World's First Tiltrotor Aircraft Returns To Texas

History rolled into Bell Helicopter's Flight Research Center at Arlington Municipal Airport on Thursday when a tractor trailer loaded with ancient aircraft parts and pieces was eagerly greeted by Bell employees and retirees.  The precious cargo contained the parts of the Bell XV-3, the world's first successful tiltrotor aircraft. Over the next two years, Bell employees and volunteers will restore the aircraft to museum quality display condition. Bell Helicopter will keep the XV-3 in Fort Worth, until 2008, when the historic plane goes on permanent display at the U.S. Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson A.F.B.,(OH). Bell officials pointed out while the XV-3 will never fly again; it remains an important part of Americ

Woodbury Univ. "Test Flying the World's Fastest Airplanes" Program

Famed test pilot Bob Gilliland will share recollections of his high-flying career and take questions from the audience during a Sunday, February 8 event at Woodbury University in Burbank, (CA). "Test Flying the World's Fastest Airplanes" will be held Sunday, February 8 at Woodbury University, 7500 Glenoaks Boulevard, Burbank. A cocktail and buffet reception will begin at 6 p.m., with a discussion and video presentation by Gilliland beginning at 7 p.m. Cost is $50 per person for the entire evening or $25 per person for the program only. Proceeds benefit Woodbury University's Library Associates, a volunteer organization dedicated to improving library services. Gilliland has logged more experimenta

Pilot, Navigator Killed As Jet Hits Building

A Saudi F-15 fighter-jet crashed into an air force base in the eastern part of this Middle Eastern country.The crash took place during a routine training flight in the Eastern Province on Wednesday. Various reports indicated the pilot and navigator were killed when the jet crashed into a building at the military base. An Egyptian national employed in the building's cafeteria was also killed in the crash. News reports indicated 500 air force cadets were on a base tour when the F-15 impacted the structure. Witness reports claim the aircraft crashed moments after takeoff. Saudi Arabia has about 150 F-15s, including the advanced F-15S procured in 1995 from the United States.  

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