Thomas B. Haines

President of Sporty’s Pilot Shop John Zimmerman said, “Today is a sad day, but it is also a moment to appreciate what an extraordinary life Hal lived and what an enduring company he created. Very few people get the chance to build something that lasts so long and impacts so many people.

Over the past few months, details about the Otto Aerospace Phantom 3500 business jet have taken the internet by storm. AOPA got an up-close look at the innovative jet’s mockup at the UP.Summit last fall in Bentonville, Arkansas. Featuring very high laminar flow across nearly the entire airplane, the 3500 promises much improved efficiency over conventionally designed super-midsize business jets.

In his eleventh book, Young leverages his aviation experience to detail techniques used by World War II photo reconnaissance and French Resistance pilots throughout his engaging tale that includes numerous interactions with real-life pilot, poet, and author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Charlotte Denneau is Young’s main character. An artist, she has created a series of maps locating Nazi facilities in occupied France. The maps need to be sent to England for use by the Allies.