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Suzanne
Asbury-Oliver Among
Collection of Profiles of Women
Who Have Made Significant
Contributions to Aviation.
|
Suzanne
Asbury-Oliver, the world’s only active professional female
skywriter, is one of 50 women in featured in STARS OF THE SKY,
Legends All: Illustrated Histories of Women Aviation Pioneers,
a collection of profiles of women who have made their mark in aviation.
The illustrated book by writer Ann Cooper and aviation artist Sharon
Rajnus also introduces readers to many aviation firsts, including
the first black female aviator and first female aircraft designer.
Piloting the Oregon
Aero® SkyDancer, a specially modified
1956 de Havilland Chipmunk, Suzanne is at home with these accomplished
women. Her skywriting, a nearly lost aviation technique, is carefully
choreographed flying, featuring precise turns, exact headings
and perfect timing. The result is a head-turning phenomenon that
takes spectators by pleasant surprise.
The stories in STARS OF THE SKY, Legends All capture
the strengths of amazing women like Suzanne, women passionate
about aviation
and about living lives of challenge and excitement. Other women
include a flight surgeon, Eskimo bush pilot, air traffic controller,
record setter, racer and test pilot. Additional profiled “firsts” include
the first woman to fly solo around the world, the first female
airline manager and the first female Thunderbolt pilot.
Ann Cooper has a varied background in aviation, business, writing,
and the military. Ann is a certified flight instructor and has
written five other books and more than 700 magazine articles.
She lives in Dayton, Ohio.
Sharon Rajnus has been an artist and pilot for more than 30
years. A resident of Malin, Oregon with her pilot husband Donald,
Sharon is a member of the Crater Lake Ninety-Nines and personally
lives the life of a woman in aviation.
STARS OF THE SKY, Legends All, is available on Amazon.com.
 |
Mike and
Jude Dennis, Oregon Aero owners, took time out of their busy
AirVenture schedule to talk to AVWeb about the company’s
history, products and philosophies. Click
here to listen to the podcast.

AvWeb Photo
The
Oregon Aero® SkyDancer was busy during AirVenture—painting
the sky with smiley faces, acknowledging EAA show sponsors, and
writing what must be the world’s largest get-well card
for a fellow aerobatic performer. Here the 1942 DC-3 “Duggy” smiles
back! Read
more.
On-Site
Installation of Headset and Helmet Upgrades; Try Our
Seating
Building C, Booth 3137
|

Lots
will happen at the Oregon Aero booth during
EAA AirVenture
Oshkosh
2008, July 28-August 3!
Meet
the world’s only
husband-and-wife aerobatic and skywriting duo, sit
in samples of our aircraft seat cushion upgrades,
view
our show-only
specials, and bring your headset or helmet to the
booth for free installation of our painless,
safer upgrades.
|
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| Keep
your eyes on the skies at Oshkosh for Suzanne Asbury-Oliver’s
aerial artistry. Suzanne created this “EAA” image
during AirVenture 2006. |
Steve
Oliver and Suzanne Asbury-Oliver, the world’s
only husband-and-wife aerobatic and skywriting duo, will
sign autographs and greet fans at the Oregon Aero booth
daily during AirVenture Oshkosh 2008. Steve and Suzanne
pilot the Oregon Aero® SkyDancer,
a modified 1956 deHavilland Chipmunk warbird. Look for
Suzanne’s skywriting during
the week.
 |
Feel
the difference of an Oregon Aero seating system
when you visit our booth in Building C.
|

Oregon
Aero® Upgrade Kits create pain-free,
quieter headsets and helmet. The panel says “The
World’s Greatest Headset Is the One You Already Own!® Upgraded
by Oregon Aero”. It’s true—and the Upgrade
Kit is less expensive than a new headset.
 |
| You never know who will show
up at the Oregon Aero booth during Oshkosh! Here
Barrington Irving (left),
the youngest person ever and the first African-American
to fly solo around the globe, visits Suzanne Asbury-Oliver
and husband Steve Oliver at the booth. Barrington flew
on an Oregon Aero® High-G® seat for his global
flight. |
|
Writing
Message in the Sky Over Chicago
|
The
message was in all capital letters about three-quarters
of a mile in height and stretching
some 8 miles lengthwise.
It read, "SKYMAILME.COM."
Suzanne
Asbury-Oliver was asked by Mitchell Airport to deliver
this message over the Windy City of
Chicago. With
the strong winds aloft above Wrigley, the message quickly
blew apart before she
completed it, a 15-minute process.
For the complete story and to view a video, click
here.
|
Olivers
"Wow" the Crowd at Florence, SC Airshow
|
 |
Brian
Formica sits in the 1956 de Havilland Super Chipmunk
at May Fly in Florence, SC.
Photo
courtesy WBTW News 13.
|
Steve & Suzanne
Oliver just finished a show in Florence, SC where Steve gave
a local reporter the ride of his life. To read the
complete story and view the video captured by Brian Formica
of WBTW News 13, click here.
Suzanne also
left her mark at the show by skywriting ‘air
show’ and ‘May Fly’ against a nice bright blue
sky. To read the complete story and view video captured during
the show by WBTW News 13 in Florence, click
here.
The Olivers
are scheduled to be in Manitowoc, WI for their next show, June
6-8. Click
here to
view their complete 2008 schedule.
Oregon
Aero® SkyDancer Releases 2008 Schedule
|
Oregon Aero
is proud to be the title sponsor again this year of Steve Oliver
and Suzanne Asbury-Oliver, recognized worldwide as the only husband-and-wife
aerobatic and
skywriting duet, and their highly modified de Havilland Chipmunk,
the Oregon
Aero® SkyDancer.
Don’t
miss an opportunity to see this one-of-a-kind airshow performance.
April 8-13 Sun N' Fun Fly-In, Lakeland, FL (N)
May 23-25 May Fly Air Show, Florence, SC
June 6-8 Manitowoc,
WI
June
21-22 Chicago, IL (Skywriting)
July 2-6 Battle Creek's Field of Flight Air Show, Battle
Creek, MI (N)
July 5 Goshen, IN
July
29- Aug. 3 EAA AirVenture, Oshkosh, WI
Sept. 12-14 Mount Home AirForce Base, ID Gunfighter Skies 2008
Sept.19-21 Adventure Weekend, Birmingham, AL
Sept.26-28 Grand Junction Air Show, Grand Junction,
CO (N)
(N) Denotes
night show.
Click
here for more information about the Oregon Aero® SkyDancer.
Oregon
Aero Gear Helps Mike Mangold Win 2007 Red Bull Air
Race Championship
|
We
can’t say with certainty that the Oregon Aero
gear Mike Mangold was using gave him the edge in winning
this year’s Red Bull Air Race championship. But it
certainly didn’t hurt. And it didn’t hurt another
racer, Kirby Chambliss, when he won the championship last
year. By a razor-thin margin, Mangold took this year’s
title in Perth, Australia in the highly visible international
competition that takes place in several countries between
April and November. Race sponsor Red Bull has placed a photo
of Mangold on the front page of its air race website (www.redbullairrace.com)
that prominently displays the Oregon Aero logo on his helmet.
Congratulations Mike, and good luck in your quest for the
2008 championship! |
Tactical
Response Magazine’s “TAC GEAR” Features
Headset Upgrade Kit
|
The Oregon Aero® Headset Upgrade Kit appeared in a
product review in the “TAC GEAR” section of the
Sept/Oct 2007 issue of Tactical Response, the magazine for
special enforcement (p. 6).
Law enforcement officers and Homeland Security officials
who wear aviation headsets, hearing protection headsets,
and other communications headsets can benefit from Oregon
Aero’s headset upgrade kit. The five components
of the headset upgrade kit work as one to eliminate pain
and
pressure, improve intelligibility and keep the head and
ears cool and dry.
Headset upgrade kits are custom made for more than 150
headset models, including the ANR and non-ANR headsets
most commonly used by special enforcement.
Click here to find the correct headset upgrade kit for
your headset model.
|
HS
Today Magazine’s “Tools & Technology” Features
Headset Upgrade Kit
|
The Oregon
Aero® Headset Upgrade Kit appeared in a
product review in the “Tools & Technology” section
of the October 2007 issue of HS Today, the magazine of homeland
security insight and analysis (p. 17).
Homeland
Security officials and fist responders who wear aviation
headsets, hearing protection headsets, and other
communications headsets can benefit from Oregon Aero’s
headset upgrade kit. The five components of the headset
upgrade kit work as one to eliminate pain and pressure,
improve intelligibility and keep the head and ears cool
and dry.
Headset upgrade kits are custom made for more than 150
headset models, including the ANR and non-ANR headsets
most commonly used by homeland security professionals.
Click
here to find the correct headset upgrade kit for
your headset model.
|
SportSeat
by Oregon Aero Gives Columbia Aircraft a Luxury Ride
|
| The
October 2007 issue of AOPA Pilot magazine includes an extensive
review of the Columbia 400, covering
the aircraft’s
comfort as well as its performance (pp. 67—74). The
reviewer compares the Columbia 400 to a Mercedes-Benz 300
SL stating, “The Columbia 400 is similar to this classic
car in many ways.” Oregon Aero has heard similar comparisons
from its seat customers who have said that the Oregon Aero
seat feels more like the seats in a luxury car than a private
aircraft.
It’s not surprising that the Columbia 400 is comfortable — the
Columbia SportSeat was designed and manufactured by Oregon
Aero especially for the Columbia models. In 2005, the FAA
awarded the STC and PMA approval for installation of the
Oregon Aero seat in the Columbia 300, 350, and 400 production
aircraft. The seat meets all FAA requirements, regulations
and dynamic testing.
The reviewer
goes on to say, “Columbia has paid
a lot of attention to pilot and passenger comfort. For
the 2008 model there are three different thicknesses of
seat cushions by SportSeats from Oregon Aero that are standard
equipment on the 400SL and 400SLX.”
The SportSeat’s
three cushion thicknesses each provide the same high
level of comfort. In addition, the thinnest
cushion accommodates very tall pilots and passengers
providing them with ample headroom. The thickest of the
three cushions
boosts up shorter pilots in the seat enabling them to
see better.
The SportSeat
by Oregon Aero features nine fore/aft adjustments and
seven recline positions, offering easy entrance and
egress for crew and passengers. The seat’s lumbar
cushion is also adjustable.
|
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Hildebrandt
Thrilled with Authentic-Looking Seat Cushions in His
Cessna 0-2A Warbird
|
The highly regarded
professional aviation photographer Erik Hildebrandt flies
a veteran Cessna 0-2A Skymaster for
his photography work. The warbird is the perfect aircraft
for his work, which includes flying recon to scout locations,
traveling to airshows and photo shoots, and taking his signature
air-to-air photographs. His passion for the Skymaster includes
maintaining the aircraft’s authentic look inside and
out. However, when Hildebrandt tired of the painful, worn
out seat cushions, he turned to Oregon Aero seating technicians
for comfortable mil-spec upgrades.
“Once I put on my first 100 hours
[in my 1968 stock USAF Cessna O-2A], I wondered how in
the world they endured
the narrow sweaty seats that were wrapped in damp, musty
canvas. My primary mission for that plane quickly became
a quest for authentic looking seats made from current materials
that utilized modern support and design techniques to rescue
my butt from the pain and pressures of nearly 40 year old
foam and fabric,” said Hildebrandt.
“I was already enjoying Oregon
Aero® upgrades
to my ENC David Clark headsets, so I decided to see if
they could help me devise an authentic mil-spec solution
for my ex-military warbird. Their experience with current
military ejection seat cushioning systems for the USAF,
USN and MARINES afforded me access to very specific high
performance fabrics that met both my aesthetics requirement
while exceeding my wildest expectations for flame retardant.
Dave in their airframe seat systems department worked with
me to arrive at a solution that rendered my veteran Skymaster
the looks and performance of a fresh recruit ready for
another 40 years of reliable and comfortable aerial recon
work,” said Hildebrandt.
Oregon Aero introduced our first painless, safer seat
cushion system in 1990 for the U.S. military C-130. Over
the years, we have become the leader in testing, designing
and manufacturing seat systems — an Oregon
Aero® Cushion
is standard equipment in the USAF F-22A Stealth Raptor
Fighter ejection seat.
Today, we design and manufacture Painless,
Safer Seating™ for
any type of aircraft. All Oregon Aero® Seat Cushion
Systems are made by hand in the U.S.A.
Click
here for more information about seat cushion upgrades
for your aircraft.
|
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Suzanne
Asbury-Oliver Stretches Message Across Portland, Ore.
Skyline
|
Suzanne Asbury-Oliver, half of the Oregon
Aero® SkyDancer team, the only husband-and-wife professional
aerobatic
and skywriting team in the world, created one of the longest
and most complex skywriting routines ever performed on
August 8 over the skies of Portland, Oregon. Suzanne spelled
out “COOL MOON ICE CREAM,” the name of a new
ice cream company in Portland, the longest message she
has written in the sky to date.
Portland was the perfect venue for Suzanne’s record-breaking
skywriting event since she grew up in nearby Forest Grove,
Oregon. She learned the craft of skywriting from original
1920’s-era barnstormers and has become a central
figure in one of the nation’s most famous aerobatic/skywriting
teams.
“Sometimes the stars just align perfectly,” said
Eva Bernhard, owner of Cool Moon Ice Cream Company. “I
read Suzanne’s amazing story and thought, wow, this
woman pioneer perfectly exemplifies the truism that if
you dream large, you can achieve anything. We contacted
Suzanne and pitched the idea of Cool Moon sponsoring her
in a display of her legendary craft over the skies of Portland.
True to form, Suzanne loved the idea of a 150 mph ‘homecoming’ and
met the challenge head-on,” said Bernhard.

|
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Appezzato
Installs Oregon Aero® Headset and Helmet Upgrades
in All His Gear
|
As an Air Force
pilot, Ken Appezzato went searching for a way to stop the
pain caused when wearing his aviation headset
during 17-hour global missions. He found the solution in
the Oregon Aero® Aviation Headset Upgrade Kit.
“I purchased a full set of headset upgrades and
turned [my headset] into a "Cadillac." This was
before the military was buying them for us and I considered
it a bargain at twice the price! My headset, once a tortuous
vise, became a pleasure to wear,” said Appezzato.
The Oregon Aero® upgrade eliminated the pain, and Appezzato
was sold on Oregon Aero products.
“Now, as a T-6A Texan II instructor pilot, avid civil
aviator, airline first officer, and airshow performer,
every helmet and headset I wear has a full complement
of Oregon Aero products. Whether a 17-hour Air Force
mission, or 15-minute aerobatic show, nothing makes my
flight more enjoyable than Oregon Aero!” said Appezzato.
Now known on
the airshow circuit as Vortex Aerobatics, Appezzato can
be found entertaining fans as he performs
aerobatics in his one-of-a-kind prototype combination Pitts
S2/Christen Eagle. Oregon Aero is proud to make his performances
Painless, Safer, and Quieter™ with our upgrade kits.
|
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Our
new Tactical Knee & Elbow Pads are the most comfortable
pads
available for the Army Combat Uniform
|
Two
new tactical products from Oregon Aero are designed to eliminate
pain and reduce shock to the knees and elbows of military,
law enforcement and other tactical personnel who engage in
conflict.
Oregon
Aero™ Tactical Knee Pads and Tactical Elbow
Pads are for use in the knee pouches and elbow pouches
of the Army Combat Uniform (ACU), as well as in other types
of uniforms that incorporate the same internal knee pouch
and elbow pouch features. Tactical personnel who must dive
to the ground for cover and crawl over rough terrain will
benefit from the pads’ ability to dramatically reduce
shock and eliminate pain. Innovative materials and quality
construction make Oregon Aero’s Tactical Knee Pads
and Tactical Elbow Pads the most comfortable pads available
for the ACU.
Our pads are constructed with a unique multiple-layer,
specially formulated composite polymer and moisture-wicking
fabrics. These components are enclosed in polyurethane-coated
nylon Packcloth for water repellency and extreme durability.
In addition, both the knee and elbow pads are flexible
and specially shaped to allow for the full range of motion
of the legs and arms.
Oregon
Aero™ Tactical Knee Pads and
Tactical Elbow Pads are easily installed in the uniform
by inserting them
in the existing pad pouches which seal with hook-and-loop
closures. Both pads can be cleaned by hand washing in mild
soap with warm water and air-dried in the field. Sold separately.
Click here for more information.
|
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Tune
in To See Oregon Aero Televised on “Living In
Style”
|
| If you have never had the opportunity to hear
Oregon Aero founder, president and CEO Mike Dennis talk about
our Painless,
Safer, Quieter™ products in person, now you can experience
the next best thing. Mike can be seen on “Living In
Style,” which is airing on network, cable and satellite
TV over the next several weeks.
Recorded during Sun ‘n Fun 2007 in April, the Oregon
Aero segment features our Aviation Headset Upgrade Kits,
Aviation Helmet Upgrade Kits, Portable Universal SoftSeat® Cushion
Systems and ShockBlockers® Insole Inserts. Many of
Oregon Aero’s aviation-related products can be used
at home and on the job as well, such as the SoftSeat® Cushion,
which makes any seat painless, no matter how long you sit.
“Living In Style” is a fun new series delivering
useful tips for today’s busy family. This 30-minute
TV news magazine introduces viewers to innovative ideas,
helpful hints, and stylish products with a sophisticated
flair. The show tackles life’s daily challenges with
a take-charge attitude.
During the Oregon Aero segment of the program, which runs
for about six minutes, you will hear Mike discuss the
features and benefits of some of Oregon Aero’s products
that can make your life painless, safer and quieter. We
invite
you to tune into this informational show and hear Mike
talk about some of our products.
Below is the
time and channel information for the Oregon Aero feature
on “Living
In Style” in your viewing
area.
“Living In Style” – General Aviation
Show # 16
Network Television
Date/Station/City/Time
9/19 WPXJ TV 51 – Buffalo, NY 11:00 am
9/19 KGPX TV 34 – Spokane, WA 1:00 pm
9/20 KPXG TV 22 – Portland, OR 1:00 pm
9/20 KPXL TV 26 – San Antonio, TX 3:00 pm
9/24 KPXN TV 30 – Los Angeles, CA 7:00 am
9/25 KPXL TV 26 – San Antonio, TX 3:30 pm
9/25 KUPX TV 61 – Salt Lake City, UT 4:30 pm
9/27 WPXJ TV 51 – Buffalo, NY 7:30 am
9/27 WOPX TV 56 – Orlando, FL 1:00 pm
Cable Television
Friday, Sept. 21st, on the ION Network (Formerly known
as PAX-TV)
1:00 pm Eastern Standard Time
12:00 pm noon Central Time
12:00 pm noon Mountain Time
1:00 pm Pacific Time
Satellite Television
Friday, Sept. 21st, on Dish Satellite (ch. 181) and DirecTV
Satellite (ch. 305)
1:00 pm Eastern Standard Time
12:00 pm noon Central Time
11:00 am noon Mountain Time
10:00 am Pacific Time
|
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Retired
Air Force Veteran Drives Military Sales For Oregon
Aero
|
 |
| Lee
Owen, military sales account manager for Oregon Aero,
Inc. |
Oregon
Aero, Inc. has announced the appointment of Lee Owen
as the
company’s military sales account manager.
A retired U.S. Air Force veteran, Owen has been focusing
on building relationships among military customers and
demonstrating the benefits of Oregon Aero products, including
ballistic helmet upgrade systems, headset upgrade kits,
military seat cushion systems, and ShockBlockers® Insole
Inserts.
Before joining Oregon Aero, Owen sold military Active
Noise Reduction Headsets for Flightcom Corporation of Portland.
Prior to working at Flightcom, he led military sales of
avionics test equipment and aviation supplies for EDMO
Distributors of Spokane.
Owen’s combined military experience, marketing and
customer relations expertise will enhance Oregon Aero’s
steady growth in the military market.
Those
interested in learning more about Oregon Aero® products
for military use may reach Owen at 800-888-6910.
|
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Zeta-C™ Universal
Upgrade Kit Improves Most Types of Protective Headgear
|
Oregon Aero has introduced the new Zeta-C™ Universal
Upgrade Kit for a wide range of helmets and other types of
protective headgear. The innovative upgrade kit includes
everything you need to make occupational and recreational
headgear pain-free, dramatically more stable and cooler.
The Oregon
Aero® Zeta-C™ Universal Upgrade Kit
eliminates painful pressure points and “hot spots” by
equalizing the load throughout the headgear’s existing
cushioning or suspension system. The kit’s three
pads are custom-designed from a temperature- and pressure-sensitive
composite material that molds itself to your head and improves
stability. The pads’ self-wicking proprietary fabric
promotes evaporation of sweat, creating cooler, drier headgear.
The Zeta-C™ Universal Upgrade Kit attaches to the
headgear’s existing cushioning or suspension system
using low-profile, adhesive-backed hook/loop material.
Upgrading requires no tools or modifications to the headgear
and is completed in a few minutes. It is called the “Universal
Upgrade Kit” because it can be used to upgrade most
types of protective headgear.
Once the Zeta-C™ Universal
Upgrade Kit is installed, you will forget that it’s there, but you will remember
the headgear’s dramatically improved comfort and
stability. With headgear pain eliminated, you can focus
on the task at hand.
Click
here for more information about the Oregon
Aero® Zeta-C™ Universal
Upgrade Kit. |
 |
Steve
Oliver and Suzanne Asbury-Oliver Give Special Guest
Lectures in Washington, D.C.
|

World Airshow News reported in its July issue that several
aerobatic pilots were special guest lecturers at the Smithsonian
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., including
Oregon Aero® SkyDancer pilots Steve
Oliver and Suzanne Asbury-Oliver (p. 18). The lectures
were held
to educate docents at the
Museum and included Patty Wagstaff, Judy Scholl, and the
Olivers who related anecdotes about their aircraft that reside
in the Museum.
The 1929 Pepsi Travel Air that the Olivers flew for
many years before adopting the Super Chipmunk they now
feature
in their performances hangs in the Museum. During her lecture,
Suzanne described the difficulty in attempting to make
a perfect circle for her signature “smiley face” skywriting
symbol. She also responded to a question about misspelling
words saying that she did repeat a letter once; “It
was so cold up there…I was stuttering!” When
asked who the better skywriter is, Steve admitted that
it is Suzanne.
Pax, the Oliver’s
dog and SkyDancer mascot was along, too. He wandered
the aisles visiting the docents during
the lecture.
Click
here to learn more about the Olivers.
|
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S.W.A.T. Magazine’s “GEARLOCKER” Features
BLSS® Kit Model 45
|
| Oregon
Aero® BLSS® Kit Model 45 ballistic helmet
upgrade appeared in a product review in the “GEARLOCKER” section
of the August 2007 issue of S.W.A.T. (p. 110).
Tactical
teams and law enforcement officers can now benefit from
Oregon Aero’s latest ballistic helmet upgrade.
The BLSS® Kit Model 45 extends the range of ballistic
helmets that can be upgraded for improved impact protection
and performance, including the most popular models used
in the law enforcement field.
The BLSS® Kit
Model 45 consists of the original seven, highly-engineered
helmet liner pads and features a four-point
chin strap with integrated nape pad. The innovative harness
system design is the key to accommodating more ballistic
helmet models than ever before, and is available in three
colors including tactical black.
Click here to find the correct ballistic helmet upgrade
kit for your helmet model. |
Oregon
Aero® Seat Cushion Systems Are Standard in Legendary
Pitts Model 12
|
|
Photo
courtesy Adam Grosser
|
“The Oregon
Aero® seats are as comfortable as their
ads suggest. The very pleasant surprise was the high
quality of the tailoring, and how the seats complement
the overall design of my Pitts Model 12.”
– Adam Grosser |
The late Curtis
Pitts is a legend in aviation and a master of aircraft
design. His Pitts Model 12 has been called “the
best biplane ever designed.” Jim Kimball Enterprises,
Inc. owns the rights to the Pitts Model 12 and offers plans
for sale and produces parts and components for builders of
the Pitts Model 12. Kimball selected Oregon Aero® seat
cushions systems to be standard equipment for | |