|
|
Wednesday, April 20, 2005 COMMUNITY EVENT TO INCLUDE GLOBALFLYER VIEWING, AVIATION PIONEER DISCUSSION PANEL SALINA – Aviation will be the centerpiece of a special event, Thursday, April 28, at the Salina Airport. The public will have an opportunity to view the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer and to hear a special presentation, "Dreamers and Achievers, A Panel of Black Aviation Pioneers." Events are free and open to the public; cameras and other recording devices will be permitted. “We are thrilled that Steve Fossett has agreed to allow K-State, the Airport Authority and the Chamber of Commerce to have a public viewing of his amazing aircraft,” said Dennis Kuhlman, dean of K-State at Salina. “And starting the day with the distinguished panel of aviation pioneers will add an exciting historical element to the entire event.” The Dreamers and Achievers panel will feature six prominent aviation professionals discussing the past, present and future of minorities in the aviation industry. Public seating for the panel discussion will begin at 9:30 a.m. that day, with the program beginning at 10 a.m. Guests should allow at least 20 minutes for seating after arriving at the airport. Public viewing of the GlobalFlyer will begin at 11:30 a.m. and will continue until 7 p.m. that evening. Panel guests will be retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Lee Archer, a former Tuskegee Airman and World War II ace; retired Kansas Civil Air Patrol Col. George Mills Boyd, former commander with the Civil Air Patrol who also trained with the Tuskegee Airmen; retired Kansas Rep. U.L. “Rip” Gooch, a pilot in the Black Aviators Hall of Fame; John Hightower, an air traffic controller with the Federal Aviation Administration and founder and executive director of the Aviation Youth Academy; Tahira Lamont Brown, second officer with Federal Express; and Clovis Jones, Jr., a Federal Express captain. Also taking place during this time will be the national Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference – SAFECON. K-State at Salina is host for the 2005 national competition, which will bring in approximately 30 of the nation's top collegiate flight teams. Limited viewing of the competition will be available on the 28th for those waiting to see the GlobalFlyer. All events will take place on the Salina Airport, with public parking adjacent to Hangar 509. Guests should enter the airfield through the perimeter gate north of the hangar and will be directed to the Dreamers and Achievers panel and GlobalFlyer viewing from there.
|