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Posted by on Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Filed in: Fantasy of Flight, Kermit Weeks, Notable Friends and Visitors
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Two Stars for FAA Safety Videos!

I was recently asked to help do some FAA Safety Videos with aviation enthusiast and Country Star, Aaron Tippin!  FAA video crews used Fantasy of Flight as a backdrop over several days to film segments promoting aviation safety.  Aaron flew down from Nashville and spent about five hours with them narrating.  My part was with Aaron and took place in the Compass Rose Restaurant.  We had a lot of fun trying to act natural while trying to read the FAA script on the teleprompter.

Filming in the Compass Rose Restaurant

Aaron had been to Fantasy of Flight several years ago and gave Teresa, Katie and I some VIP passes to a concert he did over at the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In several years ago after his visit.  I’ve since bumped into him at various aviation events.  I can’t wait to see how we did and hope we can make a difference!

Kermit

Posted by on Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Filed in: Events, Fantasy of Flight, Kermit Weeks, Notable Friends and Visitors, P-51C Mustang
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Tuskegee Airmen Symposium at Fantasy of Flight!

We recently hosted a symposium with several Tuskegee Airmen at Fantasy of Flight in celebration of Black History month.  It was a great success and over the three-day event 500 school kids, as well as many adults, came out to hear their stories, ask questions, and get autographs.

With Roscoe Brown - 1st pilot ever to shoot down a German Me-262 Jet!

Flying "Ina the Macon Belle"

I flew the P-51C Mustang “Ina the Macon Belle” all three days, which is painted in the colors of Lee Archer, the highest scoring Tuskegee pilot.  Lee was looking forward to coming down for the event but fell ill three weeks prior and passed away.  His story was covered on many of the National news stations and he was buried with full-military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.  Lee was a great friend and, while he will be surely missed, his story and the story of the Tuskegee Airmen will continue to live on at Fantasy of Flight!

Kermit

Posted by on Monday, March 8, 2010
Filed in: Events, Fun Travel, Kermit Weeks, Notable Friends and Visitors
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“Quail Hunt” with Aviation Notables!

I got a chance to enjoy a couple of days with aviation friends on a 200,000 acres ranch in west Texas.  The premise of the weekend event is to hunt Quail, which I don’t think I could actually do because they’re so cute!  They always win anyway!  The shots I’ve mainly observed over the years mostly involve alcohol so it’s mostly about having fun, camaraderie, and telling stories!  I did actually fire a gun this time and hit a cactus but neglected to clean it and bring it back as proof of my hunting prowess!

Kind of says it all!

It’s somewhat difficult to get to the Ranch as there are no airports anywhere near by with airline service so everyone flies there in private airplanes.   This was my third event and the first year I got a ride out in a twin-Beech.   Past notables included Tex Hill, highest-scoring Flying Tiger Ace, and Dick Cole, who was Jimmy Doolittle’s copilot.  It’s always right after the Living Legends event in Beverly Hills, CA so I catch a ride the best way I can.  This year I had the opportunity to fly out from Dallas with Southwest Airlines legend Herb Kelleher and several others in a Lear 55.

Kermit with Herb Kelleher - "Cashew Class!"

It’s great to mingle with other successful and passionate people and learn from their successes as well as share what I’m doing.  I’m a firm believer in networking and the “butterfly effect” so it will be interesting to see where all this goes!

Kermit

Posted by on Monday, March 8, 2010
Filed in: Events, Fantasy of Flight, Kermit Weeks, Notable Friends and Visitors
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Sikorsky S-39 on Display!

Kermit and Dick Jackson with the Sikorsky S-39

Dick Jackson’s 1930 Sikorsky S-39 in now on display at Fantasy of Flight, at least through the Sun ‘n Fun Splash-In, which takes place at Fantasy of Flight.  Dick brought the airplane down before the cold weather up north set in.  It is a gorgeous restoration that encompasses 40 years of Dick’s life and about 40,000 hours of work!  If you can come the day of the Splash-In on April 15th, 2010, you should be able to see it flying!

Kermit

Posted by on Monday, March 8, 2010
Filed in: Events, Fun Travel, Kermit Weeks, Notable Friends and Visitors
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Living Legends of Aviation Award!

I was honored this year to be presented the Freedom of Flight Award at the 7th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards Banquet last January.  I have been part of this illustrious group of 70 “Legends” for four years now which is made up of Celebrities in “Aviation” as well as “Celebrities” in Aviation.  It’s a unique group of people gathered around their love and passion for flight.

Award recipients this year included other aviation notables as well as Hollywood stars Kurt Russell and Tom Cruise.  Great friend, airshow pilot, and Heli-ski partner Sean Tucker MC’d the event and, after a few comments, introduced the famous Bob Hoover to present me with my Award.

Kermit, Bob Hoover and Teresa at the Living Legends of Aviation Awards

I got a chance to deliver an acceptance speech and got a lot of great comments from people afterwards.  My mother, sister, and wife Teresa flew out to the Beverly Hills event to support me and take in the sights.  This was Teresa’s Legends event but I don’t think it will be her last!

Check out this Youtube clip to see some of the highlights and people that attended.  Teresa and I get a few frames!  http://www.tomkatcrazy.com/living-legends-of-aviation-tom-cruise-john-travolta-kurt-russell/

Kermit

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