President's Pilot To Set Aviation Record With Cirrus SR22 For
The Benefit Of Angel Flight East
This sounds like a fun
and worthwhile project (not to mention one in which GA looks REALLY
good)...
On March 16, 2004, Lieutenant Colonel Charles "Lindy" Kirkland
will attempt to break a National Aeronautic Association (NAA)
sanctioned record by landing at 100 Virginia runways in a single
day. The historic flight will benefit Angel Flight East and raise
up to $100,000 for the organization. With the aid of fellow aviator
Major Rob Krieg and the help of Cirrus, who has donated use of a
Cirrus SR22, LTC Kirkland will complete these landings on all 67
public- use runways and selected military and private fields in
Virginia.
Kirkland is a command pilot with Marine Helicopter Squadron One
(HMX-1) in Quantico, VA. This squadron provides air transport for
President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and heads of state and
cabinet members. LTC Kirkland has chosen to carry out this mission
in the Cirrus SR22, donated by Cirrus, because of its speed,
mission capabilities and unsurpassed situational awareness for the
pilot. The flight, which will begin and end at Dulles International
Airport, will span more than 1,500 nautical miles.
A firm believer in the good that general aviation can
accomplish, Kirkland explains, "During the centennial year of
aviation, I was reminded in so many ways just what an incredible
invention the airplane has been. I'm really excited about general
aviation, and an organization like Angel Flight East really
epitomizes general aviation doing a great service for the
population."
"Few people from the general public understand the absolutely
critical role played by general aviation pilots in life-saving
Angel flights," says Randy S. Bolinger, executive director of
marketing for Cirrus. "Without the collective efforts and donation
of time and resources by thousands of private pilots in general
aviation aircraft, people around the country would find themselves
without access to much needed treatment. It is for this reason that
we are delighted to support Angel Flight East through the donated
use of the Cirrus SR22. We hope this flight will help raise the
awareness and funds needed to keep this fine organization going for
many years."
Angel Flight East is a 501 (c)(3) charitable non-profit
organization of volunteer pilots that serves the needs of the
community by facilitating free air transportation to critical
medical care. Angel Flight is honored to be the non-profit
recipient for this momentous event that will create a new milestone
in the history of aviation. Tami Bream, Executive Director of Angel
Flight East, explains, "We are thrilled that Lindy and Cirrus have
teamed up for this historic flight and are going to such great
lengths to raise awareness of and money to help us continue our
services."
Sporty's Pilot Shop and Jeppesen have also made
product donations to this admirable cause. The general public is
urged to participate by pledging a specific dollar/cent amount for
every runway Lindy and Rob land on, and corporate sponsor support
is also encouraged. The rain date for this event is March 17,
2004.
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