EAA Oshkosh 2009 July 27, 2009
Posted by Juice in Flight.Tags: Abingdon Watches, airventure, Aviation, Lancair, oshkosh, womenventure
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It’s that time of year again. Oshkosh, one of the largest aviation shows in the world begins today. People from different countries fly in and Americans bring in their planes from their home airports for the event. Miles of anything having to do with flight unravel ahead of you once you’re at the front gate.
This is a big year for me – for a couple reasons. One is that, for the first time, Abingdon Watches will be sold at the show through the PilotMall booth! We are also releasing a press release about the third model. I will tell you more about that later.
So come down if you can make it. You need at least three days to cover everything. And if you are flying in, I recommend going in with someone who has done it before because the procedures can be tricky if you are not familiar.
And come say hi to me at the Lancair booth!
Obama Honors Historical Women Pilots July 13, 2009
Posted by Juice in Flight, Politics.Tags: Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, Jackie Cochran, July 1, military aircraft, Nicole Malachowski, Obama, Rosie the Riveter, S.614, WASP, Women Airforce Service Pilots, World War II
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Almost two weeks ago, on July 1, President Obama signed S.614, a bill to award the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. The WASP, the first group of women to fly military aircraft for the United States, reported for duty more than three decades before women in the United States were allowed to attend military pilot training with full military status. An excellent movie about their story is depicted through the film Fly Girls (1999).
“The Women Airforce Service Pilots courageously answered their country’s call in a time of need while blazing a trail for the brave women who have given and continue to give so much in service to this nation since,” Obama said. “Every American should be grateful for their service, and I am honored to sign this bill to finally give them some of the hard-earned recognition they deserve.”
To release male pilots for combat duty overseas, the 1,102 WASP flew military aircraft in the United States during World War II. Fewer than 300 are alive today; three of those women joined the president in the Oval Office. Five active duty United States Air Force pilots who followed in their footsteps—including Major Nicole Malachowski (very cool lady, might I add), who was instrumental in promoting the bill—were also present for the signing.
These women were truely pioneers for what we have today and I am glad to hear they are getting the recognition they deserve! I think Jackie Cochran would be proud. And anyone who puts in the word “WASP” in the checkout when ordering an Abingdon Watch will get free shipping and an extended five year warranty.
Is it a car? An airplane? July 5, 2009
Posted by Juice in Flight.Tags: aerocar, helicron, Lane Motor Museum, vintage
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In the late 1930s, this one-of-a-kind Helicron was placed in a barn and forgotten. More than six decades later this odd lost little gem was rediscovered, rebuilt, and reintroduced to the world. Although the manufacturer is unknown, it’s believed that this car was built in France 1932. Following the first World War it was not uncommon for recently displaced airplane engineers to look towards the automobile industry for employment.
As in this example, a few entrepreneurs developed propeller-powered cars with the notion that propeller power was an efficient means of moving a vehicle. On this car, when the wooden propeller is spinning at full speed and efficiently, this little 1,000-pound boat-tailed skiff can hit freeway speeds exceeding 75 mph. This is the one and only Helicron in existence, owned by Lane Motor Museum in Nashville ,Tennessee.
