Kyle Franklin and Amanda Younkin Franklin, a young husband and wife wingwalking team, were seriously injured following an accident at the Air Fiesta 2011 air show in Brownsville, Texas, on…
Category: People
Albert Lea Pilot Receives Master Pilot Award
by Jim Hanson Lawrence “Larry” Olson of Albert Lea, Minnesota, recently received the prestigious “Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.” The award, which recognizes 50 consecutive years of accident and violation-free…
Jack Peter… 30-Plus Years Selling Piper Aircraft
DES MOINES, IOWA – Jack Peter, sales manager at Des Moines Flying Service, retired in December 2010, after more than 30 years selling Piper aircraft. Peter’s aviation career began following…
EAA Names New Vice President, Government & Industry Relations
OSHKOSH, WIS. – Sean Elliott, a member of the EAA staff since 1996, has been named the organization’s Vice President of Government and Industry Relations. He succeeds Earl Lawrence, who departed…
U.S. Air Force Announces New Museum Director
DAYTON, OHIO – The United States Air Force announced Dec. 2, 2010, the assignment of Senior Executive Service member and retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John “Jack” L. Hudson as…
Illinois Names New Chief of Aviation Safety
SPRINGFIELD, ILL. – Linda Schumm has joined the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Division of Aeronautics as Bureau Chief of Aviation Safety. Schumm, who has been active in the aviation…
Longtime Illinois Aeronautics Employee Gary Stevens Retires
SPRINGFIELD, ILL. – After 24 years, Gary D. Stevens has retired from the Illinois Division of Aeronautics as Flight Safety Coordinator, and chief airport and heliport inspector for northern Illinois….
Airport Association Honors Michigan Aeronautics Director
LANSING, MICH. – Rob Abent, director of the Michigan Bureau of Aeronautics and Freight Services, was recently honored with the Michigan Association of Airport Executives (MAAE) “President’s Award” at their…
President of South Dakota Pilots Association Made Career Out of Flying & Mining
Grove Rathbun, president of the South Dakota Pilots Association, has turned 80, but remains a very active general aviation pilot after an interesting career in the Air National Guard. He…
Dick Weeden: Still Making A Difference Sixty Years Later
by Ed Leineweber What does it take to make a difference? Big bucks helps, for sure, but as Brodhead Airport’s Dick Weeden has demonstrated throughout his more than 60 years…
Aeronautics Chief Pilot Tim Valento Retires
Aeronautics Chief Pilot Tim Valento, will complete his last flight for Mn/DOT on Tuesday December 7, 2010. He will then step into his new role as a retiree. Valento started…
Wondering Where The Future of Aviation Is? Wonder No More! Meet Ms. Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski
by Jim Bildilli SCHAUMBURG, ILL. – The Illinois Aviation Trades Association (IATA) honored Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski, a 16-year-old student from Chicago, for her commitment to pursue a career in aviation…
EAA Names Schapiro Senior Editor
OSHKOSH, WIS. – The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) has named Stephen A. Schapiro of Chicago, Illinois, senior editor of publications effective July 2010. In his position Schapiro is responsible for…
Wings of Hope
by Melissa Kinsey Several months ago, in a sparsely populated region of Nicaragua, Wings of Hope pilot Clint Hanley received a ham radio call requesting medical transport for a man…
Kunkel, Wixom, Brabazon, Lutz & Kapus Inducted Into Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame
OSHKOSH, WIS. – Robert W. Kunkel of Madison, Richard Wixom of Janesville, Jesse Brabazon of Delavan, Richard Lutz of Oshkosh, and Jeannette C. Kapus of Milwaukee were inducted into the…