The Gang At Aero-News!

It's been a fun couple of weeks in the heart of central Florida, as the band of dedicated journal-mental-ists at Aero-News spent time in press conferences galore, shuffled from one extravagant floor display to another gathering information and audio, and had the chance to see some truly AWESOME aircraft -- among them Bombardier's Lear 60XP, the Cessna Citation Encore, and our new favorite plane, the Piaggio Avanti II.

We've also spent interminable hours commuting between Tampa and Orlando, gotten bitten by mosquitos the size of C-150s and chugged down literally gallons of coffee (Rob, Dave) or Diet Dr. Pepper (Kevin) at every opportunity. We spent some time getting to know new companies, as well as established vendors with new products available. We also learned much, much more about inflight wireless broadband communication than we ever thought was possible to know... and then some.

We love it all -- such is the life of an aviation journalist, and we do it all for you, our readers. Okay, so we do 90 percent of it for you... 70 percent... all right, we do it because we think it's all just really, really cool, and the fact you think so as well helps us keep bill collectors at bay.

Sometimes, life ain't bad.

Aero-News would now like to take our curtain call, and recognize the people who came together this year to bring you our coverage of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Expo 2005 in Tampa, and the National Business Aviation Association's Meeting in Orlando.

ANN Guest Correspondent Dave Higdon brought his depth of experience in photography, as well as from his writing for a number of aero-industry heavyweights, to Aero-News during our coverage of NBAA. Many of us swore we'd seen him in several places at a time, as Dave literally flew from one exhibit or presser to another, taking notes, snapping pics and asking questions. Somehow, a gang of three covered 28 press conferences in one day... probably because Dave was at four of them at once at any given time.

Senior Editor Pete Combs, who near-singlehandedly brought our introduction of full-feature daily Aero-Casts to an eager audience. Those of you who've passed along your compliments on our Aero-Casts (there have been many, many more already than we had ever expected in our wildest dreams) have Pete to thank, as do we. Keep 'em coming, buddy... sleep is for the weak.

Senior Correspondent Kevin "Hognose" O'Brien, whose unique approach to news ranging from unusual aircraft to... wait for it... inflight wireless broadband kept things interesting. Kevin certainly has his own style (many readers recognize his writing, even when it isn't bylined) as well as an equally offbeat sense of humor, which kept our crew in stitches even as fatigue threatened to lure us into deep, drooling slumber over our keyboards.

(Editor’s Note: Kevin also came up with the single best motto for the town where our home office is based: "Where Eternity... Is Today. Perpetual Care Optional." If you are a member of the Winter Haven, FL Chamber of Commerce and would like to send along your regards to Kevin, please email hognose@aero-news.net ).

ANN Associate Editor Rob "Junior" Finfrock got his baptism in fire at NBAA and, in particular, AOPA. Rob was a stringer for us at Oshkosh earlier this year, where he was bitten by the bug (probably another mosquito) and became interested in joining ANN full time. After signing over the title to his car and pledging his undying devotion and gratitude to all of us, we let him... do the dishes. And, oh yeah, write a little bit. We haven't scared him off yet... which must mean we just haven't been trying hard enough. Give it time, Rob.

ANN Correspondent Aleta Vinas helped us out tremendously at AOPA, where she attended several events others simply couldn't make it to in time (i.e, the early ones.) Aleta is a regular contributor to ANN, and she has never failed to help us in times of need. Thanks, Aleta! (And watch out for rice.)

ANN Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell, who assembled this gang of aero-heads and somehow kept all of us from cracking under the pressures of information overload and hard deadlines. He fed us well, kept a roof over our heads and even lent the newbie his car. Jim has been a formidable presence in the aero-community for some time now, and he's a formidable presence to work for. That doesn't mean he isn't one hell of a guy, though (but don't tell him we said so.)

And... scene. Most of all, thanks to all of you who have kept Aero-News as your daily source for aviation news and information. Be sure to look for us at the next big aviation event!

FMI: www.aero-news.net