Aero-Linx!

Scouring the information super airways can sometimes be a tough, if educational, task for the Aero-News staff... but it also allows us to check out some truly neat and exciting sites, so it's not that bad a gig. On any given day, we may check dozens (and often hundreds) of different sources for story ideas, and facts confirmation. And, as is the nature of our business, much of this is done on the Internet.

The ANN gang decided we probably shouldn't keep some of the neat sites, info resources, and organizations we've discovered to ourselves... so we decided to bring you Aero-Linx. These are the sites that WE check out -- when we need added perspective, a new spin on a day's topic... or just want to escape into cyber-aero-space for awhile.

Look for some of our favorite sites, coming each day to ANN via Aero-Linx. Suggestions for future Aero-Linx segments are always welcome, as well.

Aero-Linx: French Connection Memorial Site

In October of 1999, the French Connection Airshow Team's Montaine Mallet wrote a note to Karen and Wayne Handley that opined, "We know our job has some risks... but we have to keep looking at the wonderful life we have with it. It sure beats the nine to five jobs and a lot of others. Besides the flying that we all love, the best rewards to us are the friends we make and we keep through the years."

It was a truly beautiful sentiment... but on May 27th of 2000, Montaine and her team-mate husband Daniel Heligoin died when a practice flight went awry. They were two of my dearest friends and some ten years later, the sounds of their voices and the indelible nature of their smiles is as real to me as it has ever been... especially one amazing moment while flying with Montaine in a CAP-10B while Daniel was grinning at me while flying inverted over us just inches away. It was a moment of pure, unlimited, joy. They were two of the most amazing people I've ever met... and their loss, just ten years and few days ago still feels raw and sad and way too soon. We miss you, Montaine and Daniel, and thank you for the gift of having been your friend...-- Jim Campbell, ANN E-I-C, Friend and Pupil (Always)

FMI: http://frobbi.org/dm/