Originally published in 1997
In 1995, Cessna said they would make four varieties of single-engine planes starting in 1996: the 172 Skyhawk, the 182 Skylane, the 206 and 206T.
On January 3, 1996, Cessna Aircraft Company delivered the first new 172 Skyhawk built since 1986. The delivery set the stage for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) -· Cessna’s first customer — to hand off the airplane to Sharon Hauser, winner of AOPA’s 1995 Sweepstakes.
Originally published in 1997
The Lone Star Flight Museum was designated the site of the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame by Concurrent Resolution of the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas. The mission of the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame is to honor and recognize Texans, Texas companies and aviation events that have made an outstanding and lasting contribution to the advancement of aviation.
The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame will promote and encourage scholarly research in the field of aviation; increase public understanding, appreciation and awareness of the role of the State of Texas in the advancement of aviation; and preserve, protect and present Texas’ aviation heritage for future generations. Future plans include a 10,000 square foot expansion to the Lone Star Flight Museum to accommodate the development of the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame.
The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame will be officially dedicated at a reception, Friday, May 2, 1997, where the first exhibit will be unveiled. Speakers will include the Chairman of the Board of Stewards of the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, Ben F. Love, and board members Lloyd Bentsen, Dr. S. Malcolm Gillis, Tom Landry, Oscar Wyatt, John Bookout and Robert Waltrip.
A Texas size weekend air show featuring the best air show performers in the nation will celebrate the dedication of the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. In addition to aerobatics and formation flying demonstrations, the Lone Star Flight Museum’s aircraft will present a World War II demonstration complete with a powerful pyrotechnic display with strafing, dogfights and more. Ground participation will include vintage firetrucks, etc., simulating the attack on Pearl Harbor, as well as concessions, vendors, exhibits, safety seminar and a special appearance by NASA astronauts. In addition, the Nassau Bay hot air space shuttle balloon will be on site. For information on either of these events contact Mary Joe Naschke 409/ 762-3930.
Originally published in 1997
Since none of the aeronautical disciplines are currently represented at the Olympic Games, the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), has decided to start its own World Air Games.
The first World Air Games will take place in September 1997, in Turkey, and will showcase every facet of the aeronautical sports: Aerobatics, Soaring, Helicopter Precision Flying, Para-gliding and Hang-gliding, Ultralights, Hot Air Balloons, Skydiving, Remote Controlled Model Aircraft.
The Long Distance event of these World Air Games will be a Race open to single and multi engine piston aircraft, turboprops and light jets starting in Reykjavik (Iceland) and reaching Antalya (Turkey) in 12 days after several stop-overs in Strasbourg (France), Seville (Spain), Rome (Italy, Jerusalem (Israel), Amman (Jordan), Trabzon and Adana (Turkey).
The aircraft will be handicapped against their maximum cruising speed. The winners will be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals. The entry fees for an aircraft with a crew of 2 are US$ 11,400. If you want to represent your country, send US$100 for a pre-registration package to Marc Mosier, P. 0. Box 1050, Troy, VA 22974, Tel: 804/589-2274.
Originally published in 1997
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Amelia Earhart, America’s premier woman aviator. The first woman to fly the Atlantic in an airplane -initially as a passenger in 1928 and then solo in 1932 -the first woman to pilot an aircraft across the United States, one of the organizers and the first president of The Ninety Nines, she was arguably among the most notable women of the 2oth century.
This March is the 60th anniversary of Earhart’s attempt to fly around the world, and Linda Finch of San Antonio, Texas, will take off from Oakland, California, in an AE-replica Lockheed 1 OE and attempt to complete the flight following the exact route flown by Earhart in 1937, spanning five continents and making more than 30 stops in 20 countries.
Originally published in 1997
“The Ovation has been one of the most successful new aircraft introductions in our company’s history,” said Mooney President and CEO Bing Lantis. “It serves to define the upper end of the normally aspirated class, and provides its owners with serious airplane capabilities. Furthermore, by contributing well over $30 million in revenue to the local economy, it brings significant visibility to us regionally in attracting additional employees to our growing business.”
The four-place Ovation has a cruise of 190 knots indicated airspeed behind a 280 horsepower Continental engine. The aircraft was introduced in 1994.
Serial No. 100 Ovation was delivered with a dark blue base, graystone crown and titanium trim striping. “The 100th Ovation” in a large script decal was emblazoned on both sides of the fuselage, together with a similar custom logo on the headrests.
Mooney, based in Kerrville, Texas, also builds the 200-horsepower MSE and the 270 horse turbo-intercooled TLS Bravo. A fourth model, the 220-horsepower turbo-intercooled Encore, is slated for production in the second quarter of this year.
By the way, the aircraft pictured on the front fold of TxDOT’s multi modal Texas Highway Map is a Mooney “Ovation” with a Texas flag paint job—- and, so is the aircraft pictured with Dave Fulton, TxDOT’s Aviation Division Director, on the September 1996, cover of Texas Flyer Magazine!
Originally published in 1997
Medical and non-medical personnel are needed for every mission!
The Flying Doctors of America (FDA) have scheduled their first equestrian medical mission, March 28 – April 6, 1997.
Besides their normal medical team, veterinarians are needed to treat village animals. They will bring medical care to four remote villages in the jungle region of northern Guatemala. This area is noted for its bird life, spectacular Mayan Ruins and flora.
“After flying to Guatemala City and resting for the night you will take a charter aircraft into the rain forest/jungle region of Northern. Guatemala and stay at the jungle lodge “El Sombrero” on the shores of Lare Yzxha (Mayan Ruins). FDA will provide a Medical Clinic that afternoon.
Day 3 – You leave through the rain forest on horseback to the small village of El Zapote. FDA will provide a Medical Clinic the next day.
Day 5 – You push on further into dense jungle to reach the village Macanche. FDA will provide a Medical Clinic the next day.
Day 7 – You and your horse are now best buds … “l love you man” and together you trek on to the last village – Coaba. FDA will provide a Medical Clinic the morning of Day 8, returning via jeep to the jungle lodge where you’ll overnight. Day 9 back to Guatemala City, then USA on day 10. Call the Flying Doctors of America for cost, 770/451-3068.
Please note this is a Level Ill Mission. That means some of the time you will be in tents, no flush toilets, limited electricity, purified water, river bathing, etc. Not recommended for anyone who has not ridden horses. They recommend that you condition your “arse” with horseback riding before going.
The Flying Doctors of America have also been invited to bring medical care to Northern Vietnam – Hanoi. Please let the them know if you are interested in going to Vietnam. It would be a 10-day mission (Friday to Sunday) in October, 1997, and cost around $2485.
“A person’s mind, stretched to a new idea, never goes back to its original dimensions” -Oliver Wendell Holmes
Originally published in 1997
The City of Waco honored Gardner by declaring February 13, 1997 “Jim Gardner Day”. This honor was bestowed upon him because he has been named 1996 Aviation Safety Counselor of the Year by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
A national honor, the Aviation Safety Counselor of the Year award is presented to one individual per year and recognizes the efforts of more than 4,000 safety counselors across the country.
Gardner, active in many community programs has been a strong proponent of safe aviation in Central Texas. Besides serving as corporate pilot for the Texas Farm Bureau, he is the secretary of the Waco Aviation Safety Committee. This committee produces pilot safety seminars under the sanction of the FAA’s Accident Prevention Program.
Tommy Miller, president of Waco Aviation Safety Committee, said “Jim has done a great deal to advance the cause of safe aviation in the Central Texas area. The pilots who fly here are grateful for his efforts.”
Originally published in 1997
Texas’ general aviation airports are in immediate need of operational and safety funding to preserve existing facilities and prevent closures. A West Texas judge is trying to do something about it.
Terrell County Judge Dudley Harrison is leading counties in a concerted effort to secure adequate funding for maintenance and repair costs. “We (in Terrell County) are fortunate in that our facility is adequate, but there are far too many general aviation airports in our great State that are woefully inadequate. The federal curtailment of funding has and will continue to leave our communities incapable of accommodating basic air transportation.” Judge Harrison said.
Judge Harrison, who served in the House of Representatives from 1983 to 1991, pointed out that the economic vitality of many communities is directly dependent upon safe and well maintained airports. Federal funding for these airports has reached its all-time low, having dropped by ninety percent since federally assisted airports were created.
The Texas Association of County Officials (TACO) is working closely with county leaders in developing a legislative proposal to address this essential service and contribution to Texas’ economy. For more information, contact Carey Boethel at 1-800-456-5974.
Originally published in 1997
On October 9, 1996, President Clinton signed a bill into law reauthorizing funding for the Federal Aviation Administration for the next two years. Although this legislation covers all aspects of the FAA, the major impact for TxDOT is the reauthorization and changes made to the Airport Improvement Program.
Under the new legislation, the State Block Grant Program has now become permanent. That means that the Texas Department of Transportation will continue to manage the federal grant program for general aviation placing the reliever airport program, of which Texas has 21, and the non-primary commercial service airports, of which Texas currently has none, under state oversight as well. We think that this is a significant step in the right direction giving more flexibility and predictability for federal grant funding to these classes of airports. Funding levels for general aviation airports during Fiscal Year 1997 will continue at approximately the same level as Fiscal Year 1996.
Although the decline in federal funding for airports finally ended with the funding level approved for FY 1997, the Administration has submitted a budget for airport improvement grant funding for next year that could reduce our federal grant program for general aviation airports by 50%! With our overall airport grant program already severely under funded, a further reduction in federal funding would have an extremely detrimental impact on our state airport system.
A second concern is the balance of the Aviation Trust Fund. The collection of revenue for this fund ended on December 31, 1996. Unless Congress takes immediate action, the fund will be bankrupt by sometime in March leaving most of the FAA’s programs and services without financial resources with which to operate. Indications are that the Congress has made this matter a high priority. Hopefully, this problem will be corrected by the time you receive this newsletter. Stay tuned!
Originally published in 1997
The 47 founding members of GA Team 2000 have pledged to get the industry moving again through a cooperative multi-year effort to educate the public on the benefits of general aviation and increase student pilot starts. “With the passage of product liability reform and revitalized aircraft production, this is the moment to pull together to get flight training and participation in aviation growing again,” said General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) President Ed Stimpson, chair of GA Team 2000. ”The program will be highly focused and based on solid market research. Innovative approaches and up-to-date messages will attract today’s high-potential customers,” said Stimpson. “It will be a campaign focused on today and tomorrow, not looking back to yesterday!”
Research shows that 1.2 million Americans are strong prospects to enter the world of general aviation. The program will reach and educate these potential new pilots on the challenge and fun of flying, and why and how to get started now.
