November 14, 2004 

ACR Provides Aviator with Critical Safety and Survival Gear For Upcoming Pole-to-Pole World Record Attempt

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL-- Gus McLeod is used to flying on a "wing and a prayer", but for his upcoming Pole-to-Pole world record attempt this March, the veteran aviator will have a bit more help from modern safety and survival technology in his cockpit.

ACR Electronics, Inc. recently presented the 49-year-old McLeod with a treasure trove of safety and survival gear, including the newly FCC-approved AeroFix™ 406 GPS personal locator beacon.

McLeod, who in 2000 became the first person to fly in an open cockpit airplane to the geographic North Pole, will attempt a new record this spring by becoming the first person to fly solo around the world Pole-to-Pole in a single-engine aircraft.

While visiting and touring the Fort Lauderdale-based manufacturing facility for ACR Electronics in November, McLeod met with company executives Paul Frank (president), Paul Hardin (executive vice president) and Chris Wahler (marketing director). He was presented with a cache of valuable gear including the AeroFix™, a VHF survival radio, Firefly®3 rescue strobe light, ThermaBlanket, signal mirror and whistle and a ditch bag to keep the collection at the ready in the event of an emergency.

McLeod, who will also carry a parachute for the first time during one of his record attempts, plans to affix both the AeroFix™ and Firefly®3 to his flight jacket during the course of the 60 day Pole-to-Pole attempt.

McLeod well understands the dangers of long-distance flight, exacerbated by severe cold, turbulence and sleep depredation. Following his successful North Pole flight record attempt in 2000, McLeod lost power on the return leg and had to quickly set down his 1939 Boeing Stearman biplane. He later returned, repaired and flew the plane home, where it now sits in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.

During two earlier attempts to fly Pole-to-Pole, McLeod was turned back due to severe icing issues. The third attempt, he hopes, will be the charm.

Redesign of his canard wing airplane-- coincidentally dubbed "The Firefly"-- is underway to overcome earlier issues. The plane, donated by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), will feature a turbo charger made by Kelly Aerospace, an exhaust system for the turbo-charger manufactured and installed by Sky Dynamics, and new auxiliary fuel tanks built and designed by Kari.

What's in this for McLeod, a formed chemist for the CIA and now a Maryland-based businessman?

"Through our efforts we hope to celebrate the next hundred years of flight, teach aviation history and inspire young people into aviation careers and the sciences," he said.

As part of an outreach program to young people, in partnership with Florida Atlantic University, Dr. Barbara Ganson will develop a multimedia education program for middle school children. Dr. Ganson, FAU's Associate Professor of History, will post the curriculum for school children maintained by her university (www.fau.edu/solopoletopole).

Sheila Bauer, National Aviation Educational Manager of the Federal Aviation Administration will post notices on the FAA national educational website about McLeod's trip so that school children across the country will be able to track McLeod, as he makes his way around the planet.

McLeod also maintains a website-- www.gusmcleod.com.

McLeod has received numerous honors, including the Distinguished Achievement Award from The Tuskegee Airman, "Conqueror o the Pole" by the Smithsonian Institution, Aviation Pioneer Award by Black Pilots of America, Medal of Distinction from the Air Force Association and on May 3, 2000, the State of Maryland declared "Gus McLeod Day."

He is author of a new book, Solo to the Top of the World.