Post by Major Destruction on Dec 16, 2005 13:33:51 GMT -5
~ AOPA Close to Home ~
AIRPORT SUPPORT NETWORK VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN OKLAHOMA
There are more than 1,700 dedicated individuals across the country defending America's community airports. They're the AOPA Airport Support Network volunteers serving as AOPA's first line of defense by being our local eyes and ears. And we need your help in Oklahoma. Whether or not your airport is facing a threat, now is the time to get involved—several primary general aviation airports do not have ASN volunteers to watch over them. Please help AOPA promote the value of GA in your community by volunteering at your airport today! Click here to see which airports in your state need volunteers. To learn more about the ASN program and submit a nomination, see AOPA Online.
AOPA MEMBER TO CELEBRATE 100TH BIRTHDAY IN FLIGHT
AOPA has some long-time members, but one stands out this week. Captain Johnny Miller, of Poughkeepsie, New York, was planning to celebrate his 100th birthday on Thursday with a short flight—weather permitting—in his Beechcraft Bonanza. "Johnny has been flying since 1923—I'm sure many pilots hope to enjoy their passion for aviation as long as he has," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Happy birthday, Johnny." Miller saw Glenn Curtiss take off once and decided, at the young age of 4, that he was going to be a pilot. "I never changed my mind," Miller said. Miller was a barnstormer, a test pilot, an airmail pilot, and an airline pilot for United and Eastern airlines. He also was the founding director of the American Bonanza Society and continues to write for ABS publications. He has passed his love for aviation on to his family, teaching a son and grandson how to fly over the years. AOPA Pilot magazine featured Miller in the December 2003 "Pilots" department, and you'll be able to read about him again in an upcoming issue.
NEW MEXICO TO BECOME SPACE HUB FOR VIRGIN GALACTIC
When it comes to private space flight, think New Mexico. Low population. Clear skies. Stunning scenery. Just add a huge infusion of cash. Virgin Galactic and New Mexico officials jointly announced an agreement this week that will lead to the building of a $200 million commercial spaceport on a 27-square-mile area of land in the southern part of the state near Las Cruces. Virgin Galactic, an offshoot of Richard Branson's empire, said it will locate its world headquarters and mission control in New Mexico. The Spaceship Company, an offshoot of Burt Rutan's enterprise in Mojave, California, will provide five spaceship systems to Virgin Galactic with options for more. Virgin Galactic will begin commercial operations in Mojave then move to New Mexico once the spaceport is complete.
MINNESOTA CAP MEMBERS PARTNER WITH AOPA ON AIRPORT WATCH
Members of the Civil Air Patrol's (CAP's) Minnesota Wing are teaming up with AOPA to enhance security at airports in Minnesota, using the association's proven Airport Watch Program. "Airport Watch is modeled after the highly successful neighborhood watch programs already in place across the United States," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Our local airports are like neighborhoods, and the people who are there regularly—pilots, airport employees, and managers—know what's normal and, more importantly, what's not." The Airport Watch Program calls on the 618,000 pilots in the United States to watch for any unusual or suspicious activity at their local airports, and report it either to local law enforcement or to a special toll-free hotline established by the TSA as part of the program: 866/GA-SECUR[E] (427-3287).
AIRPORT SUPPORT NETWORK VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN OKLAHOMA
There are more than 1,700 dedicated individuals across the country defending America's community airports. They're the AOPA Airport Support Network volunteers serving as AOPA's first line of defense by being our local eyes and ears. And we need your help in Oklahoma. Whether or not your airport is facing a threat, now is the time to get involved—several primary general aviation airports do not have ASN volunteers to watch over them. Please help AOPA promote the value of GA in your community by volunteering at your airport today! Click here to see which airports in your state need volunteers. To learn more about the ASN program and submit a nomination, see AOPA Online.
AOPA MEMBER TO CELEBRATE 100TH BIRTHDAY IN FLIGHT
AOPA has some long-time members, but one stands out this week. Captain Johnny Miller, of Poughkeepsie, New York, was planning to celebrate his 100th birthday on Thursday with a short flight—weather permitting—in his Beechcraft Bonanza. "Johnny has been flying since 1923—I'm sure many pilots hope to enjoy their passion for aviation as long as he has," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Happy birthday, Johnny." Miller saw Glenn Curtiss take off once and decided, at the young age of 4, that he was going to be a pilot. "I never changed my mind," Miller said. Miller was a barnstormer, a test pilot, an airmail pilot, and an airline pilot for United and Eastern airlines. He also was the founding director of the American Bonanza Society and continues to write for ABS publications. He has passed his love for aviation on to his family, teaching a son and grandson how to fly over the years. AOPA Pilot magazine featured Miller in the December 2003 "Pilots" department, and you'll be able to read about him again in an upcoming issue.
NEW MEXICO TO BECOME SPACE HUB FOR VIRGIN GALACTIC
When it comes to private space flight, think New Mexico. Low population. Clear skies. Stunning scenery. Just add a huge infusion of cash. Virgin Galactic and New Mexico officials jointly announced an agreement this week that will lead to the building of a $200 million commercial spaceport on a 27-square-mile area of land in the southern part of the state near Las Cruces. Virgin Galactic, an offshoot of Richard Branson's empire, said it will locate its world headquarters and mission control in New Mexico. The Spaceship Company, an offshoot of Burt Rutan's enterprise in Mojave, California, will provide five spaceship systems to Virgin Galactic with options for more. Virgin Galactic will begin commercial operations in Mojave then move to New Mexico once the spaceport is complete.
MINNESOTA CAP MEMBERS PARTNER WITH AOPA ON AIRPORT WATCH
Members of the Civil Air Patrol's (CAP's) Minnesota Wing are teaming up with AOPA to enhance security at airports in Minnesota, using the association's proven Airport Watch Program. "Airport Watch is modeled after the highly successful neighborhood watch programs already in place across the United States," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Our local airports are like neighborhoods, and the people who are there regularly—pilots, airport employees, and managers—know what's normal and, more importantly, what's not." The Airport Watch Program calls on the 618,000 pilots in the United States to watch for any unusual or suspicious activity at their local airports, and report it either to local law enforcement or to a special toll-free hotline established by the TSA as part of the program: 866/GA-SECUR[E] (427-3287).
