icon from My Flight Blog
For twenty five years Sporty's have helped pilots celebrate the Christmas Season with a line of Crystal Christmas Ornaments. This year their ornament features a P-51 Mustang that Sporty's Vice President John Zimmerman describes as "an iconic American airplane that...

'If you ever get to America...' from The Kathryn Report
The conversation was short - no more than two or three minutes - but it took him back 64 years and thousands of miles, to a chance encounter between a 21-year-old U.S. airman and a 12-year-old Hungarian boy in the waning months of World War II. It started with a question: "Are you the Robert Holcomb that was the bombardier on a B-24 that crashed in Pecs, Hungary, in 1945?" ...

Grumpy comes home from General Aviation News
A really cool video on YouTube showcases the return from England of the oldest B-25 World War II era bomber, "Grumpy," to its new home at the Historic Flight Foundation's Restoration Center, slated to open March 1, 2010, in Everett, Wash.

The tale of Winona's warplane from The Kathryn Report
The first time Dan Cherry saw the Grumman F9F Panther, it was in a barren field, brown grass and snow covering the fighter jet's worn wheels. The paint was faded, and holes punctured the skin. The craft seemed to blend in with the gray storm clouds. "It didn't appear much was going on with it," said Cherry, director of the Aviation Heritage Park in Bowling Green, Ky. "It looked like it was lonely."
For nearly 50 years, the plane haunted the grounds of Lake Park and, later, Max Conrad Field. It was mostly a decorative showpiece ...

Ode on a Canadian Warbird from Air & Space Magazine
The author remembers childhood, with round engines.

China's first experimental from General Aviation News
FirChinese national XueQiang Si is building a Sportsman 2+2 at Glasair's Two Weeks To Taxi program and, upon completion, will fly it to China. XueQiang Si, who will base his plane in city of Laiwu, in Shandong province, reports that his Sportsman will be the first experimental category aircraft to fly in the People's Republic of China.
"There is no homebuilt category in China yet," XueQiang Si says. "I will fly it with an 'N' number first." ...

'Jeopardy!' makes col. $136K richer from Air Force Times
Five victories, $136,801 in cash and one priceless memory for his son."Jeopardy!" was very good to Col. Dave Belote.Belote's haul was the largest in 2009 and the 12th highest in the show's 26-year history. His six episodes aired Dec. 2-9, about a month after the last one was taped."I had a blast. It was some of the most fun I'd ever imagined," said Belote, 46, commander of the 99th Air Base Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. "I think I did the uniform and my beloved service proud."By simply appearing on the show,

Uncontrolled Airspace #163 "Some Sort of Flame-Throwing Device"
Full-ownership vs. shared... Engine preheating... and what's with the LSA weight limit?... All this and more on Uncontrolled Airspace, Episode #163 "Some Sort of Flame-Throwing Device"

20 Moments – Air Show Love - alittlenews
I have always enjoyed covering the infrequent air shows that visit our part of the world. Fast, acrobatic airplanes and daring pilots make for some wonderful
photographic possibilities. This photo is just about the best air show photo I have ever done and it was done with my widest lens, a 17-35. To top it off, the aircraft are barely visible so this is not your typical air show photo. ...

P51 Mustang & Me 109 on Airshows from OneRiot.com
Formation flight Sunday from Planeshots
The Hungarian Air Force decline in pictures from Military Photos

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Indy Transponder 20-DEC-09 1500z

2009-12-20T10:15:00.003-05:00

Snowbird jets soar into 40th year - CBC.ca | The iconic Snowbirds aerobatic flying squadron will open their 40th season of tours with a performance at their home base just outside of Moose Jaw, Sask., ...

Air station set to close, but show goes on - Boston Globe | AP / December 20, 2009 BRUNSWICK, Maine - Brunswick Naval Air Station will soon close, but the tradition of the Great State of Maine Air Show ...

Redevelopment authority plans Brunswick air show - Nashua Telegraph | The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority plans will hold the air show in 2011, and it'll feature the Navy's Blue Angels. It coincides with the 100th ...

Thunderbirds to highlight Grand Forks air show - Grand Forks Herald | "Thunder over the Red River" will be the first air show at Grand Forks Air Force Base in four years. It is scheduled for May 22. Lt. Col. ...

Oshkosh Countdown underway... 218 days to go.. from Kingston Flying Club by Kingstondivepro | In case there's anyone out there who hasn't heard yet, there are several Club members heading for the Experimental Aircraft Association's Airventure in Oshkosh next Summer. I guess the initiative came from Avery, who attended in 2009. He inspired Mike and James to make the decision to fly in for the 2010 event. Then, Darren and Ken indicated interest, and when Dave heard about the trip, he signed up too. The more the merrier. There are side trips planned, perhaps, to Sporty's Pilot Shop and the US Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. These would be made either on the way to, or the on the way home from, the main event. Keep an eye on the blog for more news…

John Lear on John Lear from ExpressJet Forum by RJdriver | One of the anguishes of advancing age is losing old friends. The upside of that, though, is that I get to tell the story my way. I learned to fly at > Clover Field in Santa Monica when I was 14. However before I got to get in an actual airplane Dad made me take 40 hours of Link with Charlie Gress. I can't remember what I did yesterday but I guarantee you I could still shoot a 90 degree, Fade-out or Parallel radio range orientation…

Hello Plane Folks, This week I bring you a Christmas wish list, hopefully it will get to Santa in time! http://maxair2air.com/ Enjoy, Max Haynes, MaxAir2Air Pictures

Former Illinois air base still soaring from Diamond Pilots by TheKathrynReport | "Wow, Dad, look at that airplane!" Dad had no time to react before his young son took off toward an F-105 Thunderchief, a supersonic bomber nicknamed Thud in Vietnam. It's one of more than 30 aircraft parked in the hangar and out on the tarmac that prompt shouts of joy — and some tears — at the Chanute Air Museum. ( Read more... )

Sport Plane Tops Fantasy Gift List - Top Gifts In Neiman Marcus Christmas Book from Diamond Pilots by TheKathrynReport | Neiman Marcus has named the Icon A5 Sport Plane as the top fantasy gift of 2009. The plane can take off and land on the water just as easily as it can on the runway and it comes with a custom trailer and full FAA certified sport pilot licensing for two. The aircraft will cost you $250,000. ( Read more... )

Video: The Shepherd - 1- Christmas story told by Alan Maitland - Part One from Diamond Pilots by TheKathrynReport | By: rsensorat3 "First of four parts of the Christmas story "The Shepherd" written by Frederic Forsyth as told by "Fireside Al" Alan Maitland and broadcast on CBC radio. Audio only: Total time of all 4 parts is 31:37. For those who like to sit down, relax, and listen to a good story.A story of a "shepherd's" heroic act to guide a crippled plane in through Englands East Anglian fog, Christmas Eve 1957. Because I come from a family of pilots, this is a great Christmas story. Dedicated to the men and women, ground crews, flight crews and pilots of the combined air forces flying out the many airfields of eastern England. One of them being my 19 year old uncle, graduate of Gordon Bell, whos Lancaster rumbled off the Scampton airstrip in January 1945 on mission number 14, headed out over the North Sea, and was never seen again. There were thousands like him, one of them being the good shepherd in this story. Also dedicated to Alan Maitland, whose radio stories entertained millions of Canadians over the years. He retired to one of my favourite places, Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia in 1993. (d 1999)" About Alan Maitland: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Mai...

Video: The Shepherd - 2 - Christmas story told by Alan Maitland - Part Two of Four

Video: The Shepherd - 3 - Christmas story told by Alan Maitland - Part Three of Four

Video: The Shepherd - 4 - Christmas story told by Alan Maitland - Part Four - epilogue

Catching up on my photos: Te Kowhai fly-in from Flying for Dummies by Chris Nielsen | Sorry for the long silence on the blog folks, I've had a crazy few months. Catching up on posting my photos now, this is from a month or two back. Te Kowhai had a (private) fly-in to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the airfield, and two of us managed to accidentally gatecrash the party. Oops!...

Video: Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo SS2 in Hangar from Diamond Pilots by TheKathrynReport | Per airboyd, Video courtesy: VIRGIN GALACTIC http://www.virgingalactic.com SpaceShipTwo (SS2) and its mothership, WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) herald a new era in commercial space flight with daily space tourism flights set to commence from Spaceport America in New Mexico after test program and all required US government licensing completed…

The story of my father and the DH98 from The Flying Scotsman by Ian | My very recently passed mother, never knew my late father when he was in the Royal Air Force during WW2 - the age gap between them just about was enough to make him her own (albeit very young) father. But during his time studying in Edinburgh after the end of the war, the romance blossomed, and the rest is history.

(Archive) Picture(s) A Day – 19 December 2009 from Parrothead Jeff by Parrothead Jeff - If you were hoping for fresh, original pictures from today, I apologize for disappointing you. If you like aircraft carriers, well, you'll probably like today's post I figured after all the Air Force jets Glenn's been forced to suffer with it might be a nice change to put up a few pictures of some good ol' carrier jets…

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Indy Transponder 19-DEC-09 1500z

2009-12-19T10:14:00.002-05:00

Salinas Airshow receives marketing awards - The Salinas Californian | The California International Airshow Salinas was recognized at the industry's annual conference for its marketing efforts for its 2009 show. ...

WREX.com – Rockford's News LeaderThunderbirds return for Rockford Airfest - WREX-TV | The Thunderbirds will join other military acts like the Leap Frog Parachute team and the Army's Golden Knights Parachuters. ...

Golden Knights coming to 2010 Beach Fest - Sun-Sentinel.com | Advance tickets are on sale for the 2010 Air Lauderdale Beach Fest – at half price – and the US Army's Golden Knights parachute team has confirmed it will ...

Le Spectacle aérien de Québec revit - Québec Hebdo | Des pilotes émérites tels Bill Leff, Dan Buchanan, Skip Stewart et Patty Wagstaff seront également de la fête. Outre les aviateurs, le festival présentera ...

Spectacle aérien de retour en 2010 - Le Journal de Québec | Parmi les autres vedettes déjà annoncées, on retrouve Bill Leff, Skip Stewart, Patty Wagstaff, Dan Buchanan et April Zalesky.

Two brothers from Dayton taught the world to fly from Air Force Link Top Stories by afnews@afnews.af.mil (Derek Kaufman) | Aviation enthusiasts, Air Force officials and local government leaders gathered here Dec. 17 to remember how two brothers from Dayton, Ohio, changed the world. The brief ceremony, held adjacent to the Wright Brothers Memorial on base, recognized the 106th anniversary of the first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C., by Orville and Wilbur Wright. "We cannot envision the problems they faced," said Brig. Gen. Paul Sampson, keynote speaker for the annual First Flight ceremony. "What a life they had." more...

Wright Brothers from AF.mil Photos | After donning a costume reminiscent of the turn of the century, Brig. Gen. Paul Sampson tells the story of Dayton, Ohio's most famous inventors, Wilbur and Orville Wright, during a ceremony Dec. 17, 2009, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The general was keynote speaker for a ceremony marking the 106th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first powered flight. Brig. Gen. Sampson is mobilization assistant to the commander of Aeronautical Systems Center. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bonnie White) Download Full Image

Wright Brothers from AF.mil Photos | Members of the Wright family and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, placed a wreath at the Wright Brothers Memorial Dec. 17, 2009, during a ceremony marking the 106th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first powered flight. Amanda Wright Lane, great grand-niece of the brothers and Stephen Wright, great grand-nephew, pose with Col. Brad Spacy (left) and Brig. Gen. Paul Sampson. Colonel Spacy is 88th Air Base Wing commander and General Sampson is mobilization assistant to the commander of Aeronautical Systems Center. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bonnie White) Download Full Image

Wright Brothers from AF.mil Photos | A 6-ship formation of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Aero Club aircraft performs a flyover Dec. 17, 2009, during a ceremony marking the 106th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first powered flight. Flight lead was retired Lt. Col. R. Kevin Adams, the Aero Club's safety officer and formation flight program manager. The event took place over the Wright Brothers Memorial, part of the Dayton Aviation National Historical Park. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bonnie White) Download Full Image

Wright Brothers from AF.mil Photos | Col. Brad Spacy and Stephen Wright place a wreath at the Wright Brothers Memorial overlooking Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, on Dec. 17, 2009, during a ceremony marking the 106th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first powered flight. Mr. Wright is the Wright brothers' great grand-nephew and Colonel Spacy is 88th Air Base Wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bonnie White) Download Full Image

Blog Update - 05December to 18December from CAF Minnesota Wing Blog by Commemorative Air Force, MN Wing | Good Afternoon Everyone!These blog updates seem to have fallen into a pattern of every other week. I think we can expect that from now on with the slower winter season coming in to play. The last time I posted, we had just removed the B-25's right engine and hoisted the new engine off of its stand…

Operation Ordnance! from CAF Minnesota Wing Blog by Commemorative Air Force, MN Wing | The history behind "Miss Mitchell" and the quality of her restoration and maintenance are a source of pride for members of the Minnesota Wing, so when we see something that isn't perfect, we tend to look at ways of improving that imperfection. Recently a couple of members have gotten together and begun focusing on restoring "Miss Mitchell"'s Ordnance delivery systems...

Saying Goodbye.... from CAF Minnesota Wing Blog by Commemorative Air Force, MN Wing | We are around some of the greatest machines of all time and can really begin to take it for granted. We are lucky enough to be involved with aircraft that shaped our childhood dreams, something that becomes more and more rare in this time. When we start to take things for granted, we tend to think they will always be there... Well a one-of-a-kind machine will be leaving our quiet little airport to be auctioned by Barrett-Jackson in January. The Hamilton Metalplane has been a piece of Minnesota history for many years... we will be sorry to see it go, but wish Gary Lysdale the Best of Luck in getting a good price!..

Another B-25... from CAF Minnesota Wing Blog by Commemorative Air Force, MN Wing | Alan Miller, 'Miss Mitchell' pilot, sent out an e-mail this morning with a link to this video. 'Grumpy' has made the trip from England to Bellingham, Washington. It is a 'D' model, versus ours being a 'J' model... take note of the turret being behind the bomb bay…

World War II Vet Receives Special Gift – WSMV | Retired Lieutenant Colonel Jacob McClenny flew B-17's in World War II. One of his most treasured possessions was a special walking cane that featured ...

Bill Lear, Jr. Dead At 81 from AVwebFlash Current Issue | Bill Lear, son of William P. Lear, legendary designer and developer of the Learjet business jet, died at the age of 81 Dec. 14, reports the East Volusia News. Lear Jr.'s life is detailed in his autobiography, "Fly Fast...Sin Boldly -- Flying, Spying and Surviving." Spanning a lifetime of aviation, Lear began flying at age 15. In 1946, then 17-year-old Lear Jr. borrowed $1250 from his father, purchased a brand new Lockheed P-38 from the War Assets Administration and soon became the youngest pilot to race the aircraft in the Bendix Trophy races. He never graduated high school, but eventually worked as president of Learjet International. He served three years of active duty with the United States Air Force in Germany and wrote later that he was also involved in covert gun running designed to undermine Soviet activities during the Cold War. Most recently before his death, Lear blogged on current political issues. In 2006, he passed judgment on the very light jets of the day in an early AVweb podcast

Boeing's Future Finally Takes Flight as the Lucky Few Report the News Live from KPAE from Av8rdan's World of Flying by Dan Pimentel | As I watched Tuesday's webcast of the long-awaited first flight of Boeing's groovy 787 Dreamliner, I also had the #787FF Twitter feed up on my second display. It was an exhilarating news event when Paine Tower made the call "Boeing zero-zero-one heavy experimental, runway 34L cleared for takeoff." As the 787's gear lifted from the runway, Boeing's video team had a camera at the opposite end of the runway, down low, to further add drama to the liftoff of ZA001. It was breathtaking!..

Microsoft Licenses Flight Simulator Technology To Flight1 from TechCrunch by Leena Rao | On the heels of the whole Plurk fiasco, Microsoft has struck a deal to license its visual simulation technology to Flight1 Aviation Technologies, According to a release, Microsoft will be licensing its ESP v1.0 object code, which will let the flight technology company create detailed, customized flight safety, flight training and strategic solutions for its customers…

Friday Fun Day #FFD: Top Space Events of 2009 from The Launch Pad by Stiles | The space team at X PRIZE came to the realization this week that the end of 2009 approaching at light speed! At lunch the other day, as our team ruminated on some of the major space happenings in oh-nine, we realized that it was a pretty cool year for space. It was full of exciting events and big changes. So we decided to pick up a video camera and record a quick recap of our favorite space moments of 2009…

New SU-27 warbird! First filght! from FenceCheck Forums

yaa employing advanced "Scimitar" blade technology from PPRuNe Forums by Flaxton Flyer

To 100k pt. 2 from High Power Rocketry by R2K

-For the latest News @ Full Throttle and additional features visit www.IndyTransponder.com ©

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Indy Transponder 18-DEC-09 2130z

2009-12-18T16:32:00.002-05:00

US Air Force Thunderbirds to Headline Air Show
The US Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" will open its 57th air show season with performances at Davis-Monthan during Aerospace and Arizona Days, March 20-21. The Thunderbirds are the Air Force's premier aerial ...

'We're still all about aviation' - Dayton Daily News
The oldest flying DC3 will appear at the July 2010 Vectren Dayton Air Show. Anthony Sculimbrene, NAHA executive director, said the region's history was a ...

Better late than never - Moose Jaw Times-Herald
Unfortunately, not everybody in this country knows that Moose Jaw is home to the aerobatic demonstration team. Hopefully, by having the Snowbirds' Tutor on ...

Blue Angels, Thunderbird Commanders to address NBAA conference by CharterX
Answering that question will be the focus of a presentation by former Navy Blue Angels commander George "Elwood" Dom, and former Air Force Thunderbirds commander Ron "Maxi" Mumm, at NBAA's 18th Annual Leadership Conference, ...

AFMC Freedom's Call Tattoo 2010 scheduled for June 25 from AF.mil Photos
Tattoo's theme for 2010 will commemorate veterans from the Korean War, which began June 25, 1950, when North Korea opened fire on South Korea's Army positions south of the 38th parallel, the line which serves as the border between the two countries. Pictured here are Brig. Gen. Courtney Whitney; Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Commander in Chief of U.N. Forces; and Maj. Gen. Edward M. Almond observing the shelling of Inchon from the U.S.S. Mt. McKinley, Sept. 15, 1950.

Lisbon , Portugal To Host 2010 Red Bull Air Race - AvStop Aviation News
December 18, 2009 - The city of Lisbon will make its debut on the Red Bull Air Race calendar in 2010 when the World Championship makes a ...

Wanaka's Warbirds inspired Tim to be a pilot - Otago Daily Times
A Royal New Zealand Air Force pilot tainee, inspired by family trips to Warbirds Over Wanaka, is now working hard to earn his wings next year. ...

Happy Anniversary Wright Brothers and DC-3 First Flight. from Planenews Aviation News Portal
Not only yesterday was the 106th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first successful powered flight, it was the birthday of the venerable Douglas DC-3.

Peterson aero club receives safety award by Christy Rotunno
Whiting, 21st Space Wing commander, presents Donald Cortum, Peterson aero club manager, with the 2009 Flying Safety Milestone Award Nov. 24 in recognition of the Peterson aero club's 10000 hours of mishap-free flying. ...

On This Day in Aviation History: December 18th from NYCAviation.com

The Official Keepers of All Hangar Flying Tales from Av8rdan's World of Flying
We've all heard 'em...whopper flying stories usually told in the vicinity of a hangar or airport coffee shop. Generally, they go something like this:

Special activities planned for EAA's seventh annual Kids Days - Oshkosh Northwestern
EAA AirVenture Museum will be giving children the run of the museum over the winter break during the seventh annual Kids Days. The special event features ...

Temecula middle school students learn to fly in the classroom - Southwest Riverside News Network
"The whole purpose is to spark that interest in a field that involves math," said sixth-grade Teacher Kelly Manzani. By Maggie Avants, SWRNN Sixth-grader ...

Our View: Young Eagles dedicated to kids - Mt. Vernon Register-News
"I thought one way to share that with kids is through the Young Eagles program." It is apparent that many within the EAA share with Mullinax the passion for ...

NORAD Santa Tracker keeps fans in the loop from U.S. Air Force Live
Prank calls were probably not prevalent in 1955. So, when the "red phone" rang at the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center nestled in the Colorado Springs Rockies on Christmas Eve and a small voice on the other end asked, "Is this really Santa Claus?" Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup wasn't quite sure what to think. Theinfamousad
"Sorry, wrong number!" could have been his response to the unusual call, but instead he played along and made a 6-year-old girl believe in the magic of Christmas. Watch this video of Colonel Shoup telling about this precious moment that started what is now known as NORAD Tracks Santa. ...

The test pilots who flew Boeing's 787 Dreamliner on her maiden flight from Professional Pilot News
Mike CarrikerWhen the Boeing 787 Dreamliner made its long-awaited first flight earlier this week, Capt. Mike Carriker, pictured at right, was commanding the aircraft. Capt. Carriker is Boeing's chief pilot for the 787 program. In the Dreamliner cockpit's right hand seat was Capt. Randy Neville, pictured ...

My Meeting With Santa! - FOXNews (blog)
Those advising Santa on his mission for Christmas Eve were the Federal Aviation Administration (which informed the jolly ol' elf that he would be the number ...

Tipsy B, date/location unknown from x planes
Northrop Y1C-19 (Alpha) from Planeshots
Awesome set of pictures from the 2009 Edwards Air Force Base air show complete with sound clips of the planes.

Early Bird Sale from Southern Wisconsin Airfest Inc

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May 28-30th, 2010

Janesville, Wisconsin

Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport

FEATURING:

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

AND

Canadian Snowbirds

Southern Wisconsin AirFEST 2010

Early Bird Ticket sale!

Quick Links

USAF Thunderbirds

Canadian Snowbirds

U.S. Army Golden Knight Parachute Team

Skip Stewart

Patty Wagstaff

Shockwave Jet Truck

Rich's Incredible Pyro

U.S. Army Golden Knights

Skip Stewart cutting the ribbon

Patty Wagstaff

Rich's Pyro "Wall of Flame"

Super Shockwave Jet Truck

Hurry...AirFEST is offering a "stocking stuffer" early bird ticket sale!

Sale from Dec. 18, 2009 to

Jan. 8, 2010

Call 608-754-5405 to order your tickets now!

FOR

Weekends & between the holidays, call

608-751-4764

AirFEST office will also be open to drop in for your purchase Dec. 21st-23rd and Jan. 4th-8th.

Available now:

(children 5 and under always FREE)

Corporate Table: $400 (Inside a chalet, seats 8, food and beverages are included, flightline seating, reg. price $500)

VIP Ticket: $40 (In AirFEST chalet, food, beverage & flight line seat included. reg. price $50)

Adult 4-Pack: $40 (General admission)

Family 4-Pack: $33 (2 adult/2 children 6-12 yrs old, general admission)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

We are proud to welcome:

United States Air Force Thunderbirds

Canadian Snowbirds

U.S. Army Golden Knights

AND

**NEW** at air shows this year,

"Tinstix of Dynamite"

featuring:

Skip Stewart

Patty Wagstaff

Shockwave Jet Truck

Rich's Incredible Pyro

all performing together to bring you a breath-holding, heart-pounding, teeth- clenching aerobatic show like no other!

with more acts to be announced.

Tom Morgan, AirFEST Executive Director
Southern Wisconsin Airfest Inc

About Southern Wisconsin AirFEST,Inc

Thank you so much for being a supporter of Southern Wisconsin AirFEST, Inc. We work all year to bring you a 'top of the line' airshow that we hope you will enjoy. We want to make memories for the young and old while also paying special tribute to our MIA/POW, veterans, and current service men and women who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice for our freedom. Their true patriotism has enabled us to bring you a show that celebrates the assets of our country and our neighbors to the north!

1716 W. Airport Rd.
Janesville, Wisconsin 53546
Southern Wisconsin Airfest Inc
608-754-5405

Indy Transponder 18-DEC-09 0500z

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Smyrna airport director: No air show in 2010 - The Tennessean
The Blue Angels last performed in 2008 and a crowd in excess of 40000 attended that year. The Thunderbirds were the attraction in 2005 and had a slightly ...

Heart of Scotland Airshow 2010 by Flightline UK
The Heart of Scotland Airshow 2010 will be staged over 2 days (5th and 6th June, 2010) at Perth Airport. The aim of this event is to Celebrate some of the many aviation anniversaries happening in 2010.

1. The 100th Anniversary of the FIRST Scottish International Flight Meeting
staged at Lanark in 1910!
2. The 800th Anniversary of the Royal Burgh of Perth!
3. 70th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain!
4. 75th Anniversary of AST Aviation Training!
5. 50 years of AST Operations at Perth Airport!

The event also aims to raise money for some worthy local and National charities
and have a GREAT weekend of aviation from the past, the present and hopefully International too!
More details and updates to the website will be from early January 2010 – http//:www.perthairshow.co.uk

Gary Ward - 2010 Civilian Airshow Schedules from FenceCheck Forums
Gary Ward- http://www.garywardaerobatics.com/

Lisbon, Portugal signs contract to host Red Bull Air Race for 2010 from AVIATION-NEWS
The city of Lisbon will make its debut on the Red Bull Air Race calendar in 2010 when the World Championship makes a highly anticipated return to Portugal. "We were keen to keep Portugal on the calendar and Lisbon was able to fulfil all the requirements needed to host a race and take the Red Bull [...]

Video: An Evening With First Woman Thunderbird Pilot Maj. Nicole Malachowski from You Fly, Girl by Cathy Gale
Here's the text from the video shared at YouTube, by Smithsonian Videos:
An Evening with America's First Female Thunderbird Pilot
Maj. Nicole Malachowski

December 2009 Roadrunner News
Webmaster For those who have wondered what our quarters looked like at Groom Lake in the 1960s, wonder no more. In August 1961 the essential facilities at Area 51 were completed. Three surplus U.S. Navy hangars from the Hawthorne, Nevada Naval Base were obtained, dismantled, and erected on the north side of the base, ...

FALSE EMERGENCY LANDINGS AT GROOM LAKE - Roadrunner News
In July 1957 a civilian pilot was detained when he made an emergency landing at the Watertown airstrip. Edward K. Current Jr., a Douglas Aircraft Company employee, had been on a cross country training flight when he became lost, ran low on fuel, and decided to land at Groom Lake. He was held overnight and questioned. Nevada Test Organization (NTO) security officials reported the incident to the Civil Aeronautics Administration ...

Berlin Airlift exhibit to reside at Travis Air Museum from Air Force Link Top Stories
Retired Col. Gail Halvorsen, the man known fondly as the "Candy Bomber" for his role in the Berlin Airlift of 1948-49, cut the ribbon on the Berlin Airlift Exhibit Dec. 10 at the Travis Air Museum here.
After traveling to 29 different cities, the exhibit now has a permanent home at the museum. ...

Ohio Historical Society ships two antique planes to Troy - Columbus Dispatch
... planes used for air acrobatics and racing. The WACO Air Museum & Aviation Learning Center is moving to a new location and will reopen in the spring of 2010. ...

Alberta Aviation Museum Celebrates the70th Anniversary of the British ... - Aviation.ca
Professor Rod Macleod, President of the Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society will be present to say a few words about the BCATP and the exhibit. ...

City Of Greenfield Hopes To Land Air Museum - KSBW
City planners said the Yanks Air Museum could break ground as early as next spring if it passes a permitting process. "We are gradually making progress and ...

Libraries get an early gift for Christmas to mark the centennial of flight ... - Aviation.ca
The book was written not only to celebrate Canada's centennial of flight, but also as a way to teach children about Canada's aviation history. ...

Download the 2010 calendar (both Italian and English version)! by David Cenciotti
The weblog's 2010 calendar is available for download (and print up to A3 size). Two versions available: one for Italian readers (with Italian festivities) the other one for foreign readers.

Air Force to unveil 3-D commercial from Air Force Times - News
The Air Force is going 3-D.On Friday, the service will unveil its first 3-D commercial during a special screening of "Avatar," the 3-D science-fiction film by director James Cameron opening nationwide the same day.The commercial, the first 3-D spot to be run by a military service, will premiere before a 9 a.m. showing of "Avatar" in San Antonio, according to the Air Force Recruiting Service at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.Air Force recruiting officials and advertising agency GSD&M Idea City of Austin, Texas, partnered with Screenvision to ...

XCOR wins a major customer from Personal Spaceflight
XCOR Aerospace announced this afternoon a major business development for the suborbital vehicle developer: a contract to provide suborbital space launch services for a South Korean organization. XOCR will provide and operate a Lynx Mark 2 vehicle to the Yecheon Astro Space Center under a "wet lease" model, pending export control approvals. The center will use the Lynx for "space tourism, educational, scientific and environmental monitoring missions", according to the announcement.
The center, formerly known as the Yecheon Astronomy Foundation, is not well-known, at least outside of Korea ...

South Korean Space Center Selects XCOR's Lynx from The Unwanted Blog

New Mexico Looks at Spaceflight Liability & Immunity Legislation Again in 2010 from Spaceports
The state of New Mexico, home of Spaceport America and the launch site for commercial paying space tourists aboard the first Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo flights, is again considering spaceflight liability and immunity legislation similar to the measure killed last year by the state's legislature, reports The Las Cruces-Sun. The measure is designed to reduce insurance costs for spaceflight companies. ...

787 Coverage

Journey by Randy Tinseth
787 First Flight Video From Boeing from Things with Wings

Folland Midge, 1954 from x planes
Video: Misty Blues All Women's Skydiving Team from You Fly, Girl by Cathy Gale

.

Aaron Tippin

2009-12-17T17:11:00.001-05:00

Contact: Bobby Roberts

615-859-8899

bobby@bobbyroberts.com

The Bobby Roberts Company
P.O. Box 1547
Goodlettsville, Tennessee 37070

This Week at The Museum of Flight: Free Youth Days Continues Through Dec. 20

2009-12-17T17:10:00.001-05:00

Greetings!

The Museum of Flight offers free general admission every day to youths 17 and under now through Dec. 20. This opportunity is provided through a generous grant from the Norman Archibald Charitable Foundation, whose good works support many local social and educational initiatives.

The foundation created in Mr. Archibald's name has completed more than 30 years of grant-making to charitable organizations within the Puget Sound region, giving over $12 million to qualified organizations such as The Museum of Flight.

On Saturday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m., aviation author, Boeing researcher and University of Washington Associate Aeronautics and Astronomics professor Dr. Scott Eberhardt discusses the performance and technology of World War I fighter aircraft in the Museum's J. Elroy McCaw Personal Courage Wing. More information...

On the Radar: Winter Break Blast-Off! See the family programs calendar below for more information.

Dream, Discover, Soar!

Sincerely,

The Museum of Flight

In This Issue

In Search of Amelia Earhart

Museum of Flight Store

Family Programs

December 2009 Events

January 2010 Events

Bank of America Weekend Family Workshops

Saturdays and Sundays
11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.

21st Century Airships

Dec. 19 and 20
Overshadowed by the airplane, the airship--a rigid or semi-rigid balloon, powered by engines--has a colorful history. Learn about these fascinating machines and then design your own airship!

Winter Break Blast Off!

Dec. 26 - 30 | Noon - 3 p.m.

Gliders, helicopters or rockets--what will it be? Join us for daily aviation-themed activities during the holiday break.

Saturn 5: Rocket to the Moon!

Jan. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24

The three-stage rocket that carried U.S. astronauts to the Moon stood higher than the Statue of Liberty! Visitors will learn about the creation of the Saturn 5 and its successful missions to the Moon, then build their own Saturn 5 rocket model!

Badge of Honor: Remembering the Crews of Apollo 1, STS-51-L Challenger and STS-107 Columbia
Jan. 30 and 31

Visitors will learn about the history of the space mission patches, then make their own space mission patch to honor the American astronauts who have given their lives to advance the progress of space travel.

Aviation Learning Center and Challenger Learning Center Public Missions

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a pilot or an astronaut? Here is your chance! The Museum is now offering public missions in our flight and space simulations.

CONTACT INFORMATION

The Museum of Flight

206.764.5720, email

Membership

206.764.5711, email

Volunteering

206.768.7179, email

Giving

206.768.7162, email

Education
206.768.7116, email

Museum Store
206.764.5704, email

December 2009 Events

Free Youth Admission, Supported by the Norman Archibald Charitable Foundation

Tuesday, Dec. 1 - Sunday, Dec. 20

The Museum offers free admission to youths 17 and under, through a generous grant from the Norman Archibald Charitable Foundation.

Tip-to-Tail Tour: Wright Flyer
Thursday, Dec. 17, 11 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 20, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Museum's Wright Flyer is the subject of a Tip-to-Tail Tour with Docent Jerry Swearingen.

Amazing Skies Theater Presents: "I'll be Home for Christmas: A Salute to the USO"

Saturday, Dec. 19 at Noon and 1 p.m., Murdock Theater

"I'll Be Home For Christmas" is a World War II USO show featuring period and holiday music by the Alpha Singers, a local choral group, and comedy skits by Amazing Skies Theater.

AIAA Lecture | Scott Eberhardt: Fighter Performance and Technology during WWI

Saturday, Dec. 19, 2 p.m., Allen Theater

Dr. Scott Eberhardt of Boeing discusses the performance and technology of World War I fighter aircraft in the Museum's J. Elroy McCaw Personal Courage Wing. The program will include a guided tour of the Museum's WWI fighter aircraft collection and will cover tactics developed during WWI.

Christmas Day | Museum Closed
Friday, Dec. 25

The Museum will be closed for the Christmas holiday.We will reopen at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 26.

Seattle's Commercial Aviation 1908 - 1941

Saturday, Dec. 26, 2 p.m., Allen Theater

Seattle authors Ed Davies and Steve Ellis present a program based upon their new book, "Seattle Commercial Aviation 1908 - 1941."

Tip-to-Tail Tour: Blackbird

Saturday, Dec. 26 - Saturday, Jan. 2

11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Museum's M-21 Blackbird is unique. The history of this plane and others in the Blackbird family of Mach 3 aircraft are explained by a docent during this tip-to-tail tour.

Challenger Learning Center Public Mission

Tuesday, Dec. 29, 1 - 3 p.m.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be an astronaut, or work in Mission Control? Here is your chance! Sessions are for participants ages 10 and up--under 16 years of age requires adult supervision. Sessions are $10/participant (non-participating adults are free.) Click link above for registration information.

Aviation Learning Center Public Mission

Wednesday, Dec. 30, 1 - 3 p.m.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a pilot? Here is your chance! Sessions are for participants ages 10 and up--under 16 years of age requires adult supervision. Sessions are $10/participant (non-participating adults are free.) Click link above for registration information.

January 2010 Events

Wells Fargo Free First Thursday
Thursday, Jan. 7, 5 - 9 p.m.
Once a month, the Museum stays open late-and admission is free! Enjoy the Museum's T.A. Wilson Great Gallery, J. Elroy McCaw Personal Courage Wing, Space: Exploring the New Frontier exhibit, and the new Amelia Earhart exhibit, In Search of Amelia Earhart. Also enjoy the flight simulators and more from 5 - 9 p.m., courtesy of Wells Fargo. Museum Store and Wings Café will also remain open for the extended hours on this night.

Lockheed Super G Constellation--A Work in Progress

Saturday, Jan. 9, 2 p.m., William M. Allen Theater
The Lockheed Constellation was the "epitome of piston engine airliners." Join Museum volunteer Bob Bogash in a fascinating presentation on this Trans-Canada Air Lines aircraft and its history.

"Legerdemain": Theories of Amelia's Disappearance with David K. Bowman

Saturday, Jan. 16, 2 p.m., William M. Allen Theater
Author David K. Bowman presents an overview of the theories of Amelia Earhart's disappearance, as described in his award-winning book "Legerdermain." Archivist David Bellarts, whose father was the last person to hear from Amelia and her navigator, will be in the lobby all day with artifacts and stories from the fateful flight. A book signing will follow the presentation.

"Amelia Earhart: Mystery Solved" Lecture and Book Signing with Elgen Long

Saturday, Jan. 23, 2 p.m., William M. Allen Theater
The disappearance of Amelia "has long haunted the popular imagination." Author Elgen Long will present a solution to the mystery. A book signing will follow the presentation.

"Lighter than Air" Lecture and Book Signing with Tom D. Crouch

Thursday, Jan. 28, 7 p.m., William M. Allen Theater

Tom D. Crouch, senior curator of the Division of Aeronautics at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum, has written and edited over a dozen books. $10 general admission / $5 for Museum members.

The Story of Amelia with Tom D. Crouch

Saturday, Jan. 30, 2 p.m., William M. Allen Theater
Tom D. Crouch, senior curator of the Division of Aeronautics at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and SpaceMuseum, recalls the life and times of Amelia Earhart.

Astronaut Remembrance Weekend

Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 30 - 31

For two days, the Museum remembers the fallen astronauts of Apollo 1, and Space Shuttles STS-51-L Challenger and STS-107 Columbia during the anniversary of the tragedies.

20th Anniversary of STS-32 with Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar

Sunday, Jan. 31, 2 p.m., William M. Allen Theater

In recognition of Astronaut Remembrance Week, Dr. Dunbar will talk about her second mission aboard the Space Shuttle.

Indy Transponder 17-DEC-09 1715z

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Dream air show at Pease: Blue Angels, Golden Knight Parachute Team, and more - Foster's Daily Democrat
A former US aerobatic champion from North Andover, Mass., Goulian is also a competitor in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship and a recipient of the ...

Air show returns - Southeast Missourian
Now there's some good news: The air show will be held next year, thanks in large part to a commitment from the US Navy Blue Angels precision flying team. ...

Deployment halts plans for air show by Dave Hughes
Fort Smith's popular air show has been canceled for next year as the Arkansas Air National Guard's 188th Fighter Wing ramps up training for its deployment to Afghanistan. Wing and civilian air show officials announced in September that ...

Smyrna Airshow Canceled For 2010 - WSMV
Next year's Great Tennessee Airshow in Smyrna has been canceled because airport officials lost the bid to bring in the ever-popular Blue Angels or the US ...

LoPresti First Saturday to Benefit Boy Scouts of America Features ... from sbwire
The imagery of the film was great and after meeting Will Hawkins and Rico Sharqawi on I just knew that these guys could tell a great story." said David LoPresti. "When David LoPresti called to ask if we would consider being part of the ...

Woman wins ride in Horseman P-51 from General Aviation News
Air Show Buzz (ASB) has named Pennsylvania native Pamela Pfeninger the winner of its Horseman Flight Team Sweepstakes. She will embark on the opportunity of a lifetime – a ride in a WWII P-51 Mustang with The Horsemen Flight Team, a marquee acrobatic fleet. She was selected from more than 1,600 people who entered the drawing at ASB.tv, which celebrated the premier this summer of the its new TV show "The Horsemen Cometh." ...

New Technician Joins Team Breitling from Air Race News Watch
From www.nigellamb.com:
Craig Andrews (32) is delighted to join the Breitling Air Racing Team and will travel from South Africa to the UK and take up the position on January 1st. He will be supporting pilot Nigel Lamb and working alongside Team Coordinator Rebecca Allen as they prepare for the 2010 Red Bull Air Race World Championship.

Red Bull Air Race: Transfer to Lisbon evidence shows that "the country does not ... - LUSA
The mayor of Port believes that the transfer of the Red Bull Air Race to Lisbon "is a negative factor" ...

Mass DC-3 Arrival At AirVenture from AVweb Top News
Mass arrivals are nothing new at AirVenture Oshkosh but this will be one for the history books. An organization called The Last Time is inviting DC-3 and C-47 operators to participate in a 25-ship formation to arrive at Wittman Field on the opening day of AirVenture 2010 next July 26. "This historic flight will recreate an image of a time gone by," say the organizers. The huge formation will kick off a week of festivities celebrating the 75th anniversary of the legendary aircraft and the people who served with it in hundreds of different roles. It's being announced today to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the first flight of the aircraft at the Douglas factory in Long Beach, Calif. EAA is hoping for dozens of DC-3s and C-47s to attend AirVenture but there are only 25 slots open for the formation flight and the funding assistance that goes with it.

Woman honors aviation pioneer grandfather - Libertyville Review
"I wrote the book because I wanted people to now just how instrumental Matthew was in our nation's aviation history and to document all his contributions to ...

The Powder Puff Derby: 1947 to 1977 from OneRiot.com
Armstrong Cork Co. sponsors pilots Dorothy Bock and Ellie McCullough Odorico In 1929, the National Air Races were held for the first time in Cleveland,...

The Zen of Ken: Book Reviews: Tree Of Smoke (Denis Johnson) by Ken Lewis
He was a member of the Flying Tigers who fought the Japanese before the U.S. entered World War II, he escaped as a Japanese prisoner of war, and his psychological operations work with Edward Lansdale against Huk guerillas in the ...

Air show pilot Keoki Gray releases collection of short stories from General Aviation News
Keoki Gray, pilot and author, has released "Songs of the Archaeopteryx," stories of aerial adventure and the interesting people drawn to small airplanes, flight training, and aerobatics. The tales are based on Gray's 30-plus years' aviating throughout North America.
Gray has flown as a glider towplane pilot and flight instructor. He barnstormed as a member of three different air show teams in the 1980s and 1990s. Since receiving his pilot's license in 1978, he has flown more than 100 types of aircraft from sailplanes and helicopters to Warbirds and unlimited aerobatic planes and has logged more than 11,000 hours flying time. ...

Extreme JATO - Operation Credible Sport from Dick's Rocket Dungeon
I couldn't resist cross posting (from High Power Rocketry) these YouTube videos of C-130 cargo planes equipped with rocket motors pointed in most every direction that could possibly make sense (and apparently some that don't). I had previously posted one, but these are much better. I'll leave the history stuff to the descriptions associated with the videos and to Wikipedia.

For Octogenarian Pilot, Sky Is The Limit from Diamond Pilots
A few weeks ago, Anne Osmer left her home in Hendersonville, N.C., went to a local airfield, climbed into the cockpit of a Diamond DA20 and took off on her first-ever solo flight. Nothing unusual in that, except Osmer is 83 years old and didn't take her first flying lesson until she was 80.

NYCAviation on the Today Show! from NYCAviation.com
NYCAviation made its network television debut on the Today Show this morning, where we explained the hobby of aviation enthusiasm to the nation and showed Al Roker and Ann Curry a good time at JFK.

Danny's dream. Glenn's decency. from Letters from Flyover Country
All in all, I'd have to say Glenn Brasch is the primary reason I go to Oshkosh every summer. Well, OK, there are some airplanes there, too.
Glenn has written a terrific story in Plane & Pilot about a ride he gave to a kid. ...

We have helped to make history, now the hard work will really start, says RR - Derby Evening Telegraph
BOSSES at Derby aero engine-maker Rolls-Royce said they were "proud to be part of aviation history" after the maiden flight of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. ...

Virgin America Announces New Live In-Flight Television Line-up from PR Newswire: Airlines/Aviation
Virgin America, the California-based airline that is reinventing domestic travel, today unveiled a new live television line-up on its in-flight entertainment platform - Red(TM). As of today, guests on every Virgin America flight will be able to use the Red touch-screen at their seatback to choose from a larger library of in-flight television choices - including more live sports, news and popular programming, as well as exclusive new cached content like Virgin America's "Best of the Web" section - which features popular web-based programming.

Northrup YB-49

Thank You from Allied Fighters

2009-12-17T11:00:00.001-05:00

Indy Transponder 17-DEC-09 0500z

2009-12-16T23:59:00.001-05:00

Thunderbirds booked for 2010 Amigo Airsho - KVIA
El Paso, Texas - The United States Air Force Thunderbirds will headline the 2010 Amigo Airsho, event officials announced today. ...

Blue Angels coming to 2011 Freedom Fest - 14 News, The Tri-State's ...
Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel said the announcement of the Blue Angels' return means the city can again look forward to hosting a huge crowd of excited spectators on the riverfront. The public is encouraged to contact GAGE with ideas and ...

Blue Angels thunder into Key West - KeysNet
The US Navy flight demonstration team Blue Angels and other military and civilian aerial performances will fill the skies of ...

Blue Angels Pilots Land At Pease - WMUR
There will also be a demonstration from the World War II-era B-25 "Panchito." Tickets for the air show go on sale on Jan. 25. Tell Us More: E-mail WMUR your ...

Blue Angels pick Portsmouth amid record competition - Seacoastonline.com
Blue Angels pilots Lt. CJ Simonsen, left, and Lt. Amy Tomlinson speak with Cub Scouts Jack Wiltrout, left, and Oliver Toy, and Cub Leader Matt Toy, ...

Blue Angels coming to Kingsville! - Kingsville Record
The MX2 is a 385- plus horsepower masterpiece powered by the Lycoming AEIO-540 Aerobatic Engine that gives air show fans a whole new perspective at what an ...

Cable Air Show 2010 from Airplanes Channel
This is the 35th anniversary of the Cable Air Show, as well as the 65th anniversary of the founding of the airport. Visitors to the show can look forward to seeing aerobatic displays, skydivers, aircraft exhibits, a motor show, military displays, plane and helicopter rides, and aviation vendors. Entrance is $7 for adults, $5 for students and free for children under 5 years. Gates will open at 8 A.M.
Date: 9-10 January 2010
Venue: Cable Airport
City: Upland, CA
Country: United States of America

Al Ain Aerobatic Show 2010 from Airplanes Channel
The world's top aerobatic pilots come to the Al Ain Aerobatic Show to compete in three disciplines of air racing. This series features pylon racing and barnstorming competition. Airplanes, helicopters, gliders and wingwalkers from 15 countries will be displaying their amazing aerial skills. Other features of the show include a children's play area, Etihad Simulation zone, mini go-kart, paint-ball and more.
Date: 27 – 30 January 2010
Venue: Al Ain International Airport
City: Al Ain
Country: Abu Dhabi

A Happy Birthday for Aerobatic Hall of Famer Marion Cole from EAA - The Experimental Aircraft Association
When air show performing legend Marion Cole celebrated his 85th birthday on December 9, friends decided to provide him with some time in the air. And since the EAA B-17 was on a tour stop in his hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana, they got together and provided Cole with a flight on Aluminum Overcast.

Mildenhall Air Race - Souvenirs need to be mopped up asap - Bury Free Press
... staff have been selling souvenirs, from badges to glassware, which have celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Mildenhall to Melbourne Air Race. ...

The 13 Black Cats from You Fly, Girl by Cathy Gale
Independent Press-Telegram - October 23, 1966, Long Beach, California
This newspaper did an article on the 13 Black Cats. Pretty interesting. I share it here under fair use laws for educational purposes only. ...

Gone but not forgotten... from AeroHub
This painting by Anthony Saunders reminds me of my two late chums of 485 (NZ) Squadron who flew four sorties together from Selsey, in their Spitfire Mk.IXs, that long fateful day during the D Day landings. John Houlton and Frank Transom were great mates, then, and for the rest of their lives. John shot down two Ju-88s that day and a Me-109 during the following period. Had there been more enemy aircraft operating in their sector, I am sure John would have destroyed others. He had a very good eye, a determined nature and had already developed his deflection shooting skills during the defence of Malta where he had six confirmed kills and had damaged several other German aircraft before being posted back to the UK. ...

Alvin C. Berry, 86, was a former POW - Danbury News Times
On May 30, 1944, his B-17 was shot down by enemy fighters while on a bombing raid over Germany. One of five survivors, he was captured and interned in ...

11-year old receives his great-grandfather's military awards - The Northwest Florida Daily News
First Lt. James Duncan's B-17 was shot down over France during his 17th mission in World War II. A French family cared for him before he was captured. ...

CAP: Member celebrates 50 years as grandson joins patrol from Diamond Pilots
Dennis Sutton was 16 when he joined the Augusta Squadron Civil Air Patrol. It was 1956, and he was a cadet. He was made a senior member 50 years ago, and through those years he's helped search for 20 downed airplanes, trained on numerous Air Force bases and made plenty of friends.

International Aerial Derby 1919 from General Aviation News
This Jenny, seen landing at Mineola Airport in Long Island, was flown by Richard Depew, who finished 22nd in the speed race and fifth in the handicap race. Seen on the ground is a new three-engined Eagle intended by Curtiss as a post-war airliner.

Aero Club celebrates 100 years - AOPA Pilot
The Aero Club of Pennsylvania was organized in December 1909 and chartered on May 13, 1910, and is the oldest continuously operating aviation club in the ...

Oldest Boeing... Newest Boeing from Another Time
In honor of the newest Boeing airliner making its first flight today... the 787... I post a picture of the oldest Boeing airliner! Addison Pemberton in his Boeing 40.

On This Day in Aviation History: December 16th - NYCAviation.com ...

Young Eagles will take off from Butters Field - The Item
The Lee County Airport Commission will host Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps students from Lee Central High School on Saturday at Butters Field in a special Young Eagles event. "The Lee Central students were unable to ...

Get Credit for Young Eagles Flights in 2009 - EAA News
Remember, any pilot who flies 10 or more Young Eagles during the calendar year will receive Young Eagle credits. These credits, now valued at $5 each, can be used to send a deserving young person to the EAA Air Academy or can be used to ...

Orion Propulsion acquired from Personal Spaceflight
... Orion Propulsion, founded by Pickens after he returned to Alabama after working at Scaled to design the hybrid propulsion system for SpaceShipOne, has worked on a variety of government and commercial projects. ...

Episode 77 – Harteveldt Returns from Airplane Geeks Podcast
Henry Harteveldt, Vice President & Principal Analyst with Forrester Research, Inc. makes a return guest appearance to talk industry news and travel technology.

Just Another Morning Commute from The Launch Pad
XB-36 in color: 4 (and last) from The Unwanted Blog

Fishers airport to stay grounded - Indianapolis Star
The Authority owns three other relievers besides Metropolitan, including Eagle Creek, Mount Comfort and Hendricks County airports. ...

.

Indy Transponder 16-DEC-09 2215z

2009-12-16T17:13:00.001-05:00

Navy Blue Angels name Fargo airsho its favorite - In-Forum
Also appearing then will be Greg Boe and his MX2 aerobatic airplane, three P-51 pilots known as The Horsemen, F-16 pilot John Klatt and the return of Jim ...

Bigger, Better, and a Little Noisy from Windsor International Air Show by Century of Flight
The Windsor International Air Show commercial, shot by Bill Reilly, took first place at the Las Vegas convention this year. No small feat considering the competition has been around for years. This is a significant milestone, not just for the show, but for the area as well. Many eyes are starting to focus on our show as we had amazing success for our first venture.
We have had inquiries for tickets, rooms and insider secrets to next year's show already. Visitors came ...

Thunder in the Valley wins national marketing awards; announces 2010 dates - Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Acts to be featured include Team Chaos Extreme Airshows, Flash Fire Jet Truck, Bearfeet Aerobatics, Gary Ward Airshows, DAV B-25, Vintage Aviation and Fort ...

Angels on the fly: Here to promote August air show at Pease - Foster's Daily Democrat
The return of the US Navy's Blue Angels to Pease became very real on Tuesday when a blue and gold F-18B "Legacy" Hornet ...

Blues are back - Havelock News
The Blue Angels will be streaking across the skies again around Havelock as they return to headline the 2010 Cherry Point Air Show on May ...

Airport manager hopes to bring summer air show to Johnstown - The Tribune-Democrat
"That's when I knew that people are hungry for an air show here." That hunger could be fed as early as this summer, if enough sponsorship money and ...

Martinsburg Airshow to Reveal Big Changes - WHAG
It will feature the Thunderbirds and the US Army's Golden Nights. 80000 people are expected to turn out in September of next year to see the aerial acts. ...

167th Airlift Wing base to hold open house at air show - The Herald-Mail
Before the US Air Force Thunderbirds and the US Army's Golden Knights spread their wings over Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport next September, ...

Lyon Air Museum (LAM) Opens to Public at John Wayne Airport in Orange County ... - Earthtimes
Included are the B-17 Flying Fortress "Fuddy Duddy," North American B-25 "Guardian of Freedom" and Douglas C-47 Dakota. Santa Ana, Calif. ...

Udvar-Hazy marks six years with construction of Phase Two - Fairfaxtimes.com
... are the African-American Pioneers in Aviation Day, which will be held sometime in February, and Women in Aviation Day, which will be combined Girl Scout ...

Pleading for retired orbiter - Florida Today
Then shuttle Discovery is bound for the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum. In a decision likely to reach the White House, space shuttle orbiters ...

Palm Springs Air Museum exhibit aims to raise autism awareness - The Desert Sun
A new exhibit at the Palm Springs Air Museum features 30 original pieces drawn by local children and looks to highlight autism. ...

An Angel of Another Kind - The Detroit Blog - TIME.com
Speaking of riches, Burris committed to raise $25,000 for Angel Flight. She reached that goal in part through her participation in the Air Race Classic, an all-female aviation race (one famous past participant: Amelia Earhart). She and her co-pilot, Erin A. Recke, defeated 34 other teams on the 2,700-mile journey from Denver to Atlantic, Iowa to win the race. They donated their $5,000 prize to the non-profit organization.
This has been a banner year for Burris. In January, she became ...

Harold J. Erickson - Dunn County News
Harold served in the United States Air Force as a pilot of a B-17, "The Flying Fortress" from March 1941 to November 1945 during World War II. ...

Rose Louise Branstetter Blum - Estherville Daily News
She worked for Briggs Manufacturing where they made wings for Boeing B-17 and B-19 warplanes. Following the war, Rose returned to Milford where her family ...

The Last Huey from AVwebFlash Current Issue
The United States military officially retired one its most venerable and recognizable aircraft this year, Bell Helicopter's UH-1. For many a U.S. veteran, the Huey is nearly synonymous with his tour of duty. AVweb Editorial Director Paul Bertorelli reflects on the rotored workhorse in his latest post to our blog, the AVweb Insider.

Batstrike! - Air & Space Magazine
A loud thud. A shower of purple-white sparks. This can't be good.

Greater Enfield New England Air Museum Receives Funds To Help School Students - Hartford Courant
The New England Air Museum has received a $2500 donation from the Rockville Bank Foundation to deliver the Museum's SOAR for Science outreach program to ...

Pilot shares little slices of heaven with kids - Shoreview Press
Many of the Scouts — 196, to be exact — have accompanied him as part of the Experimental Aircraft Association's Young Eagles program, ...

Students Make Long Distance Call To Space - WFSB
On Tuesday, almost 250 students, parents and teachers were on hand at the New England Air Museum to give 20 students the chance to talk with astronaut Jeff ...

Dornier Do-X, 1931 from x planes
Defeathered Eagle from Warbirds Online
Reno Air Races Photo Gallery by dinofan
"Onlookers observe the Saunders-Roe Princess, the... from x planes
The Saunders-Roe Princess, circa 1952 from x planes

Rounding up the 787 Coverage from Around the Globe

2009-12-16T17:12:00.004-05:00

Clouds cut Boeing 787 flight short, don't dampen enthusiasm - Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog)
The 787 ultimately will fly in all sorts of weather conditions, including storms, extreme heat and extreme cold. But the first flight called for sticking to ...

Aero-TV: The Boeing Dreamliner -- Historic First Flight Coverage - from Aero-News Network
Three Hour Flight Was 'Flawless' -- At Least, Until Mother Nature Intervened For anyone who loves the aviation business, this was a VERY good day. After a number of delays and mis-steps that often accompany those programs that are truly trying to raise the bar and accomplish revolutionary progress, Boeing's B787 Dreamliner took to the skies over a very soggy Northwest Washington state.

Big day for Boeing: The B787 Dreamliner flies! from Aircrew Buzz
Today, December 15, 2009, was historic. I don't know about you, but I spent hours watching TV and live webcasts earlier today as the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner took off for the very first time. While the world watched, the Dreamliner began its takeoff roll at Paine Field in Everett, WA. I have to admit that I got a bit choked up as Boeing's newest commercial aircraft rotated and lifted off the runway for the first time. The time was 10:27 AM local time. ...

787 First Flight: Airborne! from Things with Wings by Guy Norris
Airborne! Finally after years of planning, design, development and frustration the 787 is in the air. Mike Carriker rotated at 10.28 and is still visible against the low clouds to the north accompanied by three Boeing chase aircraft. Flight test has begun! That's a screen grab from the Boeing livestream that only some of us could see. Here's a link to our first flight story. And don't forget about the web special page--video to come.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner takes to the air from Roger-Wilco
Late by 28 months but finally in the air! 15 December 2009 will no doubt be a memorable day for Boeing and the whole industry for that matter: the 787 has finally taken to the air, its maiden flight hopefully bringing an end to the series of problems the program had to contend with over the past two and half years. ...

Video - Boeing 787 Dreamliner First Flight from Flightstory.net - Aviation Blog
Today the Boeing 787 Dreamliner successfully completed its first flight! At 10am local time the Dreamliner took off into the rainy sky of Paine Field, Everett (Washington).

Boeing 787 First Flight Video from Max Trescott

Earlier today, on a cold and rainy morning, thousands of Boeing employees lined the runway to watch the first flight of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The takeoff was broadcast via a webcast, but if you missed it live, you can watch the takeoff here on YouTube. Several minutes into the video, take a look at the rearview of the airplane and note the upward curvature of the aircraft's wings. ...

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner Takes to the Skies from Aviation Buzz
This morning at around 10:30 PST, the Boeing 787 "Dreamliner" took to the gray skies for it's first flight. Piloted by Michael Carriker and Randall Neville, the first flight marks a special achievement by The Boeing Company. For years, many Boeing employees worked very hard to see that this aircraft was built, and finally their hard work on paper, computers, and in the hangar, is now recognized in the skies.
Two T-33s and an IMAX helicopter were present to capture this historic moment in flight. ...

Aviation fans line up early to see 787 test flight - HeraldNet
The Future of Flight Aviation Center opened its parking lot at 6:30 am, but spots are limited. The center's viewing deck and gallery are closed to the ...

Up! by Randy Tinseth
The 787 Dreamliner is in the air!

Other Articles:

And the 787 is Airborne from Cockpit Conversation by Aviatrix
787 First Flight from AirSpace
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner Flies from The Cranky Flier

Pictures and Video

Boeing 787 from FenceCheck Forums
B787 Dreamliner maiden flight pictures by David Cenciotti
Video: She flies!!!!! Boeing's 787 Dreamliner finally takes off from Bangalore Aviation
Photo of Note: ZA001 as seen from T-33 chase planes from Flightblogger

The Sport Air Racing League: 2009 National Championship Results, 2010 Schedule Published

2009-12-16T09:21:00.002-05:00

Taylor, Texas, December 16, 2009 - The Sport Air Racing League has concluded its third year of safe, enjoyable cross country air racing which is accessible to all pilots and all aircraft.

Congratulations to the 2009 National Champions!

SARL Gold - Jim Porter of Taylor, Texas, flying a Cirrus SR-20

SARL Silver - Stu Morse of Port Orange, Florida, flying a Grumman AA5B

SARL Bronze - Dave Adams of Villa Ridge, Missouri, flying a LongEZ

Championship positions are the result of point awards throughout the race season, and the 2009 results underlines the fact that you don't have to fly the fastest aircraft around to be a Champion!

The SARL 2010 schedule has been published and is subject to change (growth):

3 April, 2010
Taylor 100 Air Race
Taylor, TX
(T74)

24 April, 2010
Texoma 100 Air Race
Sherman, TX
(GYI)

1 May, 2010
BCAF & Air Race
Abilene, TX
(Dyess AFB)

5 June, 2010
West Texas 100 Air Race
Plainview, TX
(PVW)

10 July, 2010
Delaware 150
Toughkenamon, PA
(N57)

7 August, 2010
Ozarks Air Race
Eureka Springs, AR
(4M1)

28 August, 2010
The Great Canadian Air Rally
St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada
(CYQS)

25 September, 2010
Pagosa Springs 100 Air Race
Pagosa Springs, CO
(PSO)

2 October, 2010
Grace Flight Air Race
Sherman, TX
(GYI)

16 October, 2010
Memphis 100 Air Race
Memphis, TN
(M01)

30 October, 2010
TVARIII and Pumpkin Dash
Courtland, AL
(9A4)

20 November, 2010
Rocket 100 Air Race
Taylor, TX
(T74)

For more information on Sport Air Racing League events contact Mike Thompson or visit www.sportairrace.org.

About the Sport Air Racing League – SARL exists to promote cross-country air racing for production and experimental aircraft.

Michael E. Thompson
Austin, TX, USA
RV-6 N140RV, Race 26!
Ex-AX1 Sub Hunter, P-3 (B/B-TACMOD/C) Orion Aircrew,
PP-G,ASEL, Motorglider Driver and Dedicated Air Race Nut!
www.sportairrace.org

ICAS Fast Facts -- December 15, 2009

2009-12-16T09:04:00.003-05:00

WIDESPREAD ENTHUSIASM, OPTIMISM CHARACTERIZE 2009 ICAS CONVENTION

Delegates at the 2009 ICAS Convention reported brisk business, a palpable feeling of energy, and widespread optimism about the upcoming air show season. Held December 6 through 9 at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel, the 2009 Convention welcomed 1,519 delegates, two percent more than 2008 and slightly higher than the 1,504 average for the last ten years.

"Despite the struggling economy, ICAS members had a successful convention and left Las Vegas with exciting and ambitious plans for the 2010 air show season," said ICAS President John Cudahy. "We were optimistic going into the convention, but attendance and positive reports from our members exceeded even our highest expectations."

Highlights included the annual Chairman's Banquet on Wednesday, December 9 (see details below) and a members-only concert by country music recording artist Aaron Tippin and the release of the three military jet team schedules on Monday, December 7. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels released both their 2010 and 2011 schedules, providing some event organizers with a significant jump on their planning for the 2011 air show season.

The 2010 ICAS Convention will be held December 5 through 8 at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel in Las Vegas.

INITIAL 2010 AIR SHOW SCHEDULE NOW AVAILABLE ON ICAS WEBSITE; WE NEED YOUR DATES

Using the jet team schedules of the Thunderbirds, Snowbirds and Blue Angels as a base, ICAS has developed an initial draft of the 2010 air show schedule. (Click here to review the initial 2010 air show schedule.)

But the initial schedule is far from complete. To make this document as accurate and comprehensive as possible, we need to hear from you. If you are a support service provider or performer, please send us a note with the list of dates and locations of air shows where you will appear this year. If you are an event organizer and we have not yet included your show dates on our initial schedule, please send us an e-mail reply with the name of your show, its dates, location and the names of performers who will be performing at your event.

SANBORN MAKES OPENING KEYNOTE ADDRESS AVAILABLE TO CONVENTION DELEGATES, ICAS MEMBERS

In response to the many requests ICAS received following his presentation, Mark Sanborn, the opening keynote speaker for the 2009 ICAS Convention, has agreed to make his keynote address to ICAS Convention delegates available to all ICAS members. Held on the morning of Monday, December 7, Sanborn's presentation was among the most well-received in ICAS Convention history. To order your copy of Sanborn's 60-minute presentation, send credit card information or your $35 check (payable to ICAS) to ICAS headquarters, 750 Miller Drive, Suite F-3, Leesburg, Virginia 20175, Fax: 703-779-8511, e-mail: icas@airshows.aero. Please also include your shipping address. You should receive your DVD within ten days to two weeks.

REMINDER: NEW SAC PROCESS BEGINS JANUARY 1, 2010

During the pilot safety de-brief portion of the 2009 ICAS Convention, ICAS unveiled a new process that will automate and significantly simplify the process by which air show pilots apply for or renew their Statement of Aerobatic Competency. ICAS will begin using the new process on January 1, 2010.

"We've been working on this for the last several months and we're now ready to put it to practical use for all Statement of Aerobatic Competency cardholders," said Dan Hollowell, ICAS Director of Operations.

The traditional process of faxing paper forms will be replaced entirely with an online application. Pilots wishing to obtain or renew their SAC card will simply need to click on SAC Application on the ICAS website and fill in the required information.

If you have questions about the new process, please contact Dan Hollowell in the ICAS office at 703-779-8510 or at hollowell@airshows.aero.

BUNCE IS 2009 ICAS SWORD OF EXCELLENCE RECIPIENT

During an award ceremony in Las Vegas on December 9, General Aviation Manufacturers Association President Pete Bunce was presented with the ICAS Sword of Excellence, the air show industry's most prestigious award, in recognition of more than a decade of service to the air show community.

Bunce, who retired from the Air Force in 2005, first became involved with the air show community as Air Force liaison on the ICAS Board of Directors in 1998, helping to strengthen and deepen the Air Force's relationship with ICAS and the air show community. Now serving as an elected member of the Board, Bunce has been a forceful advocate for air shows at the highest levels of the aviation community.

Bunce becomes the 36^th recipient of the Sword of Excellence and joins a list of past recipients that includes Paul Poberezny, Art Scholl, Dick Schram, Patty Wagstaff, Bob Hoover, and Tom Poberezny.

AARON NAMED 2009 SCHOLL RECIPIENT

Aerobatic helicopter pilot Chuck Aaron was named 2009 recipient of the prestigious Art Scholl Showmanship Award. Presented each year to an air show performer who personifies the showmanship for which Art Scholl was known during his air show career, the Art Scholl Award had not previously been presented to a helicopter pilot.

Aaron was cited for his technically demanding, uniquely entertaining brand of air show flying, as well as his status as the only helicopter pilot in the world to hold an FAA-issued Statement of Aerobatic Competency. The 24^th recipient of the award, Aaron joins air show legends Bob Hoover, Leo Loudenslager, Jim Franklin, Sean Tucker, Gene Soucy, and Michael Goulian on the list of past recipients.

NAS OCEANA TAKES HOME 2009 SCHRAM AWARD

For their groundbreaking community relations effort using their air show as a breast cancer awareness initiative, NAS Oceana was named recipient of the 2009 Dick Schram Community Relations Award during the Chairman's Banquet held in conjunction with the 2009 ICAS Convention last week in Las Vegas.

When a scheduling conflict forced the NAS Oceana Air Show to move from their traditional mid-September show dates to new dates in mid-October, the show's leadership saw the change not as a problem or inconvenience, but as an opportunity to strengthen and extend the community relations aspects of this highly regarded air show and open house.

The October dates allowed show management to supplement all that they normally do with an additional program to support October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the tag line, "A Celebration of Flight, a Celebration of Life." And with that decision, the outreach opportunities and community interest in the air show increased suddenly and dramatically.

NAS Oceana becomes just the second air show to win the Schram Award in three different years, having previously taken home the award in 1998 and 2000.

KULP, POBEREZNY, YOUNKIN INDUCTED INTO AIR SHOW HALL OF FAME

During ceremonies held in conjunction with the 2009 ICAS Convention, air show legends Charlie Kulp, Tom Poberezny and Bobby Younkin were inducted into the ICAS Foundation Air Show Hall of Fame on Wednesday, December 9 at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel.

Charlie Kulp was recognized as the quintessential flying farmer performer during an air show career that spanned nearly 40 years. Flying low-level, slow speed, cross-controlled aerobatics, Kulp would dupe spectators into believing that he was not a pilot and had accidently taken off in his 65 horsepower J-3 Cub. Kulp retired as an air show performer in 2008 at the age of 83.

Tom Poberezny was recognized for a career that could have easily qualified him for Air Show Hall of Fame status as either a performer or an event organizer. A member of the legendary Eagles Aerobatic Team for a quarter century, Poberezny was one-third of a formation aerobatic team that helped to define air show entertainment during the seventies, eighties and nineties. But, more recently, Poberezny is best known for his tenure as EAA president. For more than 30 years, he has overseen astounding growth in both the attendance and the sophistication of EAA AirVenture. From sponsorship and programming to marketing and business management, Poberezny has been both a pioneer and industry leader in the air show business.

Bobby Younkin described himself as a "working class" air show pilot. The air show industry recognized him as the consummate showman, eager and able to entertain a crowd in anything that could fly. This Arkansas native combined natural showmanship with his well-developed skills as a pilot to entertain tens of millions of spectators throughout the United States and Canada.

REGIONS PLAN ANNUAL CONFERENCES

The SWAN conference has been scheduled for February 5-6, 2010 at MCAS Miramar in San Diego. For more information, visit the SWAN website at www.swansafety.com.

The Northeast Council of Airshows conference has been scheduled for February 19-21, 2010 at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in Niagara Falls, New York. For more information, please visit the NECAS website at http://www.necas.org/conference/index.asp.

The Northwest Council of Airshows conference has been scheduled for March 5-6, 2010 at the SeaTac Marriott Hotel in Seattle, Washington. For more information please visit: www.nwcas.org.

GOULIAN, REIDER SIGN ON WITH ASB.tv

Air show performer and Red Bull Air Race competitor Michael Goulian and air show announcer Rob Reider will be sponsored by ASB.tv during the 2010 air show season. According to a press release issued by ASB.tv, Goulian and Reider will be ambassadors for the ASB.tv lifestyle and brand at air shows throughout the world. ASB.tv also plans for Goulian and Reider to interact with fans and participate in special events during 2010.

Goulian's Extra 330 SC will be re-branded with the ASB.tv logo and its maroon, black and gold colors.

ROSS CONVICTED OF AIR SHOW SCAM

New Zealand confidence man Ken Ross was convicted late last month of twelve separate charges related to an air show that had been scheduled for Waikato, New Zealand in March of 2008. In his 40-page decision, the judge in the case found that Ross had fabricated documentation and intentionally misled representatives from the host airport, sponsors and the general public. Among many other things, Ross (who was never a member of ICAS) was charged with inappropriately using the ICAS logo to bolster and substantiate his claim of being an experienced air show professional. Ross will be sentenced by the New Zealand court next month.

ICAS THANKS SPONSORS ONE LAST TIME

The individuals and organizations who sponsor the ICAS Convention have distinguished themselves as leaders in our industry. We would like to once again thank: ASB.tv; Air Boss & Consulting International, Inc.; American Aerobatics, Inc., Julie Clark's Chevron Mentor T-34; Stallion 51 and The Gathering Foundation; Aerostars Formation Aerobatic Team; AirBoss, Inc. - George Cline; Air National Guard & John Klatt Airshows; Team Chaos Extreme Airshows; Insurance Technologies & Programs; Eddie Andreini Airshows; Commemorative Air Force/Tora Tora Tora; AirSupport, LLC; Shannon & Luchs Insurance Agency; Jim Peitz Aerosports; Nalls Aviation; Greg Poe Airshows; Mach 1 Productions; Jacquie 'B' Airshows; Mohr Barnstorming; Team Rocket; Gordon Bowman-Jones; Chuck Vincent's Eagle Air, LLC; Airshow Aces; Rob Reider, Air Show Announcer; OnBoard Images; and ValleyWide Communications.

750 Miller Drive SE, Suite F-3

Leesburg, Virginia 20175

Phone: 703-779-8510

Fax: 703-779-8511

Website: www.airshows.aero

E-mail: icas@airshows.aero

The Legend of Pancho Barnes / Mid-December, 2009

2009-12-16T08:22:00.000-05:00

Not Too Late to Buy A DVD for Xmas!
Soon the world's ultimate high-speed pilot is going to make an epic flight across North America, and in an open cockpit. No I am not talking about Mike Melvill and Spaceship 2, but Santa Claus and his supersonic reindeer sled. There is still time to get a DVD in his satchel for delivery to your friends and loved ones. Simply click here.

Already got a DVD? Then you might consider ordering a copy of A History of Murphy's Law, a non-fiction book I wrote a number of years ago. It recounts the true story of how Murphy's Law was discovered at Edwards Air Force Base back in the 40s. This book, which recently was translated into Finnish, was a big hit at our NASA event (see below). To order click here!

Putting 2009 into Perspective — and Two Big Screenings in Early 2010!
2009 has been a wonderful year for The Legend of Pancho Barnes. Well, six months of it anyway! We premiered the film at the NewFest Film Festival in Manhattan in June, and since that time we've done a dozen events including the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, and screenings at NASA, the Arlington Air Show, the Planes of Fame Air Museum, the Celebration of Women in Aviation, the Flying M Ranch and of course, our special Los Angeles premiere screening at the Aero Theater. Those of you who made it to that event definitely had a night to remember.

2010 looks like it will also be about as exciting as Pancho in her flying boots! We'll kick off the year with a screening to benefit the KOCE-TV Foundation on January 6th in Mission Viejo, Ca (click here for details and to buy tickets). We'll follow that with a Pasadena screening on February 25th to benefit KOCE-TV and two wonderful local history organizations, Heritage Square and the Pasadena Museum of History (click here for details and to buy tickets). There are several other screenings in California and beyond that we'll announce as the details fall into place.

All of this should (knock on wood) lead up to a television broadcast sometime in mid-2010. We do not yet have the details, but our show has been submitted into the public television review process and we hope to have an air date announcement shortly.

WONDERFUL SCREENING AT NASA ...
Director Amanda Pope and cinematographer Clay Westervelt and I spent the better part of a day at NASA's Dryden facility, where we showed the film and got the grand tour of this famed flight test and research laboratory. (See our Facebook page for the photos).

One of the highlights included a trip out to the edge of the Rodgers Dry Lake, where twin 747s are stored. These special aircraft have been rigged to carry the Space Shuttle from Edwards, where it lands on occasion, back to Florida. "We always tell the pilots before they take off," said our tour guide Cam Martin with a wry wink, "'No pressure but you have the future of the entire agency riding with you.'" With only a handful of shuttle flights left on the schedule (as the shuttle is to be retired) these airplanes' fate is undetermined.

To read more, visit our Production Journal on-line by clicking here and scrolling down.

... AND A TERRIFIC EVENT AT NILES

The Niles Essanay Silent Movie Museum and Theater was the site of another awesome event (see Facebook for the photos), and joining us for all the fun was Shawna Kelly. Shawna is the granddaughter of B.H. "Daredevil" Delay, who was one of the pioneer aerial stuntmen. Delay is credited with being the first stuntman to, get this, transition from the saddle of a horse to the front seat of a biplane in flight. He later did an update going from an automobile seat to an airplane cockpit. Anyway, Shawna is a pilot herself and the author of Aviators in Early Hollywood, a neat picture book from Arcadia Press that is chock full of photos of stunt pilots and their exploits, and yes Pancho is in there. You might want to consider it for your holiday shopping list, as it's a whole heck of a lot of fun and the photos are simply gorgeous. (Incidentally, Arcadia is the publisher of Michael Patris' book about the Mt. Lowe Railway -- another stocking stuffer for you).

To read more, visit our Production Journal on-line by clicking here and scrolling down.

SEASONS GREETINGS
On behalf of Amanda Pope and myself and my family, seasons greetings to everyone and see you in 2010!

Want to update your email address or be removed from the mailing list? Send a reply to this email.

The name, image and likeness of "Pancho Barnes", as well as the "Happy Bottom Riding Club" are trademarks of Pancho Barnes Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Visit the official film website: www.LegendofPanchoBarnes.com

Indy Transponder 15-DEC-09 2200z

2009-12-15T16:53:00.004-05:00

The US Navy Blue Angels - Planet Weekly
The announcement was made at the International Council of Airshows Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Blue Angels along with the US Army Golden Knights ...

Blue Angels to mark 10th anniversary of 9/11 at Lincoln air show - Lincoln Journal Star
The Blue Angels fly over the San Francisco Bay during Fleet Week on Oct. 8. (AP Photo/Russel A. Daniels) The Blue Angels, the US Navy's top flight ...

Team Chaos headlines Colorado Air Show - General Aviation News
The trio of Team Chaos will headline next summer's Colorado Sport International Air Show, slated for Aug. 28-29, 2010, at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield, Colo. ...

Singapore Airshow 2010 Will Be Bigger - Bernama
SINGAPORE, Dec 15 (Bernama) - Next year's Singapore aerospace and defence exhibition, Singapore Airshow 2010, will see the participation of more than 800 ...

Airshow and powerboat races confirmed for summer - Galway News
And in a further boost to local tourism the Salthill Airshow, which attracted tens of thousands of visitors to the seaside resort in previous years, ...

Avalon's airshow's future yet to be finalised - Geelong Advertiser
CONTRACTS locking Australia's International Airshow into a long-term future at expanding Avalon Airport remain unsigned. Avalon's forecast strong business ...

ICAS finished, Airsports.tv back home - Airsports.TV's Blog
via Reno air races - Google Blog Search by airsportstv on 12/15/09
He had a great year in air racing, coming second at Reno Air Race 2009. ICAS was a great opportunity for us to meet new people and discover the real world of airshows. We'll looking forward to be there next year! ...

Air Show Cancellation Could Mean $6 Million Tourism Loss - KFSM
"I've lived here 20 years and we've never been without the Thunderbirds or the Blue Angels," said Tracy Winchell with the Chaffee Community Council, ...

WAI unveils Pioneer Hall of Fame inductees - General Aviation News
Women in Aviation, International has unveiled the 2010 inductees in the Pioneers Hall of Fame: Trish Beckman, who retired from the United States Navy after 28 years. She is the first woman to qualify as a crewmember in the F-15E program and the first American woman to qualify as a crewmember in the F.A-18D; Vice Admiral Vivien Crea, the most senior ranking woman in the history of the United States Coast Guard; Suzanna Darcy-Hennemann, chief training pilot for The Boeing Co.; Alice du Pont Mills, who received her pilot's license in 1929 at the age of 18, and during World War II taught instrument flying to Navy airmen and women ferry pilots at Newcastle, Del.; and Kathy Sullivan, the first American woman to walk in space. ...

Centenary of a pioneer of aviation - Knutsford Guardian
The Baron spent the period up until the First World War working with his Royal Aero Club colleagues and the Short Brothers on the development of better ...

Navy awards posthumous Flying Cross at Va. event - Progress Index
A World War II aviator posthumously has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Walter Brown's widow, Billie Brown, received the ...

World War II Aces Honored - Warbirds Online
Several World War II aces being recognized during a ceremony at the Aerospace Museum of California in 2008.

A Marine Pilot With Dead Aim
Once Kenneth Reusser got it in his mind to do something, the task was as good as done.
Exhibit A: the Japanese Kawasaki "Dragon Killer" that Reusser, a Marine pilot, knocked out of the sky in World War II with his wingman.
Reusser succeeded after a chase of 100 miles or more.
He was more than seven miles above the Pacific Ocean. Past the altitude his Corsair F4U-f fighter plane was ...

In Their Own Voices: B-17s in IFR - AVweb (blog)
His interview with B-17 pilot Jim Nolan fills in these blanks, as does an additional interview with an airline pilot who flew the line during the immediate ...

When you Visit the Pacific Aviation Museum in Oahu, Hawaii, You are ... - TravelVideo.tv (press release)
It's early Sunday morning. The red-and-white control tower stands over the Ford Island Airfield in the middle of Pearl ...

Amelia Earhart biopic will be released as DVD and Blu-ray + Digital Copy - DVDTOWN.com
Experience the romance, struggle and triumph of legendary aviatrix Amelia Earhart as she chases love and lives her dreams in "Amelia," ...

The Last Flight (Le Dernier Vol) - Screendaily.com
It is based – although this is not information dispensed until the closing credits – on a real-life search by renowned French aviatrix Marie Vallieres de ...

Gerald P. Dickerson - The Newark Advocate
He enlisted 2 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor (December 9, 1941) into the US Army Air Corp., served in World War II as a Tail Gunner in a B17 with the ...

Robert A. Schade - Wisconsin Rapids Tribune
He was a first lieutenant with the Bombardier, flying a B17. He was a bombardier in the 94th Division of the 8th Air Force in England and completed 30 ...

Air Force Museum Gets No. 2 - www.airforce-magazine.com
Air Force Museum Gets No. 2: Retired Lt. Gen. John Hudson, former commander of the Aeronautical Systems Center, has been named to fill the newly created position of deputy director of the National Museum of the United States Air Force on the grounds of Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. In this role, Hudson, a 1973 Air Force Academy graduate who retired from active duty service in October, will assist with planning, organizing, and directing not only NMUSAF's operation, but the entire Air Force museum system, according to Wright-Patterson officials. His duties will also include the responsibility, as delegated by the Air Force Secretary, for the preservation of the service's "material culture." Creation of the deputy director position reflects the continuing growth of the NMUSAF and its "inestimable value" to the Air Force, the officials said

Pond Racer : Aircraft
They HAVE to rebuild this aircraft. You don't give up just because you fail. Lots of people have died racing, it's part of the danger. The risks outweigh the reward. Hopefully Rutan or someone else starts prototyping exotic reno racers. ...

Aviation Heritage: Mikoyan-Gurevich I-250 / MiG-13 - aviationheritage.blogspot.com
Faced with countering advanced German aircraft without a pure jet fighter of its own available in the short term, the Soviets attempted to develop composite-powered Fighters as an interim measure, one of these designs being the 1-250 from the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau. A low-wing, tail-dragger design, the I-250 had its cockpit set well back on the fuselage, behind a Klimov M-107 piston engine that drove a three-bladed propellor. The composite nature of the powerplant was ...

F8U-3 - Dataview Publishing
Although clearly a member of the Crusader family, the F8U-3 was in all respects a virtually new aircraft. The design reflected the Navy's shift towards fighters armed with the beyond visual range Sparrow missile, and could carry a trio of the big AAMs on fuselage stations.. The aircraft retained the basic Crusader planform, but was larger and considerably heavier, being powered by a Pratt & Whitney J75 in place of the F8U's J57.
John Konrad, who had flown the XF8U-1 prototype, took the first XF8U-3 aloft from Edwards AFB on 2 June 1958. The Super Crusader ...

Livingston man takes plane passion to new heights -- chicagotribune.com
The 26-year-old certified airplane mechanic from BrightonTownship now plans to restore a World War II training plane, inaddition to opening a flight museum in an empty hangar at theLivingston County Spencer J. Hardy Airport in Howell Township,about 45 miles northwest of Detroit.

On This Day in Aviation History: December 15th - NYCAviation.com

Children greet Santa at Twin Falls airport - The Kathryn Report
Santa Claus arrives by helicopter at the Twin Falls airport Saturday. He and Kileigh Sigglin, 6, leave the helicopter to greet children from the Wishing Star Foundation who'd come to the Santa Fly-in event at the airport.(DREWGODLESKI/For the Times-News)
The reindeer took a Saturday off and the sleigh got a polishing as Santa and two elves arrived in Twin Falls Saturday by helicopter. It's not the first time that pilot Tim Allen of Reeder Flying Service flew the portly toy mogul into Magic Valley Regional Airport with children waiting to tell him what they wanted. The second consecutive Santa fly-in is actually at least the fifth time it was done at the local airport, said Donna Newbry, the airport's administrative assistant. ...

Santa Fly-In - Orangeburg Times Democrat
The Santa Fly-In, sponsored yearly by the local Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1367, allowed parents to bring wrapped gifts to the airport ...

Students to talk with ISS astronaut - UPI.com
... will talk with Williams as he orbits 200 miles above Earth Tuesday from 12:50 pm to 1:10 pm EST at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, Conn. ...

The Ultimate Christmas present....... Available now - PPRuNe Forums
If you fancy one..... :)
For Sale to Discriminating Owners
Pride Aircraft: Sukhoi SU-27 Flankers for Sale

"How I took my Photo of the Month" Published - Fence Check Forums

Northrup N-3PB - Planeshots
Abused Jugs, Part I - Warbirds Online
U.S.S. Lexington (CV-3) from Warbirds Online
Operation Market Garden via Warbirds Online
the Cedric Lee monoplane, circa 1914 - x planes
"An insect-plane which is really a flying motor-car is... - x planes
"Richard Downey and Allan McGruer with Flying Flea... - x planes
"a new British monoplane. a front view of Captain Wyndham... - x planes

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Indy Transponder 14-DEC-09 1130z

2009-12-14T06:14:00.003-05:00

Master of His Art from Aerial Sports Feed by noreply@redbull.com (Red Bull Staff) | Red Bull helicopter pilot Charles 'Chuck' Aaron has written his name into the air show performers hall of fame by winning the prestigious Art Scholl Showmanship Award.

Countdown to the inaugural Bahrain Airshow begins - Arabian Supply Chain | The first Bahrain International Airshow will open its doors on January 21, 2010, bringing a totally different trade show ...

F-111 Flypast To Mark Australian Graduation Parade - Scoop.co.nz | WHAT: Flypast by an F-111 strike aircraft during the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) Graduation Parade. WHERE: ADFA, Northcott Drive, Canberra ACT. ...

Next summer's Arctic Thunder scheduled - Anchorage Daily News | It will feature precision flying performances by the Navy's Blue Angels squadron and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, Elmendorf said. ...

Thunderbirds at Fairchild next July - The Spokesman Review | The Air Force's top aerial act, the Thunderbirds, will perform at Fairchild Air Force Base next July. Fairchild announced today the Thunderbirds put the ...

F-22 Demo Team May Appear at 2010 Air Show! by David P. Jordan | PEORIA – The Peoria Journal Star is reporting that the United States Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team may appear at the 2010 Prairie Air Show at Gen. Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport. More details will appear in ...

2010 MidFirst Ohio Balloon Challenge from AviationDayton™ Events by Aviation Dayton | When: Fri Jul 16, 2010 to Sun Jul 18, 2010, Where: Middletown Regional Airport Event, Status: confirmed, Event Description: 8th annual MidFirst Ohio Challenge, a full festival featuring sanctioned hot air balloon competition events. Team Fastrax professional skydiving team, regional musical entertainment, classic car show, arts and crafts vendors, festival foods, tethered hot air balloon rides, airplane and helicopter rides and much more. Set in Smith Park adjoining the Middletown Regional Airport near The Great Miami River. More details: http://www.ohiochallenge.com/event

Centennial of military flight at Fort Sam Houston from AviationDayton™ Events by Aviation Dayton | When: Tue Mar 2, 2010, Where: Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, Event Status: confirmed, Event Description: Wright "B" Flyer Inc. will re-enact U.S. Army Lt. Benjamin Foulois historic first flight of a Wright military airplane from a military reservation on March 2, 1910. The re-enactment will include ground handling operations of a Wright "B" Flyer replica on the Fort Sam Houston parade ground, site of the original flight, and fly-overs of another Wright "B" replica. More info: http://100yearsofmilitaryflight.org/Site/Welcome.html

Plane crash kills pilots during exercise - Independent Online | While the police say the two pilots were practising for an airshow taking place in Germiston, the managing director of Rand Airport, which organises the ...

Pilots survive high-speed drama - Dispatch Online | That's what Ewing, an aerobatic flight instructor attached to the 43 Air School in Port Alfred, told a colleague after he had managed to crash-land the ...

You can watch live as Boeing's 787 takes to the air Tuesday morning – HeraldNet | Besides the webcast, the public has a few options for watching the 787 take off at Paine Field, which will likely see a flood of aviation enthusiasts. ...

Aspiring astronauts run 'space camp on steroids' - Tampabay.com | Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson, who partnered with aviation designer Burt Rutan on the venture, hopes to begin passenger flights out of New ...

Calendar celebrates women in aviation from General Aviation News by Janice Wood | This Day in Women's Aviation, a page-a-day calendar published by Powder Puff Pilot, marks the accomplishments made by women in the world of aviation. Each page highlights an event, milestone, or triumph in the history of women in aviation.

"First" Civilian Su-27 Flanker For Sale from AVwebFlash Current Issue | The "first" civilian-operated, privately owned Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker in the world, according to the people who are trying to sell it, is fresh off its restoration, flew Dec. 10 at Rockford, Ill., and is now for sale. Pride Aircraft says the jet departed Runway 25 into a 15-knot headwind, after a 1,100-foot ground roll at Chicago Rockford International Airport. The jet flew locally for about 45 minutes in 7-degree air (14 Celsius) and performed multiple missed approaches before landing. According to the FAA's online registry, the fighter is flying on a temporary certificate issued Dec. 2, 2009, that expires Jan. 1, 2010. According to Pride, the jet is the first ever to be "licensed" in the USA and one of a pair that represents "the first and only" two privately owned Flankers (both two-seat UB models) in the world.

Video: Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker — Civilian Warbird Over Illinois from AVwebFlash Current Issue | AVweb reader Scott Ross turned us on to this video of the first civilian registry SU-27 Sukhoi Flanker flying overhead ... in Rockford, Illinois. Scott tells us he "heard it banging around yesterday but didn't realize what it was. RFD's Runway 25 touchdown point is four miles from my house, and we are directly below the ILS. Wish I'd been outside when she went over.

Flying car project taking flight - Auburn Journal | The first year Bousfield said his car/plane was well received, so much so that the organizers of airventure told him his Switchblade would be a featured ...

Funeral Held For WWII Pilot 60 Years Later - WESH.com | A North American B-25 Mitchell bomber did a fly-by at the end of the funeral. Arnett's family met the crew afterward. The family members were offered to fly ...

This Week In Military/Aviation History 14 - 20 December from Warbirds Online by Tom Kwiatkowski Sr. | Geez Folks, seven more in the bag and here we are again. I never know what I'm going to say when I sit down and start typing this intro. That's why they've been so short. So for another time I'll keep it that way. Be glad, I tend to babble when I get revved up. Pretty soon another whole year will be gone. Hard to believe huh? History marches on whether we like it or not. Speaking of history, let's get into some shall we? Yes, I think we shall. (nice segue, eh?)

On This Day in Aviation History: December 14th by Phil Derner Jr.

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Indy Transponder 13-DEC-09 1900z

2009-12-13T13:34:00.003-05:00

Decision to postpone Rotorua air show heartbreak - Scoop.co.nz
The organisers of today's [Saturday] Let's Go Rotorua Lakefront Air Show say it was a heartbreaking decision to cancel the show but in the ...

Weather takes wings out of Big Whoop event - Victoria Advocate
Brinkman said everyone was in good spirits, even though the 11 people who purchased rides on a B-25 had to wait another day to fly in the World War II ...

Shop's fighter-shaped pancakes a tribute to 'Blue Impulse' team's 50th anniversary - Mainichi Daily News
... commemorate the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Blue Impulse aerobatics team next year. Named after the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's aerobatic flight ...

Air festival's boost for town recognised - TheAdvertiser24
The Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival has won three awards at the Waveney Chamber of Commerce Awards in recognition of the part the popular event has played ...

Bishop of Lincoln in wing-walk challenge - This is Scunthorpe
THE Bishop of Lincoln will be closer to God when he carries out his latest daredevil stunt of wing-walking. The brave reverend is planning to take to the ...

Wasabi interview on Airsports.tv by Elliot "Stinky" Seguin
Thank you Nigel Boettiger and Jeff Zaltman!

Wichita Aero Club top management panel to be simulcast
You're a SUPERSTAR thanks for letting us know the Aero Club top management panel is simulcast. Been trying to figure out how to see it from afar. With Cessna's Pelton, Hawker/Beech's Boisture, Learjet's Coleal, Boeing's Strode, ...

Search for Spitfire spares - National - NZ Herald News
The owner of a rare Spitfire damaged in a landing mishap in Auckland last week has begun a hunt for spare parts which may take him to the other side of the world. Doug Brooker's two-seater Mark IX Spitfire tipped on to its nose, damaging its four-bladed wooden propeller and parts of its undercarriage. The aircraft is believed to be worth about $3 million.

World War II Airman Buried 65 Years Later - Central Florida News 13
On Saturday, he finally got a chance to salute the soldier who delivered him a folded flag, as a B-25 bomber flew by commemorating the last flight home. ...

Air Corps pilot helped on first-time combat flights - The Desert Sun
On the way back to the air base, enemy fire knocked out three of the four engines of the B-17. "I came back with only one engine they (the crew) wanted to ...

Aggressor pilots: Paid to play the villain - AirForceTimes.com
Units, even ones close by like the two F-22 squadrons based here, want to train more with the aggressors. "We are lucky because the 18th is right here, ...

Scots pilot glides way to speed record in Argentina by Diamond Pilots
John Williams, whose achievements in the skies above Argentina have propelled him into an elite global group.
A daredevil Scottish glider pilot has fulfilled his ambition to make a 1500km (982-mile) flight over the Andes – and accidentally set a new world speed record in the process. Fife-based John Williams clocked a top speed of almost 112mph during the St Andrew's Day flight, beating his personal best and toppling the previous record in the same breath. ...

X-51A WaveRider gets first ride aboard B-52 from AVIATION-NEWS
The X-51A Waverider was carried aloft for the first time Dec. 9 by an Air Force Flight Test Center B-52 Stratofortress over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The test was a key milestone in preparation for the X-51 to light its supersonic combustion ramjet engine and propel the WaverRider at hypersonic speed for [...]

Connecticut Students Set for Cosmic Conversation with Space Station Commander - Media Newswire
The education downlink will take place from 12:50 pm to 1:10 pm EST from the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, Conn. ...

Virgin Galactic reveals SpaceShipTwo, plans commercial space flights in 2011 from Engadget
We've been waiting an awful long time for this day to come, and now we're doing our darndest to rush away 2010. Today, Sir Richard Branson officially took the wraps off of a spacecraft that we initially peeked back in June of 2008: the SpaceShipTwo. Designed to hold six passengers and two pilots, this magnificent craft will reportedly be ready to ship wealthy tourists into space as early as 2011. Reportedly

Virgin Galactic SpaceShip VSS Enterprise RollOut from Planenews Aviation News Portal
Virgin Galactic unveiled SpaceShipTwo to the world at Mojave Spaceport, California.

Briefs: Rutan in FT; They call the wind Mojave; Ubiquitous spaceflight from RLV and Space Transport News
A profile of Burt Rutan and his space ambitions: Man in the News: Burt Rutan, rocket man - Financial Times (via spacetoday.net).
Burt is thinking not just about about getting to orbit after SS2: ...

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo: the video unveiling from Engadget by Darren Murph

NASA to offer new prizes for space-related inventions - VentureBeat
Inspired by the then-imminent conclusion of the $10 million Ansari X PRIZE for Suborbital Spaceflight, the program was designed to offer a series of ...

Full Week Space Prize Roundup from Space Prizes

NearSpace touring from RLV and Space Transport News

Episode 76 – Flight Testing With James from Airplane Geeks Podcast
Our guest this episode is life-long test pilot James Patton. He was the Chief Test Pilot & Head of Flight Ops at NASA Langley, a naval aviator, an FAA test pilot, and an expert at spin testing. Jim was just inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame.

B-1B portraits from The Unwanted Blog by admin
Video Of Chinese Rocket Swooshing By Commercial Aeroplane - Gizmodo Australia
Pictures: UPDATE more of the Airbus A400M in flight by PlaneTalking

For a job well done from Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind.
Brig. Gen. Dean Despinoy, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander, presents a coin to Maj. Becky Fox, 434th Communications Squadron commander, in recognition of her efforts during a recent operational readiness exercise. The presentation was made during the December wing commander's call.

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Indy Transponder 13-DEC-09 0200z

2009-12-12T21:12:00.003-05:00

Thunderbirds 2010 schedule includes Maxwell air show - Maxwell Gunter Dispatch
Officials from the US Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, "Thunderbirds," here announced its 2010 air show schedule, which includes Mar. ...

Thousands expected for Thunder Over the Blue Ridge over Labor Day weekend - Martinsburg Journal
4 and 5, 2010, featuring the US Air Force's Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron and the US Army's Golden Knights Parachute Team. "For five years or so, ...

Blue Angels To Take Flight In Brunswick - WMTW.com
Unlike previous air shows, which were free, spectators will be charged admission, Mayo said. The Blue Angels last performed in Maine in September 2008.

Thumbs up to air show, PHS hoops on radio - Seacoastonline.com
Thumbs up, up and up to the Navy's precision flight team, the Blue Angels, which will come to Pease International Tradeport in August. ...

Editorial: Festival's prospects looking up with Blue Angels' return - MLive.com
The announcement Wednesday that the Blue Angels jet team will return to Muskegon during Summer Celebration 2011 is a giant step ...

The pictures tell the myth of Arrows Aloisi Tricolori - The Arena
An exhibition of shots taken on board Arrows Tricolori. È questa l'iniziativa che Giorgio Aloisi, quarantenne di Pai, ha allestito al Gardaland Hotel Resort, e che sarà inaugurata stamattina alle 10. This is the beginning that George Aloisi, forty Pai, has set up at Gardaland Hotel Resort, which will be inaugurated this morning at 10.

News - Coney Island Air Show August 2010 - Google
I found out the contact for the air show in Coney, but he did not get back to me with any comment. So the sponsor is still a question mark. My guess is the air show is part of a larger event and the folks in charge aren't ready to go ...

Fort Smith Airshow Canceled in 2010 - KFSM
According to a release from the 188th Fighter Wing headquarters, war training and inspection schedules have prompted the Fort Smith Airshow officials to ...

Drunk steals plane at airshow - Fear of Landing
The pilot is Kyle Franklin from Franklin's Flying Circus & Airshow. He is married to the beautiful Amanda Younkin, who manages Franklin's Flying Circus and Younkin Airshows. Kyle and Bobby Younkin are the pilots – although Amanda can ...

Harriet Quimby: May 16, 1911 from You Fly, Girl by Cathy Gale
The Daily News, Frederick, Maryland. May 16, 1911
Harriet Quimby, well-known to the reading public through her writings in Leslie's Weekly Paper (which were syndicated and thus appeared in other, daily, newspapers around the country), wants to become a "skyscraper." ...

CAF Member Hall of Fame Established 12/11/09 - KOSA
Midland, Texas - They may not have been in battle, but the Commemorative Air Force wants to make sure that those who have made the caf a success are not ...

New deputy director announced for National Museum of the U.S. Air Force from National Museum of the USAF Top Stories
Air Force officials announced Dec. 10 that Lt. Gen. (Ret.) John L. Hudson will become the new Deputy Director of the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
The position of Deputy Director is newly established, and Gen. Hudson is the first to fill the position. The establishment of a Deputy Director position reflects the continuing growth of the Museum and its inestimable value to the Air Force. Attendance at the museum is at an all-time high, drawing about 1.3 million visitors annually.
more...

In new hands: Local group takes control of NAASM - Wapakoneta Daily News
John Zwez, president of the Armstrong Air and Space Association, stresses a point regarding the management takeover of the Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum ...

Museum's Annual "Holiday Air Affair" to Feature Santa and Stormtroopers - WOWT
The Strategic Air & Space Museum is located at Exit 426 off I-80, halfway between Omaha and Lincoln. The Museum is open M, T, TH, F, S, SU, ...

"Detroit: Our Greatest Generation" features several Ann Arbor residents who ... - AnnArbor.com
These days, Bodycombe spends his time helping out at the Yankee Air Museum at the Willow Run Airport. In his last public speech, a Memorial Day address to a ...

Wings & Wheels gives £20,000 to Help for Heroes - from Flightline UK
From getSURREY
MONEY raised at this year's Wings & Wheels airshow at Dunsfold Park near Cranleigh will help build a series of Army Recovery Centres across the UK.
Help for Heroes chief of staff Mark Elliott, accompanied by soldiers who have been seriously injured on active duty and undergone intensive treatment at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court near Epsom, made a special visit to the airfield on Wednesday to thank Dunsfold Park Ltd and local people for raising £20,000 for the charity.

Museum of Aviation's Eagle Building going green - Macon Telegraph
Starting this month, green energy will power the Eagle Building at the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base. ...

Solar Impulse Takes Off into History - Solar Power News and Info
Less than a month after Solar Impulse passed its first runway test, the solar-powered airplane made aviation history with its first test flight. Given the plane's nearly 200-foot wingspan and complete lack of conventional fuel, ...

Love of aviation drew veteran to Air Corps - The Desert Sun
Soon after, he landed a job at Sacramento Air Depot, repairing the B-25 Mitchell and British Hudson bombers. In 1942, when he learned all the boys in his ...

Lady Houston and her necklace - Spitfire Site News
... What does it have to do with a Spitfire? The connection is indirect, but very tangible. Lady Houston made a pivotal contribution to aviation history when in 1931, she donated £100,000 to Supermarine, preventing the company from withdrawing from the contest due to the lack of government funding. Without her, Britain would not have won the contest that year. There would be no Supermarine S.6B and World Speed Record, nor the Trophy permanently won for Britain. And without the S.6B, Supermarine would not be entrusted with designing and producing a new monoplane fighter for the RAF. Perhaps they would have stayed with the flying boats. There would be no Spitfire.

X-51A WaveRider gets first ride aboard B-52 from Air Force Link Top Stories
The X-51A Waverider was carried aloft for the first time Dec. 9 by an Air Force Flight Test Center B-52 Stratofortress
over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
The test was a key milestone in preparation for the X-51 to light its supersonic combustion ramjet engine and propel the WaverRider at hypersonic speed for about five minutes, before plunging into the Pacific Ocean. ...

What a superb landing Ed Strongman made in the A400M today from Unusual Attitude by Kieran Daly
Ed StrongmanWhen I was hired for this Airbus A400M communications contract, I was told early on "it'll be good if you can liaise closely with the test pilot - Ed Strongman (seen left discussing the flight with his British customers) - very nice chap, you'll like him". What I quietly thought was "Oh Lord...". Here's the story.
So a few days into my time here in Seville the time came when Ed had a moment in his frantic schedule and we agreed to meet for an introductory chat. We'd not met before. So I wandered down to the flight-test building and we had a good conversation about how the first taxying trial had gone, what was coming up next, and how the programme in general was going. ...

On This Day in Aviation History: December 12th - NYCAviation.com ...

Capt. Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger Auctions Captain's Hat - ABC News
Here's your chance to own a little bit of aviation history: Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the US Airways pilots who made the ...

Nellis commander completes 6-show run on 'Jeopardy!' - from Air Force Link Top Stories
The set wasn't the same as he remembered from watching the show in its inaugural season more than 25 years ago. The chalkboard scheme has been replaced by liquid crystal display screens; the money at stake has doubled; and contestants are no longer limited to just five wins.
From the first day Col. Dave Belote walked onto the set of "Jeopardy!" for familiarization to six shows and $134,801 later, he described the experience as almost surreal. ...

Dayton International Airport gets new mural - Dayton Daily News
Airport management assembled Dayton aviation heritage leaders earlier this year to help develop the mural and hired Nova Creative Group, of Washington Twp., ...

Aviation Podcast #166 - Questions To The Max - Part II from The Finer Points - Aviation Podcast
This week we wrap up our 2 part question and answer series with Max Trescott. Please enjoy The Finer Points!

How to Photograph an Airshow - Best Digital Camera Blog
Each summer, at air shows across the globe, awestruck spectators enjoy the power and precision of aerial demonstration teams and individual performers. In addition to what is happening in the air, there are often static displays on the ...

Lancaster… from Planeshots
Red Bull Air Race 2009 Highlights Video - Oveoo
"G.W Bealby, B-Type Wright" (circa 1909) from x planes
The Albessard tandem monoplane, 1914. (another view) from x planes

Indy Transponder 11-DEC-09 2315z

2009-12-11T18:12:00.005-05:00

Blue Angels Returning to NAS Meridian - WTOK
What a better way to celebrate than with an air show featuring the Navy's elite Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels? ...

Thunderbirds on the Bill for Shaw Air Show - Modelworks Online
Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team will be back at Shaw Air Force Base after a 5-year hiatus, heading next year's ...

Air(show) Assault - Air & Space Magazine
With a Caribou, Mohawk, Bird Dog, Hueys, and Cobras, Army aviators are teaching the loudest history lesson you ever heard.

Navy awards posthumous Flying Cross at Va. event - Daily Press
A World War II aviator posthumously has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Walter Brown's widow, Billie Brown, received the award on his behalf ...

Red Bull Air Race stalls in mid-air - Portugal News
After it was announced the Red Bull Air Race might be taking place in Lisbon instead of Oporto, several institutions from the North have reacted negatively, ...

Fortress flies into Lakefront Airport - FOX 8 News WVUE-TV
Elliott explains driving the B-17 also requires much more in the way of pilot skills. "It's very must a historic, vintage airplane. It's a tail dragger. ...

Milligan remembers air crash victims - York News-Times
The B-17, another four-engine heavy bomber, achieved iconic status during the war and beyond. The P-47 was a tough fighter, effective in air combat and ...

Take to the sky in fighter planes - Camarillo Acorn
The Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing based in Camarillo has a special program to let the public experience flight in an authentic warbird, ...

Happy Anniversary, Civil Air Patrol!- Diamond Pilots
December 1, 2009 — The Civil Air Patrol is celebrating its 68th anniversary today, and the organization's national commander is asking people to say 'thanks' to CAP's 58,000 citizen volunteers for their vigilant service.
The anniversary commemorates the history of service provided by today's CAP throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, including disaster relief efforts, search and rescue missions, and aerospace education. ...

Hugh N. 'Woody' Wood - Union Democrat
He attended public schools and the University of Southern California, then became a decorated US Navy aviator while serving as an aircraft carrier fighter ...

Hatton continues to honor hero - Grand Forks Herald
Eielson's airplane, the Hamilton NC10002, was recovered in 1991 and returned to Fairbanks, where it now is on display at the Alaskaland Pioneer Air Museum. ...

William Lyon opens air museum named after him - Daily Pilot
Lyon Air Museum, next to John Wayne Airport, features aircraft and automobiles from the 1930s and 1940s. By Candice Baker Maj. Gen. William Lyon never fails ...

Museum honors an era - Daily Pilot
The Lyon Air Museum broke ground in 2007, after the retired Air Force general realized a way to fulfill his dual passions for aviation history and for ...

Loose Lips: Cardoza's Blue Dog credentials - Merced Sun-Star
Castle Air Museum is upset, it seems, about the possibility of a high-speed rail maintenance yard at Castle Commerce Center that might push out the museum. ...

The Boeing chase planes - AirSpace
With the 787 Dreamliner's first flight fast approaching, I thought I'd shed some light on one of the key components of the day - the cool chase planes! ...

Warplanes to visit Charlotte - Sarasota Herald-Tribune
PUNTA GORDA - Florida Warbirds, EAA Warbird Squadron 24, has announced the inaugural Warbird Weekend on Jan. 23-24 at Charlotte County Airport in Punta ...

VIDEO: Restored Russian-designed fighter jet goes on first test flight - Kathryn's Report
ROCKFORD (WREX) - The Russian-designed fighter jet being restored by a Rockford company goes on its first test flight at Chicago Rockford International Airport.
The jet took off for about a 45-minute test flight around 3:15 p.m. Thursday. ...[video]

Holiday spirit takes to the streets - Herald Zeitung
A fly over by the Commemorative Air Force will coordinate its appearance with the appearance of the military joint services float. ...

EAA News - Create the 'Must-Have' T-Shirt for AirVenture 2010! - airventure
November 23, 2009 — Got an original idea for a new T-shirt slogan or design for AirVenture 2010? We're collecting your ideas on Oshkosh365 now through Friday, December 18, so visit the site for details, then post your idea to the thread ...

On This Day in Aviation History: December 11th - NYCAviation.com

Program lets young aviation enthusiasts take to the skies ... by yoursewickley
All pilots in the Young Eagles program explain the safe operation of airplanes and principles of flight before the short trips, but LaVoie and Schaefer say the fun really starts when the kids get in the air. ...

Mattapoisett teen earns prestigious Civil Air Patrol award by Diamond Pilots
State Rep. Bill Straus, D-Mattapoisett, presents CPAP Cadet 2nd Lt. Heidi Schneider of Mattapoisett with the Billy Mitchell Award in Plymouth last month. State Rep. Vinny deMachedo, R-Plymouth, is to the right. ...

WAC Christmas Trial Flights and Scholarship Promotion - AeroHub by graeme on 12/10/09
We are now cranking up the programme to promote sales of Gift Vouchers for Trial Flights and our Flight Scholarship.
You can play an important part in the campaign. ...

A400M Airborne [updated with pics and video] - Ares
The Airbus Military A400M is now on its first flight. It is a milestone two decades in the making and takes the European airlifter an important step forward. ...

VIDEO: Airbus A400M, airborne - The DEW Line
Airbus A400M takes to the sky! - FlightBlogger

X-51 Waverider makes first captive flight - AviationDayton
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE,Ohio – The X-51 Waverider, designed to demonstrate a revolutionary jet engine, successfully made its first test flight Wednesday in Califoria, tucked securely under the wing of a B-52H carrier ship. ...

Grissom week in photos: 11 Dec - Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind.
This week's photo highlights slideshow features events from Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind. This weekly feature showcases events taking place at the base as well as the activities of the dedicated military and civlian workforce of the 434th Air Refueling Wing. To view the slideshow, click here.
more...

SS2 debut videos and music - RLV and Space Transport
VIDEO: SpaceShipTwo emerges from hangar - Hyperbola
Panama Patrol - Warbirds Online
Helicopter line work - The Unwanted Blog
England, a long time ago… - x planes

Indy Transponder 11-DEC-09 0230z

2009-12-10T21:43:00.004-05:00

Bahrain International Airshow set to take off in style - AME Info
The debut Bahrain International Airshow takes place in January 2010 organised by Farnborough International. Phil Blizzard talks to Amanda Stainer, ...

Air show in Tiruchi next month - Hindu
TIRUCHI: Suryakiran, the aerobatic team of the Indian Air Force, will stage an air show at the Tiruchi airport on January 21. The team, based at Bidar in ...

Easter trading rules to remain - Otago Daily Times
The next biennial Wanaka Over Warbirds airshow, which brings tens of thousands of visitors to the area, will be held at Easter next year.

Air show scheduled
Eglin officials confirmed today that the base will host an air show in 2010. "75 Years of Eglin Pride" is the theme for the air show, scheduled for April 10-11. A wide variety of aerial performers, including the US Air Force ...

2010 Prairie Air Show will feature 'dogfights' - Peoria Journal Star
Prairie Air Show organizer Brett Krause summed up the aviation extravaganza lined up for next summer with three words: aerobatics, ...

Students work with Red Arrows squad - This is Scunthorpe
THE Red Arrows have left engineering students from North Lindsey College flying high after a unique work experience placement. Four lucky students bagged ...

Tickets to 'Living Legends' awards available - General Aviation News
The seventh Annual "Living Legends of Aviation" Awards tickets are now available. Presented by Learjet, the awards dinner is often referred to as the "Academy Awards of Aviation. With last year's advance reservations and event sponsor tickets assigned, there are less than 200 tickets available, organizers note.... read the rest of Tickets to 'Living Legends' awards available (344 words)

Female aviators to receive career recognition - Dayton Daily News
WEST ALEXANDRIA — Retired military pilots, a onetime instructor for America's World War II aviators and a chief training pilot for the Boeing Co. are among ... They will be honored during Women in Aviation's annual conference in Orlando, Fla., at the concluding banquet Feb. 27. The organization is based at ...

December 15 Wichita Aero Club 'On-Air' Summit Will Be Simulcast on the Internet - AMTOnline.com
The final monthly luncheon of the Wichita Aero Club on December 15 featuring the senior executives of Wichita's airframe ...

Music and Aviation by Steve Tupper
My piece of Let's Go Flying is about exploring the envelope of aviation. And this is a little reminder that that envelope isn't strictly limited to stall speeds and G tolerance. Sometimes it's about demonstrating that other instrument rating.
And, by instrument, I mean musical instrument.
I just returned from the convention of the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) in las Vegas. Hundreds of men and women who spend the summer flying upside down for the crowds gather in December each year to talk about safety, marketing, organization, and where they'll fly next summer.
One of the highlights of the ICAS convention this year was the Greg Poe –sponsored Monday night appearance by country music giant Aaron Tippin. Aaron, in addition to having made hits and ....

Wasabi interview on Airsports.tv - Wasabi Air Racing
Thank you Nigel Boettiger and Jeff Zaltman!

Renowned Civil Air Patrol subchaser dies - General Aviation News
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, seated left, presents the first two Air Medals ever awarded by the U.S. to CAP subchasers Maj. Hugh Sharp Jr., center, and 1st Lt. Eddie Edwards, second from right, for the rescue of 1st Lt. Henry Cross. Looking on is James Landis, wartime chief of the Office of Civilian Defense.
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, seated left, presents the first two Air Medals ever awarded by the U.S. to CAP subchasers Maj. Hugh Sharp Jr., center, and 1st Lt. Eddie Edwards, second from right, for the rescue of 1st Lt. Henry Cross. Looking on is James Landis, wartime chief of the Office of Civilian Defense.
One of Civil Air Patrol's most famous World War II "subchasers," honored for heroism by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, died Dec. 5 after a long illness. He was 96.
Col. Edmond I. "Eddie" Edwards was widely known as the first Coastal Patrol (later Civil Air Patrol) pilot to spot a Nazi U-boat and radio its position to U.S. naval forces. The vessel crash-dived and headed farther out to sea, where it was less of a menace to U.S. shipping. This occurred March 10, 1942, near the start of the war.

Gone West: Air Medal Of Honor Winner Eddie Edwards - Aero-News Network
Famed WWII CAP Pilot Involved In Dramatic Rescue At Sea 96-year-old Eddie Edwards, a famed WWII Civil Air Patrol pilot and a winner of the first Air Medal of WWII to be presented personally by the President of the United States to any U.S. airman, has passed away. Edwards accepted his Air Medal from Franklin D. Roosevelt in the White House Oval Office in 1942.

Luther Smith, member of famed Tuskeegee Airmen, dies at 89 - Delaware County Daily Times
During the war, he escorted B-24 Liberators and B-17 Flying Fortresses over Yugoslavia, Hungary, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland and southwest Germany. ...

Tuskegee Airman dies at 89 - Air Force Times
RADNOR, Pa. — Luther H. Smith, a Tuskegee Airman who later worked as an aerospace engineer, has died in suburban Philadelphia. He was 89.Smith's family says he died Wednesday at Bryn Mawr Hospital. He had been hospitalized frequently over the last two years but attended the inauguration of President Barack Obama in January.Smith flew 133 combat missions with the Alabama-based 332nd Fighter Group of the Army Air Corps. On his last mission he parachuted from his burning plane and was captured by German soldiers in 1944.Smith retired in 1947 and earned his engineering degree in his home state of Iowa. He was an engineer for 37 years at General Electric.Smith was one of about 300 original Tuskegee Airmen awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 2007.

Edmund Ladendorff Jr., 84 - NorthJersey.com
He was a lieutenant who navigated a B-17 Flying Fortress in World War II, and his crew was credited with dropping the final bombs on enemy territory to end ...

Mary Margaret Cummings - Newzjunky.com
Mr. Coughlin, a crew member of a B-17 bomber, failed to return from a bombing mission in the Munich-Augsburg area of Germany on Apr. 24, 1944. On Jan. ...

A Day in Hell - Black and White
Probably are friendly," tail gunner Robert Donahue reported to pilot Bill Tune from his rear perch on a B-17 bomber dubbed Tail End Charlie. ...

Index for Powder Puff Derby of 1929, by Gene Nora Jessen - You Fly, Girl by Cathy Gale
The Powder Puff Derby of 1929: The True Story of the First Women's Cross-Country Air Race, by Gene Nora Jessen. Sourcebooks. 2002.

Great British Bombers – from the specialists at Aeroplane - Aeroplane Monthly News
Great British BombersAn unmissable tribute to the aeroplanes and airmen who took the fight to Britain's enemies from World War One to the Cold War.

Warrior Rises From The Depths - All Things Aviaton
On November 30th, 2009 another World War II warbird emerged from 250 feet of water near Chicago, Il to reach daylight once again after all of these years. An F6F-3, flown by Lieutenant Walter Elcock, has been recovered from the icy grip of Lake Michigan. The recovery effort for this aircraft was funded, in part, by [...]

Entertainment abounds this winter at aviation museum - Gulf Breeze News
From special discounts to big-band entertainment, the National Naval Aviation Museum has plenty to offer visitors this winter. The Museum will hold two free ...

Douglas DC-3 museum opened at Timehri - Stabroek News
... Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn in a drive to preserve Guyana's aviation history, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported. ...

Fly the friendly skies - Thousand Oaks Acorn
The Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing has a special program to let the public experience flight in an authentic warbird, a North American ...

A damned odd illustration - The Unwanted Blog
This interview with Bill Sweetman on MSNBC about the RQ-170 Sentinel shows a side-view of an odd version of the Horton 229, crediting it to "Liberation.fr." I took a look at the French-language website and found the relevant page HERE. There is it claimed that the Sentinel is based on the Horton design of 1945… a rather lame yet common sort of "the Nazis invented friggen' EVERYTHING" claim. The only thing the RQ-170 and the Ho 229 share is a flying wing configuration, which is basically like saying that the Boeing 787 is a copy of the Messerschmitt 262.
But the really odd thing is the drawing of the Ho 229 that was used. See if'n y'all can find at least one really odd design feature…

On This Day in Aviation History: December 10th from NYCAviation.com .

Italian fishermen net historic 'Jug' at sea - AF.mil Photos
Wreckage believed to be that of a P-47 Thunderbolt was recovered from the bottom of the Adriatic Sea May 12, 2009, by an Italian fishing boat crew. An Italian aero club signed for the wreckage during a Nov. 14, 2009, ceremony in Chioggia, Italy, and hope to recover a serial number from the landging gear during their restoration project expected to take two years. The serial number is a key to Air Force historians so they can trace the aircraft to a specific unit and in identifying who was piloting the aircraft the day it crashed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Connor)
Photo 2, Photo 3

WWWII Army Air Force fighter - AF.mil Photos
Maj. Shawna Kimbrell and 1st Lt. Justin Cleveland talk with Italian aviation enthusiast Sergio Maron about the World War II Army Air Force fighter wreckage found in the Adriatic Sea during a ceremony Nov. 14, 2009, at the Chioggia Lagoon in Italy. The wreckage, believed to be a P-47 Thunderbolt that crashed into the Adriatic in the mid-1940s, was recovered during a fishing expedition in May 2009. Major Kimbrell and Lieutenant Cleveland are F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots from Aviano Air Base, Italy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman LaVel D. Sterling)

Old Spruce Goose hangar is for sale - Los Angeles Times
Aviator Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose hangar and a large chunk of land approved for office and retail development in Playa Vista are now for sale through a ...

New film shows Detroit's contributions to war effort - Detroit Free Press
"My own father, who served as a bombardier in a B-17, died about seven years ago. I wish I had put a camera on him." Famie, who lives in Novi, ...

Spitfix! Guinness World Record attempt ar RAF Museum Hendon, London Saturday December 19 - Aeroplane Monthly News
Spitfix! Guinness World Record attempt ar RAF Museum, London Sat 19 Dec 2009To celebrate the launch of Arthur Ward's The Boy's Book of Airfix Ebury Press is staging an attempt to create a Guinness World Record for the largest number of model Spitfires made in a day, in conjunction with Airfix and the RAF Museum.

Perfect Gift for Aviation Enthusiasts - Flightstory.net
You're looking for something to surprise a fellow aviation enthusiast or maybe even for yourself? Well, I've found the perfect gift!
Aviation humor and cartoon books from aviation-humor.com!
Aviation Humor Books
Each book contains brilliant cartoons, stories and anecdotes from the fantastic world of aviation. Some of the stories may have really happened, some just picture funny situations that, in some way, you may encounter everyday in aviation industry. ...

Extraordinary Christmas Gifts: How About a Flight in a WW II Bomber or a Hot ... - NewsReleaseWire.com
"The B-17 Yankee Lady and the B-25 Yankee Warrior are both fully restored aircraft. Passengers become part of the air crew and can view each crew position ...

Get Credit for Young Eagles Flights in 2009 - EAA - The Experimental Aircraft Association
As 2009 winds down, this is a good time to make sure all of your Young Eagle registration forms have been returned to EAA headquarters. Check your flight bag, desk, or airplane seatback for any wayward forms and return them as soon as possible.

Santa flies in Sunday - Orangeburg Times Democrat
The local Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1367 in Orangeburg will sponsor its third annual "Santa Fly-In" at 2 pm Sunday, Dec. ...

NORAD Officials Ready to Track Santa's Flight - AVIATION-NEWS
North American Aerospace Defense Command officials are getting ready to track Santa Claus. The "NORAD Tracks Santa" Web site, http://www.noradsanta.org, features holiday games and activities that change daily. The site is available in seven languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Chinese. On Dec. 24, the Web site will stream videos, captured by NORAD "Santa Cams," [...]

The Virgin party's aftermath - NewSpace Journal
At about 7:45 pm Monday night, with the Virgin Galactic post-rollout party in full swing in Mojave, the person who had been announcing routine bus departures to various hotels made a more urgent announcement: everyone was asked to "evacuate" the tents where the event took place because of a high wind warning, and to instead board the waiting buses to leave. The video below shows what happened to those tents after hurricane-force wind gusts ripped through them. Fortunately, that destruction took place after we left.

SS2 rolled in with the wind - RLV and Space Transport News
The SpaceShipTwo rollout will be remembered for several reasons:
Misc. SS2 related items:
/-- Grounding innovation? - Jeff Scialabba/Ayn Rand Center
/-- Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo - Entrepreneur.com
/-- SpaceShipTwo Readied For Testing - Aviation Week

Picture of the Week: AVweb's Flying Photography Showcase - AVwebFlash
If you're tempted to describe this photo from Jeff Randall of Abilene, Texas in sentimental terms, there's a good reason. According to his comments, Jeff some real quality time with the setting sun and this Cessna 150, shooting from all different angles and with different exposures until he managed to get just the right photo. It paid off, with one or two of Jeff's photos giving us that warm, fuzzy feeling that normally only comes from a lazy afternoon chat with a cherished old friend.

Paris Air Show, 1959 - Warbirds Online by Scott
Newsreel footage of the 1959 Paris Air Show.

Republic P-43 Lancer - Planeshots on 12/10/09
B-24H flying high - Warbirds Online
Bleriot……….Photo by Tom Ba. This replica (?)... - Planeshots on 12/9/09
Aviation Nation 2009 - Nellis AFB, North Las Vegas - Fence Check Forums
Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet, paint scheme celebrating one million flight hours in the French Air Force, 2008 - xplanes

Oshkosh Express from Australia/New Zealand coming to EAA AirVenture 2010

2009-12-10T20:24:00.002-05:00

Charter flight from "Down Under" making first trip in 12 years

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. - (Dec. 10, 2009) - Hundreds of aviation enthusiasts from Australia and New Zealand will be making a joint pilgrimage next July, landing in a 747 jetliner at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2010, "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration," in a group trip dubbed the "Oshkosh Express." AirVenture 2010, the 58th annual EAA fly-in convention, will take place July 26-August 1 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

The Oshkosh Express charter flights from "Down Under" first took place more than 20 years ago, but the 2010 charter is the first in a 747 since 1998. Several hundred EAA members from that region of the globe are making the long journey from their home countries to participate in what is commonly known as "aviation's family reunion."

"The enthusiasm of those who were a part of past Oshkosh Express journeys made their arrival a highlight of the year at Oshkosh," said Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman. "The ability to have such charter flights also shows the draw EAA AirVenture and Oshkosh are for people around the world. We welcome them and everyone with a passion for flight to join us this summer along the flight line."

The Oshkosh Express group will travel from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand, then on to Los Angeles before landing at AirVenture. They are expected to arrive at Oshkosh on opening day - Monday, July 26 - in an Air New Zealand 747. They will stay throughout the week, and many of those visitors will also extend their visits to the U.S. following AirVenture.

The Oshkosh Express is organized by Avtours Australia, which organizes charters for aviation groups throughout the year. More information about this year's Oshkosh trip can be found at the company's website at www.avtours.com.au.

"A trip to Oshkosh is a dream for anyone who loves airplanes and flying," said Bob Phillips of Avtours Australia. "For many people joining us, it will be a once-in-lifetime trip, made even more special by enjoying it with a group of like-minded people from home. Oshkosh is famed for its hospitality and we're very excited to be part of the event in 2010!"

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH is The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration and EAA's yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.airventure.org. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at http://twitter.com/EAAupdate.