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Quonset Air Museum Primary Alert # 1 Below On This Page

Updated December 23, 2006

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Museum Needs Help ~ Building Repairs Necessary to Reopen...

# 1 Quonset Air Museum, Rhode Island

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# 2 Announcement From Delta Air Lines ~ Traveler's Alert

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# 3 Space Shuttle Discovery Lands Safely at Kennedy Space Center

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# 4 Breaking News Coming Shortly Regarding Jim Campbell of Aero-News.Net and Juan Jimenez, also of Aero-News.Net. Additional

Details in Messages Below...

Updated December 23, 2006

Quonset Air Museum is at risk of being shut down for safety reasons and we need your help.  Effective Jan 1st, 2007, the museum is closing to the general public until spring for repairs.  We cannot reopen to the public until these repairs have been completed.  The immediate concern is damage to the roof and ceiling inside the hangar.  These repairs will commence shortly after the start of the New Year and will be lead by our volunteers.

This museum sits on a historical site at NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island.  We have an F-14, TBM, Curtis-Wright XF15C-1 (the only one in existence), Douglas F3D-2 Sky Knight, Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat (under restoration) and the only 3/4 scale, hand built, Hellcat in existence, as well as many other aircraft. 

We need your help to save our museum.

If you are interested in making a donation, please make the donation to:

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Quonset Air Museum

488 Eccleston Ave. North Kingstown, RI 02852

Attention: Dave Payne

Donation Type: Building Fund

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Mention that you saw this posting and that I was the person posting so they can track how people found out.

For information on the museum, you can visit us online at:

http://www.theqam.org/index.html

Thank you.

All the volunteers at QAM.

Updated December 23, 2006

Breaking News Coming Shortly Regarding Jim Campbell of Aero-News.Net and Juan Jimenez, also of Aero-News.Net.

Mr. Campbell's Claims To Vietnam Veteran Status are to be Debunked. Former U.S. Marine Juan Jimenez and his support of Mr. Campbell as a Faux (Impersonator/Poser) Vietnam Veteran, and Harassment of Veterans and Disabled Veterans by Mr. Jimenez on USENET are to be outlined.

We are awaiting the response of the Rocket Racing League (RRL) to charges made against both, which are supported by documentation, case evidence and witness testimony.

Mark S. "Bear" Daniels

Publisher/Editor
ILIPS Group International

Water Works Case.Com
The Extremist
Silver State News Service
Aviation & Marine USA

Shuttle Commander Robert L. "Hoot" Gibson Joins Benson Aerospace to Boost Their Space Tourism Program

NASA Space Shuttle Commander (Ret.) Robert "Hoot" Gibson, the new Chief Operating Officer and Chief Test Pilot For Benson Aerospace, of Poway, California.

Photo: Ilips Group International

And Now, for some Civilian Space News:

Shuttle Commander Robert "Hoot" Gibson Joins Benson Aerospace to Boost Their Space Tourism Program

ASTRONAUT “HOOT” GIBSON JOINS BENSON SPACE COMPANY AS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND CHIEF TEST PILOT

Poway, CA (December 14, 2006) – Retired NASA astronaut, decorated Naval pilot and Vietnam veteran Robert “Hoot” Gibson has joined Benson Space Company (BSC) as chief operating officer and chief test pilot, effective immediately. Gibson will help lead the new personal spaceflight venture, recently established by SpaceDev (OTCBB: SPDV) founder Jim Benson, which seeks to provide the first, safest and lowest cost astronaut-making spaceflights for the emerging space tourism market.

“In his experience and skill as a Shuttle pilot and commander, and with his knowledge of spaceflight operations, Hoot Gibson is unparalleled,” stated Jim Benson. “I am pleased to welcome Hoot as our COO and chief test pilot as Benson Space Company races forward to make the concept of personal spaceflight a reality for everyone.”

Astronaut Gibson’s first activity at Benson Space will be to manage the recently awarded contract with SpaceDev for the Phase I work on the Dream Chaser spaceship. Hoot will also begin preparing a spaceship flight test program and a set of preliminary flight operations guidelines and procedures for the commercial operation of Dream Chasers.

From 1979-1995, Gibson flew five NASA missions, spending over 36 days in space. On his fourth space flight, the 50th Space Shuttle mission, he served as spacecraft commander aboard the Orbiter Endeavor. He also commanded a crew of ten – six from the U.S. and four from Russia – in the first Space Shuttle mission to dock with the Russian Space Station Mir. While with NASA, Gibson served as chief of the Astronaut Office, as deputy director of Flight Crew Operations and as a team investigator into the Space Shuttle Challenger accident. Gibson continues to prove his mettle in the sky, competing in Unlimited Class air racing and, two years ago, setting a new world speed record in Raytheon’s Beechcraft Premier I, the world’s fastest single-pilot business jet. A graduate of the Naval Fighter Weapons (a/k/a “Top Gun”) School, his numerous honors include the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

About Benson Space Company

Established in September 2006, Benson Space Company (BSC) seeks to provide the first, safest and lowest cost astronaut-making spaceflights for the emerging space tourism market.. BSC is led by Jim Benson, founder and former chairman/CEO/CTO of SpaceDev (OTCBB: SPDV), which owns many of the patents and intellectual property rights associated with hybrid rocket motors used for safe human spaceflight. Under Benson’s guidance for nearly a decade, SpaceDev designed and produced an innovative satellite for NASA and mechanisms for over 200 space missions, as well as the hybrid rocket motor technology for Paul Allen’s SpaceShipOne, the vehicle that earned the $10 million Ansari X Prize in 2004. BSC is currently working with SpaceDev in developing Dream Chaser™ spaceships, based on a proven and NASA-tested design, which will allow BSC to offer the first, commercial, suborbital spaceflights at the end of 2008. Benson Space Company ( www.bensonspace.com ) is incorporated in the state of Nevada.

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Robert Hoot" Gibson at Oshkosh next to the Mike Keenum-owned racer, the Hawker Sea Fury "Riff Raff," Race 99 Photo: ILIPS Group International

Gibson New Chief Operating Officer and Chief Test Pilot at Benson Space

Touchdown ~ Hoot Gibson at the controls of Mike Keenum's
beautiful Hawker Sea Fury Racer, Riff Raff, Race 99

Photo: ILIPS Group International

Gibson New Chief Operating Officer and Chief Test Pilot at Benson Space

Gibson ~ The Classic Profile of an Unlimited Class Air Race Pilot. Many fans are surprised to learn this is the same "Hoot" Gibson that Commanded the Space Shuttle Mission that docked with the Russian Mir Space Station, not to mention the other NASA Missions he has under his belt. They now will get the opportunity to introduce themselves to Gibson when they take a Take "The Ride" on a Benson Spaceship.

Photo: ILIPS Group International

Gibson New Chief Operating Officer and Chief Test Pilot at Benson Space

Space Shuttle Commander (Ret.) Robert "Hoot" Gibson,
taxis out for takeoff in Mike Keenum's Hawker Sea Fury
"Riff Raff," at Stead Airport, Nevada, for a heat race
over the sagebrush-carpeted course.

Photo: ILIPS Group International

Gibson New Chief Operating Officer and Chief Test Pilot at Benson Space

Gibson north of Stead Airport, Nevada in Riff Raff.
Hoot will begin preparing a spaceship flight test program
and a set of preliminary flight operations guidelines
and procedures for the commercial operation of
Benson's "Dream Chasers."

Photo: ILIPS Group International

Gibson New Chief Operating Officer and Chief Test Pilot at Benson Space

From 1979-1995, Gibson flew five NASA missions,
spending over 36 days in space.

Photo: ILIPS Group International

Gibson New Chief Operating Officer and Chief Test Pilot at Benson Space

Gibson has Raced in the International Formula One, Jet and Unlimited Classes of Air Racing.

Photo: ILIPS Group International

Gibson New Chief Operating Officer and Chief Test Pilot at Benson Space

Gibson built his own IF1 Racer, which is campaigned today by new owner Doug Bodine as Race 92, "Yellow Peril."

Photo: ILIPS Group International

Gibson New Chief Operating Officer and Chief Test Pilot at Benson Space

Gibson continues to prove his mettle in the sky, competing in Unlimited Class air racing and, two years ago, setting a
new world speed record in Raytheon’s Beechcraft Premier I,
the world’s fastest single-pilot business jet.

Photo: ILIPS Group International

Gibson New Chief Operating Officer and Chief Test Pilot at Benson Space

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NASA Biographical DATA

Astronaut / Space Shuttle Commander

Robert L. "Hoot" Gibson

(Last Updated November, 1996)

NAME: Robert L. Gibson (Captain, USN)
NASA Astronaut (former)

PERSONAL DATA: Born October 30, 1946, in Cooperstown, New York, but considers Lakewood, California, to be his hometown. Married to Dr. M. Rhea Seddon of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Four children. He enjoys home built aircraft, formula one air racing, running and surfing during his free time. His mother, Mrs. Paul A. Gibson, resides in Seal Beach, California. His father is deceased. Her father, Mr. Edward C. Seddon, resides in Murfreesboro; her mother is deceased.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Huntington High School, Huntington, New York, in 1964; received an associate degree in engineering science from Suffolk County Community College in 1966, and a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering from California Polytechnic State University in 1969.

SPECIAL HONORS: Awarded the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) "Louis Bleriot Medal" (1992), and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) "Freedom of Flight" Award (1989). Established world records for "Altitude in Horizontal Flight," Airplane Class C1A in 1991, and "Time to Climb to 9000 Meters" in 1994. Military awards include: the Defense Superior Service Medal; the Distinguished Flying Cross; 3 Air Medals; the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V"; a Navy Unit Commendation; Meritorious Unit Commendation; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; and Vietnam Campaign Medal.

EXPERIENCE: Gibson entered active duty with the Navy in 1969. He received primary and basic flight training at Naval Air Stations Saufley Field and Pensacola, Florida, and Meridian, Mississippi, and completed advanced flight training at the Naval Air Station at Kingsville, Texas.

While assigned to Fighter Squadrons 111 and 1, during the period April 1972 to September 1975, he saw duty aboard the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) and the USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) -- flying combat missions in Southeast Asia. He is a graduate of the Naval Fighter Weapons School, "Topgun." Gibson returned to the United States and an assignment as an F-14A instructor pilot with Fighter Squadron 124. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Maryland, in June 1977, and later became involved in the test and evaluation of F-14A aircraft while assigned to the Naval Air Test Center's Strike Aircraft Test Directorate.

His flight experience includes over 6,000 hours in over 50 types of civil and military aircraft. He holds airline transport pilot, multi-engine, and instrument ratings, and has held a private pilot rating since age 17. Gibson has also completed over 300 carrier landings.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in January 1978, Gibson became an astronaut in August 1979. Gibson has flown five missions: STS 41-B in 1984, STS 61-C in 1986, STS-27 in 1988, STS-47 in 1992, and STS-71 in 1995. Gibson served as Chief of the Astronaut Office (December 1992 to September 1994) and as Deputy Director, Flight Crew Operations (March-November 1996).

On his first space flight Gibson was the pilot on the crew of STS 41-B which launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on February 3, 1984. The flight accomplished the proper Shuttle deployment of two Hughes 376 communications satellites which failed to reach desired geosynchronous orbits due to upper stage rocket failures. Rendezvous sensors and computer programs were flight tested for the first time. The STS 41-B mission marked the first checkout of the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU),and Manipulator Foot Restraint (MFR), with Bruce McCandless and Bob Stewart performing two spectacular EVA's (space walks). The German Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS), Remote Manipulator System (RMS), six "Getaway Specials," and materials processing experiments were included on the mission. The eight-day orbital flight of Challenger culminated in the first landing on the runway at the Kennedy Space Center on February 11, 1984, and Gibson logged 191 hours in space.

Gibson was the spacecraft commander of the STS 61-C mission. The seven-man crew on board the Orbiter Columbia launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on January 12, 1986. During the six-day flight the crew deployed the SATCOM KU satellite and conducted experiments in astrophysics and materials processing. The mission concluded with a successful night landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on January 18, 1986, and logged him an additional 146 hours in space.

Gibson subsequently participated in the investigation of the Space Shuttle Challenger accident, and also participated in the redesign and recertification of the solid rocket boosters.

As the spacecraft commander of STS-27, Gibson and his five-man crew launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on December 2, 1988, aboard the Orbiter Atlantis. The mission carried a Department of Defense payload, and a number of secondary payloads. After 68 orbits of the Earth the mission concluded with a dry lakebed landing on Runway 17 at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on December 6, 1988. Mission duration was 105 hours.

On Gibson's fourth space flight, the 50th Space Shuttle mission, he served as spacecraft commander of STS-47, Spacelab-J, which launched on September 12, 1992 aboard the Orbiter Endeavour. The mission was a cooperative venture between the United States and Japan, and included the first Japanese astronaut as a member of the seven-person crew. During the eight-day flight, the crew focused on life science and materials processing experiments in over forty investigations in the Spacelab laboratory, as well as scientific and engineering tests performed aboard the Orbiter Endeavour. The mission ended with a successful landing on the runway at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida after 126 orbits of the Earth on September 20, 1992.

Most recently, (June 27 to July 7, 1995), Captain Gibson commanded a crew of seven-members (up) and eight-members (down) on Space Shuttle mission STS-71. This was the first Space Shuttle mission to dock with the Russian Space Station Mir, and involved an exchange of crews. The Atlantis Space Shuttle was modified to carry a docking system compatible with the Russian Mir Space Station. It also carried a Spacelab module in the payload bay in which the crew performed various life sciences experiments and data collections. Mission duration was 235 hours, 23 minutes.

In five space flights, Gibson has completed a total of 36-1/2 days in space.

Gibson left NASA in mid-November to pursue private business interests.

Photo: NASA

First Flight of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

Photos: Lockheed Martin

The stealthy, multi-service F-35 is the most powerful single-engine fighter in history, and is designed to replace the F-16, F/A-18 Hornet, the Harrier and the A-10.