AOPA Pilot Blog: Reporting Points

Greg Koontz helps AOPA get the shot

Airshow performer Greg Koontz got practice with his new Decathlon Xtreme for his Friday, Saturday, Sunday performances at Sun `n Fun, and we got great pictures for an upcoming article on the airplane. That’s Chris Rose on the ground, by prior briefing and agreement, getting the shot of the maneuver that Koontz uses for his ribbon cutting. This airplane had a bird strike the morning the shot was taken, but the cowling crack was quickly glued and repaired. CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Here’s a partial answer to what we do when we photograph aircraft for AOPA Pilot magazine. The clock isn’t faked. I woke up 15 minutes early on Aug. 4 and decided to videotape the wakeup call from the hotel desk with my Flip camera. Mike Fizer and I stayed in Racine, 15 miles from Rochester, Wisconsin, and left the hotel at 4:30 a.m. for an air-to-air session with American Champion’s new Denali Scout. It has a 210-hp engine and a larger tail to handle all that power. It’s top speed is 155 mph, and it climbs at 1,000 to 1,600 fpm. It’s so new it’s not even on the American Champion Web site yet. Two have been sold. You’ll see the article in an upcoming issue. We got lucky with the photos–lots of ground fog for a beautiful sunrise.

Take the Flight Design CTLS for a flight above Sebring, Florida. This airplane dances to Latin music, so if you’re at work, turn down the volume control. If not, congratulations and enjoy!

If the video does not start, click here.