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Clearwater's Neubert Aero Sells Runway Tester To Air Force

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By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 9, 2008

CLEARWATER - A Clearwater airport equipment manufacturer is providing runway testing equipment to support operations of Air Force 1, air defense alert, and myriad other flight activities at Andrews Air Force Base just outside Washington, D.C.

The Neubert Aero Corp.'s Dynamic Friction Tester measures the friction on runways to give pilots data for takeoffs and landings. That is critical especially during wet or icy conditions, when runway friction can affect how much runway is needed to take off or land and pilots must be alert to skidding conditions.

Delivery of the equipment, which can be towed behind a pickup, appears to be much smoother than Neubert's entry of an aircraft last month in the 2008 National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nev.

Company founder Tim Neubert intended to enter a sleek aircraft that looked like a small version of the classic P-51 Mustang World War II fighter in the races. He ended up as the race announcer after the crew chief unexpectedly left the race team, and then the pilot dropped out after a friend died in a crash.

That forced the team to withdraw from the race, but Neubert remained in Reno and turned the trip into a marketing venture.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817 or tjackovics@tampatrib.com.

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