Pakistan's only female fighter pilot becomes role model for millions of girls

From the UK Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/10279119/Pakistans-only-female-fighter-pilot-becomes-role-model-for-millions-of-girls.html She has already made history by becoming the first woman assigned to one of Pakistan's front line dogfighting squadrons. Now at the age of 26 Flight Lieutenant Farooq says she is ready for the ultimate test. "If war breaks out, I will be flying on my senior's wing as his wingman, well, wingwoman," she said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph at the headquarters of the Pakistan Air Force in Islamabad. India and Pakistan remain locked in a stand-off over the disputed territory of Kashmir. It has twice since partition been the cause of all-out wars and the dispute is flaring once again. Both sides have claimed they have been attacked with artillery and small arms. Last month, India accused Pakistani forces of killing five of its soldiers, stoking anger among Hindu nationalists of the BJP, although the killings were denied by Islamabad For Fl Lt Farooq, it would provide the ultimate chance to prove that women were every bit the equal of men in the cockpit. "When I get orders I will go and fight. I want to prove myself, to show that I'm doing something for my country." Earlier this year she completed her training to become Pakistan's first war-ready female fighter pilot, flying the F7-PG, a Chinese version of the MiG 21 jet. Not only does that bring the responsibility of helping guard the border with India, she has also become a role model for millions of girls who dream of following in her footsteps in a country where many are denied an education and forced to stay at home. Pakistan remains a patriarchal society. In swathes of the north-west, women are seen rarely unless it is beneath the billowing folds of a burka. It has not been easy. At every test of strength and endurance she has had to match the men – and sometimes do it without lavatories. When she was posted to 20 Air Superiority Squadron, at Rafiqui base in Punjab, about 100 miles from the Indian border, there were scant facilities for female officers. "They had to build them for me," she said with a smile. But for all the broken glass ceilings and new lavatory blocks, Fl Lt Farooq remains a traditional Pakistani woman in some ways. Three weeks ago she was married to her cousin, in a match arranged for her by the two families. "We played together when we were children so I think he always knew I would not be a traditional woman," she said. Things are changing gradually for women in Pakistan. There are about 4,000 in the country's armed forces. Some 19 women have become pilots in the past decade, but most fly transporters. Of the six fighter pilots, Fl Lt Farooq is the only one to have qualified for combat and to fly regular sorties along a border where two nuclear-armed nations face off. She said there had never been any doubt that she would pilot a fast jet. Her father, a doctor, died when she was three – an experience she said had steeled her to overcome challenges as she grew up in Bahawalpur. "I was always the man of my family," she said. "In my early childhood I developed some protective skills toward my younger sister and my mother. I was a young soldier." She signed up when she was 17 and since then has survived years of near constant testing that saw her 40 classmates whittled down by half. None of the three other women made it to fighter training. Now she flies one of the PAF's front line planes, an olive green headscarf tucked beneath her helmet. Her small frame, she said, meant she had to work harder in the gym to ensure she had the strength to control her multimillion pound jet. Every day she receives dozens of telephone calls from girls hoping to follow in her footsteps. "It's not a job that people here associate with ladies so as well as doing a job for my country I'm changing the thoughts of people," she said. "It's a big responsibility but one I enjoy." Her fellow pilots treat her as an equal, she said, often forgetting who they are flying alongside. "Sometimes they are asked, what is it like to fly with a lady," said Fl Lt Farooq. "They say: what lady?"

Woman pilots make Coast Guard history

From Aug 14: Ireland - Woman pilots make Coast Guard history

TWO Coast Guard pilots have made Irish aviation history by flying the first all-female mission for the service
 

The Shannon-based search and rescue Helicopter R115 flew its first missions with a female pilot and co-pilot, Capt Dara Fitzpatrick and Capt Carmel Kirby. Capt Fitzpatrick is the chief pilot for rescue 117 at the Waterford base and was on transfer to Shannon to build up flying hours on the new Sikorski S92, which is due to replace the S61 in Waterford in mid-September.

MISSIONS
"This was a historic occasion for the Coast Guard as this was the first all-female SAR helicopter crew and they carried out two missions on their shift," said a Coast Guard spokesman.
During the mission, the duo flew a cardiac patient from west Cork to Cork University Hospital before transferring a critically-ill five-year-old child from the hospital to Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin.
The work of the pilots has been the busiest ever this year.
Coast Guard helicopter missions have increased by 45pc so far this year as crews dealt with an increase in weather-related incidents and flew more medical missions, the agency has said.
The country's four helicopter crews flew 1,572 missions by the end of July this year.
The number of rescues of people on jet skis grew by 340pc as more people took to the water during the hot weather in July.
The rescues of swimmers rose by 68pc, persons on the shoreline by 54pc, canoes by 146pc, angling craft by 44pc and sailing vessels by 40pc.
"The other main contributory factor has been the aeromedical service to the HSE now on trial with the Coast Guard helicopters. Air ambulance missions are up 925pc to 123," said a Coast Guard spokesman.

"Pearl Carter Scott: On Top of the World”

Pearl Documentary Airs June 23 on OETA

"Pearl Carter Scott: On Top of the World” a documentary about the life of the Chickasaw aviatrix airs 9:30 p.m., Sunday, June 23 on Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA).

Befriended by famous aviator Wiley Post in the late 1920s, Pearl was performing as a barnstormer and commercial pilot by age 14.

Designed to complement the award-winning film “Pearl,” “On Top of the World” shares the life story of the late Pearl Carter Scott, focusing on more than her flying career.

The daughter of a successful businessman in Marlow Oklahoma, Pearl Carter Scott was a dedicated and proud citizen of the Chickasaw Nation. 

She aspired until her passing in 2005 to do “whatever is necessary to help my fellow Chickasaws.” This included service as a Community Health Representative and as a member of the Chickasaw Tribal legislature. 

Inducted into the Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame in 1995, she was also inducted into the Oklahoma Aviation and Space Hall of Fame, and the International Women's Air and Space Museum Hall of Fame

A charter member of the National Museum of American Indian at the Smithsonian, Pearl was listed in the 1978-79 edition of "Personalities of the South", the 1989-90 edition of "Outstanding Women of America", and in the Chickasaw Historical Section of the Memphis Magazine.

In 1990 she was honored as Homecoming Queen and Guest of Honor for the 60th Anniversary Celebration of Wylie Post's trip around the world.

The 30-minute documentary features interview with Pearl and her family members.

With OETA's statewide network of four transmitting stations and 15 translator stations, more than 1.8 million viewers tune into OETA on a weekly basis.

To find out the channel information at your location, please visit www.oeta.tv or call (800) 879-6382.

Sponsor Barbara Goodwin and Maureen Kenney at the 2013 Women's Air Classic

From Cal Pilots:

Pilot Barbara Goodwin, of Kalamazoo, MI (Michigan 99s) and Co-Pilot Maureen Kenney, Caliente, CA (San Fernando Valley 99s), are participating in the 2013 Women's Air Race Classic June 18-21, 2013. The race start is Pasco, Washington, 
with the terminus is Fayetteville, Arkansas. Maureen is the only entrant in this year's RACE from the Greater LA Area, and is involved in aviation as SWS 99s Webmaster, Air Race Classic, Inc. Director, FAAST Team Representative, SoCal area, and a CalPilots Member.
The women pilots are seeking financial help with their goal to fly the Air Race, and are accepting donations and sponsors for their race team.
In return, they will provide you with recognition (your logo and name and a link to your website on their website, on an information card about the team that we will distribute at each stop on the race, and on a poster that they will display in the window of the plane at each stop.

Their goal is to:

• Increase public awareness of general aviation
• Encourage and educate current and future women pilots
• Promote the tradition of pioneering women in aviation

The costs are significant and any amount, large or small will help. - for example:

• One gallon of fuel – $6
• Meals for one for a day – $20
• One hour of fuel – $90
• Lodging one night – $100
• Cover cost of one leg – $350 (8 legs)
• Cover cost of one day – $500 (10 days total)

Donations are being accepted on their website through PayPal at http://womenfly.net/CCK/ .

For further information you may contact them at the following email mdkenney@yahoo.com or phone, 818-207-6089
Read more about them – Classic Racer #23 Cardinal Crew from Kalamazoo
– at the website: http://womenfly.net/CCK/

To read more about the race go to http://airraceclassic.org .

PR: Wicks announces new large stock of seamless American-made 4130 steel tubing

In the wake of the recent news that Dillsburg Aeroplane Works, the major American supplier of seamless 4130 aircraft tubing, is going out of business, Wicks announces that we are now, more than ever, stocked full of
4130 tubing. We have in recent months stocked up on bulk inventory to keep our prices low. We offer discounts on multiple lengths, and can ship most orders same day.

Also, all of our tubing is stored inside in a climate controlled warehouse.




More:
Wicks Aircraft Supply
410 Pine Street
Highland, IL 62249
www.wicksaircraft.com


Orders: 1-800-221-9425
Help Line: 618-654-7447
Toll-Free Fax: 888-440-5727

PR: Boutsen Aviation receives the International Yacht and Aviation Award for best "Private Jet Design"

London, 19 April 2013: Hosted by leading interior design magazine design et al, the International Yacht & Aviation Awards rewarded the best in design from around the globe; the Private Jet Design Award went to Boutsen Aviation's A319CJ.

Thierry Boutsen, Founder/President of Boutsen Aviation, said, "The aircraft we submitted was in fact the 123rd aircraft we sold and our first Airbus A319 Corporate Jet. We managed the whole acquisition process from the purchase of the green aircraft and cabin completion to redelivery. We entrusted the cabin design and completion to Jet Aviation Basel." He added,  "I am absolutely delighted. This award marks the full transition in careers,  from trophies and awards as a driver in Formula 1, to this prestigious award in my life's newer career in high-line aviation."

This Airbus A319CJ, delivered in 2010, features 3 living areas: a forward "VVIP lounge" and eating area; a mid-cabin bedroom with bathroom and shower;  and an entourage area with business class seating for 20.

Daniela Boutsen, head of Boutsen's equipment department noted, "Our designworks so well: the aircraft is used not only by the owner; it is also offered for charter worldwide. With a range of 5,000 NM and 450 Kt cruise and its extremely high quality and versatile type of interior, this elite aircraft is very well suited for Chiefs of State and government travel; or conversely for sports teams and headline entertainers."

More about Boutsen Aviation:

Fifteen years after its founding by Formula 1 driver Thierry and wife Daniela Boutsen, the Monaco based company has now sold 261 corporate aircraft - some 50 models from 15 manufacturers - to new owners in 49 countries, on all continents but Antarctica.

"Our experience in international transactions and our knowledge of the

market with its daily moves make us one of the leading companies in this segment," says Mr. Boutsen. "We represent customers for both sales and acquisitions, acting on an exclusive basis only, as we want to have the power to negotiate firmly on their behalf. We invest significant time and money into every transaction; our clients do not have various brokers working against each other. As exclusive agents, we control the sale; our clients win."

Boutsen Aviation have recently launched a prestigious addition to BA's range of activities, "Boutsen Design," where clients can purchase, under one roof,  everything needed to enhance their VVIP cabins. This "One Stop Shop for Cabin Comfort" is managed by Daniela, who engages some 60 of the best manufacturers of china, crystal, cutlery, table and bed linen, accessories,  and amenities. From designing and supervising full completions to final decorations, Boutsen Design "makes the aircraft a nicer place to spend time."

The winning aircraft design can be viewed here:
http://thedesignawards.co.uk/yachtandaviation/voting/asiaprivate-2.html

PR: iPad info and more, in palm-sized pilot’s tool

The new iLevil SW is a clean-sheet design, an iPad-compatible, fully self-contained “panel in the palm of your hand” device. This lightweight device gives attitude information; has a WAAS GPS for charts and synthetic vision; displays information from external hardware such as an engine monitors; and is an ADSB-in receiver. With a rechargeable 3-hour battery, it lasts longer than most flights; and it is rechargeable through a USB port – or by its built-in solar panel.

“We took the features we wanted and committed to the device size, and developed the SW from there,” said Ananda Leon, Systems Engineer at Levil Technology. “We wanted to provide an all-in-one solution that would fit in a flight bag and had the potential to display virtually all the popular cockpit systems hosted on the pilot’s iPad.” The solar recharging feature is a first for Levil, as well. “We wanted to make universal charging options; although the integrated USB charger works significantly faster, the solar cell will give the battery a full charge over time. In the air, it’s what we might call a ‘range extender.’”

Slightly larger than a pack of cigarettes at 4.5” x 3” x 1”, and weighing just 8 ounces, the iLevil SW can communicate with several devices simultaneously, through WiFi. It is compatible with a number of apps including WingX Pro7, which displays not only Synthetic Vision and in-flight weather, but also supports ADS-B traffic information received by the iLevil SW from near-by ADS-B towers and other aircraft in proximity with ADS-B out transponders. “Handling all the ADS-B information while simultaneously calculating aircraft dynamics was not an easy task,” explained Ruben Leon, founder of Levil Technology. “The iLevil’s processing power is amazing; we are excited to introduce our most powerful system yet.”

Without any airframe wiring or mounting requirements, the iLevil SW is usable in Certified, as well as LSA and Experimental aircraft. The iLevil SW is available immediately, factory-direct; Price is $1195.

More: http://www.aviation.levil.com/iLevil.htm