FROM: International Society of Aviation Barnstorming Historians,
      Milton Sandy, Jr., Executive Director, P.O. Box 1535,
      Corinth, MS 38835-1535/ 601-286-6087/ 287-4187 FAX/
      MLSandy@TsiXroads.com

BARNSTORMING COL. JOE KITTINGER TO VISIT   FOR RELEASE-9/24/1996
48th Annual Grundy County Corn Festival, Morris, Illinois

        Col. Joe Kittinger left historic Fort Madison, Iowa, bound for
Morris, Illinois, where he will be barnstorming at the Grundy County
Corn Festival.  Facing head winds and dodging changing weather along
the way, Col. Kittinger is expected to arrive on Wednesday, September
25, 1996, and begin giving authentic barnstormer open cockpit bi-plane
rides to passengers during the Corn Festival at the Morris Municipal
Airport from Thursday, September 26th through Sunday, September 29th.
Widely known as a redneck pilot because of his trademark red bandana
scarf, Kittinger said  "I'm proud to be here to taste some fine
Illinois corn and visit with the wonderful people here in America's
heartland.  The smiles on my passengers' faces today are identical to
those of early aviation passengers who flew from Illinois farmers'
fields in the 1920's.  I think we set a new world barnstorming record
at our last stop where we had all seventeen members of the same family
smiling on barnstorming flights with us."

                           # # #

        Media representatives are invited to experience and share with
your readers, listeners and viewers the most authentic aviation
barnstorming experience in America with opportunities for rides and
interviews with Col. Joe Kittinger.  Col. Kittinger will be
barnstorming in an authentic and totally restored 1929 New Standard
Bi-plane- the last flying example of an aircraft expressly built for
the famous Gates Flying Circus which flew thousands of passengers in
the 1920's and 1930's for their first airplane ride.  Col. Kittinger
is a retired Air Force Colonel who holds the still current world's
record for the longest high-altitude parachute jump in history -
103,000' set in 1960.  He also was the first man to fly solo by
balloon across the Atlantic in 1984 and is the subject of a new Naval
Institute book, The Pre-Astronauts by Craig Ryan.


Wednesday, September 25 - 10:00 a.m.
      Chicago, IL - Lewis Univ Airport Romeoville 

Wednesday, September 25 - 2:00 p.m.
      Morris, IL - Morris Municipal Airport 


SPECIAL NOTE TO PHOTOGRAPHERS:  The 1929 New Standard Bi-Plane is an
        ideal platform for photography - slow flying and a large, open
        cockpit. Col. Kittinger is a totally professional pilot and
        would like to help you obtain the best aerial shots possible.
        To help Col. Kittinger who will not be as familiar with the
        area as you, please be prepared to give him directions before
        takeoff for any special shots or spots you have in mind to fly
        over and he will try to accomodate.

Please Email (MLSandy@TsiXroads.com or Fax Milton Sandy, Jr.
601-286-4187) if you would like a time reserved for a unique photo
and interview opportunity.  Times subject to last minute changes for
weather or mechanical problems and every attempt will be made to
accomodate any unscheduled press late comers. Complete press kits will
be available at the airports.

  For more information contact:

Grundy County Chamber of Commerce, 112 E. Washington Street, Morris, IL 60450
(815) 942-0163, (800) 696-0008, (815) 942-0117 FAX

Sid Nelson, Manager
Morris Municipal Airport, 9980 No. Highway 47, Morris, IL 60450
(815) 942-1600, (815) 942-9776

Craig Ryan, Author
THE PRE-ASTRONAUTS, 4303 SW Jerald Way, Portland OR 97221
503-578-4133, 578-7569 FAX, Email: RYAN@europa.com

Ms. Susan Artigiani, Public Relations
Naval Institute Press Publications
U.S.Naval Institute, 2062 Generals Hwy., Annapolis MD 21401
800-233-8764, 410-269-7940 FAX

Sherry Kittinger, Press Coordinator
The Windstar Project, 608 Mariner Way, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701-5434
407-331-5635, 331-5636 FAX, Email: ACOLJOEADV@aol.com

INTERNET MEDIA INFO:  http://www2.tsixroads.com/corinth/isabh.html