NEWS RELEASE

Communications and Marketing Office
600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3900

For more information, contact:
Phone: 386-226-6157
Fax: 386-226-6158
Contact: Mary Van Buren
Phone: 386-226-6525

Embry-Riddle Mourns Loss of Eric Beard, Alumnus and Air Show Performer

Eric BeardDaytona Beach, Fla., Jan. 10, 2006 -- We regret to announce that Eric Beard, an Embry-Riddle alumnus, a well-respected air show performer, and a friend to many of us, died in an airplane accident near Skagit Regional Airport in Burlington, Wash., on Jan. 6. Eric was flying a small courier plane, a Piper Seneca, from Bellingham to Burlington.

He is survived by his wife, Diane, and four children, Sheena Allison, Tiffany Johnson, Lacey Johnson, and Trent Beard. The family requests that donations be made in Eric's name to Embry-Riddle at givingto.erau.edu or to the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) at www.icasfoundation.org.

Eric was a high-profile air show performer who for years thrilled audiences in his Yak-54, Russian Thunder. In 2004, Embry-Riddle began sponsoring him in his air show appearances. Eric was born in Athens, Ga., in 1957. He spent his earliest years just outside Atlanta, dreaming of planes and flying. After a move to Colquitt, Ga., Eric began flying at the age of 14, taking flying lessons at a crop-dusting strip. His early love of flying was demonstrated at the strip by fueling and cleaning airplane engines in exchange for flying time. As an adult, Eric made his home in Auburn, Wash., where he worked for Boeing and flew part-time for AirPac Airlines charter service. His aviation and aerospace experience also included NASA, where he worked on space shuttles and Titan rockets. More information on Eric can be found at www.russianthunder.com.

Eric earned two degrees from Embry-Riddle: a Master of Science in Aeronautical Science and a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics.

Condolences can be sent to ericb@russianthunder.com. A memorial service will be held Friday, Jan. 13, at 2 p.m. at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.

Please keep Eric's family in your thoughts and prayers.