Today's Google Doodle: Amelia Earhart

Today's Google Doodle celebrates the 115th birthday of this female aviator.

Amelia Mary Earhart was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

In honor of the iconic pilot's birthday, the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery is headed to Hawaii in hopes of discovering the wreckage from the plane that crashed on Amelia Earhart's final flight. The group believes that 75 years ago, this month, she crashed her navigator plane into a reef off an island in the Pacific Ocean. The group has already collected a large amount of video and sonar footage of the area and will use it before and after their voyage this week. They're already planning another trip for next year to search the land where Earhart is believed to have survived after he plane went down.

Amy Adams recently played the role of Amelia Earhart in Night at the Museum 2.

Penguins Flying First Class on Delta

Delta Flight 1641 from San Antonio to Atlanta on March 8th had a couple of special passengers.  There were two "special guests" flying in First Class, a couple of penguins from Sea World.

When the plane reached a cruising altitude, the captain allowed their handler to take them for a stroll up and down the aisle so that everyone could take a look at the cute, one-foot-tall penguins and get some great photos and videos.

So, I guess this answers the age old question.  Penguins really can fly!

Crocodiles on a Plane

How about a crocodile as a carry on?

A crocodile escaped on an airplane flight over Africa, sparking a stampede onboard that caused the plane to crash, killing 19 passengers and crew, according to press reports.

The crocodile wasn't supposed to be on the plane. It had been hidden in a passenger's bag but got loose and ignited panic onboard, according to the news.com.au website.

The stampede caused the small plane to crash in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A lone survivor told investigators about the crocodile, the website reported.

The crocodile survived but was later killed with a machete by rescuers.

Man Arrested for Aiming "Laser" at Airplanes

A man appeared in court on Tuesday accused of trying to dazzle pilots with a laser beam as they were landing at France's second-busiest airport Paris Orly, aviation authorities said.

"Several pilots complained and the man was arrested near the runway," a spokesman for the civil aviation authority said.

Airport security officials said three pilots, including crew of Air France and EasyJet flights, warned the control tower on Sunday, which alerted the police and the man was caught in the act.

A spokeswoman for Air France said its pilot was never in any difficulty but there had been a growing number of such incidents.

No word on what's the man's names was.  Dr. Evil anyone?