"80 Octane Man" To Appear At Book Unveiling and Reveal Secret Identity

ANN is really looking forward to this week.

Not only is Thursday the beginning of the 2004 rendition of the Annual AOPA Expo, but the Long-Awaited Klyde Morris book, "Klyde Morris, The Only Ant In Aviation (Spring-Loaded to the Ticked Off Position)," will make a formal debut during a Friday, 1100 press conference to be attended by Author/Cartoonist Wes Oleszewski, AOPA President Phil Boyer, and ANN Publisher Jim Campbell.

In addition to the above-mentioned festivities, there will be an Aero-News/Klyde Morris booth in the exhibit hall, in booth space #10, where the book may be purchased (and autographed!). Other Klyde merchandise will be available as well. This anthology of Klyde favorites spans the decades, from Wes's freshman year at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to present day. Some of the topics the Klyde strips will skewer includes Klyde's early years (at Embry-Riddle), airport security (and the oxymoron of such), Klyde trashing the airlines and NASA, Klyde's pager trashing him (if you're a fan you'll understand this) and Klyde trashing all manner of miscellaneous subjects. Included too, are the strips that have landed Wes in the most trouble –- so far.

A Whole Book About Klyde?

Having a comfortable home at ANN for nearly two years and enjoying the freedom of the press, it was time for the ant to do something big. The idea for the book had actually been hovering around since Wes joined ANN. ANN Editor in Chief Jim Campbell was all for it but day to day ANN took precedent. Campbell was actually somewhat of a Klyde neophyte when he hired on Wes and Klyde. As Campbell read some of the older Klydes he began to "get caught up with Klyde."

Campbell adds, "As a function of seeing Klyde's history, I thought putting it in book form would be a hoot."

Wes puts it this way: "Jim made all of the connections and did all of the groundwork. All I did was send the cartoons". Great work, if you can get it!

Many of Klyde's adventures (or should we say, 'mis-adventures') are from Wes's observations of the crazy world around us, specifically the world of aviation.

Does Wes still remember the events surrounding the strips?

"Although I can not remember a phone number given to me 30 seconds before, I seem to easily recall events--that's just the way my twisted brain works. Thus, I can normally recall, in detail, the circumstances behind every cartoon. Of course some cartoons still have people stalking me... so those are easy to remember." It seems that some people just can't take a joke.

Get A Klyde Of Your Own (and Support ASF)!

We're also pleased to note that AOPA President Phil Boyer, who wrote the book's foreword, will stop by to co-sign the book with Wes (check at the booth for the times when Phil will be available). Boyer is a really good sport to do this... because, as you may recall, "Uncle Phil" has been the subject of a number of Klyde Morris strips in the past... including the infamous "80 Octane Man" series in which Phil was portrayed as a GA Super Hero (which, come to think of it, isn't all that far from the truth). Boyer is such a good sport about this that the AOPA staff is having enlargements made of some of the more prominent "80 Octane Man" strips, which will be signed by Wes, Phil and Jim... to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The highest bidder gets to keep the (framed) signed cartoon, with the proceeds going to benefit the good work being done by the Air Safety Foundation.

Something Special, Something SECRET

We're also planning something VERY special for the Friday press conference. We can't tell you what it is, because Wes does read this rag and we'd hate to see a REALLY good surprise get spoiled. Suffice it to say, though, that our buddy Klyde got to play an unexpected part in a recent historical milestone... and the results of that milestone will be unveiled at 1100, Friday, by AOPA President Boyer and ANN Publisher Jim Campbell. Don't miss this event! More info to follow....

FMI: www.aopa.org, www.klydemorris.com