Wright Memorial Dinner
Good evening, and thank you, Lisa [Piccione]. I’ve got to tell you … I had to resist the go-to move to, in the interest of safety, to spend some time talking about why doing “Indiana Jones” style stunts in an airplane would be a really, reallybad idea.
But that’s not what tonight is all about. We’re honoring a pilot, a man who in spite of being a very well known celebrity has used his passion to serve as a springboard for aviation. Even in this room, Harrison Ford’s passion for aviation stands out. When he and I met and talked at a fundraiser at Oshkosh a few years ago, I learned pretty quickly that this is somebody who just loves aviation. Here’s a guy who is on Hollywood’s speed dial, and he wants to talk about hisidea of fun… which is actually a two-parter: flying, or talking about flying.
In my book, he’s very clearly a student of the craft. Our system is as good as it isbecauseof him and people like him. There’s no special setting for pedigree on the yoke. You have to know your aircraft, and youhave to make sure that you’re both current and qualified when it comes to flying it.
The good news here is that is exactly what we find in Harrison Ford. I’ve been flying now for almost five decades myself, and after a while you learn that you really can separate the ones that have it from the ones that don’t… Well, trust me, he’s got it.
There’s a hangar in Santa Monica that shows he’s got it bad for things that fly. Fixed wing and rotorcraft rated. Walk in that hangar, you’ll find a Bell, a Beaver, a Husky, a Bonanza and a Caravan. He’s a one-man air show. That’s the inventory of someone who is a student of aviation.
But I must tell you, that list of aircraft takes a back seat to what he has given toour industry. As chairman of the Young Eagles, he has been instrumental in giving our youth their first taste of aviation … their first flight. In his case, the word “chairman” was not a ceremonial title. You might expect that as chairman, he might have flow a fewyoungsters by himself. But you know what? He’s actually flown 306 … to be exact. That’s right kids; Han Solo is the pilot in command. Except you can bet those kids didn’t want to be Han Solo. They wanted to be Harrison Ford, the pilot.
We’re always looking to ways to boost aviation… to inspire the next generation into aviation, especially to the youth of America. Here’s a guy who does it. We’re all about getting more science, more math, more engineering into our school curriculums. With aviation, you can do all three in with just a barrel roll or two. Wall Street can have Michael Douglas. We got Harrison Ford. Score one for aviation.
Harrison has also been an outspoken advocate for aviation safety. He’s spoken up about runway incursions and airborne turbulence. His ticket shows me enough ratings to know that he’s not casual about aviation … he’spassionate. And when I talk about professionalism, I’m talking about the man we’re honoring here tonight.
He has given much to aviation, but his legacy will be as a pilot… as an advocate… as a man whose passion is to enjoy the cockpit view of the horizon … and to give others a chance to do the same. And thatis a very fine legacy and certainly worthy of the honor he’s receiving tonight. Thank you.
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The rarely seen footage comes as the company fiercely fights back following a whistleblower’s testimony on Capitol Hill, where a longtime engineer made some alarming allegations.
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Several months after her viral moment, Tiffany Gomas has garnered fresh attention with an eye-catching new post.
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My wife and I are scheduled for an Alaskan cruise in the fall. By all accounts, it’s something to which we should look forward. I’ve been told the same thing about other trips, including a Vegas…
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In the nearly two decades of A380 operations, the superjumbo has never suffered a fatal accident. Why is this and does that make it the world’s safest aircraft?
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Spoiler alert: It’s made possible by this game-changing foot hammock, infinity neck pillow, moldable ear plugs, and more.
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MOBERLY, Mo. (KMIZ) A small plane made an emergency landing just east of Renick, Missouri, on Wednesday afternoon, according to Randolph County Sheriff Aaron Wilson. Wilson told ABC 17 News in a text message that the pilot was not hurt and that deputies took the pilot to a hotel in Columbia. Wilson said the plane
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Alexander Foss, 20, was a junior majoring in aviation flight at Purdue.
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The pilot and his dog were on board the single-engine Piper PA-32 when it crashed off the coast of Rancho Palos Verdes in California.
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Flight Radar 24 shows the moment a small plane flew over Hartsburg Tuesday and lost contact after it crashes into the woods.
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Pilot reported engine issues before small plane crashed just off California coast on Sunday
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MOSCOW: Air New Zealand announced on Wednesday that it will launch the first flights of the Beta ALIA electric cargo aircraft for commercial demonstra…
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Planes battled through flash floods at the Dubai International Airport on Tuesday 16 April, as heavy rain battered the United Arab Emirates. Planes arriving into Dubai airport – the world’s busiest for international travel – were also temporarily diverted on Tuesday evening to other locations. A spokesperson for the airport told The Independent on Tuesday: “Due to the intense storm, operations were temporarily suspended for 25 minutes this afternoon, but have since recommenced, and are now in recovery mode.”
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A U.S. Navy patrol aircraft flew through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, just hours after a conversation between the Chinese and U.S. defence chiefs, in which Beijing warned Washington of the ultra-sensitive nature of the Taiwan issue.
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There were two people in the plane, and Honolulu EMS confirmed no one was injured.
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A small plane made an emergency landing in Kapiolani Park on Tuesday afternoon, in a spectacle that shocked bystanders and triggered a large response.
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HONOLULU (KHON2) — A small plane has made an emergency landing in Kapiolani Park. Honolulu EMS said no injuries have been reported.
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With all the conflict going on in the world, there have been reports of doomsday planes being spotted. What is this aircraft and when is it deployed?
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