This weekend marks the 26th Florida International Airshow at the Charlotte County Airport in Punta Gorda. This year’s Air Show “Pioneer In Aviation” is retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Joseph Kittinger Junior of Orlando. He’ll be honored today (March 31st ).

Colonel Kittinger is best known for his accomplishments as an early "space hero," a characterization which first appeared in the cover story of the August 1960 issue of Life magazine. He still holds the record for the highest parachute jump and first man to exceed the sound barrier in free-fall. He was born in 1928 in Orlando…