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Featured Report of the Month:
Embry-Riddle to Present Florida SkyFest 2005
at Daytona Beach International Airport - October 29 and 30

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Richard I. Ward: Flying Thoughts - An Aviator's Flight Through Life

As we climb the inclined path of age, our “mind’s eye” vision becomes extremely sharp and more focused.
I find this to be a very useful and entertaining phenomenon. By: Author

Who can disbelieve when viewing while aloft, the Grand Canyon, the sand dunes of Lake Michigan’s shoreline, the rapid buildup of ice on an airfoil, the violence of storm centers, the patience of air traffic control centers, or approach lights looming into view on a 200 foot and ½ mile visibility instrument approach? To guide one’s aircraft on high brings us closer to God in many ways, and we aviators cherish this relationship.

Within this writing, I believe my younger aviator brothers and sisters will end the read feeling that they have shared enough of my “Flying Thoughts” to gather a sense of what aviation was like for me starting in the early 1940’s and working forward. Many older aviators will most certainly nod their heads and share their own “flying thoughts” in their hard earned solitude.

There is far more to an aviator’s life than winging through the air at speeds not normally experienced by earthlings. I hope to reveal some of these events in such a manner that they might be shared with you. I will thread the needle of life and permit you to see how my patchwork quilt of events brought me to where I am today. Hopefully you will find some of the philosophies that I developed useful.

You will note occasional references to a “higher power”. To me, that means God. Others may use a different term, but that’s OK. If this reference offends you, skip over those sections. It won’t offend me in any way. Lest my readers feel the forthcoming contents of this writing will be dripping with religious overtones – have no fear. I have no intention of imposing my spiritual beliefs on anyone. However, I would find it very difficult, if not impossible to describe the corners of my life that acknowledge and embrace a higher power.

As this book is being written, I must confess that I am doing so as a reflection upon a very fulfilled life. Hopefully it will prompt each reader to take a few moments from your busy day to survey your own experiences by prompting you to relive a few memories of your own. My jottings herein are random. They sway hither and yon, to be sure, but isn’t that the way we live our lives? Nothing ever seems to occur in the exact order in which things are planned, but I find that perfectly OK. Pictures formed in our maturing thoughts become more masterful by the day. A sampling of ones experiences, as they are recalled can be brought together in the corners of our minds providing a beautiful patchwork quilt in our minds eye. Exploring these thoughts can provide us with warmth and comfort during our waning years. I share with you the following notation that I penned many years ago, while viewing our earth from on high. I review the process with comfort more often, as my life moves forward in time!

Reader comments

“The “Flying Thoughts” of Dick Ward is a wonderful mix of aviation lore and life’s lessons and the author’s knack for creative solutions to real life problems both business and personal. We can all benefit from Dick’s proclamation “I’ve been lucky – and the harder I work, the luckier I get.” I highly recommend “Flying Thoughts” to aviators and non-aviators alike.”
Steven E. Dyer, President - Univair Aircraft Corporation

“The book is wonderful! Dick and Donna Ward’s life story is interesting, fun and uplifting. This is a wonderful book about a man and his family who succeeded in so many ways. It will be appealing not only to the aviation enthusiast, but to those who love success stories and the interesting experiences associated with them.”
John L. Parish - Staggerwing Museum Foundation

“As I read Dick Ward’s book, it was like he was saying “Come fly with me;” and I did just that. “Flying Thoughts” is written in an interesting and authentic way that helps one to personally relate with his informative reflections. From the chapters on the “Formative Years” to “Final Landings”, one can be encouraged to see how God influences our lives. He shows us that we all have a positive destiny, too.”
Rev. John Booko

“Seldom do I start and finish a book in one sitting. “Flying Thoughts” is filled with great words of philosophy and intertwined with anecdotes and personal stories from an era of aviation that needs to be remembered. I treasure the Author’s concepts.”
Dick Wagner - Wagner Foundation, Ltd.

“Over the years, I have met some of the world's greatest musical entertainers. It is always a thrill for me to be around such individuals. They have that something "Special". That invisible, positive force, that makes you want to be around them, and absorb all that you can. Richard Ward is one of those "Special, Positive Forces". When you read "Flying Thoughts", you will see that Richard also has command of the English language and makes his story, a fun and informative read. Thank you for letting this man take “flight.”
Col. Rendal Wall - Heritage Guitar, Inc.

About the Author

Richard (Dick) Ward resides in Three Rivers, Michigan with his cherished wife of fifty-five years. Smitten by the aviation bug at a very young age, he purchased and restored his first airplane at the age of fifteen and in 1943 learned to fly seaplanes on the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Aviation ratings include – Commercial, Instrument, Multi Engine, Flight Instructor – single and multi engine, Ford Trimotor FO5 Type Rating, Aircraft & Powerplant Mechanic and Aircraft & Powerplant Mechanic Instructor. His multifaceted aviation and diverse business experiences are well documented within the pages of his numerous published writings of the past.

His many articles have been presented in such publications as – The Rotarian, Industry Week, Business Insight, Business and Commercial Aviation, Aviation Mechanics Journal, Martin Mariner, Airport Services Management, Parents, Solidarity, Battery Man, American Home, Model Airplane News, Flying Models, Private Pilot, Grounds Maintenance, AOPA Pilot, Aero, Grit, and Journal of Small Business. For over twenty years he has written and published a quarterly newsletter for the “Twin Bonanza Association” – a successful aircraft type club that he continues to operate (see www.twinbonanza.com). His first book, “Beechcraft Twin Bonanza – Craft of The Masters,” now in its second printing is a book that well documents the history of the historic Beechcraft Model 50 series and the Military L23/U8 aircraft used in Vietnam.

Preview

“WE INFLUENCE OTHER LIVES MORE THAN WE REALIZE. LET US CHERISH THIS HONOR. This fact was driven home to me a number of years ago in a real way, through the following event. I received a call from our U. S. Congressman’s office in 1987 asking for a favor. (Now that’s a switch.) They were requesting that I consider giving a ride in my 1942 Ryan ST open cockpit aircraft to a 92-year-old gentleman from Sturgis, Michigan. Clyde (Hoopy) Hoopingarner was a pilot in 1917 during World War I, and had never had his hands on the controls since that time. Of course, I told them, I would be honored to do so and to set up a time when we could meet at the Three Rivers Airport.

The day arrived and both the Sturgis and Three Rivers newspaper reporters were on hand to greet and interview him when he arrived. I had already briefed them on the fact that once in the air I would circle over his home in Sturgis and also pointed out that I would let him take the controls while doing so. We all wondered what the fellow would look like and assumed that he might arrive hobbling along with a cane or even worse, in a wheelchair. A car pulled up to the small terminal building and the single occupant promptly got out of the driver’s seat and strolled into the lobby. It was my passenger.

During the interview with the media persons, he displayed a number of items that he had saved through the years; his silk scarf, flight jacket and leather helmet with goggles. Inside his helmet there were the signatures of his flight school classmates.

We walked out to the Ryan and I positioned him in the front cockpit. After strapping him into his parachute, shoulder harness and seat belt, off we went. My Ryan has a small intercom system whereby I can speak to the person in the front cockpit but he/she can’t speak back. I like it that way. Heading southeast to Sturgis, I advised that I was turning the controls over to him and he should shake the stick when he took over. I made a few comments about keeping the wings level and the nose on the horizon and said little more. He handled the aircraft with a reasonable amount of control, so much so, that I allowed him to fly all the way to Sturgis. When he found his house, he circled it twice and I told him to head back to Three Rivers, which he immediately did. Before the landing I did a snap roll then completed the landing while allowing him to keep his hands on the stick and his feet on the rudder pedals. After parking the airplane we shook hands and bid each other farewell. That could be the end of the story except for the following.

A number of years later, Donna and I were in Florida, on the way to Costa Rica in our Beechcraft Twin Bonanza. We first had stopped in Titusville, Florida to visit with my old flying buddy, Bob Biggs, when a phone call came in asking for me. It was the Congressman’s assistant. She somehow tracked me down because of a special event that I should know about. She stated that our old WW I friend had just peacefully passed away. He was discovered in the morning, sitting in his favorite chair with a full-page newspaper article of his last flight with me in the Ryan clutched in his hands. There was a paragraph in the article that quoted him as saying “ It was beautiful!” the Sturgis native said after his half-hour flight over St. Joseph County. “Dick took me clear up there and God, it was beautiful!” There was another quote in the same article. ‘Hoopy’ stated – “A guy tried to sell me life insurance. I told him I’m not going to die.” I agree Hoopy. You never will.”

Te book can be ordered through the publisher Authorhouse, Amazon, Barnes & Noble or if a signed copy is desired, from the author at the address below. The total price for the signed copy which includes shipping in the USA is $18.95.

Richard I. Ward
Forward Horizons, LLC
19684 Lakeshore Drive
Three Rivers, MI 49093 USA
Phone/Fax 269.279.2540
Home 269.279.2535
Flight Operations 269.279.7616
Cell 269.251.2636
Web Page: www.twinbonanza.com

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Grand Sud Evasion: Let’s go for Tunisia from November 10 to 19, 2005

For further information please visit http://www.grandsudevasion.com

Grand Sud Evasion
66 Rue Paul Claudel - 21000 Dijon - France
Tel./Fax: +33 3 80 43 46 93
Mobile: +33 6 13 60 91 97
Email : [email protected] - [email protected]

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New Hypoxia Awareness Training at FACTS® training programs

FACTS® Training, an AirCare Solutions Group company, recently announced a significant expansion of the Decompression module in the FACTS® emergency procedures training programs for corporate crewmembers. Added to all training locations, the Reduced Oxygen Breathing Device (ROBD) provides crewmembers with the opportunity to experience hypoxia in a controlled and monitored environment. Hypoxia awareness can be a life saving experience that 92% of all crews surveyed agreed needs to be included in all emergency training programs.

About FACTS Training
Since 1981, FACTS Training International has been the leading industry standard for Crewmember Emergency Procedures Training. FACTS is a unique, human factors based program designed to train pilots, flight engineers/mechanics, and corporate flight attendants in aircraft emergency evacuation and inflight safety procedures. All are practiced and simulated in the FACTS full-size, full motion cockpit and cabin emergency procedures simulator, the pool and the FACTS Underwater Egress Dunker.

FACTS designed and built the world's only mobile corporate, cockpit and cabin Aircrew Emergency Simulators. Training in the full-size simulators has capabilities unmatched in the industry and provides a realism not available anywhere else.

FACTS is internationally recognized for thorough, intensive, research-based training programs. FACTS trains over 800 crewmembers, and executive frequent flyers per year. FACTS Training is available at Training Centers around the country or at private hangars worldwide.

For additional information on FACTS Training, visit http://www.factstraining.com.


About AirCare Solutions Group
AirCare Solutions Group provides a wide variety of corporate aviation specific-training programs, services, and aviation safety products to private and charter operators. With our combination of aviation-specific services, AirCare Solutions Group has established itself as the one-stop-shop for corporate aviation. Our divisions include:

• AirCare™ International - Inflight emergency medical training and products
• ACCESS™ Assistance - Worldwide 24/7 travel and medical assistance services
• FACTS® Training - Known as the industry standard for Inflight Emergency Procedures Training for corporate flight crewmembers
• AirCare Crews - Professional and contract staffing solutions for corporate aviation
• ASG Interactive - Computer based aviation training
• EMTA - Private and corporate safety and first aid training solutions
• Quality Resources - Aviation consulting and technical writing

For additional information on the AirCare Solutions Group of companies, visit www.aircaresolutionsgroup.com

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From the Logbook "The FAA Aviation Safety programs"...
Do they really work? Read this and you decide!

During the research for this article, I had the great pleasure of going back in aviation history with pilots, instructors, and FAA personnel, past and present, living and dead. I learned a lot about these individuals and their dedication to an objective that had never been tried before. For someone as addicted to aviation as I am, it was a great pleasure to be involved in this tale of living history.

WHEN did they begin?
It appears the beginning was slow but sure and took place around 1964. The actual thought process began earlier, but it took a little coaxing to get the ball rolling. It was kinda sorta haphazard until a lot of work was done and the FAA started accepting it as a doable concept in 1968. Once the first program started showing positive results, and that was the Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics, the other programs followed rather quickly. They all remain until this day as very successful ventures. There were startups in different Regions from 1964 until 1971. When to start and what to offer was left up to the respective offices and to those in charge.

WHAT?
The first program was the Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics, which was followed by the Poker Run, the “WINGS” Program, the Pilot Proficiency Award Program, the FAA PACE Program, and several that are simply called Town Meetings, Safety Gatherings, and something we do in my area almost weekly, the FAA Safety Seminars. No matter the various names or designations, they are offered by the Federal Aviation Administration, helped by an active FAA Safety Program Manager, some FAA Aviation Safety Counselors, donations of time, energy and money from the aviation public, and well attended by flying enthusiasts from all walks of life. They are something we in this ever-shrinking aviation community look forward to, and as a Safety Counselor myself, we are constantly looking for ways to make them more attractive to the flying public and to expand and grow new attendees every time we meet. The numbers show we are succeeding. My hope and desire is that we can add some new and exciting programs to our busy schedule of events planned for this year just so we can keep everyone’s attention.

There are plans in the works to try and incorporate some of the youngster programs and see if that would work. I think the kids would enjoy the upgrade and information after we rework it slightly. If you have a chance, join us for a meeting. They are informative and enjoyable, and a lot of your friends will be there.
WHERE? After Pete Campbell was named by the FAA as the National Accident Prevention Program Coordinator, he gave all the Regional Managers free rein to implement Safety Programs as they saw fit and a bunch began at about the same time. Al Milana had one of the first in Lincoln, Nebraska. He remembered it well when I spoke to him a short time ago. The first program was an all day affair with two Managers speaking and showing a slide show of Takeoffs & Landings and Landing with/without Flaps. He also remembered that the first lapel pin was made like a safety pin with a carving of the Spirit of St. Louis in it. I have one of these, made by Jostens, and wear it proudly.

I personally attended several clinics put on by Pete Campbell and his crew and they were a true learning experience. Some of the alphabet groups are still doing these meetings with great attendance and success, and we hope they continue.

WHY?
When this group of new hires came on board, they quickly recognized that the accident rate was out of hand and that the FAA way of expecting enforcement to take care of every problem was not working. As former Flight Instructors and pilots, they all agreed that the problem started at the training level and that what had to be done was to educate the Flight Instructors first and very soon thereafter the licensed pilots and then the flying public. By the mid 70’s, less than 10 years since this group started working, training accidents were down over 60%, and we have managed to maintain that downward spiral through today.

HOW?
It has been almost forty years since this brainstorm about education working in conjunction with necessary enforcement would reduce aviation accidents and it is working better each year. Aviation still accounts for less than 2% of all the transportation fatalities each year, and last year was no different. We transported over 650,000,000 passengers and had 678 deaths (2003 was the safest year ever for the world’s airline passengers). That calculates to your chances of losing your life while on board an airplane as 1 in a million. No other industry in the world can match these numbers. By way of comparison, vehicle fatalities in the U.S. alone kill 820 people a week. As pilots and flight instructors we are all keenly aware that the root cause for most accidents is pilot error, and that the best and most complete cure for this is education. Actually, we don’t even mind that the FAA is always around for enforcement if all else fails. It really keeps us on our toes.

THE FUTURE:
I look forward to newer and better offerings by all involved and would welcome the FAA back into the fold as presenters of this valuable information. I would like to see them go for the airlines first with some type of mandatory yearly attendance program and then impose it on General Aviation in the near future. Education has to be continuous for it to really work. How could anyone say no to being safer and smarter in this ever changing world of aviation. When you total
up the time spent staying licensed as a pilot, getting a medical exam, a flight review, instrument proficiency and then add an hour of instruction and an hour of flight, it figures out to less than a day, and it doesn’t all have to be done in the same 24 hour period.
It’s really not a big contribution of time to be current and fit to fly.

IN CLOSING:
This article was written totally out of appreciation for a great bunch from the FAA who took on a task that offered them very little benefit. It is a program that over 4,000 FAA Aviation Safety Counselors work on daily for one project or another to make it possible for over 1,000,000 aviation enthusiasts to attend a Safety Program of their choice, free of charge, somewhere in America almost every week. I wanted you to know of this output of energy by everyone involved and to invite you to join us. We need your participation. Meeting places, sound equipment, door prizes, food and beverages, speakers and everything else we use must be donated. Contact your local Flight Standards District Office and tell them you would like to help. Ask them to do a program in your area, get on the mailing list so that you and your friends can attend, and then visit a meeting and watch us work. See if you agree with the majority of the flying community that education really works and the only thing we need is more of it. I personally am still amazed that you can attract a room full of professionals that have the skill to fly an airplane by simply offering some information and free food. Only one person out of every 400 in the United States can fly an airplane and that means 99.8% of our population cannot!

If after reading this article, you still have questions or reservations, check out www.faa.gov or faasafety.gov, contact the FAA (supposedly they have over 100 people in Safety Program managerial positions at the District, Regional and National levels), or feel free to get in touch with me and I’ll tell you what we have accomplished in my area since I started as an Accident Prevention Counselor over 16 years ago. As you can tell, I love to talk about this safety stuff.

Always Remember: Accidents Are Caused And Therefore Preventable!

Stay Informed, Join Us Today! (www.faasafety.gov) It’s FREE!

Copyright Jim Trusty 2005

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December 4-17, 2005: A journey to Central America

Imagine your pilot logbook showing landings in Central America, such as Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras and Mexico. The arrangements have already been made by Air Journey. We have 5 years experience in private flights to Central America. Departure availablr from Key West and Brownsville.

All you have to do is fly - we'll take care of the rest! From authorizations to customs, as well as sightseeing and accommodations; each stop provides unique adventure. Whether it's exploring Mayan Ruins in Tikal, a guided tour of an active volcano in Antigua, bird-watching on a private island in Panama capped by a cruise of the Panama Canal or relaxation for two nights in Costa Rica before flying to Honduras for river rafting.

The longest leg over water is only 375 nm from Key West to the Mexican Coast but we will be skirting the coast of Cuba for 2/3 of the way. The Journey is a visit to the past with Mayan and Colonial Heritage and is a unique cultural experience. Our flights will take us over the jungle and close to active volcanoes and over the Panama Canal.

For further information, please contact:
Air Journey
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.airjourney.com

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African Conservation Project to be Assisted by Cessna Skylane

Wichita, Kan., Sept. 14, 2005 - On foot, J. Michael Fay crossed more than 2,000 miles to document stretches of African wilderness the world had never seen before. He helped establish 13 national parks in the Gabon region of Africa, preserving many species found nowhere else in the world. To begin his next research and conservation endeavors, Fay will take delivery of a new Cessna Skylane 182T 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, at Cessna Aircraft Company, Wichita, Kan.

"The aircraft will range over Central Africa and enable conservationist pilots to zero in on and identify individual species and human settlements," Fay said. "We can count roads and rivers accessible by people, electrical power infrastructure and irrigation systems. It will create access in some of the most remote - and most beautiful - areas on the planet."

The airplane is not only needed to research the terrain, it will help conservationists track roving animals. "All the wild dog and lion radio telemetry is done in a Cessna 182," Fay said. "Following animals over roadless and mountainous terrain can only be done in an airplane. An airplane for conservation projects in East and Central Africa, is what a boat is to a marine program."

The Wildlife Conservation Society chose the Cessna 182 because Cessnas can endure the stress of the African environment. "Cessnas are durable, comparatively easy to fly, and can land on short, unpaved runways," Fay said. "Beyond that, they are mechanically strong, and maintenance is simpler than on other makes. Bush airplanes are subject to damage from dust, rocks and animals. They are almost never hangared, so the heat is always an issue. Cessnas persevere, and are known as the workhorses of Africa. Many of the Cessnas used by conservationists have been in service for decades."

The high-set wing configuration also makes them ideal for aerial surveys. "Cessna employees appreciate knowing many airplanes they build help with important missions, like the conservation efforts Dr. Fay directs," said Phil Michel, vice president of marketing.

Based on unit sales, Cessna is the world's largest manufacturer of general aviation aircraft. In 2004, Cessna delivered more than 900 aircraft and reported revenues of about $2.5 billion. Since the company was originally established in 1927, more than 180,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered to nearly every country in the world. The global fleet of more than 4,000 Citations is the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at www.cessna.com. Cessna Aircraft Company is a subsidiary of Textron Inc., a $10 billion, multi-industry company with 44,000 employees in 40 countries.

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Jetblue Airways donates to Embraer's wanderly High School Graduates
100 students to gain support for university studies

São José dos Campos, September 13, 2005 – Embraer and JetBlue Airways announced the airline will donate US$ 10,000 into a trust fund for the benefit of graduates of Embraer’s Engenheiro Juarez Wanderley High School at each aircraft delivery of its initial order of 100 EMBRAER 190 jets.

Engenheiro Juarez Wanderley High School’s Class of 2004
Picture provided and copyrighted by EMBRAER

The fund will be used to pay stipends to approximately 100 students admitted to universities in Brazil after graduation from EJWHS. The talented, yet sometimes
economically disadvantaged youngsters of São José dos Campos, when admitted to public universities where tuition is not charged, are many times prevented from attending for lacking funds to pay for living expenses outside their hometown. The stipends will provide these living expenses.

Six months after finishing the university course, the students will begin repaying the monies received to create a permanent allowance fund for future students. It is estimated that JetBlue’s total donation after the 100th airplane is delivered will represent 30 percent of the total necessary to render this fund self-sufficient

About Engenheiro Juarez Wanderley High School
Inaugurated in February 2002, Engenheiro Juarez Wanderley High School is funded by the Embraer Education and Research Institute and provides free top quality secondary education to 600 students in three grades. Only pupils enrolled at the public school system for the four years immediately prior to enrollment at EJWHS qualify to take its admission test.

EJWHS students spend nine hours a day at the school, where they also get free meals, uniforms and books. Transportation to its state-of-the art facilities, located 15 kilometers from downtown São José dos Campos, is also included. In 2004, EJWHS graduated its first class of 198 students. With outstanding results, 82 percent passed public and private college and university entrance exams.

For further information, please visit: http://www.embraer.com

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Famous french aerobatics quintes set for Dubai 2005
Patrouille de France in Dubai air show date

The Patrouille de France (PAF), one of the world's most famous aerobatics teams, will make its third Dubai air show appearance this November, where it will perform highly challenging formations, in the daily flying display.The French Wings will embark on a demanding demonstration of aircraft capabilities during Dubai 2005, the ninth international aerospace exhibition, to be held at Dubai Airport Expo from November 20 - 24.

Picture copyrighted by Lieutenant MANEN

With a minimum of 1,500 flight hours each, the eight Alphajet pilots are famous for their diverse display portfolio using eight, four or two aircraft combinations, marked by perfect synchronisation giving illusions of head-on collisions.

"To achieve these very perilous figures, the team members need to trust each other entirely and have blind faith in their leader," said Major Emmanuel Paillou, Leader, PAF. "This trust is obtained thanks to a long and intense training period during which the manoeuvres and crossovers are rehearsed over and over again."

The tricolour two-seater, twin Snecma engine Alphajet aircraft used by PAF for the last 24 years, has a take off weight between five and seven tonnes. It's able to demonstrate all types of spins at a top speed of Mach 0.85 at high altitude and 550 knots at sea level. Its fuel tank gives it a capacity of three hours.

"It's fantastic to welcome back to Dubai this spectacular aerobatics team which will certainly become a focal point for Dubai 2005," said Mansoor Taher, General Manager, Air Traffic Services, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai. "We are currently in negotiations with another key European aerobatics team, and hope to be able to make an announcement soon."

PAF is part of a long tradition that has established the Dubai air show as a truly spectacular event which demonstrates technological edge, according to Clive Richardson, CEO, Aerospace Division, Fairs & Exhibition, (F&E), the organiser of the Dubai air show. "Aerobatics seamlessly combine man and machine in a uniquely engaging way and we are fortunate to see the French Wings in Dubai once again," he said.

Currently around 700 exhibitors from 43 countries have confirmed participation in Dubai 2005, the world's fastest-growing aerospace exhibition.

Dubai 2005 is organised by F&E in conjunction with the Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and in collaboration with the UAE Armed Force.

F&E in conjunction with Royal Jet, the Abu Dhabi-headquartered international luxury VIP aircraft charter company, is also organising the inaugural Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) conference - the first of its kind to run in conjunction with a Dubai air show, to be held at the Le Meridien Dubai on November 19th.

For further information, please contact:
George Kotsolios, MCS Action, P O Box 20970, Dubai.
Tel:+971 4 3902960; Fax: +971 4 3908161; Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.fairs-exhibs.com/airshow05/

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Heli-Asia 2005 - “Role Development in the next Decade”
11-12 October 2005, The Shangri-la Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand

Shephard's Heli-Asia Conference and Exhibition returns to Bangkok, Thailand, in 2005 for the 6th Heli-Asia, the dedicated civil and military helicopter event in the Asia Pacific Region.

The event will be officially opened and General Thammarak Isarangura, Minister of Defence, Thailand has been invited to conduct the opening ceremony.

Heli-Asia 2005 Conference will focus on “Role Development in the next Decade” for Civil and Military Helicopters. The two day conference features a wide range of high level speaker presentations from senior industry, government and military chiefs from around the world. Full conference programme and booking details available online at www.shephard.co.uk/heli-asia/

Heli-Asia 2005 will once again feature a substantial Exhibition with over forty leading companies already exhibiting including major helicopter manufacturers AgustaWestland, Eurocopter, Sikorsky and Boeing along with leading helicopter equipment suppliers including Goodrich, Northrop Grumman, Pratt & Whitney and Turbomeca. An essential opportunity to meet and develop relations with the world's leading suppliers from the helicopter and aviation markets.

For further information, please contact:
Sam Cader - The Shephard Group
Tel: +44 1628 606 979
Email: [email protected]
www.shephard.co.uk/heli-asia/

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An Experience of a Lifetime at Edwards Air Force Base

September 22, 2005 - My name is Rebecca Hicks, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Summer High School Apprentice Research Program, nicknamed SHARP, provided me with an excellent opportunity during the summer of 2005. After an application and an interview, I was selected as one of 10 students to participate in SHARP at Dryden Flight Research Center on Edwards Air Force Base. Though I was nervous about how I would do, by the end of the summer I knew being a part of the SHARP program was a worthwhile experience that I will never forget.

My view of the experience was greatly enhanced by the chance to compare it with the views of the other SHARP students from day to day and the chance to develop nine new friendships. The trips arranged by the SHARP program and the coordinators allowed the 10 of us visit to places we may not have otherwise been able to access, such as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, the Air Force Research Laboratory on Edwards Air Force Base, the Borax Mine in Boron, and the University of California at Los Angeles. Each of these trips was full of information from the tours and full of fun from the company of the coordinators and the other SHARP students.

I received an income for my eight weeks at NASA to stow away in my savings account for college expenses, but most of the time, it felt as if I was being paid to learn and enjoy myself. The NASA SHARP program has given me a significant addition to my memory as well as my resume, and the experience will likely come in handy in the future in more ways than one. I will take a small amount of knowledge and an excellent impression of the office work environment with me into my future, which has definitely been brightened by my involvement in the NASA SHARP program.

Rebecca is a senior at Desert High School located on Edwards Air Force Base.

About SHARP
The SHARP apprenticeship is an eight-week, research-based mentoring program designed for students who excel in engineering, geography, mathematics, science and technology. Some 370 exceptional high school students participated in summer 2005 apprenticeship research program at NASA centers and host universities across the nation. These students were selected from a nationwide pool of more than 2,909 applicants. Some of NASA's top professionals mentored the students, who earned a salary for their services.

For More Information, please visit SHARP

For further information, please visit: http://www.yougeagles.com

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Frost & Sullivan award ONAIR
In-flight communications company wins industry recognition

Geneva - International consultancy Frost & Sullivan has awarded in-flight passenger communications provider, OnAir, with its 2005 Award for Airline & Passenger Focused Strategy. Frost & Sullivan cited an affordable and consistent consumer experience and an ability to minimise airline investment and operating costs as the most significant factors in winning the award.

Specifically, the award recognises OnAir’s adoption of a consumer and customer focused strategy that, according to the market analysis leader, is evident in the company’s choice of target markets – short and long haul flights on both Boeing and Airbus aircraft, – the focus is on pricing, service and the product portfolio, which includes voice and data services.

Dr. Binny Prabhakar, Frost & Sullivan Global Program Manager, Commercial Aerospace, was particularly impressed with OnAir’s business model and said, “We believe that the OnAir value proposition will make airlines more amenable to providing voice and data communications services for passengers across their entire fleets.”

Deployment of OnAir’s GSM- and GPRS-based mobile data and voice services is expected to commence in the second half of 2006 in the European short-haul market. The company has three Letters Of Intent from airlines, putting OnAir at the forefront of this emerging marketplace.

Dr. Prabhakar added, “Pricing of these services will be critical to uptake and penetration rates. We believe that OnAir’s business strategy provides for the right service at the right stage of market growth and importantly, is setting industry standards for realistic end-user pricing.”

OnAir, a joint venture with SITA INC and Airbus, will provide passengers with a full suite of data and voice communications services allowing them to carry on using their personal electronic devices (PEDs) during flights.

George Cooper, CEO of OnAir, said, “We are delighted with this award. From the outset, our priorities have been to deliver a service that meets the expectations of the travelling public and to deliver a rapid Return On Investment for our customers, the airlines. It is very gratifying to have these acknowledged by industry experts.”

Other OnAir services are already available on many international airlines including Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, EVA Air, Iberia, KLM, Malaysia Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Qantas and Virgin Atlantic.

About OnAir
OnAir was launched in February 2005 and is a joint venture with Airbus, the aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, and SITA INC (Information Networking Computing), the world's leading provider of air transport focused applications, communications and IT infrastructure. The company has also integrated the Tenzing operation, the Seattle-based software company which pioneered in-flight e-mail.

The goal of the partnership is to bring the personal communications world of the traveller to the aircraft cabin. The OnAir service portfolio addresses passenger voice and data communications needs on both long- and short-haul flights on commercial Airbus and Boeing aircraft, while focusing on passengers’ needs, offering choice, and ensuring an economically viable business model for airlines. For more information, visit www.onair.aero

About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting major has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community, by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics.
For more information, visit www.frost.com

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Iberia Airlines Today Unveils its Eighth Uniform Collection,
Designed by Adolfo Domínguez

When serving aboard flights, female cabin attendants will wear tunics over their uniforms, and male attendants will wear jackets. Like the rest of their garb, these items will be midnight blue in colour.

The designs are unmistakably the work of Adolfo Domínguez, and are based on soberly elegant suits with jackets. They are made to look good on different body type, and to be suitable for a wide variety of tasks and weather conditions.

To mark the launch of the new wardrobe, Iberia has published a lavishly illustrated book entitled Iberia and its designers: Fifty Years of Fashion.

Today Iberia is Spain's leading airline and also market leader on routes between Europe and Latin America. With sales of more than 4.8 billion euros in 2004, a net profit of 220 million euros, it is one of Europe's most profitable airlines. It is also outstanding for social solidarity and policies to train and provide employment to the handicapped, which earned Iberia recognition as one of the three companies best perceived for social policies, and the first in programmes undertaken in cooperation with employees, according to a 2003 study by the Enterprise and Society Foundation. Along with its franchise partner Iberia Regional, Iberia operates some 1,000 flights each day to about a hundred destinations. The airline carried 30.5 million passengers in 2004.

For more information about Iberia, see http://grupo.iberia.com

Pictures provided and copyrighted by IBERIA

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