We have had a lot of friends ask about how we did during our recent hurricane "Frances." It was exciting, but thankfully nothing like "Ivan." We are waiting to hear from our trusty friend and crew chief, Big B, about his house in Pensacola, but we are sure the news isn't good.
During "Frances" we flew the Baron support airplane and the Extra over to Keystone Heights Airport, about 40 miles inland from St. Augustine, just in case there was flooding at St. Augustine, right on the water. The people at Keystone couldn't have been more obliging and really took care of us, getting us tucked away in their hangar. During the storm, Keystone actually had tornados and widespread power outages, so they were worse off than we were. The airplanes are now safely back in St. Augustine and Patty has been practicing getting ready for our next airshow in Hawaii.
The Marines at Kaneohe Air Station in Hawaii (north shore of Oahu) are hosting us at our next airshow. No, we won't be aerial refueling the Extra :) but will be transporting it to Hawaii via Miramar on an ANG C-5/A transport airplane. Patty has transported aerobatic airplanes this way many times to Europe as a member of the U.S. Aerobatic Team, so it will be like old times. Patty and our crew will be riding along in the C-5/A with the pilots and airplanes.
We are really excited about this airshow and have heard from several Hawaii locals who said they haven't seen an airshow with top civilian performers in Hawaii before! Other performers joining us will be Eric Beard and Greg Poe, and the US Navy Blue Angels.
Patty Wagstaff Acceptance Speech at the National Aviation Hall of Fame, July 17, 2004.
Thank you. This is an amazing honor and I’m very humbled. It’s all a bit surreal, but it’s great to have such recognition while I’m still relatively young and – alive! Having a place in history alongside people like Bill Anders, Jack Ridley and Harriet Quimby is really a charter and responsibility of what I can only hope to live up to.
The National Aviation Hall of Fame not only honors aviation’s legends, but builds a bridge to the future for aspiring pilots, engineers and astronauts.
It seems like only yesterday I was an aspiring pilot – but then, growing up surrounded by pilots, hangar stories and leather flight jackets, I didn’t have much of a choice! One of my earliest memories is of being lifted on to the wing of my father’s B-25 and it never occurred to me that flying was “just for the guys” – all I ever saw was romance and excitement.
But, what I think is really important is that by honoring me tonight, you are honoring every airshow performer and competition pilot.
I’ve been inspired by so many of them – past and present. People like Jimmy Franklin, Leo Loudenslager, Gene Soucy, Teresa Stokes, Bob Bishop, Betty Skelton, Jim Moser, the French Connection, Ian Groom – and of course, several National Aviation Hall of Fame inductees – Roscoe Turner, Lincoln Beachey, Clyde Pangborn and the incomparable Bob Hoover.
And, if you’d indulge me for a moment, I would like to introduce you to some of the airshow professionals that are with us tonight:
Julie Clark
Bob and Pat Wagner (from Dayton!)
Steve and Suzanne Asbury-Oliver (thePepsi Skydancer and Pepsi Skywriter)
Dale Snodgrass
Debbie Gary
Danny Clisham
Rob Reider
Bill and Theresa Beardsley Sr. (Big B and Little T)
Gene McNeely
Bambi Knight and Lonnie Marshall (Misty Blues)
Hal Biestek
Jacqui Warda
John Cudahy
These people are your ambassadors of aviation to millions of spectators a year!
Performing in airshows gives us the opportunity to bring aviation to future generations of pilots, like at the one and only Dayton Airshow – thanks Blair Conrad, who is in the audience tonight, for bringing us the airshow this year! Where else can you touch and feel aviation so personally?
But performers or not, we are lucky to be in aviation in this country. We still have the most freedom of anywhere in the world. And, if we lose it we won’t get it back. So, hold on to the freedom you have and don’t give it up without a fight.
The Dayton Airshow’s theme this year is a “Tribute to Women in Aviation.” Women finally have the freedom to pursue any aviation career we want – thanks to our predecessors (like Harriet Quimby!). Doors that were originally closed to us are now open to everyone.
So as we embark on the first year of the second century of flight, let’s make it our mission to first, preserve our freedom and second, the empower everyone, especially women and other minorities – to take a great role in aviation; and to help each other because, after all, aviation is all about teamwork.
We can all help each other and I certainly wouldn’t be here tonight without the support and encouragement I’ve had from my family, my friends and last, but not least, my sponsors.
Thank you!
Patty with Connie Tobias, presenter for Harriet Quimby; and Emily Warner Howell, who accepted the honor for Harriet Quimby.
Patty was inducted to the National Aviation Hall of Fame on July 17, 2004. Actor and pilot Dennis Quaid served as the master-of-ceremonies for the 43rd Annual Enshirement Dinner and Ceremony. The black-tie gala, widely known as America’s “Oscar Night of Aviation,” took place at the Dayton Convention Center on Saturday, July 17, 2004, in Dayton Ohio. This black-tie dinner gala draws an audience of hundreds of aerospace, defense, government and industry leaders.
This year, the NAHF honored Patty, airshow headliner and three time U.S. National Aerobatic Champion; William A. Anders, a former Apollo astronaut and nuclear energy expert and current P-51 Heritage Flight pilot; the late Harriet Quimby, America’s first officially licensed woman pilot; and the late Jack L. Ridley, pioneering flight test Engineer and pilot and X-1 crew member.
Serving as presenter for Patty were John and Martha King, husband and wife founders of a pilot training resources supplier. John and Martha have been very close and long time friends of Patty's.
On Thursday, July 15th NAHF trustee Alan Hoeweler and NAHF President Harold Johnson generously volunteered to host a casual old-fashion hangar party and barbeque. It was a great social get-together and great food.
On Friday night, July 16th, Patty attend the President’s Reception and Dinner at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where the NAHF has a beautiful exhibit. Each year the NAHF bestows the Milton Caniff “Spirit of Flight” Award to an organization or group in recognition of its significant contributions to America’s aviation heritage. The 2004 recipient of this honor is the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA).
AsMA based in Alexandria, Virginia is the world’s leading organization in aviation, space, and environmental medicine. It was a wonderful event and being seated in the Museum itself was a treat.
On Saturday we were joined by friends and family, including fellow airshow professionals like Steve and Suzanne Oliver, Bambi Knight, Danny Clisham, Rob Reider, Bill "Big B" Beardsley, Hal Biestek, Jacqui Warda and others; and friends Dorothy Cochrane of the National Air & Space Museum, Jacquie Perrin from the CNE Airshow in Toronto, Kathy Ilyin of Tucson, Lynn Ferguson of Dallas and Maggie Fullinton of West Palm Beach.
We were honored to be a part of this year's NAHF enrhinement ceremonies and Patty says "I'm really humbled by this great honor that gives me a place in aviation history. To be alongside current inductees like Bill Anders, Jack Ridley and Harriet Quimby is amazing, not to mention the past enshrinees who were airshow performers including Bob Hoover, Clyde Pangborn and Roscoe Turner. This is a big responsibility to live up to!"
OSHKOSH! When we think of OSHKOSH we think of sunny skies, beautiful weather, cool breezes, a great airshow, and lots of friends...which is exactly what we got this year. EAA does an amazing job of getting everyone in aviation together in an upbeat, clean and neat, inspirational, educational and very fun atmosphere. This year we were joined by some of the world's best performers - Jim Franklin and his son Kyle, Gene Soucy and Teresa Stokes, Ed Shipley and Lee Lauderback flying a fabulous formation in Mustangs, Kirby Chambliss (yikes, that takeoff!), Mike Goulian, Randy Henderson (thanks Randy for keeping the beautiful dead stick routine alive), Liberty Parachute Team (with Jenine Leslie singing the National Anthem, always beautiful), Jim LeRoy (also teaming up with Jim and Bobby and two - count em - two Shockley jet trucks - for "Masters of Disaster"; lots of others and first timers at Oshkosh this year, our friends Eric Beard and Gary Ward. We owe a big thanks to our incomparable Crew Chief, Bill Beardsley Sr., otherwise known as "Big B" and our good friend, Andy Irwin, who has taken great care of Patty's airplane this summer, getting it to and from airshows. Thanks, friends!
Patty spent time with sponsors Lycoming Engines, Champion Sparkplugs, Aeroshell and Tempest, signing autographs and meeting and greeting fans; and also at the Flying Magazine Tent where her airplane was, once again, on display. No full size stand ups of Patty at the Flying Tent this year (who took those anyway??!!), but maybe next year.
Patty's Extra on Display at the Flying Magazine Tent
Going into Oshkosh, as seen from the PWAS Baron's MX20
Patty arrives back from flying the Texan II at an airshow in Farnborough, England. She looks forward to seeing all of her friends and fans at the EAA AirVenture Airshow in Oshkosh.
Thursday, July 29 at Champion Booth at 10am (autographs)
Thursday, July 29, Patty Flies
Friday, July 30th at Tempest Booth at 10am
(autographs)
Friday, July 30th at Lycoming Tent at 2-2:45pm
located on West Ramp (autographs)
Friday, July 30th at KidVenture Hero Stage 12-1pm(Talking)
Saturday, July 31st at the WAI Breakfast 8-9am
Saturday, July 31st at AeroShell Booth at 10am (autographs)
Saturday, July 31, Patty Flies
Monday, August 2, Patty Flies
Patty's Extra 300S airplane will be on display when she is not flying at the Flying Tent.
Patty has been getting ready for the Farnborough, UK, airshow coming up later this month. Flying for Raytheon Aircraft, Patty will be flying the beautiful T-6A/Texan II and has been working on her routine in beautiful St. Augustine. We're excited to be showing the world what this 1100 hp turboprop military trainer can do!
The EVV Freedom Festival had a wonderful theme this year - Women in Aviation! Performers included Patty, Julie Clark, Debbie Gary, PepsiTeam Skywriter Suzanne Oliver, the Misty Blues Skydiving Team (who jumped into the Ohio River), and attendee WWII WASP pilot Lorene Miller Watson. We even had a MAN flying - Steve Oliver...but we went out of our way to be especially nice to him! The pilots flew for the crowd over a bend of the Ohio River where unlimited hydroplanes raced between acts. The airshow was well organized, with performers speaking to spectators at the airport who came to see the static and the performers, at a special tent each day. But, what we'll remember the most was the marvelous hospitality that the airshow showed each of us. Not only was a 24 hours hospitality room set up at our hotel adjacent to the airport, but volunteers made sure we also had plenty to eat at the airport each day of the show. Thanks for having us Evansville, we'd always be happy to come back.
Patty with "A little Extra get together!" RC Models ranging in size from 50% (yes!) to smaller versions. We could have made up a formation team! Patty pictured here with RC pilots George Louden, Joe Bayer and Roger Slocum.
The July 2004 issue of Boating features Patty in an article called Scream Machines. Peter McDonald compared flying in an aerobatic airplane with Patty, driving a racecar and racing a cigarette boat. For each thing, he donned two medical devices during each ride - a jogger's cardio monitor that recorded heart rate
and a biofeedback unit with a node attached to his jaw and upper shoulder to record each muscle electrical activity. Patty took him for a ride of his life. He was subject to 3 negative G and 7 positives G. He did the maximum biofeedback response of all the thrill rides. His heart rate on one point reach 183! Read the article for more!
Patty will have a very busy schedule for the next few weeks...Our next airshow on the docket is the Evansville Freedom Festival. We are really looking forward to this one. Evansville is a great town and the airshow is held over the Riverfront. The airshow is also focusing on women in aviation, so we will have a great group of friends to hang out with!
After Evansville, Patty will be training in the T-6A Texan II for her upcoming airshow in this airplane at the big Farnborough, UK, Airshow. Farnborough is one of the largest aerospace airshows and trade shows of its kind in the world, and trades off with Paris every other year. Patty is thrilled to be flying the T6-A at the airshow for Raytheon this year, in the international marketplace.
But before going to Farnborough, Patty will be flying the big Dayton Airshow and being inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame July l7th, the same weekend. We are really looking forward to seeing our friends and family at Dayton this year, it will be a big one for us. It's not too late to book your tickets for the Saturday night Black Tie banquet and you can do it online at the http://www.nationalaviation.org/ web site. The web site will also give you an idea of some of the fantastic aviation celebrities that will be there!
After Dayton, Patty heads straight over to the UK for Farnborough and then back to the US for the annual EAA AirVenture Airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin...where again, we'll see some of her best friends in aviation.
Whew - we're getting tired just thinking about the schedule but we think it's a tremendous opportunity to be with our favorite people and know that it's all about the positive energy we receive while on the road.
Patty will be featured in a new movie called "America's Heart & Soul". It is coming to the theaters July 2nd, 2004. It is a movie like none you ever seen before and we feel a nice antidote to all the bad things going on in the world today. America's Heart and Soul is a positive celebration of American people - a journey that travels through each region of the country offering touching vignettes and heart pounding cinematography. It's a peek into someone's heart, a journey into the soul of another human being, and a thrill ride into the sights and sounds of a nation. America's Heart and Soul & PATTY will inspire you and make you proud to be part of this great country. So what are you waiting for? Get your tickets by going to http://www.americasheartandsoul.com/.
We went to a private screening of the movie on June 17 at our local Regal 6 Cinema in St. Augustine. Patty with a few of her many friends had the theater to themselves. It was great! That's how things are done in Hollywood!
National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinement Presenters Announced
Presenters at the National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) Enshrinement Dinner and Ceremony include Frank Borman, former astronaut enshrined in 1982, presenting fellow astronaut William Anders; Emily Howell Warner, first female pilot of a jet-equipped, scheduled U.S. airline, presenting the late Harriet Quimby, the first American female licensed pilot in 1911 and in 1912 the first female to fly solo across the English Channel; Chuck Yeager, WWII ace, test-pilot enshrined in 1973, presenting the late Jack L. Ridley, an Air Force test pilot and the flight test engineer on the X-1 program; and John and Martha King, founders of a pilot training resources supplier, presenting aerobatic champion and world-renowned performer Patty Wagstaff. The ceremony, widely known as America's "Oscar Night of Aviation," will take place at the Dayton Convention Center on Saturday, July 17, in Dayton, Ohio. For more information visit http://www.nationalaviation.org or call 937/256-0944, ext 16.
Check the