Annie “Belle” Lawrence, who died June 24 at the age of 84, was 17 when she earned her pilot license before she had a driver’s license. As a youngster, she saw airplanes buzz over her grandparents’ farm near Lakewood, Georgia, as they landed on a nearby dirt strip. They inspired a passion for aviation in […]
News
Backcountry mail pilot helps preserve way of life
In the small airport lounge at the River of No Return Wilderness in Idaho, Ray Arnold fulfills the wish lists of those who live and work along the only backcountry air mail route left in the lower 48 states, wrote Associated Press reporter Jessie Bonner on June 28. Arnold Aviation employees wheel cardboard boxes into […]
Most-decorated Marine pilot dies at 89
Retired Marine Corps Col. Kenneth L. Reusser, the most decorated Marine aviator in history, who had the dubious distinction of having been shot down in three wars, died June 20 at age 89. According to newspaper reports, Reusser flew a total of 253 combat missions in World War II, Korea and Vietnam and was shot […]
Ed McMahon, fighter pilot
Ed McMahon, best known as a foil to Johnny Carson – a gig that lasted 30 years – died June 23 at the age of 86. Barely mentioned in his obituaries was the fact that during World War II McMahon was a Marine Corps fighter pilot, flight instructor and test pilot. He was sent to […]
Lervold named CubCrafters GM
CubCrafters has named Randy Lervold as its new General Manager. He will lead daily operations and drive long term planning for the company, which manufactures the Sport Cub S2, the Sport Cub, the Super Sport Cub, and the Top Cub. For more information: CubCrafters.com
Disabled veterans contribute to Veterans Airlift Command
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust recently awarded a $35,000 grant to the Veterans Airlift Command, itself a charity which coordinates a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots to provide air transportation for medical and other compassionate purposes to wounded service members and their families. It was the second grant awarded […]
Museum exhibit honors World War II aces
Seattle’s Museum of Flight is the home of the American Fighter Aces Association and holds their collections and archives. Opening June 27, a new exhibit draws from that resource to portray the World War II military experience of fighter ace Maj. James C. Stewart and fellow pilots in the famous 56th Fighter Group, acclaimed for […]
Teenage girls learn about aviation
The Aviation Heritage Center of Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, held its annual Fly Girls workshop during the week of June 22-26, an event designed to help introduce teenage girls to aviation. The 29 girls who attended were taught about aerodynamics, flight planning and weather, and were provided with tours of the airport before being given a […]
Klapmeier bids for Cirrus jet
Former Cirrus Design CEO Alan Klapmeier is making a bid to acquire the rights to manufacture and sell the Vision SF 50 single-engine jet, according to a June 26 news flash from the AVweb on-line newsletter. A source close to the negotiations, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AVweb that Klapmeier announced he has […]