 NAA Record February 2012
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Collier Winner to be Named at
NAA Spring Awards Ceremony
The nomination period for the 2011 Robert J. Collier Trophy closed on January 31, 2012. The Selection Committee to choose the winner has been assembled and includes stalwarts of the industry and past Collier recipients. The selection will be made on March 12, 2012 from the following nominees:
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner
The C-5M Super Galaxy
The Gamera Human-Powered Helicopter
The Taurus G-4 Electric-Powered Aircraft
The tradition to announce the winner the day following the selection continues. The 2011 Collier Trophy winner will be announced at the NAA Spring Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott.
The NAA Spring Awards Ceremony and Luncheon will also recognize the Most Memorable Aviation and Space Records of 2011 and will include the presentation of the Stinson Trophy to the Honorable Carol Carmody. Register here or email [email protected] for additional information.
The 2011 Collier Trophy will be presented at the annual Collier Dinner on May 10, 2012. The Collier Trophy has been awarded annually since 1911 "for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year."
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Most Memorable Aviation and
Space Records of 2011
Each year, as the official record keeper for United States aviation, NAA tracks dozens of world and national record attempts. New U.S. records are certified and those qualifying as world records are then ratified with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). At the end of each year, under the direction of the Contest and Records Department, a list of the "most memorable" is created.
Here's a glimpse of the Class of 2011:
- Stan Buddenbohm threw his balsa wood and carbon fiber model glider into the air in an airship hanger and it flew there for 1 minute and 52 seconds, breaking the previous duration record he had set in 2010. See it fly on YouTube.
- Boeing pilots Michael Carriker, Chad Lundy, Gregory McCann, William Roberson, Rodney Skaar, and Christine Walsh set a new distance record of 11,894 miles in their 787 Dreamliner while flying from Seattle, Washington to Dhaka, Bangladesh on the first leg of an around-the-world flight requiring just one fuel stop. The previous record of 10,501 miles was set in 2002.
- The piston airplane speed over a three kilometer course record was set by Will Whiteside in his Yak-3. He flew an average speed of 416 mph which broke the previous record by 112 mph.
- The free three turnpoint distance record for multi-place gliders was set twice in 2011 by Gordon Boettger and Hugh Bennett in their Schempp-Hirth Duo Discuss glider. 1,321 miles is their latest and greatest distance.
- Gulfstream G650 pilots William Dobbs and Ronald Newton established a speed record when they flew non-stop from Burbank Airport in California to Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia in 3 hours and 26 minutes averaging 623 mpg.
- The University of Maryland's "Gamera" human-powered rotorcraft flew in ground effect for 11.4 seconds, shattering the duration record of 4.2 seconds it had set two months prior.
- In its final flight, NASA Space Shuttle Discovery, commanded by Steven Lindsey, set a new record for assembled mass of spaceships linked in flight when it docked with the International Space Station on February 26. The total mass was 1,135,569 pounds.
Click here for more detailed information on these records. These amazing record setters will be honored at NAA's Spring Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on March 13, 2012.
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FAI World Helicopter Championship
Coming August 22-26, 2012
The 14th Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) World Helicopter Championship (WHC) will take place August 22-26, 2012 at the Drakino Airfield in Russia, located 60 miles south of Moscow.
The event will be organized by the Federation of Helicopter Sport of Russia, Federation of Aviation Sports of Russia, DOSAAF of Russia and Moscow Regional Aviation Technical Sports Club, and supported by the Ministry of Sports, Tourism and Youth Policy of Russian Federation, Moscow Region Government and Administration of the Serpukhov District under the auspices of the FAI Rotorcraft Commission.
"In addition to determining world champions, this event is designed to promote and popularize helicopter sports, develop international aeronautical relationships, exchange experience and improve flying skills, attract public attention to aviation sports, and advance the role of helicopters in different areas, including rescue operations," says Irina Grushina, Championship Director.
Each competing crew consists of a pilot and a crew member. Both must possess a valid FAI Sporting License issued by their own national aero club. Each crew may compete for the individual title of "Helicopter World Champion." A crew can be all-male, all-female or "mixed" - male and female. If more than three countries participate with all-female crews, an individual World Female Title will be awarded.
Each National Team must be composed of a minimum of three and a maximum of five crews which must be declared and published no later than 12 hours before the competition starts. A country unable to enter the minimum team of three crews, required for national team classification, may enter individual crews. All national teams may include an unlimited number of pilots to compete in the Freestyle Event only.
Official Rules and Regulations may be downloaded at
www.fai.org/cig-documents.
Helicopters of any type with sufficient characteristics to execute FAI World Helicopter Championship events may compete in the event. A valid Certificate of Airworthiness and a Certificate of Registration issued by FAA (or its foreign equivalent) must be submitted to the Organizer for every competing helicopter. Helicopters of the following types are available for rent in the Moscow area: R-44 Raven1, R-44 Raven 2, R-22, Bell-407, Eurocopter AS 350 B2 and B3. Federation of Helicopter Sport of Russia will assist participants unable to bring their own competition aircraft in hiring helicopters on their request.
The deadline to enter the competition is June 20, 2012.
More information
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Honorable Carol Carmody to
Receive NAA Stinson Trophy
The Honorable Carol J. Carmody has been named the recipient of the 2011 Katherine and Marjorie Stinson Trophy.
The award will be presented to Carmody for over 30 years of service to the aviation industry. Her collaborative work in enhancing transportation safety, and her efforts as U.S. Ambassador to ICAO have helped to make the U.S. transportation system significantly safer.
 The Stinson Trophy recognizes a living woman for an outstanding and enduring contribution, a meritorious flight, or a singular technical development in the field of aviation, aeronautics, space or related sciences. It is one of the most important awards in aviation in America.
Carmody has served in the field of aviation as a professional aviation staff member of the Senate Commerce Committee, as the U.S. Ambassador to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and as a member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Members of the Stinson Selection Committee were NAA President and CEO Jonathan Gaffney; Mary Miller, Vice President, Industry and Government Affairs, BBA Aviation/Signature Flight Support; and Shelly Simi, Industry & Public Affairs Strategist, Corporate Communications, Jeppesen.
NAA will award the Stinson Trophy at the NAA Spring Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on March 13, 2012, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia. |
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Rear Admiral Ken Floyd Provided
Insight Into Range of Naval Programs
Rear Admiral Ken "Pink" Floyd gave a wide-ranging update on U.S. Naval aviation programs at the January NAA Luncheon.
He began by noting that 2012 is the 100-year anniversary of Naval aviation and talked about some of the major advancements over the years.
 Today, Floyd noted that "Together with the acquisition community we are transforming our capabilities. These will lay the foundation for the next 100 years of aviation."
He cited the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, which Floyd said is the first new aircraft carrier in 40 years. It is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2015, and he noted several aircraft development programs that are timed to be ready for the 2015 deployment of the new carrier.
Floyd gave a positive report on the Joint Strike Fighter Program, which is tracking to its new schedule and is awaiting clearance for flight testing. He added that "the Super Hornet E and F continue to be among our best performing programs" and that the "E2D is tracking and going well and will offer incredible capability."
"These are great new stories of what is going on today amidst the shift of resources and highly pressurized budget environment," Floyd explained. "Even while facing these considerable pressures and cuts in defense spending I don't believe we need to choose between national security and budget austerity."
Looking into the future, he predicted that the many aircraft in development today will be around a long time - even 20-25 years from now.
"Our best years are ahead of us," Floyd declared. "I am confident in the talent and innovation that we have in the fleet today just like we have had during the past 100 years."
He added, "In my view naval power centered around large deck naval carriers will continue to be part of our national defense. The platforms of today will be the platforms of the future. They will provide a balanced force that will be able to meet the enemy around the world. Our ships and people will remain ready for whatever comes our way."
The luncheon was also notable for the attendance of defense attachés from several foreing countries including Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Gabon, Germany, Italy, Japan, Pakistan, and Peru.
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Bob Bloiun of Hawker Beechcraft (left, back row) hosted several international defense attachés pictured here with Admiral Floyd (center, front row). |
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The Travels of NAA
Every time I travel, I always send to the Executive Committee of NAA an email with the subject line: "Where Is Jonatha n?"
Unfortunately/fortunately, I tend to send those a lot.
NAA has long described itself as the "Aero Club of the United States" and, to serve that function, we are willing to travel the United States and the world to enhance our work and fulfill our responsibilities.
Over the last four years, Art Greenfield (our Director of Contests and Records) and I have made well over 100 trips and flown approximately 225,000 miles to do so. Our visits take us to conferences, commission meetings, conventions, events, and board meetings.
We supply advice, expertise, perspective, and support. We have presented dozens of awards, records, and trophies. We have met some remarkable people and leaders in our industry.
In sum, it helps us to support the people, organizations, and companies which support NAA, and we learn a great deal in the process. We also do it on a very conservative travel budget.
So, when you see the tag line, "Aero Club of the United States," you know that we mean it.
Jonathan Gaffney
NAA President and CEO
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Air Sport Organization News
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Jonathan Gaffney Presents FAI Aeromodeling
Gold Medal to Dr. Laird Jackson
 NAA President and CEO Jonathan Gaffney attended the Academy of Model Aeronautics Board Meeting and Annual Convention in Ontario, California in January 2012 and presented the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) Aeromodeling Gold Medal to Laird Jackson, MD, a lifelong modeler from Lambertville, New Jersey. This is the highest international honor in the sport of Aeromodeling.
Soaring Society of America
Posts Proposed Rule Changes
Based on pilot feedback received during a recent comment period, the Soaring Society of America (SSA) has posted final proposed changes to the U.S. competition rules for 2012 on its Rules and Process page. The changes were submitted to the SSA Board for approval at its meeting in Reno, Nevada in early February.
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ACONE Offering Crash Course
The Aero Club of New England (ACONE) will hold its nationally acclaimed "Crash Course" on Monday, March 5, 2012 from 6:30-9:15 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel (Boston/Bedford Glen) in Bedford, Massachusetts.
 The program will include an expanded 45-minute review of regional accidents, followed by the debut of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's newest safety seminar: Wanted: Alive! Reining in the Fatal Accident Rate.
Latest statistics show the general aviation accident rate is not dropping and pilots continue to find themselves in the same accident-causing scenarios that have plagued them for years.
The program will begin with Amy Corbett, FAA Regional Administrator and an ACONE member, providing the opening remarks.
As the region's largest aviation safety seminar, Crash Course promises to be a most informative, educational and entertaining event. This seminar qualifies towards the FAA Wings program.
For more information, contact Paul S. Diette, ACONE Crash Course Chair, at 508-339-1520 or [email protected].
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Spring Awards Ceremony and Luncheon
Tuesday
March 13, 2012
Recognition of the Most Memorable Aviation Records of 2011 and the announcement of the winner of the 2011 Collier Trophy
Details and Registration
April Luncheon
Tuesday
April 10, 2012
Featuring:
David Bronczek
President & CEO of FedEx Express
Click here to register
Collier Dinner
May 10, 2012 Click here
for more information.
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2012 Katharine
Wright Award
Nominations Close 3/31/12
Awarded annually to a woman who has contributed to the success of others or made a personal contribution to the advancement of the art, sport and science of aviation and space flight over an extended period of time.
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This month's featured member
organizations:
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Records Claimed
December 1 - 31, 2011
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AEROPLANES
Distance: 11,894.18 mi*
Michael Carriker,
Chad Lundy,
Gregory McCann,
William Roberson,
Rodney Skaar, &
Christine Walsh
Class C-1.r, Group III (Jet)
Boeing 787
2 General Electric GEnx
Seattle, WA to Dhaka, Bangladesh
12/7/2011
Speed Around the World, Eastbound: 541.44 mph*
Michael Carriker,
Chad Lundy,
Gregory McCann,
William Roberson,
Rodney Skaar, &
Christine Walsh
Class C-1.r, Group III (Jet)
Boeing 787
2 General Electric GEnx
Seattle, WA
12/8/2011
Speed Over a Recognized Course
Rockford, IL to Titusville, FL: 438.07 mph*
Douglas Matthews
Class C-1.f, Group III (Jet)
Canadair T-33
1 Rolls-Royce
12/8/2011
Speed Over a Commercial Airline Route
Shanghai, China to Chicago, IL: 596 mph
Ken Ritzenthaler,
William Casey, &
Brad Meeder
Class C
American Airlines Boeing 777
2 Rolls-Royce Trent 892
12/28/2011
Except where noted by an asterisk (*), information is preliminary and subject to approval. |
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This Month's
Air Sport Link
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