Call 1-800-63-SPACE quick, folks!

This past Summer’s 2009 Mach III AC 12 day sold out very fast in 2008 when registration opened.

Better call and get registered soon!

Obviously, you have to be an AC alumnus to register.

The Summer season is well under way and the only 12 day Mach III session at Aviation Challenge is about to get underway.

The space side of the house most definitely dropped the ball this year when they decided not to hold a 12 day Advanced Academy session, so this is it for 2009!

But AC certainly won’t be coasting through this one.

No less than Space Camp Hall of Fame member Josh “Safety” Whitfield has been hard at work these past few months along with Red Bull and other AC staffers to make sure that this 12 day will be well remembered by those lucky enough to get a spot on the team before it filled up in record time!

A preview of what’s to come for 12 day has been put together and it’s worth a look.

Wait until the 1:14 mark to find out one very new element to Aviation Challenge that the 12 day campers will get to experience:

Aviation Challenge is receiving simulator upgrades, as Andi recently pointed out in one of her recent postings.

The new software is going to enable more trainees to join in the dog fights and give a more consistent look and feel across simulators (a la Binary Star). So there are probably some pros, cons, and caveats to this upgrade.

But the results will no doubt be quite shiny!

Look for the updates to be finished soon, well in advance of this Summer!

It would appear that Aviation Challenge 8-day Christmas camp is going to be/has been cancelled due to attendance being below desired numbers. It's a shame, to be sure.

Hopefully, those who were signed up will elect/be able to go to 8-day Advanced Academy or the regular Mach III session instead.

I received some troubling news in my inbox the other day, and it had been discussed in the forum even before that. The Aviation Challenge and Space Camp has lost one of its own.

Former AC Counselor Jenie Purves, callsign "Texaco," [was] laid to rest [on Friday, February 6, 2004] at 2:30 PM in Huntsville. Jenie was a shinning star among counselors and will be sorely missed by all. The US Space & Rocket Center has set up a scholarship fund in Jenie's honor to allow a deserving child to attend Aviation Challenge. Tax deductible donations may made at the address below.

Jenie Purves Memorial Scholarship Fund
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center Foundation
One Tranquility Base
Huntsville, AL 35805

Jenie was truly one in a million. Her smile and attitude brought joy to all who knew her, no matter how briefly. She will be missed by many, forgotten by few, and loved by all.

Will Nickelson
Underwater Astronaut Trainer
US Space & Rocket Center

It was once written, "The true measure of a life is not how many people know our names when we die, but whether we touched the lives of others." Jenie Purves was an Aviation Challenge counselor. Though she may have gone before her time, she no doubt spent her years well.

Besides the return of the 24 hour ASA EDM this summer, Aviation Challenge will also be holding special sessions.

The dates of the AC programs will be the same as the ASA 24 hour dates:

May 29 - June 5, 2004
July 3 - 10, 2004
August 7 - 14, 2004

The prices will also be the same: $1149 if you book before March 15, $1299 if you don't, and $300 extra if you've already booked an Early Bird special and wish to change to this program.

Also, just like the extend ASA session, AC will run 8 days and will include the following additions to an already outstanding military/aviation program:

• Added day of activities and mission training
• Special speakers and advanced instruction
• 24 hour Combat Scenario that begins at 9am on Friday and ends at 9am on Saturday
• "Real World" Intelligence briefing, Satellite Imagery Intel, Combat Insertion of Flight crews, Alert Launch Missions, BDA missions, scripted SERE activity (This stuff all sounds quite cool).

These special Mach III sessions will only be open to those trainees that have completed a Mach I, Mach II or Mach III program.

As always, call 1-800-63-SPACE to register!

Why not sign up now?

I recently received a postcard from Space Camp in the mail:

In light of the traedy that has fallen upon our nation, U.S. Space Camp and Aviation Challenge will donate $20 of every registration received -- beginning now -- to the American Red Cross.

For the past twenty years, we have provided and will continue to provide a safe, fun, learning evnironment for children and families. Our thoughts are with those families who have been touched by this tragedy.

For more information, please call 1-800-63 SPACE

So if you're going to go anytime this year, now would be the best time to sign up...you'll get your reservation in early and get to support America.