1. C E L E B R AT I N G 1 0 0 Y E A R S
AVIATIONGAZETTE
EVENTS
• September 14-16 •
Rome, North Georgia Air and Car Show
770/672.0808
www.transexpo.org/northGAairshow.asp
• October 13 •
Warner Robins, Wings and Wheels
478/926.6600
• October 13-14 •
Peachtree City, Great Georgia Air Show
Falcon Field
770/487.2225
www.thegreatgeorgiaairshow.com/home.asp
• October 14 •
Thomasville, TVI Service
229/225.4313
• October 20 •
Eastman, Georgia State Air Show
A Wing and a Prayer
Heart of Georgia Regional Airport
478/374.4723
• October 20 •
Athens, Athens Air Show
770/613.3420 ext. 3
• October 20-21 •
Augusta, Augusta Aviation Air Show
On the 100th anniversary of his first flight, a look back at
706/733.1647
the life of Ben Epps, Sr. and his passionate pursuit of flying
By freelance writer Pate McMichael, Lake Oconee, Georgia.
The content on this site represents only
a portion of Georgia’s aviation history; This article appeared in the March/April 2007 issue of Athens
the purpose of this site is to note the Magazine and is reprinted with permission. To learn more about
historical significance of the first powered Georgia’s Classic City, go to www.athensmagazine.com.
flight, highlight associated celebratory
events and to promote There’s a photograph of a plane billowing down a hill
Georgia’s aviation industry and somewhere in Athens—air lifting its wings, wheels touching
educational/career opportunities. the ground, a tree in the distance.
If only we could hit play and set the scene in motion.
Maybe those wings would rise and the picture reveal the exact
day and time Benjamin Thomas Epps became the first person If only we could hit play and set the scene
in Georgia to fly.
Nobody knows exactly when it happened, but we do in motion. Maybe those wings would rise
know the year: 1907. At 18 or 19 years old, the young man and the picture reveal the exact day and
had built his first plane. A 15-horsepower motorcycle engine
powered the machine; it flew with one elongated wing and
time Benjamin Thomas Epps became the
landed on three bicycle wheels. first person in Georgia to fly.
And sometime that year, on the second try, Epps made
that awkward contraption ride the wind. If only for a few In March 1949, Lola Trammel told another version of the
hundred yards, the young man defied gravity. story in The Atlanta Journal Magazine: “The plane was
Decades later, Hugh Rowe provided an eyewitness declared ready to fly one afternoon in 1907, and the next
account in the Athens Banner in his column, “Did It Ever morning most of Athens’ sporting bloods and the idly curious
Occur to ‘U’: A Little of Everything—Not Much of Anything:” were on hand for the test flight…The onlookers did not learn
“Nearly a half century ago, the writer of this column until years later that young Epps had waked up a couple of
was present when [Epps] demonstrated to a large group of pals at 2 o’clock in the moonlit morning and had slipped out
citizens that flying in the air was not a dream, but a reality. to the field for a preliminary test. The plane flew fine—then.
In a machine that he built with his own hands, he succeeded With a crowd assembled, though, something went wrong.
in flying a distance that was surprising to those present. The little machine rose about 30 feet above the ground and
The airplane was hauled to a field on West Broad Street, on the amazed witnesses were just starting to cheer, when the
Brooklyn Branch. It was unloaded on a hill and was pushed plane slipped sideways and crashed.”
down grade, for a run-way, and soon the machine arose and
sailed off for a considerable distance before landing.” See “Epps” on Page 7
©2007 AEROSPACE INNOVATION CENTER // aerospace.georgiainnovation.org

2. I N N O VAT I O N E F F O R T S E N C O U R A G E D
welcome to
georgia
Welcome to Georgia and thank you
for joining us as we celebrate 100 years of
aerospace achievements. Let The Centennial
of Flight Gazette serve as your personal guide
to learning about Georgia aviation’s historic
past, discovering our innovative present and
AIC to Award Ben T. Epps
creating our promising future in the skies
and beyond.
We know how to fly.
With 100 years of flight under our
Aerospace Innovation Trophy
shoulder harnesses, Georgia is committed
to making the next 100 years of flight as
exciting as our past. As a pilot, I understand
the needs of the aviation industry; and as
Governor, I can say Georgia is positioned
Since Ben Epps’ historic flight, aviation and aerospace have become a major influence in the for continued growth and development in
lives of Georgians and a cornerstone of Georgia’s economy. In the spirit of innovation demonstrated aerospace.
by Epps, the Georgia Aerospace Innovation Center (AIC) is pleased to announce the first The Ben T. Georgia has become one of our nation’s
Epps Aerospace Innovation Trophy. top ten employers in aerospace, a dynamic
The Epps Trophies will be awarded in three categories to recognize the most influential and industry that offers higher wages than
outstanding aerospace innovations made by Georgians in the last two years. The Epps Trophies other manufacturing jobs, whether you
are a technician or a systems engineer. In
are intended to honor fundamental research and development, effective aerospace program Georgia, we offer aerospace careers that are
management and aerospace education programs that empower the next generation of Georgians intertwined with national competitiveness
to aim higher. and national security. Georgians from all
walks of life are flying, fixing, and building
The awards will be presented in three categories: the next generation of advanced planes and
1) The Trophy for an Invention recognizes an individual, team or an enterprise’s patented or aerospace systems.
patentable work in a first-of-a-kind technology. Eligible inventions may be critical devices, such as As we look ahead to Georgia’s next
sensors, sub-systems, such as avionics, or entire systems, such as an aircraft or satellite. generation of aerospace pioneers, it is an
honor for us to pay tribute to Ben Epps, Sr.,
2) The Trophy for a Process Innovation recognizes successful process improvement through the young man who invented and flew the
innovation. Eligible process innovations include, but are not limited to, LEAN process first powered aircraft made in Georgia 100
implementations, Six-Sigma implementations, or enterprise change management activities, led by years ago. His spirit of adventure and
an individual, collaborative team, or an enterprise. untiring determination has inspired
generations of inventors and innovators
3) The Trophy for Education Innovation recognizes effective programs and strategies that improve throughout our state, and continues to
science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) achievement in education and training. Eligible serve as an inspiration to each of us.
education innovations may be an individual classroom program, an informal education programs
such as weekend or summer science camps, or math and science magnet school programs, or
We mean business.
innovative technical training programs. Who could have envisioned all that has
been done since Ben Epps’s first flight 100
Interested? Learn more about the Epps Trophies, eligibility requirements and entry process on years ago? In 2003, I began the Aerospace
our Web site at http://aerospace.georgiainnovation.org. Entries are due no later than midnight Innovation Center to serve the needs of
September 3, 2007; the presentation of the Epps Trophies will take place at the Georgia Aviation this strategic industry. From helping small
Hall of Fame Centennial of Flight Celebration on October 20, 2007. Georgia manufacturing businesses and
entrepreneur-led aerospace technology
start ups to working closely with our largest
aerospace employers, including Warner
Robins Air Force Base, state government is
committed to staying on the leading edge of
the wing.
As you become aware of Georgia’s place
in aerospace history, I know you will find
opportunity in the present. We are here to
help, and the Aerospace Innovation Center is
your “one-stop-shop” for getting the support
your ideas need to take flight. Of course we
don’t know what the next 100 years will bring
in the world of aerospace, but we do know
one thing: Georgians will be there.
Governor Sonny Perdue
2 ©2007 AEROSPACE INNOVATION CENTER // aerospace.georgiainnovation.org

3. “Epps” continued from page 1
Ben Epps
A few years before flying, Ben Epps made the decision
that would transform his life, dropping out of Georgia
Tech at the age of 15 and returning to Athens. In
addition to helping his parents save money, Ben
didn’t much care for spending his days in a classroom,
according to a letter home dated Dec. 13, 1904.
By all accounts, Epps thrived as both daredevil
and engineer—a rare spirit who loved staring down the
fear of adventure and the challenge of innovation. His
passion for aviation emerged amid the Wright Brothers’
own quest to conquer the sky. Their ever evolving story
routinely made headlines in Epps’ day.
Soon after returning to Athens, he opened his own
bicycle shop on muddy Washington Street. He also did
electrical contracting. Eventually, Epps started carrying
gasoline and marketing his ability to repair cars. The
profits from the garage fed Ben’s desire to fly. He had
already started drawing up plans for his first plane —
the one he flew in 1907.
It took two years for Ben Epps to fly again. This
time he teamed up with Zump Huff and stoked the local
curiosity early. In March 1909, the paper read, “It is
interesting that right here, within the call of Lexington
almost, a pair of aviators are to be found and that it is
possible a successful machine to fly through space may
be the outcome of their endeavors…They have not yet
been successful in traveling any great distance above
terra firma but they are at work on the machine and Soon after returning to Athens,
hope to have a fine sail before many days.” he opened his own bicycle
Trial and error eventually taught Epps a few shop on muddy Washington
important lessons. One in particular stands out. In Street. Eventually, Epps
developing what would become the 1912 monoplane, started carrying gasoline
Epps added an alarm clock to time his gasoline and marketing his ability
consumption; even the South’s first aviator needed a to repair cars. The profits
low-fuel gauge. from the garage fed
When he flew the plane in 1912, that alarm clock Ben’s desire to fly.
worked like a dream. On the way down, however,
something went terribly wrong. Ben kept the nose up
as long as he could, but the machine eventually crashed
in a field. And once again, he walked away undaunted,
unscathed. He even posed for a photograph next to the
mangled hunk of wood, wire and cloth. In the picture,
he’s wearing a nonchalant expression, a sagging tie, and among the peach trees—throwing the propeller and A few hours earlier, Junior had been
long sleeves—rolled up of course. working the controls.
The Epps Family
So it was only natural that at age 13 Junior started flying a Waco 9 with his dad in the
learning how to fly an airplane.
World War I forced Epps to take a hiatus from One Sunday evening, Sept. 20, 1929, father and passenger seat. The boy made four
flying. He didn’t have to serve because he was married son came home after a long day at the flying field.
with children by the time the U.S. entered the conflict They sat down at the table with the rest of the family or five perfect landings, so Epps Sr.
in 1917. The war brought Epps more garage work than for supper. Junior’s mother, Omie, noticed that the
he could handle. boy and his father were grinning at each other like a stepped out of the plane. The boy
Growing up in the Epps household in the 1920s couple of possums.
was not unlike living in the future. Unusual for the day, “What’s so funny?” she asked. took off, circled the field and started
the house had running water and electric lights, not to A few hours earlier, Junior had been flying a
mention a garage for all the cars and trucks Epps had Waco 9 with his dad in the passenger seat. The boy heading downwind toward the
invented or rebuilt over the years. made four or five perfect landings, so Epps Sr. stepped
Evelyn, the first of nine children, loved flying in her out of the plane. The boy took off, circled the field and runway—where he landed.
dad’s airplanes. She attended the Lucy Cobb Institute started heading downwind toward the runway—where
and stayed on the honor roll. But every so often dad he landed.
would let her skip class. They would drive out to the Mother didn’t know that her son had just become
flying field, hop into one of his airplanes and buzz the youngest person in the world to solo an airplane. “desperately” trying to keep the nose up. But at 500 feet
downtown Athens. That way everyone could see the Dad couldn’t stop smiling. the plane suddenly dove straight into the ground, killing
American flag fastened to the fuselage. Then, when they When the news of Junior’s flight broke, the boy Sylvia Raskin on impact. She was 20.
had reached Oconee Hill Cemetery, Evelyn and Ben became a national celebrity. He became “The Boy Who Epps broke his hip and suffered severe shock. But
would throw wreaths into the air. And for a few, solemn Can Fly.” A woman in Baltimore wrote a chapter about when he recovered he did what he had always done. He
seconds, a rain of flowers filled the Athens skyline, him in a book titled Up. She even arranged for Junior went right back to flying.
before coming to rest on the graves of the city’s heroes, to visit Washington, D.C. The President of the United In fact, he took off from the flying field in East
the men who had given their lives in war. States, Herbert Hoover, wanted to shake his hand. Athens aboard a De Havilland Gypsy biplane three
Epps’ first son, Ben Jr., was chipped off the old Then the Athens paper ran an article, “Georgia’s years later, on Oct. 23, 1937. A first-time student pilot
block. Every Sunday his mother dressed him in a white Aviation Family,” that ended up on the wire. A famous sat in the passenger seat. It was late afternoon—one of
suit and took him out to the flying field where his daddy radio broadcaster, Floyd Gibbons, picked up on the those coveted fall days when the sun seems to set for
spent one day a week flying joyrides, giving lessons, and story and devoted a segment to the Epps family on his hours on end.
performing stunts. Junior soon made a racket out of national radio show. Epps opened the throttle and took off. The plane
selling popcorn and candy to visitors. He could barely All the attention didn’t faze Ben Epps Sr. He just rose fifty feet, stalled, and then slammed back to Earth.
carry all the change in his pockets. kept to flying in Athens. The student pilot lived, but Georgia’s pioneer of aviation
In the afternoons, the boy hung around the filthy In 1935, he took a young couple for a ride one never regained consciousness because his skull had
garage on Washington Street—barefooted. The oil Sunday afternoon. The plane was above the University been fractured. He died right there, on his beloved
and grease caked on his feet so bad it took a putty of Georgia campus when the control stick jammed. Then flying field. Where he had dared, for so many years, to
knife to scrap it off. At home in the country, he played it went into an ugly tailspin. Newspaper accounts from teach others the same skill he had taught himself—one
in the fuselage of an old airplane that sat in a field witnesses said the man at the controls seemed forgotten, yet unforgettable day 100 years ago.
©2007 AEROSPACE INNOVATION CENTER // aerospace.georgiainnovation.org 7

4. GEORG IA’S AV I AT I O N I N D U S T RY
Georgia’s Aviation Industry
Georgia companies provide a prosperous aviation industry. All of the labeled
parts on the aircraft illustration are manufactured in Georgia.
Flight Controls
Flight Control Software
Avionics Systems
Wiring Harnesses
Imaging Radar Switches Jet EngineTurbines
and Propellers
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation the company currently produces 16 different models of aircraft. For more information,
visit us online at www.mauleairinc.com.
Founded in 1958, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary
*Information from www.mauleairinc.com.
of General Dynamics, is considered the world standard in business aviation.
In fact, the Savannah-based company is celebrating two anniversaries of its own: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
2007 is the 40th anniversary of their first flight and 2008 will be the 50th anniversary
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, located in Marietta, Georgia, is home
of the corporation.
to the C-130J Hercules transport and the F-22 Raptor air dominance fighter. The site
Since its beginning, Gulfstream has produced more than 1,500 aircraft for
is also responsible for the avionics and engine modernization programs for the C-5
corporate, government, private and military customers around the world. The
Galaxy strategic transport.
company’s flagship products -- the Gulfstream G150, the Gulfstream G200, the
The plant, located in the northern metropolitan Atlanta area, opened during WW
Gulfstream G350, the Gulfstream G450, the Gulfstream G500, and the Gulfstream
II for production of B-29 bombers under the name Bell Aircraft Corporation. Under
G550 -- are the world’s most technologically advanced business jet aircraft. More
new management by California’s Lockheed Corporation, the facility reopened in 1951
than one-quarter of Fortune 500 companies operate Gulfstream aircraft.
to refurbish B-29s to help meet the U.S. Air Force’s immediate need for bombers
As Savannah’s largest manufacturer, Gulfstream broke ground in 2006 at its
during the Korean War. During the cold war, the facility later built 397
Savannah plant on a new 600,000 square foot service and support facility. The
B-47 Stratojet swept-wing jet bombers under license during the Cold War.
expansion will create up to 1,100 new jobs, a 25 percent increase from the current
Over the next 40 years, Lockheed-Georgia produced some of the most rugged
employment level of 4,300 employees. For more information, visit our Web site at
and durable aircraft for the Air Force including transport planes C-130 Hercules,
www.gulfstream.com.
C-141 Starlifter, and C-5 Galaxy. In 1995, Lockheed merged with Martin Marietta,
Gulfstream, a proud supporter of Georgia’s role in aerospace, sponsored the
one of the largest aerospace engineering and missile technology companies to form
production of Georgia Flight, The History of Aviation in Georgia 1907 - 2007.
Lockheed Martin Corporation. Today named Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company,
*Information from www.gulfstream.com.
the organization has almost 8,000 employees and manufactures the C-130J cargo
Maule Air Incorporated plane and the F-22 fighter plane. For more information, visit our Web site at www.
lockheedmartin.com.
Maule Air Inc, based at Spence Air Base in Moultrie, Georgia, is the manufacturer
*Information from “Lockheed Martin,” New Georgia Encyclopedia Retrieved April 3, 2007:
of the renowned Maule single-engine, 4 place STOL (Short Takeoff or Landing) http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org.
aircraft.
In 1941 the B.D. Maule Company was founded in Napoleon, Michigan to build Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
a light aircraft tailwheel which B.D. had designed. The steerable, full-swiveling When Asa Candler of Coca-Cola, decided to build an auto race track south of
tailwheel is still being manufactured today by Maule. Atlanta in 1909, he probably never imagined it would become the site for one of the
By 1956 B.D. had designed the first of the current line of Maule airplanes. world’s busiest airports. When the raceway didn’t prosper, he abandoned the race
In 1962, the company changed its name to Maule Aircraft Corporation and began track. Over the next 15 or so years, the race track became an airfield for a variety of air
producing the fast-cruising M-4. With its short takeoff and landing capabilities, shows and pilots.
stability, ease of handling, float and ski options, roomy interior, and economical In 1924, two pilots who used the old Candler raceway, Doug Davis and Beelin
operation, the M-4 was a success with pilots everywhere. In 1968, the company moved Blevins, started lobbying William Hartsfield, an Atlanta alderman, to transform the
its operations to Moultrie, Georgia. old race track into a new airport for Atlanta. In 1925, when the search for a suitable
In the years that followed, the Maule planes gained a reputation as a superb airport site began, Hartsfield suggested the old Candler race track and it was chosen
aircraft at a reasonable price. Rugged, simple and reliable, the Maule aircraft has by the city council.
been chosen by pilots throughout the world; in fact, whether on wheels, floats or skis, On April 16, 1925 the city of Atlanta signed a 5-year lease on the 287 acre raceway
there is no region in the world where the takeoff or landing of a Maule is impossible. from Asa Candler and renamed it “Candler Field”. The first flight into Candler Field
Today Maule Inc. is still a family-owned and operated business with 80 employees; occurred in the fall of 1926 when the airmail arrived via Florida. In 1929, the city

5. Actuator Assemblies
Flight Control Surfaces
Composite Fuselage Structures
Sheet Metal Panels
bought the land and renamed the field the Atlanta Municipal Airport. Robins Air Force Base (Warner Robins, Georgia)
In June of 1930, Delta Air Service, later known as Delta Air Lines, began
Robins plays a vital role supporting U.S. warfighters around the world.
passenger service from Birmingham, Ala., in June. In December of that same year,
The global war on terrorism requires maximum effort: since the beginning of that
Eastern Air Transport, formerly Pitcairn Aviation inaugurated the first continuous
war, Robins has deployed more than 8,000 people in support of Air Expeditionary
passenger service from Atlanta to New York.
Forces. At the Air Logistics Center, the surge support team has shipped almost
During World War II Atlanta was declared an air base location by the U.S.
173,328 required supply parts and has received nearly 40,000 units for repair.
government and Candler Field doubled in size. In 1942, Candler Field recorded
The center has accelerated 14 Special Operations aircraft as well as 108 C-130,
1,700 takeoffs and landings in a single day and was named the nation’s busiest
C-5, F-15 and C-17 aircraft.
airport, a distinction the current Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Worldwide support of U.S. aircraft is at the core of the Air Logistics Center’s
retains today.
mission. The center has global management and engineering responsibility for the
When Hartsfield died in 1971, Atlanta honored the former mayor (1937-41)
report, modification and overhaul of the F-15 Eagle fighter, the C-130 Hercules
(1942-61), by renaming the airport -- the William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International
transport and the C-5 Galaxy transport as well as all Air Force helicopters and
Airport. In 2003, Atlanta included Jackson in the airport name after Atlanta’s first
Special Operations aircraft. The center is also a hub for logistics, supporting the
African American mayor, Maynard Jackson.
C-17 Globemaster III and Air Force tactical missiles in addition to computers,
In 2005, the airport celebrated 80 years of service. The current name reflects
avionics and electronic systems on most Air Force aircraft. Another global aspect
two former Atlanta Mayors: William B. Hartsfield and Maynard H. Jackson,
of Robins is the worldwide management and engineering responsibility for the
along with its international designation. From its humble beginnings to its present
U-2 Dragon Lady and E-8 Joint STARS surveillance aircraft (Pictured above).
world-class distinction, Georgia’s primary airport continues to be a vital link in
the world’s air transportation system, handling approximately 84 million passengers Quick Facts
per year.
*Information from • Warner Robins Air Logistics Center is the largest single industrial facility in Georgia
• The total economic impact of the base in Georgia is $4.2 billion.
Delta Airlines • More than 26,000 people, mostly civilians, work on Robins Air Force Base.
Delta Air Lines traces its roots back to 1924, when Huff Daland Dusters was
• The base spends more than $330 million per year on prime contracts in Georgia.
founded as the world’s first aerial crop dusting organization. In 1928 the company
became Delta Air Service. On June 17, 1929, Delta inaugurated airline service with • Robins Air Force Base’s 12,000 foot long runway is the longest in Georgia
the first passenger flights over a route stretching from Dallas, Texas, to Jackson,
Mississippi, via Shreveport and Monroe, Louisiana. In 1941, the company moved its History
headquarters from Monroe to Atlanta, Georgia. On March 14 1942, the air depot received it first official name: Wellston Air Depot
Delta Air Lines entered the jet age on September 1 8, 1959, with the world’s – and it would have that name today, except for that fact that Col. Thomas wanted
first Douglas DC-8 jet service (Atlanta-New York). Delta was the first airline to board to rename the depot to honor his friend and mentor Brigadier General Augustine
100 million passengers in a single year in 1997. In 2007, Delta offered customers Warner Robins, one of the Army Air Corps’ first general staff officers. Considered
service to more destinations than any other global airline, with flights to 292 the “Father of Modern Air Force Logistics,” Robins eventually became chief of
destinations in 46 countries. Delta is America’s fastest growing international airline the Materiel Division of the Army Air Corps. However, under Army Air Corps
and is the world’s leading carrier between the United States and Europe. Delta is regulations, depots were named after the nearest towns; therefore, in order to
a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers rename Wellston, he has to convince city leaders to rename the town, and they
with extensive worldwide destinations, flights, and services. Including its SkyTeam gladly did so. In the fall of 1942, the depot became the Warner Robins Army Air
partners, Delta offers flights to 461 worldwide destinations in 96 countries. Depot, today known as Robins Air Force Base.
*Information from Marie Force, Archives Manager, Delta Air Transport Heritage Museum. *Information from Warner Robins Air Logistics Center brochure.

6. CAREERS IN AV I AT I O N
Lindstedts Share Love of Aviation
A skill, a hobby, a profession and a she flew an ATP, a 64 passenger aircraft common thread: we love to fly.”
lifestyle - being a pilot is all of this and out of Chicago O’Hare Airport. Lindy continued his career after
more, according to Lindy and Kathy Today, with over 5,500 hours returning home from Bahrain, serving
Lindstedt, both pilots for a major cargo of flight time, Kathy still loves her as an F-16 instructor with the USAF
carrier. During a recent interview the chosen career path. “There is always Reserve and transitioning into his
couple expressed a love for flying, saying the challenge of trying to have the best new career as a pilot with a major
they “didn’t think there’s another career flight I can have,” she says. “Each flight cargo carrier.
where it always feels you are getting is different, making it impossible to “Honestly,” he says, when asked
paid to do something you love.” become complacent.” about his career choice, “I just love
Kathy Lindstedt, who has flown a George “Lindy” Lindstedt, flying. I love being in the plane, looking
Boeing 727 for the past eleven years, who currently flies an Air Bus out of the window at the ground, the
took the civilian route in her aviation A300/310, chose the military route clouds, anything. It is still the great
training and career. She earned her for his initial training and career. He thing ‘since sliced bread’.”
degree in Aero Technology from Bowling earned an undergraduate degree in Both Kathy and Lindy say the
Green State University in Ohio; as a Chemical Engineering from Clemson profession is special because “you
part of that degree, she obtained her University with a US Air Force ROTC have to love it to do it well.” They also
instrument and commercial ratings. At scholarship. After graduation, he acknowledge the challenges of the
that point, Kathy knew she wanted to entered the Air Force where he spent profession, such as the spent time away
fully pursue aviation, so she continued the next 23 years flying various aircraft, from home and the pressures associated
earning instructor ratings after her including the A10 Thunderbolt and with flying safely. However, the couple
degree, becoming a Certified Instrument f-16 Falcon. His flying assignments thinks that the level of understanding
Flight Instructor. included an overseas tour of duty they share by both being pilots serves
Her first post-degree job was Husband and wife, Lindy and Kathy where he flew combat missions with them well.
serving as a flight instructor at the Lindstedt, are both pilots for a major the Bahraini Amiri Air Force in When asked what they would
airport in Bowling Green. “Even now,” cargo carrier. Kathy flies a Boeing Desert Storm. tell people considering becoming
said Kathy, “some of my favorite 727 and Lindy an Air Bus A300/310. “While I can’t say I loved combat, I career pilots, they said that, in addition
memories are from my flight instruction was proud to be able to serve and do my to earning the required college degree,
days. I really enjoyed taking someone part during that conflict,” said Lindy. the best advice they could give is to
through the learning process of Kathy then worked for a commuter “I loved the camaraderie of the pilots encourage people to “go to their local
becoming a private pilot; I especially airline, flying a Donier 228 and a in the air force; the same type of feeling airport and sign up for lessons…if they
loved watching them solo for the Brasilia 120, both twin engine turbo exists in my current civilian job. We are love learning to fly, then they will know
first time.” props; later, with another commuter, a tight-knit community because of one what they need to do!”
Georgia Aviation Campus of Middle Georgia
Middle Georgia College (as of 7/07) Technical College
Eastman /(478) 374-6980, (866) 374-6980 Warner Robins /478-988-6800
www.gaaviationtech.edu www.middlegatech.edu
Aircraft Structural Technology Aircraft Structural Technology
Aircraft Structural Technology (D) Aircraft Structural Technology (D)
Advanced Aircraft Sheet Metal (TC) Advanced Aircraft Sheet Metal (D)
Advanced Composites Processes (TC) Aircraft Blueprint Reader (TC)
Aircraft Structural Worker (TC) Aviation Maintenance Technology
Aviation Maintenance Technology Aviation Maintenance Technology (AD)
Aviation Maintenance Technology (D) Aviation Maintenance Technology (D)
Aircraft Electrical Installer (TC) Aviation Maintenance Tech (TC)
Aviation Maintenance Tech,
Airframe (TC) Savannah Technical College
Aviation Maintenance Technology, Savannah /(912) 443-5700
Powerplant (TC) www.savannahtech.edu
Aviation Maintenance Tech (TC) Aircraft Structural Technology
Aviation Service Center Line Tech (TC) Aircraft Assembly Tech (TC)
Aviation Operations Technology
Where to Get Your Wings Air Traffic Management (AD)
Airport Management (AD)
Aviation Office Business Technology (D)
South Georgia Technical College
Americus, GA /(229) 931-2394
www.southgatech.edu
Georgia Technical Colleges with Aviation Programs Aviation Service Center Tech (TC)
Flight Technology Aircraft Structural Technology
Aircraft Structural Technology (D)
Flight Technology, Airplane (AD)
Atlanta Technical College Central GA Technical College Flight Technology, Airplane (D) Aircraft Structural Maintenance (TC)
Atlanta/(404) 225-4601 Macon /(478) 757-3400 Aircraft Assembly Tech (TC)
Flight Technology, Helicopter (AD)
www.atlantatech.edu www.centralgatech.edu Aviation Maintenance Technology
Flight Technology, Helicopter (D)
Aviation Maintenance Technology (D)
Aviation Maintenance Technology Aircraft Structural Technology Flight Technology Business Aircraft (D)
Avionics Maintenance Technology (D)
Aviation Maintenance Technology (D) Aircraft Structural Technology (D) Business Aircraft Pilot (TC)
Avionics Bench Tech (TC)
Avionics Maintenance Technology (D) Advanced Aircraft Sheet Metal Tech (TC) Commercial Pilot Airplane (TC)
Avionics Technician (TC) Aircraft Structural Maintenance (TC) Commercial Pilot Rotorcraft
Aviation Maintenance Tech (TC) Aircraft Assembly Tech (TC) Helicopter (TC) West Central Technical College
Flight Instructor Airplane (TC) Waco / (770) 537-6000
Augusta Technical College Coosa Valley Technical College Flight Instructor Rotor Helicopter (TC) www.westcentraltech.edu
Augusta /(706) 771-4000 Rome /(706) 295-6963 Instrument Pilot Rating Airplane (TC) Aircraft Structural Technology
www.augustatech.edu www.coosavalleytech.edu Multi-Engine Pilot Airplane (TC) Aircraft Structural Worker (TC)
Aviation Maintenance Technology Aviation Maintenance Technology
Aviation Maintenance Technology (D) Aviation Maintenance Technology (AD)
*AD: Associate Degree D: Diploma TC: Technical Certificate
Aviation Maintenance Technology (D)
Avionics Maintenance Technology (D) **Information provided by the Georgia Department of Technical & Adult Education
6 ©2007 AEROSPACE INNOVATION CENTER // aerospace.georgiainnovation.org

7. Serious About the Future:
Manufacturing, Maritime Logistics, our strategic industries takes the same
and Biotechnology. “Some of our partnering and programmatic nurture we
centers are acting as incubators or new use to invent a widget.”
Georgia’s Centers of Innovation companies, others offer hands-on training
to industry,” Betts adds.
“The common thread is each Center
The Georgia Centers of Innovation,
and in particular, the Aerospace
Innovation Center see the strategies
What began as an economic advantage of the know-how Georgia is doing what the strategic industry converging. “If we can’t give young people
development pilot program to strengthen Tech and the University of Georgia, needs most, and doing it by combining cool jobs making things that fly and flying
the bonds between Georgia research for instance, already had working on the capabilities that we’ve always had, but them, some other state will do it and
universities and the state’s strategic same problem.” failed to bring together around a concrete own the future,” Fuhrman warns. “The
industries is now a hot-bed of Take the case of business problem.” innovation aspect goes hand-in-hand with
innovation. Warner Robins AFB, whose One new focus of each Innovation education. We are making companies
The Aerospace responsibility includes Center is industry-specific workforce basically out of ideas so that people with
Innovation Center is just providing clean-burning development. Bill Boone, Director of ideas stay in Georgia and make highly
one of Georgia’s Centers diesel fuel to military ground the Agriculture Innovation Center is valuable things that employ thousands
of Innovation, designed by vehicles all over the world. working with technologically-dependent of people doing precise work that saves
the Georgia Department of “Now there’s a three-way farming operations to ensure that lives,” concludes Fuhrman.
Economic Development to partnership between a schools and technical colleges point young “Innovation is hard sometimes to
pursue organic economic small company, nGimat, people into precision agriculture and define,” Betts reflects. “We talk about
development strategies, based the US Air Force, and give them the skills they need to prosper. helping people take their ideas to product.
on Georgia’s intellectual capital and Georgia Tech,” adds Nick Fuhrman, “Bill’s experience reflects what is going on We talk about giving research that we’ve
world-leading research capabilities, Director of the Aerospace Innovation in each of our key industries: the person already paid for a chance to earn its
versus traditional state incentive Center. “This partnership will create has become the capital asset,” Fuhrman place in the market. We talk about the
programs that rely on recruiting and high-tech manufacturing jobs once points out. “In aerospace, the plane or the technology companies need to stay
relocating businesses from out of successful field testing of a new diesel spacecraft is entirely dependent on people ahead. In the end, we are about making
state and abroad. fuel desulphurization system concludes, to work. As 50% of the engineering and potential happen.
“Each of our centers is unique, and and the Air Force begins buying multiple technical workforce nears retirement in “In this Centennial of Flight year,”
each has had unusual success creating units,” Fuhrman explains. the next five years, we are working to Betts concludes, “we’re reminded of how
wealth for Georgians from opportunity we “The technology and ability to avert a crisis.” innovation has always been our best
frankly already had,” explains Don Betts, perform was here,” Betts says, “We “Georgians are hard-working, strategy for growth and prosperity.”
Director of the Centers of Innovation just needed to orchestrate the key dedicated, and willing to meet the Learn more about the program
Program. “Our job was to put the pieces elements.” The same scenario is playing challenges,” Betts observes, “But and how the Aerospace Innovation Center
together,” he adds, “so the little company out at Georgia’s other four Centers of developing these strong characteristics can help your business by visiting us
with the technical challenge could take Innovation: Agriculture, Advanced into actual human assets working in online at www.georgiainnovation.org.
BEST BETSfor business
Centers of Innovation
The Centers of Innovation program works directly with existing
businesses and entrepreneurs to foster growth in strategic industries.
Access to university level research and development is only one of its
signature services. One of the programs areas of focus is the aerospace
industry; learn more about the Aerospace Innovation Center and the
program’s entrepreneur support system at the following links:
www.georgiainnovation.org, aerospace.georgiainnovation.org and
outreach.georgiainnovation.org.
Georgia Department of Economic Development
Georgia’s lead governmental organization for promoting, marketing
and supporting economic growth offers outstanding services for
aerospace and aviation businesses. For complete resource information,
visit them online at www.georgia.org.
University of Georgia’s Small Business
Development Center (SBDC)
For business consultation and educational opportunities that address
human resources, management, technology, business plan and
strategy development, capital formation and infrastructure needs,
visit the Web site at www.sbdc.uga.edu.
Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC)
Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), headquartered
at Georgia Tech, is a nationally recognized science and technology
incubator that helps Georgia entrepreneurs launch and build successful
companies. Learn more about the cener at www.atdc.org.
Teen Web Guide
The Teen Web Guide site to introduces teenagers to the concept
of small business ownership. The site features the fundamentals of
starting a small business. Learn more at www.sba.gov/teens.
Georgia’s Department of Technical
and Adult Education (DTAE)
Maintaining an adept workforce is imperative for keeping your
business successful in today’s ever-changing competitive environments.
Learn more about how our programs can help at www.dtae.org.
Quick Start
Administered by the DTAE, the Quick Start program provides flexible,
customized training through a network of technical colleges, multiple
satellite campuses and four associated universities. Learn more
about the Quick Start program at www.georgiaquickstart.org.
*For a complete listing, visit www.georgia.org.
*Just for Kids word scramble obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration Web site
©2007 AEROSPACE INNOVATION CENTER // aerospace.georgiainnovation.org 3

8. Rising Fawn/
Lookout Mountain Helen Drive Georgia’s
Aviation History
Learn more about aviation in Georgia!
Rome For more information visit the Georgia Airport Association
Web site at www.georgiaairports.org, or the Georgia
Woodstock
Department of Transportation Web site at
tomcat2.dot.state.ga.us/Aviation/Home/index.cfm.
Atlanta
Macon
Warner Robins
Columbus
Eastman
Savannah
Americus
Albany
Moultrie
Thomasville Valdosta
Sites worth a visit!
Albany Dobbins Air Reserve Base Hinesville Thomasville
Challenger Astronauts Monument US Hwy 41, Marietta Fort Stewart Museum Power of the Past Museum
Hazan Shrine Temple 678/655.5055 Fort Stewart, Building T-904 Regional Airport
1822 Palmyra Road Fernbank Science Center 2022 Frank Cochran Drive, Savannah GA Hwy 122
229/432.1011 156 Park Dr., NE, Atlanta 912/767.7885 229/226.3010
Thrush Aircraft Corporation 678/874.7102
Moultrie Valdosta
300 Old Pretoria Road
Columbus Maule Air, Inc. Moody Air Force Base
229/883.1440
Coca Cola Space Science Center 2099 S GA Hwy 133 229/257.2474
229/985.2045
Americus Columbus State University
701 Front Avenue Warner Robins
Lindbergh Exhibit, So. GA Tech College
706/649.1470 Rising Fawn/Lookout Mnt. Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame
Griffin Bell Aerospace Center Lookout Mountain Flight Park GA Hwy 247 S&Russell Pkwy
GA Hwy 49
Eastman 7201 Scenic Highway 478/328.0704
National POW Museum Aircraft Manufacturing and 800/688.5637 or 706/398.3541
Museum of Aviation, Robins AF Base
Andersonville Nat. Cemetery Historic Site Development (AMD)
Rome GA Hwy 247 & Russell Pkwy
GA Hwy 49 Heart of Georgia Regional Airport
Richard B. Russell Airport 478/926.6870
229/924.0343 415 Airport Road
304 Russell Airport Road
Atlanta Area
478/374.2759
706/295.7835 Woodstock
Air Acres Museum
Delta Air Transport Museum Helen Savannah 376 Air Acres Way
1060 Delta Boulevard Head Balloons
Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum 770/517.6090
404/773.1219 706/865.3874