Embry-Riddle Aerobatic Club Receives Randy Gagne's Pitts N260AB
Daytona Beach, Fla., Sept. 10, 1998 -- Embry-Riddle is pleased to announce the receipt of a Pitts S-2B aerobatic airplane, made possible by donations from members of the International Aerobatic Club and by the family and friends of the late Randy Gagne, an internationally recognized expert in aerobatic instruction and all-attitude training and an Embry-Riddle alumnus. Sheree Gagne, wife of Randy Gagne, donated her share of Randy's Pitts S-2B competition aerobatic airplane along with his Attitude Adjusters Ten-Hour Primary Aerobatics Course to Embry-Riddle's Aerobatic Club.
 Peter Stewart Pierpont, chairman of Embry-Riddle's Department of Technology, faculty adviser to the Embry-Riddle Aerobatic Club, and president of the local IAC chapter, and Thierry Saint Loup, Embry-Riddle student and president of the Embry-Riddle Aerobatic Club, picked up the aircraft in Van Nuys, Calif., and flew it to the university's Daytona Beach, Fla., campus during the Labor Day weekend.
Doug McConnell, president of the International Aerobatic Club, stated, "The IAC is delighted to participate with Sheree Gagne and Randy's family and many friends in this gift to Embry-Riddle. Randy Gagne was a well-known and much-loved contributor of his time and talent to the IAC and to the sport of aerobatics. Hundreds of the IAC's 6,000 international members were personally trained by Randy or were otherwise well acquainted with his teaching and international competition."
 Sheree Gagne expressed her gratitude for the support and help given by Randy's friends who want to see his work continued, and said, "Randy set the standard for aerobatics and advanced maneuvers training in this country and throughout the world. Realizing his dream by utilizing the substantial resources and opportunities of his alma mater, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is most appropriate."
Embry-Riddle's recently reestablished Aerobatic Club, which is affiliated with the Daytona Beach chapter of the International Aerobatic Club, provides aerobatic flight opportunities to club members. The club has been using a leased Decathlon. The factory-refurbished Pitts will be used by club members in competition and for aerobatic proficiency.
Pierpont said, "The Pitts is ideal for competition. In one year, our students have placed in several local competitions and Randy's Pitts will give us the competitive edge."
Embry-Riddle has approximately 2,500 students pursuing advanced pilot ratings as well as a bachelor's degree in aeronautical science. The University has the nation's largest aeronautical science (professional pilot) degree program, which represents a large pool of qualified flight candidates who may be interested in participating in club activities.
A memorial scholarship fund has been established at Embry-Riddle in Randy Gagne's name to pay off the balance of the loan on the aircraft, to continue Randy's work in aerobatic training and standardization, and to provide student scholarships. Donations may be made to the Randy Gagne Memorial Scholarship Fund, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Office of Development, 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3900. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a not-for-profit institution.
Embry-Riddle, the world's largest fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, meets the needs of these and related industries through its educational, training, research and consulting activities. Degree programs through the master's level are offered in Daytona Beach, Florida, Prescott, Arizona, and more than 100 teaching sites in the U.S. and Europe.
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