A pilot will share his experience of flying the ultra secret A-12 spy aircraft at an annual banquet to support local aviation.
The Sports Aviation Foundation, Minden Soaring Club, and SoaringNV are hosting their annual banquet at the Carson Valley Inn on April 22.
The featured speaker, Air Force pilot Frank Murray, will give a presentation about his experience flying the A-12 from the beginning of the spy program, before the design went into production as the SR-71 Blackbird.
Murray will share about his time piloting the high-altitude Mach 3 reconnaissance aircraft over hostile territory. He also will talk about his experience flying out of the mysterious Area 51 near Tonopah.
Additionally, the program will honor Minden Soaring Club’s youth soaring scholarship winners for this year. The awards help several teenagers learn the art of soaring from first flight to FAA certification.
The Sports Aviation Foundation is a nonprofit formed six years ago to foster aviation-related education among local youth, to enhance safety at the Minden-Tahoe Airport, and to create a history and education center at the airport to memorialize milestones experienced locally.
The Minden Soaring Club is also a nonprofit established to preserve and protect soaring and encourage youth participation through scholarships and training programs.
The evening also is supported by SoaringNV, the only commercial glider operation at the Minden airport whose annual Wave Camp returns April 20-23.
The three organizations are supported by the Minden-Tahoe Airport management, who support general aviation and soaring daily from the Minden airport.
The banquet is open to the public. Doors open at 5:30 for the 6:30 p.m. dinner. Tickets can be bought for $35 at the Minden-Tahoe Airport, 1146 Airport Road, Minden, by April 19. The price at the door is $40.
