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
FOR RELEASE-5/14/1998
BARNSTORMING COL. JOE KITTINGER
To Orbit America's Space Capital, Huntsville, AL
One of the pioneers of the U.S. space program will orbit
Huntsville this weekend much closer to the earth than during the
1950's when he rode meteorological balloons to the edge of space.
During that time Joe Kittinger set the still current world's record
for highest parachute jump in history as well as became the only
person to ever break the sound barrier with only himself as a vehicle
(and live to tell about it.)
Col. Joe Kittinger left Orlando, Florida, bound for Huntsville, Alabama, where he will be barnstorming at the Annual EAA Chapter 190 Old Fashion Fly In & Air Show. Facing head winds and dodging changing weather along the way, Col. Kittinger is expected to arrive on Friday, May 15, 1998, and begin giving authentic barnstormer open cockpit bi-plane rides to passengers during the Fly In at the Moontown Airport, 7 miles East of Huntsville on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17.
Widely known as a redneck pilot because of his trademark red bandana scarf, Kittinger said "I'm proud to be here to partake of some fine Southern cooking and visit with some wonderful Alabama folks. Landing on this airport's beautiful grass strip always brings smiles to my passengers' faces just like those of early aviation passengers who flew from Alabama farmers' fields in the 1920's."
Media representatives are invited to experience and share with your readers, listeners and viewers an interview with Col. Joe Kittinger. Col. Kittinger barnstorms 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. Joe Kittinger joined the Wright Brothers and other legiondary aviators when he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame on July 19, 1997.
Friday, May 15 - 3:00 p.m.
Brownsboro, AL - Moontown Airport
SPECIAL NOTE TO PHOTOGRAPHERS:
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 airport.
For more information contact: Charles Cozelos, EAA Chapter 190, Huntsville, AL (256) 722-8585 x19 9AM to 4PM Email:ccozelos@gradkell.com George Myers, Moontown Airport, 200 Airport Drive, Brownsboro, AL 35741-9402 (256) 852-9781, 464-2275 FAX 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
