June 2002 - American Bonanza Society

We graduated from the Guide Dogs of the Desert programthe fo llowing week. Tyus received as parting gifts from theGOD instructors his own wings, a doggie version of a personalflotation device and his own sick sack, which he has, thankfully, never needed.Tyus and I have been together for about two years and wehave logged a lot of hours. He is always happy to go flyingand doesn't even mind wearing his noise attenuating headsets.We return to Palm Springs often to auend graduations andvarious functions at Guide Dogs of the Desert. The staff atMi llionaire Air Service always remembers us. When Bill callsahead to reserve a rental car, the voice on the phone usually asksif we are the ones who fly the Bonanza with the beautiful dog.We have added another canine member to our fami ly:Kala, a guide dog puppy in training. She has also logged a fewhours in the Bonanza but doesn't enjoy the flights like Tyusdoes. When she completes her full guide dog training, sheprobably will be placed with a handler who spends more timeon the ground.Becoming a guide dog handler has been a life-changingexperience. The dogs and the training are offered at no chargeto people who are legally bl ind and wish to live life with freedomand independence.For more information about Guide Dogs of the Desert,visit their website . -@-THE ABS AIRHANSHIP AWARD IS TO RECOGNIZEEXCELLENCE IN FLYING. THE CITATION HAYINVOLVE ANY ONE OF THREE HAJOR CATEGORIES:I. Conspicuous skill and discipline demonstratedduring a very diflicul~ demanding and potentiallydangerous inflight situation.2. Outstanding flight planning and flight managementof an especially challenging mission, air raceor other competition.3. Broadly based career achievements in flying.induding examples from the preceding two categories.as well as continuous improvement asdemonstrated by training. advanced pilot certificationsand highly praiseworthy peer testimonials.THE H.D. CASHION AWARD RECOGNIZES EXCELLENCE ASAN AVIATION TECHNICIAN. THE CITATION IIAY INVOLVE THESE CRITERIA:I. One or more incidents in which the award candidate prevented possiblecatastrophic aircraft failures through unusual alertness and skill in detectingthe potential failures.2. Outstanding success in managing the special maintenance preparations andrequirements of aircraft involved in highly demanding missions, i.e. trans-oceanicflights. Rights into difficult and potential~ hazardous areas. endurance flights.etc.3. Distinguished career accomplishments in aviation maintenance technology.induding specific maintenance innovations. the development of training andinformation materials on aviation maintenance technology recognized widely bypeer groups, exceptionally effective service in the upgrading of the technologythrough various industry forums.Page 7314ABS June 2002