BLUE GRASS AIRPORT: An American Aviation Story
Enjoys a Successful Launch with Book Signings by Astronaut Story Musgrave;
Wins Three National Awards!
SORRY! CURRENTLY OUT-OF-PRINT -- Blue Grass Airport, author/publisher Fran Taylor and area writers collaborated on a groundbreaking book comprehensively detailing the previously untold history of aviation in central Kentucky. Remarkably, while its historical highlights repeatedly made headlines, the story of aviation in the Bluegrass remained under the radar in contemporary times and had not been captured in a single narrative until now.
Blue Grass Airport: An American Aviation Story presents this history through a national and international lens, shedding light and a fresh perspective to almost forgotten stories. The 240-page book, presented by Blue Grass Airport and underwritten by businesses with long-term connections to the airport, features over 400 photographs – some never before published.
The book launched on April 15th in select Lexington book and gift stores with retired astronaut and former Lexington resident, Story Musgrave signing books at Joseph-Beth Booksellers and Morris Book Shop. In 2015, the book was recognized as a Ben Franklin Award Silver Medalist and also won two Gold IPPY awards.
Musgrave, who wrote the introduction to the book, obtained his pilot’s license at Blue Grass Field in the 1960s while working on two (of his five) advance degrees at the University of Kentucky. The introduction reflects his love of flying and the special connection he has to Lexington, which he considers his hometown. He went on to have a highly distinguished and decorated career as a 30-year NASA astronaut flying on six space missions. He is noted as being one of the first astronauts to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.
“When Story Musgrave agreed to write the introduction we were thrilled,” said Blue Grass Airport Executive Director Eric Frankl. “He is part of our history and a superstar in the aviation world, so his endorsement meant a lot.”
Lexington’s aviation history is full of fascinating facts. Nationally known early aviators including Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart came to Lexington at the height of their fame. Other municipal airports preceded Blue Grass Field (the predecessor of Blue Grass Airport) and World War I flying ace and president of Eastern Airlines, Eddie Rickenbacker, dedicated it in 1946. Rarely seen photos ranging from the early 1900s to contemporary times illustrate these stories.
The book details Lexington’s involvement in one the most notorious hijackings of all times and the behind-the-scenes complexities of flying people (and horses) at today’s Blue Grass Airport. Comprehensive summaries of the aftereffects of September 11 and the Delta Comair Flight 5191 tragedy help readers understand the devastating impact of these events in the Bluegrass and the nation.
“When we decided to take on this project, it was important for us to involve our stakeholders and the community,” added Frankl. “We knew they would be a valuable resource and would want to be involved in the process.”
To augment research for the book, oral histories were collected from former board members, private aviation enthusiasts and community partners. Aviation officials such as NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman and Kentucky Department of Aviation Commissioner Winn Turney were interviewed. In August 2012 the public was invited to bring their stories, photos and memorabilia to the airport for a “Collecting History” event to help gather information for the book.
The growth of Blue Grass Field as it morphed into Blue Grass Airport shaped the economic development of the entire region, allowing blue chip companies to do business from Lexington and international buyers to fly in to purchase highly regarded Thoroughbred bloodstock. Blue Grass Airport: An American Aviation Story documents this history in a thoughtful and entertaining way.
Generous support from the following partners made Blue Grass Airport: An American Aviation Story possible: ATS Construction; Gresham, Smith and Partners; HDR, Inc.; Keeneland Association; Messer Construction Co.; Powell-Walton-Milward; Republic Parking System; Stites & Harbison, PLLC; TAC Air.
About Blue Grass Airport Blue Grass Airport, located in Lexington, Kentucky, is served by five major airlines providing convenient non-stop service to 15 major hub cities and connecting service to hundreds of destinations worldwide. Receive the latest airport news by liking us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bluegrassairport or following us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bgairport.
Fran Taylor is an author and publisher (West High Publishing – www.westhighpublishing.com) best known for her award-winning Keeneland books (Keeneland Entertains; Keeneland: A Thoroughbred Legacy; Keeneland Then & Now) and her book on New Zealand artist Peter Williams. She lives in Lexington and Sadieville, KY with her husband Tom Cheek.
Video by Michael Breeding MEDIA - http://www.michaelbreedingmedia.com/mbmedia
Blue Grass Airport: An American Aviation Story presents this history through a national and international lens, shedding light and a fresh perspective to almost forgotten stories. The 240-page book, presented by Blue Grass Airport and underwritten by businesses with long-term connections to the airport, features over 400 photographs – some never before published.
The book launched on April 15th in select Lexington book and gift stores with retired astronaut and former Lexington resident, Story Musgrave signing books at Joseph-Beth Booksellers and Morris Book Shop. In 2015, the book was recognized as a Ben Franklin Award Silver Medalist and also won two Gold IPPY awards.
Musgrave, who wrote the introduction to the book, obtained his pilot’s license at Blue Grass Field in the 1960s while working on two (of his five) advance degrees at the University of Kentucky. The introduction reflects his love of flying and the special connection he has to Lexington, which he considers his hometown. He went on to have a highly distinguished and decorated career as a 30-year NASA astronaut flying on six space missions. He is noted as being one of the first astronauts to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.
“When Story Musgrave agreed to write the introduction we were thrilled,” said Blue Grass Airport Executive Director Eric Frankl. “He is part of our history and a superstar in the aviation world, so his endorsement meant a lot.”
Lexington’s aviation history is full of fascinating facts. Nationally known early aviators including Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart came to Lexington at the height of their fame. Other municipal airports preceded Blue Grass Field (the predecessor of Blue Grass Airport) and World War I flying ace and president of Eastern Airlines, Eddie Rickenbacker, dedicated it in 1946. Rarely seen photos ranging from the early 1900s to contemporary times illustrate these stories.
The book details Lexington’s involvement in one the most notorious hijackings of all times and the behind-the-scenes complexities of flying people (and horses) at today’s Blue Grass Airport. Comprehensive summaries of the aftereffects of September 11 and the Delta Comair Flight 5191 tragedy help readers understand the devastating impact of these events in the Bluegrass and the nation.
“When we decided to take on this project, it was important for us to involve our stakeholders and the community,” added Frankl. “We knew they would be a valuable resource and would want to be involved in the process.”
To augment research for the book, oral histories were collected from former board members, private aviation enthusiasts and community partners. Aviation officials such as NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman and Kentucky Department of Aviation Commissioner Winn Turney were interviewed. In August 2012 the public was invited to bring their stories, photos and memorabilia to the airport for a “Collecting History” event to help gather information for the book.
The growth of Blue Grass Field as it morphed into Blue Grass Airport shaped the economic development of the entire region, allowing blue chip companies to do business from Lexington and international buyers to fly in to purchase highly regarded Thoroughbred bloodstock. Blue Grass Airport: An American Aviation Story documents this history in a thoughtful and entertaining way.
Generous support from the following partners made Blue Grass Airport: An American Aviation Story possible: ATS Construction; Gresham, Smith and Partners; HDR, Inc.; Keeneland Association; Messer Construction Co.; Powell-Walton-Milward; Republic Parking System; Stites & Harbison, PLLC; TAC Air.
About Blue Grass Airport Blue Grass Airport, located in Lexington, Kentucky, is served by five major airlines providing convenient non-stop service to 15 major hub cities and connecting service to hundreds of destinations worldwide. Receive the latest airport news by liking us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bluegrassairport or following us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bgairport.
Fran Taylor is an author and publisher (West High Publishing – www.westhighpublishing.com) best known for her award-winning Keeneland books (Keeneland Entertains; Keeneland: A Thoroughbred Legacy; Keeneland Then & Now) and her book on New Zealand artist Peter Williams. She lives in Lexington and Sadieville, KY with her husband Tom Cheek.
Video by Michael Breeding MEDIA - http://www.michaelbreedingmedia.com/mbmedia
Amy Caudill and Fran Taylor accepting Gold 2015 IPPY Award for Blue Grass Airport book.
