Monday, July 27, 2009

The Eagle Has Landed at Auburn University

In commemoration of the Moon landing 40 years ago, Auburn University hosted a symposium on July 16th. The event was put together by Dr. James R. Hansen, Auburn University History Professor and Director of the Honors College. Dr. Hansen invited several speakers including retired NASA director Dr. Michael Griffin, to speak about the space program and specifically the Moon landing. The days events were capped off with a showing of the original CBS news footage of the Apollo 11 launch, and a documentary film "Moonwalk One". The lectures were also made available via podcast for those who weren't able to attend. I have posted the podcast videos below for everyone to enjoy. The first video is the symposium introduction, presented by Dr. James Hansen. The second video is "Keys to Apollo's Success and What They Should Mean for Our Future in Space" presented by Dr. Michael Griffin, former NASA Administrator and current Professor of Engineering at the University of Alabama at Huntsville. The third video is "Why the Moon Is Important" presented by Dr. Richard Miller, University of Alabama at Huntsville Astrophysicist and Lunar Expert. The fourth video is "The Remarkable Saturn V" presented by Dr. Roy Hartfield, Auburn University Professor of Aerospace Engineering. The fifth video is "The Genesis of the Lunar Landing Vehicle" presented by Dr. Christian Gelzer, Chief Historian, NASA Dryden Research Center. The sixth video is "Behind-the-Scenes & Unsung Heroes of the Moon Landings" presented by Mr. Andrew T. Baird, Auburn University Doctoral candidate and Columbus State University History Instructor. The seventh video is "We Came in Peace for All Mankind: The Untold Story of the Apollo 11 Silicon Disk" presented by Dr. Tahir Rahman, M.D., author of book by same title. The eighth and final video is "Armstrong and Aldrin: The First Men on the Moon as Global Icons" presented by Dr. James R. Hansen, Auburn University History Professor and Neil Armstrong Biographer.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

FAR Part 139 Quiz 1

Ask anyone in the aviation industry and they will tell you that FAR Part 139 is one of the most important regulations to know in order to be successful in an airport career. Here is the first in a series of quizzes that I have put together to help test your knowledge of Part 139. Check back periodically for other quizzes covering the rest of Part 139. I would love to here what you think so please be sure to leave me comments and suggestions.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag

This was a great documentary type film covering some of the training that military pilots go through. If you haven't already seen the film I would definitely encourage you to watch it here and let me know what you think.
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Sunday, June 14, 2009

Gathering of Eagles 2009

The first week of June, I was very fortunate to be invited as a guest of aviation artist, Jay Ashurst, for the 2009 Air Command and Staff College (ACSC), Gathering of Eagles (GOE) event. I would like to personally thank Jay, the GOE staff, the ACSC students, and of course the "Eagles" for allowing me to participate in this amazing event.

The Gathering of Eagles program is an annual aviation event that traces its origin back to 1980, when retired Brigadier General Paul Tibbets was invited to visit the ACSC, Maxwell Air Force Base Montgomery, Alabama to share some of his experiences with the students. This visit became the genesis for the Gathering of Eagles program. Each year the ACSC graduating class selects a group of aviation professionals both military and civilian to be recognized for their accomplishments and service, (Eagles). The ACSC then commissions a painting of the "Eagles" and their aircraft. For the past 26 years artist Jay Ashurst has been the vision and talent behind the incredible "Gathering of Eagles" art series. The original painting is reprinted as limited edition lithographs and each is hand signed by the "Eagles" for that year. The lithographs are then sold to help raise money for a scholarship that the ACSC awards to one outstanding cadet each year. During the week long event the "Eagles" are brought in to share their stories first hand with the ACSC class. These interview sessions provide a unique opportunity for ACSC students to hear inspiring stories from some of aviation history's most revered heroes. Each day's interviews are followed by a catered lunch in the base Officers' Club where the event staff gets to enjoy one on one conversation with the "Eagles". After a brief break in the afternoon the ACSC students, event staff, and "Eagles" reconvene for a casual BBQ event held in one of the hangars on base this year. ACSC students are encouraged to bring their spouses and children where they can join in the festivities with the "Eagles". This year the GOE staff arranged to bring in several aircraft for a static display setup right outside the hangar doors. Several of the ACSC students also pooled their talents to form a band that provided outstanding entertainment throughout the evening activities.

This years "Eagles" were; Eugene Kranz (Apollo 13), Bruce Crandall (Medal of Honor), Joe Jackson (Medal of Honor), David Thatcher (Doolittle Raider), Charles McGee (Tuskeegee Airmen), Betty Strohfus (WASP), John Young (Astronaut), Augusto Bedacarratz (Argentine Pilot), Regina Aune (Vietnam Flight Nurse), John Alison (WWII Ace), Wayne Fisk (Vietnam Pararescue), James Hobson (Special Ops Pioneer), Lloyd Newton (Vietnam/T-Bird Pilot), and Jack Broughton (Vietnam Pilot/Author).

If you are interested in finding out more about the Gathering of Eagles program, or about purchasing one of the GOE prints please follow this link to the ACSC Gathering of Eagles, website.
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Monday, March 30, 2009

MacDill AFB AirFest 2009

While I was in Florida this past week I was able to attend AirFest 2009 at the MacDill AFB. AirFest is a great free event open to the public. This year the Thunderbirds were the highlight of the show. There was an incredible turn out, so many people went that the base quickly reached capacity and late comers found themselves parking off base walking in. Unfortunately I was one of those late comers and ended up walking nearly two miles just to get to the show. At the conclusion of the show I was pleasantly surprised to see the Thunderbirds stick around and sign autographs for nearly thirty minutes. I even got a few myself.
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Thursday, February 26, 2009

My Wedding Day

After we all finished getting ready for the wedding we headed out to the runway for a photo-shoot with the Waco Bi-Plane that flew in for us. Thank you so much to Whiskey Bravo Air for making it available and for adding a very special touch to our wedding. We were very excited about having Ezekiel's Photography there to document our day and get some great pictures.
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Nikki Lyon
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Aaron Lyon
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Aaron & Nikki Lyon
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Aaron & Nikki Lyon
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Aaron & Nikki Lyon
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Aaron & Nikki Lyon
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Aaron & Nikki Lyon
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Chelsea, my niece
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Jayden, Nikki's nephew
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Jayden, Nikki, Aaron, Chelsea
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Jayden & Nikki
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Aaron & Nikki Lyon
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Aaron & Nikki Lyon
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Nikki Lyon
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Aaron & Nikki Lyon
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Aaron & Nikki Lyon
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Aaron & Nikki Lyon
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Mike, John, Ryan, Aaron, Tyson, Matt, Brian

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