 ASF Executive Director Bruce Landsberg (right) presents a framed image of the Spirit of Liberty to Stephane Bernard, Socata Aircraft USA president, recognizing Socata's contribution to the Air Safety Foundation. |
Bruce Landsberg, executive director of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation, recently presented Stephane Bernard, president of Socata Aircraft USA, a specially framed picture of the Spirit of Liberty Trinidad GT to recognize the aircraft maker's assistance promoting general aviation safety. Liberty went to an anonymous high bidder in a special ASF Online Auction in 2002. Proceeds from the auction (above the reserve price) went to the foundation, which has been dedicated to general aviation safety research, continuing pilot education, and training since 1950.
The summertime auction lasted four months.
EADS Socata donated the TB20 Trinidad GT, which sported a patriotic paint scheme designed and executed by Oxford Aviation of Oxford, Maine, depicting the French and American flags draped across the fuselage.
The aircraft featured an avionics suite donated by Bendix/King and Goodrich that included a Bendix/King KMD 850 multifunction display, KLN 94 color GPS, KDR 510 weather information datalink receiver, and a Goodrich WX-500 Stormscope and Skywatch traffic advisory system. Banyan Aircraft Services of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., donated the avionics installation.
Watch for the Spirit of Liberty at airshows as the owner enjoys stretching the wings of the one-of-a-kind aircraft.
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