Today there was an accident at the Quad Cities Air show and an L-39 from the Hoppers demonstration team was lost. News reports, and internet posts indicate that the pilot was killed.
http://qctimes.com/news/local/pilot-dies-in-plane-crash-crashes-during-quad-city-air/article_c2dbc18c-f463-11e1-929d-0019bb2963f4.html (http://qctimes.com/news/local/pilot-dies-in-plane-crash-crashes-during-quad-city-air/article_c2dbc18c-f463-11e1-929d-0019bb2963f4.html)
That's tragic. I've seen these guys fly since 2004. Next weekend they are/were scheduled to appear at a local Airshow.
IIRC the MIWG Vice Commander flies for the Hoppers!
Update
According to their Facebook page he was not the pilot
http://www.facebook.com/MIWGCAP (http://www.facebook.com/MIWGCAP)
Quote from: Man Of Action on September 02, 2012, 11:58:05 AM
IIRC the MIWG Vice Commander flies for the Hoppers!
Update
According to their Facebook page he was not the pilot
http://www.facebook.com/MIWGCAP (http://www.facebook.com/MIWGCAP)
MIWG is very grateful that the pilot that died was not our own Tim Brutsche. Because of his involvement with Hoppers, there are a number of people in the wing that know the whole team and knew Skids, the pilot that passed away (I never had the chance to meet him). It was a solemn weekend in the wing.
QuoteGlenn Smith, in the middle of the Hopper Mission, "Educate the general public, inspire kids to work hard in school and aim high in life, have fun."
We lost our team mate and close friend Glenn Smith, call sign "Skids", to an accident at the Quad City Air Show on September 1, 2012.
Glenn recently retired after building a very successful business in the software industry. He had many interests and loved to be out in nature, as well as traveling the world.
"Skids" was a careful and very accomplished pilot and was rated in a variety of airplanes. He always went out of his way to achieve the Hopper Mission (www.hopperflight.com (http://www.hopperflight.com)).
He leaves behind family and many close personal friends and associates, as well as his Hopper Team. We thank the people that have written with your thoughts and prayers, it helps. He left us too early and we will miss him.
God Bless Skids.
From their facebook page