![]() Frasca International, which ships to clients in 75 countries, is the only company capable of producing a complete line of simulators for single engine, multi-engine, fixed wing and helicopter training. ![]() He has also been a generous contributor to other EAA projects.Ĭurrently, Rudy continues his work as founder and president of Frasca International, which manufactures more flight simulators than any other company in the world. Rudy has been a major sponsor of exhibits and activities relating to the EAA Air Adventure Museum, most notably the Flight Simulation exhibit. He has also contributed to EAA’s Warbirds magazine as well as other publications that have featured his military aircraft. He has held every elected Warbird office, including a term as president in 1975. Rudy has served the EAA Warbirds of America in virtually every capacity since those early days. During that time he has also participated in other Warbird events and activities across the country on a regular basis. He has participated in every EAA Convention with flying or static Warbird aircraft since 1969. An EAA member since 1956 and a charter member of EAA Chapter 29 in Champaign, IL, Rudy has been heavily involved with Warbird activities since the organization was officially chartered in 1968. Rudy’s interest in Warbird aircraft has spanned almost all his flying career. Several have appeared in movies such as “Midway” and “1941.” 18 Spitfire, Fiat G46, SE-5 replica, AT-6 “Zero” look-alike and a host of others. His personal collection of Warbird aircraft has included a P-40E, SNJ, T-34, FM-2 Wildcat, MK. In his 50-plus years of active flying, he has logged more than 13,000 hours in a great number of types of aircraft. Rudy Frasca has been involved with aviation since he soloed in 1945 at age 14. Prior to his death, Jeff fulfilled a lifelong dream of piloting a P-38, the type in which his father had flown more than 50 years earlier. He also received special recognition from organizations that ranged from the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Order of Daedalians and American Fighter Aces to the National Warplane Museum, EAA and the EAA Warbirds of America. Jeff’s writing ability and on-screen talent were showcased on ABC’s “Wide World of Flying” Speedvision’s “Roaring Glory” A&E’s “First Flights” hosted by Neil Armstrong the Discovery Channel’s “Wings” Series “Top Guns Over Moscow” on the PBS Series NOVA and countless others. He served as editor of EAA’s Warbirds magazine from 1980 to 1992 and as a contributor until the time of his death. At last count, he had written 64 books and more than 1,000 magazine articles. Jeff was recognized as one of the World’s leading authorities on warbird aircraft as well as on weapons effectiveness and battle strategy. He would ultimately fly everything from World War II fighters and bombers to todays high-tech jets. Several years later, he received the call sign “Fighter Writer” in recognition of his writing and flying abilities. The books were so successful Jeff took future projects on the open market.īy 1973, Jeff received clearance to fly with the military services in all types of front-line combat aircraft. He received research grants from the National Air and Space Museum to research and write books about various military aircraft from the museum’s collection, including the Messerschmitt 163, F6F Hellcat and P-38 Lightning. During his illustrious career, Jeff logged over 5,000 hours in more than 215 different types of aircraft.Īn ordained Baptist minister, Jeff majored in English and history during his collegiate studies. He soloed at age 18 and went on to obtain his commercial, instrument, multi-engine, CFI and unrestricted High Performance Piston Engine letter of authorization to fly all types of World War II aircraft. When a preflight physical revealed his 20/40 vision would prevent him from entering flight training at the Air Force Academy, Jeff pursued civil flight training instead. He learned to fly from his dad in a Navion and a T-34. Soon, young Jeff was interested in Warbirds. His father was a fighter pilot at California’s March Air Force Base when Jeff was born in 1947. Jeff Ethell was born to fly military aircraft. Three individuals were inducted into the EAA Warbirds Hall of Fame in 1997.
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