RETIRED PILOT’S MEMOIR ENTERTAINS, INFORMS AND EXPOSES DARK SIDE OF THE FAA AND COMMERCIAL AVIATION
--From smuggling Bob Marley out of Jamaica and flying celebrities, to fighter pilot adventures and unethical and dangerous acts by the FAA
Ace Abbott invites both pilots and layman to take a wild ride with him on a unique and improbable aviation career spanning 36 years, in his revised third edition of The Rogue Aviator: in the back alleys of aviation 
(http://www.therogueaviator.com/). As Ace visits 44 countries with 25 different employers, he takes his readers from five star hotels and restaurants in Paris to noisy, greasy, cargo ramps, and a visit to a Venezuelan jail. The book regales the reader with many unique experiences and "war-stories" from Ace’s early career as an F-4 Phantom fighter- pilot based in the Far East.
When he left the Air Force in 1971 he soon found himself in South Florida where he flew the rich and famous in private-chartered Learjets. His passengers varied from iconic sports figures such as Jack Nicklaus to unsavory drug dealers. Other celebrities Ace rubbed elbows with include Jimmy Buffett, Helen Reddy, and Olivia Newton-John, but his most memorable experience involved smuggling Bob Marley out of Kingston, Jamaica.
This aviation adventure story/expose' will also reveal the "muck and crud" of the smaller commercial airlines as they frequently allow profitability to supersede safety, often to the demise of the pilots and the travelling public. Abbott exposes several accounts of unethical and often politically motivated response by the FAA and its effects on aviation safety, especially situations involving flight crew fatigue.
From an adrenaline-pumping night airborne refueling mission in the F-4 Phantom, to numerous close encounters in a Learjet, to his final 727 flight, when he briefly flirted with catastrophe during landing at Boston's Logan Airport, Ace Abbott brings his readers in for a final smooth landing. His book validates the idealistic premise that the quality of one's life experiences will always trump material wealth and possessions.
Kinner Sworn In as New Yuma CAP Squadron Commander
Major Ron Kinner was sworn in as Commander of Yuma Squadron #508 of the Arizona Wing, Civil Air Patrol. The ceremony was held at their hangar on Yuma International Airport during their regular Tuesday evening meeting. Major Kinner is a fifteen year veteran of Civil Air Patrol, having logged 2200 hours as pilot in command. He is a instrument certified flight instructor and also serves as the squadron's check pilot.
Cadets and leaders from Yuma's Civil Air Patrol Squadron # 508 tour the B-24J Liberator which was part of the Wings of Freedom Tour on display at Yuma International Airport this week. (Photo by Gen Grosse)
Squadron #508 is a composite squadron, meaning they have both cadets and senior members.
Commander Ron Kinner.
They presently have 19 cadets and 20 senior members. They fly an IFR equipped Cessna 182. The cadets meet every Tuesday evening and the senior members meet the second and fourth Tuesdays. They meet at their hangar, 3490 S. Fortuna Ave, Yuma, AZ, 85365. Their web site is www.yuma508.webs.com.
FAA offers pilot seminar on navigating reconfigured taxiways at Falcon Field
The FAA Safety Team will conduct a pilot seminar on navigating the reconfigured Falcon Field Airport taxiways from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 5 at CAE Global Academy, 5010 E. Falcon Drive at the Mesa airport. For details or to register, visit http://bit.ly/ICTOEk For questions, contact Dr. H.C. ‘Mac’ McClure at (480) 586-0762 or faasteam.mac@gmail.com
Angel MedFlight Scholarship Now Open to Arizona Aviation Students
Angel MedFlight's Scholarship for Excellence in Aviation is now open to students pursuing a degree in an aviation program at an Arizona college or university. Applications are being accepted through June 4, 2012.
For the third consecutive year, Arizona's aviation students will have the chance to apply for a $3,000 scholarship courtesy of Angel MedFlight's Scholarship for Excellence in Aviation.
The award, established in 2010 by air medical transportation leader Angel MedFlight in partnership with the Arizona Business Aviation Association (AZBAA), is available to students pursuing an undergraduate or post-graduate degree in an aviation-related program at a two- or four-year Arizona college or university.
"As an international air medical transport provider, we have the unique opportunity to impact the aviation industry not only globally and nationally, but also on community and individual levels," says Angel MedFlight President and CEO Jeremy Freer. "This scholarship gives students a chance to be resourceful, share ideas and take an active role in shaping their educational experience and ultimately their careers."
The annual Scholarship for Excellence in Aviation was created to support innovation and leadership in Arizona's aviation students. Andrew Cochran, the 2010 recipient, is an Aeronautical Science senior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Ariz. The 2011 scholarship winner, Matthew Grega, is a first-year Aeronautical Engineering student, also at Embry-Riddle.
Sky Kids Get Life Changing Experience at Goodyear Airport
Sky Kids, a 501(c)(3) organization for children ages 6-19 years old with special needs/disabilities, partnered on Saturday with Hope Kids, an organization that works with children who have life threatening conditions to give them an hour long flight at Goodyear Municipal Airport.
Volunteer pilot Jim Anderson, left, poses with Braydon Fuller, his Mom Hetter Fuller and family friend Darryl Kannberg. (Photo by Kim Stevens.)
“This is a life changing event for these kids and they’ll remember it forever,” said Bill Antonucci, founder of Sky Kids. Antonucci with his wife Sharon started the organization in August 2011. This is Sky Kids’ first event – although they are looking at doing it again next year. Joe Husband, Goodyear Airport Manager, said the organization is looking to do more events each year at other airports – "maybe even on the East Coast."
Bill Antonucci, Founder of Sky Kids. (Kim Stevens Photo.)
Look for enhanced coverage in the next issue of the Arizona Aviation Journal e-Magazine. For more information on Sky Kids visit: http://skykidsaz.org
Civil Air Patrol Honors Rep. Jerry Weiers
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Monday night honored Rep. Jerry Weiers for his efforts in the completion of the new CAP Squadron Facility at the Glendale Municipal Airport. The dedication of the Jerry Weiers Education Center took place at the facility itself as part of a regular squadron meeting, which included Arizona Wing Commander, Brian Ready and other members of the state legislature.
Rep. Jerry Weiers, left is congratulated by Arizona Wing Commander Brian Ready. (Photo by Kim Stevens)
“Thanks to the tenacity and dedication of Representative Weiers, we are celebrating the opening of this facility that is dedicated to the aerospace education, leadership, and search and rescue training of generations of young people to come.” said CAP Capt. Peter Mountain.
“This is the result of 12 years of hard work by community members, the CAP, airport managers and the city of Glendale.” said Jerry Weiers, adding “I am proud that I was able to help make this dream become a reality.”
The Civil Air Patrol is an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and provides aerospace education, cadet programs, and emergency services.
AOPA AWARDS FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP TO ARIZONAN
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has named three winners for $5,000 flight training scholarships, including Tyler Allen of Window Rock, Arizona. The presentation was made this week at the 38th annual Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In & Expo.
The AOPA Flight Training Scholarship, the Erral Lea Plymate Memorial Scholarship and the Jeppesen Flight Training Scholarship were created to help student pilots succeed in flight training and ease the financial burden. Scholarship recipients were chosen on merit, ability to set goals, and a demonstrated commitment to flight training. AOPA began offering the scholarships in 2011 as part of its Flight Training Student Retention Initiative, designed to improve the flight training experience and help more student pilots succeed in earning a pilot certificate.
Along with Allen, this year’s recipients of flight training scholarships were Glen Wenzel (Erral Lea Plymate Memorial Scholarship); and Stacey Shrewsbury (Jeppesen Flight Training Scholarship).
Tyler Allen is a 16-year-old high school junior who lives on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. He took his first flight in October 2009, and has logged more than 20 hours. He wants to bring his knowledge of general aviation to his home town of Window Rock on the Navajo reservation in Arizona and wants to be the first Navajo pilot. His ultimate goal is to open a flight school in Window Rock to help others in his community share in the joy of aviation.
Cutter Sales Brings Piper Seminole to Redbird’s Innovative R&D Lab
A new Piper Aircraft twin-engine Seminole was delivered at Sun-n-Fun to Redbird Flight Simulations' innovative and multi-faceted aviation research and development laboratory. Cutter Piper Sales sold the airplane at Oshkosh during AirVenture 2011. It will be based at Redbird Skyport of San Marcos, Texas. Redbird Simulation is the parent company of Redbird Skyport. On hand for the delivery ceremonies at Sun-n-Fun were principals from Piper, Cutter and Redbird.
From left to right: Simon Caldecott, President and CEO of Piper Aircraft, delivers a Piper Seminole to Jerry Gregoire, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Redbird Flight Simulations.
The Skyport laboratory is dedicated to developing new ways of doing pilot training to help reduce the cost of training, reduce the time required, and to improve safety. The team is focused on creating new and Innovative curriculum to help make flight training accessible to more individuals.
Jerry Gregoire, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Redbird Flight Simulations, said, "We are eager to incorporate our new Piper Seminole into Redbird's studies because this airplane is ideally suited to meet our mission and it will enable us to develop real world solutions to the challenges of flight training."
"Piper Aircraft is exceptionally pleased to be a part of Skyport's efforts to get more people involved in flight training," said Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott. "We are always looking for ways for our industry to extend its influence throughout the world and Redbird certainly fulfills that role."
Will Cutter, president and CEO of Cutter Aviation, said, "Cutter Aviation is delighted to have played a role in putting this deal together. It is a great partnership of a wonderful training provider and a provider of great training aircraft."
Skyport is the culmination of the efforts of Redbird Flight Simulations and King Schools and is supported by GAMA, AOPA, and other industry partners. Skyport is a first step in developing solutions to the challenges of a shrinking pilot population, staggering student drop-out rate and the ever increasing cost of flight training.
The innovative aviation laboratory includes a full service FBO, flight school, and aviation experience center. All aspects of the project provide a test bed for innovative hardware, software, business processes and ideas with the goal of revitalizing general aviation.
AOPA ANNOUNCES NEW MEDIA PARTNERSHIP WITH BUILD-A-PLANE TO KICK OFF KIDS ACROSS AMERICA CAMPAIGN
Lakeland, FL – The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has become the latest media partner with Build-A-Plane and is proud to support the Kids Across America campaign, created to help children make the trip to Oshkosh, Wis., for the Experimental Aircraft Association’s 2012 AirVenture.
Under the campaign, kids are charged with finding sponsors to fund each mile they travel to AirVenture. The one raising the most money wins a complete private pilot license training course, donated by Redbird Flight Simulations. The runner-up wins a one-week vacation in the Bahamas, and there are many other great prizes, which will be presented at a special award ceremony at AirVenture.
“AOPA feels strongly that it should do all it can to make access to general aviation a reality for more people of all ages,” said President Craig Fuller. “This partnership with Build A Plane is another avenue that allows AOPA to continue to show the value of general aviation and help it thrive.”
ThinkGlobalFlight.org Announces Guidance Aviation as its Premier Sponsor at Sun n’ Fun
At the Sun n’ Fun Fly-In and Air Show opening press conference on March 27th, Captain Judy Rice of ThinkGlobalFlight.org will announce the organization’s Premier Sponsor, Guidance Aviation, LLC. Guidance Aviation has donated the Cirrus SR20 G3 aircraft equipped with Garmin Perspective, Synthetic Vision and a Ballistic Recovery System for the Around-The-World flight to promote education, aviation and aerospace.
Think Global Flight's Cirris SR20 G3
“When we discovered what Captain Judy Rice was doing, we wanted all-in," said John Stonecipher, President and CEO of Guidance Aviation. "What a fantastic way to promote education and to inspire our kids to discover the unique opportunities that the aviation and aerospace industries promise." Stonecipher said they were proud to provide ThinkGlobalFlight.org the Cirrus SR20 G3 in order to make this effort take flight. Currently with a position on delivery for the new Cirrus Vision Jet, Stonecipher said he is a big believer of the Cirrus brand, combining the best technology with the safest design.
Guidance Aviation is a Part 141 airplane and helicopter flight training facility, based in the high altitude environment ofPrescott,Arizona.
In the Fall of 2013, the Cirrus SR20 G3 will take flight, commencing ThinkGlobalFlight.org’s mission of promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Education through the excitement of and Around-The-World Flight of Adventure. International Student Command Centers in classrooms around the world will be connected via the Internet utilizing the ThinkGlobalFlight.org website, multiple Facebook pages, streaming audio, video, podcasts and other web based mediums.
State Aviation Journal Headlines
- Nebraska Governor Proclaims May General Aviation Appreciation Month May 17, 2012
- FAA Releases New GA Airports Study May 15, 2012
- U.S. Students Do Well in International Aviation Art Contest May 15, 2012
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