Model Airplanes

Toward the end of the Republic Day parade President Obama took in with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi Monday, the long formations of Russian-made military hardware gave way to newer made-in-USA weaponry and aircraft.

At the same time, the traditional parade celebrating India’s constitution showcased floats from every Indian state and a colorful variety of bands, acrobats, and children’s dance troupes – all symbolizing the diversity and energy of the world’s largest democracy.

Those two aspects of a parade Mr. Obama attended as Mr. Modi’s “chief guest” underscore why the president has put so much time into advancing relations between the United States and India. India is not only a cornerstone of Obama’s “Asia pivot,” boasting huge market potential and promising a key role in regional security.

Recommended: How well do you know India? Take the quiz.

But India’s success as a democracy also makes it a valuable alternative when compared with other major powers in the region, including a Communist China and an increasingly authoritarian Russia. As the US expands ties to other developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region, India can serve as a model of stability and democratic rule, both administration officials and

Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/why-india-us-eager-awkward-dance-partners-213620229.html

UPDATE: Central Kitsap Fire Rescue personnel found what they believe to be debris from a plane off the coast of Seabeck in Hood Canal, about 2:15 p.m. Jan. 26.

“At approximately 2:15 p.m., Boat 51 with Central Kitsap Fire Rescue located a debris field in the area that the plane was believed to have gone down,” CKFR spokeswoman Ileana LiMarzi reported. “The U.S. Coast Guard is sending two vessels to the area to assist in the recovery of debris and search efforts. The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office is also on scene as well as Mason County Sheriff’s Office.”

Sheriff’s spokesman Deputy Ken Dickinson said the debris was found in Guillmont Cove, between Seabeck and Nellita.

“They are finding parts out there that they believe is an airplane, but they don’t know what make or model it is,” Dickinson said. He said the water is about 500 feet deep there, “so they don’t have the ability to get down that deep. Basically, they are waiting for the Coast Guard to bring a bigger ship over. The Coast Guard is assuming responsibility for the search operation.”

Earlier report:

SEABECK — Two hours after the first report was made that a small plane crashed into Hood Canal near Seabeck on Jan. 26, emergency responders had not been able to locate an airplane or debris in the water.

But while several agencies involved in the search were hopeful, they were not presumptuous.

SEABECK — Two hours after the first report was made that a small plane crashed into Hood

Article source: http://www.northkitsapherald.com/news/289856651.html

A group of Howell High School students flew through last week’s finals, then crashed.

Literally.

Students in Howell’s student aviation ground school program not only completed a written test but created motorized model airplanes, based on the flight concepts they’d learned.

The test was challenging. A question about converting temperatures from Fahrenheit to Celsius was about the easiest of the nearly 40 they faced.

But getting the model planes off the ground was even more challenging.

Not every one of the five teams got their craft off the ground and even those that did experienced some bumpy landings.

“Landing gear, that was the biggest challenge,” said Hillary Rickelmann. Her mostly female team created a plane that not only flew but performed a neat loop before coming down.

Teams were creative but realized early that they’d have to throw out some of their more extreme ideas like rocket engines and wedge designs.

“We’re just happy it flew,” said Christian Harris.

His team’s plane stayed airborne long enough to capture the class’ inaugural flight competition trophy.

Each team had to finance its model airplane and team T-shirts, raising money and technical support from local businesses.

“They had to do this all on their own,” teacher Jay McDowell said.

Over the past month, students visited hardware stores and hobby shops for parts and materials.

Teams and mentors watched

Article source: http://www.livingstondaily.com/story/news/education/howell/2015/01/26/howell-high-school-aviation/22386207/

Not everyone has the courage to take on incoming flak that looks as if it’s coming right at you — especially when squeezed into the plastic bubble under the nose of a B-24 Bomber.

Despite some misgivings during his first few missions, Edgar “Dugan” Sleet Dorman, 91, served as a nose-turret gunner in the U.S. Army Air Force during the latter part of World War II. Even though he flew only 11 missions, Dorman experienced some memorable — and sometimes scary — moments.

“Dugan,’’ as his friends call him, was born and raised on a ranch in Bosque County in the now-defunct community of Greenock. He attended a three-room schoolhouse, traveling back and forth in his sister’s Ford Model T, complete with a rumble seat.

Dorman graduated from Valley Mills High School. In the fall of 1942, he enrolled at Texas AM, but signed up for

Article source: http://www.wacotrib.com/news/veterans_profiles/voices-of-valor-edgar-dugan-dorman/article_9f52340e-961c-5135-a1f0-07784b07562c.html