PRESS RELEASE: 6 World Record Holding Pilots Unite to Honor Tuskegee Airmen

Six World Record Holding Pilots from Tomorrow’s Museum
To Unite with Youth from Across America to Honor Tuskegee Airmen
Youth the Focus as Generations of Black Pilots and Astronauts
Converge In Air and On Land at
2006 IBAC Co-Convention in Phoenix Arizona

COMPTON, CALIFORNIA, July 31, 2006-Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum today proudly announced that ten young pilots from its Congressionally-recognized aviation program will unite with youth from across America to celebrate African-Americans in aviation and to honor the Tuskegee Airmen legacy at the IBAC (International Black Aerospace Council) Co-Convention being held at the J.K. Marriott Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona, Tuesday, August 1, 2006 through Saturday, August 5, 2006.

Besides being the largest annual gathering of original Tuskegee Airmen who embody the illustrious past of African-Americans in aviation, the IBAC convention will bridge generations with special speakers, NASA astronauts Stephanie Wilson of the recent Space Shuttle Discover mission, and newly appointed four-star General Kevin P. Chilton of the Air Force Space Command. The museum is honored that three of its young members–whose well-publicized world records ignited resurgence of interest in minority youth being pilots–have been selected to represent the future of African-Americans in aviation, and will participate in a “Reaching Our Youth, Securing Our Future” Panel Discussion, fielding questions from young pilots assembled from across the country. Honored will be Jonathan Strickland, the 14-year old pilot who flew solo both a helicopter and airplane on the same day breaking four world records earlier this month, and Jimmy Haywood and Kenny Roy who, at ages 11 and 14, in September 2005 took an historic flight to Canada breaking two world records. Their exploits, including video segments, is available at the museum’s new website at www.tamuseum.org .

Also attending the convention will be Aero-Squad members Richard Olmos, Jeanessa Perry, Michael Sherrill, Christopher Shelton, and Diamond, Darius and Delorian Hooper, ages 11-17, distinguished youth in the museum’s Computer Flight Simulation Competition Team.

At the convention, the kids from Compton, California will have the great honor of participating in the 994th Tuskegee Airmen Air Force Park Dedication of a red-tailed F-16 jet at Luke Air Force Base; the “Fly-Sister-Fly” Betsy Coleman Empowerment Breakfast with astronaut Stephanie Wilson; a Youth Day and Luncheon seated at tables with original Tuskegee Airmen; and youth-oriented aviation exhibits including the latest flight simulators. The luncheon will also feature the Washington, DC-based Elite United States Air Force Dream Team and Honor Guard, and Omarion Banyon, of southern California in a rendition of Betsy Coleman, the oldest female black aviator. Museum angel, Diamond Hooper, age 13, will moderate the Youth Luncheon along with White House pilot Otis Hooper, her nemesis in the first “Youth versus Military” landing competition judged by California Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald held in Washington, DC in September 2005 as part of the Congressional Black Caucus convention.

“We are excited about networking and meeting other young pilots from across American who have a love of flying and respect the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen,” stated Tomorrow’s Museum Executive Director Robin Petgrave. “It will be a unique honor to listen to Tuskegee Airmen discuss the past, talk to an astronaut discussing the present, and meet with other young pilots as we look towards our future,” continued Jeanessa Perry, age 14, an Aero-squad future astronaut hopeful.

The team will dorm with other young pilots from Aviation Career Education (ACE) camps from Atlanta, Denver, and Phoenix; the OBAP Flight Academy from Delaware State University; the Denbigh Aviation Academy from Newport News, Virginia; the Flack McGuire team from San Diego, California; and Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated chapters nationwide.

The team of Aero-squad pilots is scheduled to depart from Tomorrow’s Aeronautical on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at 5:00 AM, and will return on Friday, August 4, 2006 at approximately 5PM.

The trip was made possible through the generous donation of the Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP) and the Archer-Ragsdale Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated of Phoenix, Arizona. Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum is located at 961 W. Alondra Boulevard in Compton, California 90222, telephone 310-618-1155. For questions and inquiries, please contact Cynthia Macon, 310-940-8801 or Mmacon1960@aol.com or Robin Petgrave, museum Executive Director, at 310-938-2727 or robin@celebheli.com. In Phoenix, contact Larry Jackson (ACE/OBABP) at 602-321-4174 or 623-930-8051, or Sheila Jackson (Tuskegee Airmen) at 404-313-5211 or 623-518-9314.

Tomorrow’s Museum 2006 IBAC Co-Convention Agenda

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1ST

5 AM Depart Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum
961 W. Alondra Boulevard
Compton, California 90222
310-618-1155

12 PM Arrive/bunk at Papago Army National Guard Training
5838 East McDowell Road
Phoenix, Arizona
Sgt. Don Prioleau 623-640-7271

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2ND

7:30 AM Betsy Coleman Breakfast Featuring Astronaut Stephanie Wilson
Elite assemblage of black female pilots and astronauts
(Jeanessa Perry, Diamond and Delorian Hooper, Tomorrow’s Museum)
J. W. Marriott Resort and Spa, Phoenix Arizona

9 AM- 12 Noon 994th Tuskegee Airmen Air Force Park Dedication
Tuskegee Airmen Dedication of F-16 painted with Red Tail.
Luke Air Force Base

2-3 PM Lonely Eagle Dedication
Ceremony marking passage of recently deceased Tuskegee airmen
TBD

7 PM OfficialConvention Welcome Reception
J.W. Marriott Resort & Spa Hotel

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3RD

8 AM – 4 PM IBAC YOUTH DAY – EXHIBIT HALL OPENS
J. W. Marriott Resort and Spa, Phoenix Arizona

11 AM Youth Luncheon with Original Tuskegee Airmen
(Featuring Diamond Hooper, Moderator, Tomorrow’s Museum
2 PM Youth Panel
(Featuring Jonathan, Jimmy, Kenny from Tomorrow’s Museum)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4TH

5 PM Scheduled Return Arrival at Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum