SMYRNA, TENNESSEE – Robert L. “Bob” Carpenter, founder of Carpenter Avionics, an aviation services company based in the Nashville area, has been selected for enshrinement in the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame at its annual gala on Oct. 28, 2017, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. “Mr. Carpenter was a giant in the avionics industry, and he made […]
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Angel Flight pilots help in aftermath of Harvey
BEAUMONT, Texas – When the frantic call to deliver lifesaving infant formula to a Beaumont-area hospital came in, volunteer pilots from Angel Flight South Central were in the air in less than an hour. Pilots Scott Young and Jim Dell flew to Waco to retrieve the medications and then back to Beaumont where transport was […]
Girard receives Master Mechanic award
Dave Girard, technical sales manager at West Star Aviation has received the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award for 50 years as a mechanic. “I am humbled to have received this award from the FAA,” he said. “I started in this business as a teenager and now I work with an excellent group of experienced aviation […]
Ben Ryan flies West
Ben William Ryan, the creator of Ryan Field in Montana, passed away July 26, 2017, at the Montana Veteran’s Home in Columbia Falls. He was 94. In 2005 Ryan and his wife, Agnes “Butchie” Ryan, donated the field to the Recreational Aviation Foundation. “Ryan Field is for everyone to enjoy,” he said. Ryan was born […]
Repo Man Mike Kennedy: Aircraft and adrenaline
His hobbies include performing motorcycling stunts, skydiving, weapons trading, extracting venom from snakes, catching crocodiles, and oh, by the way, he owns a leopard he calls Spot. He is as comfortable in a wingsuit as a businessman is in wingtip shoes.
Love at first flight
Braylon Faulkner, 6, fell in love with airplanes on his first flight. Traveling with his mother Michelle Faulkner and grandmother Carol Faulkner-Davis in September 2012 from Orlando to Providence, Rhode Island, his excitement came to the attention of the Southwest Airlines pilot who invited him to the cockpit before the flight. His father, Brian Faulkner, […]
LaBelle to lead XTI Aircraft Co.
DENVER, Colo.— Robert J. LaBelle has joined XTI Aircraft Company (XTI) as its Chief Executive Officer. He joins XTI after three years as CEO of AgustaWestland North America. Prior to that he served as president of AgustaWestland Tiltrotor Company, the company supporting the development of the AW 609 Tiltrotor. LaBelle joined AgustaWestland in 2004 after […]
Shea joins NASAO
The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) has tapped John Shea as manager of government relations. Shea has several years of Hill experience, which includes work as a legislative assistant for Representatives Chuck Fleischmann and Stephen Fincher, both from Tennessee. “I’m very pleased to welcome John as the newest member of the NASAO team,” […]
Piper taps McEwen for sales
VERO BEACH, Florida — Piper Aircraft has appointed Drew McEwen to Vice President International and Direct Sales, where he will lead Piper Aircraft’s global and factory direct sales efforts focused on growing its trainer business and the international distribution network for the company. He also will oversee the factory direct sales team for fleet, trainer, and special mission […]