Will and I are pleased to announce our participation in the first-ever AOPA Aviation Summit "GA at the Movies" Luncheon.

AOPA President and CEO Craig L. Fuller will kick off this exciting event by presenting the Joseph B. "Doc" Hartranft Award and the Laurence P. Sharples Perpetual Award to recognize each winner's contributions to general aviation.

During the three-course lunch, attendees will get a behind-the-scenes look at two aviation movies, "A Pilot's Story" and "Amelia."  Will & I will talk with Mr. Fuller about why we're making the film, what's surprised us about pilots, and the highs and lows of the production process.

Then, key contributors from "Amelia" will share their insider perspective on how the freedom and adventure of the legendary aviator's life were captured on the silver screen.

GA at the Movies Luncheon

Friday, November 6

12:00 to 1:30 P.M.

Marriott Grand Ballroom

Purchase tickets online at

http://www.aopa.org/summit/register.html

See you at Summit!

To watch trailers of "A Pilot's Story", please visit:

www.apilotsstory.com

The producers of the highly anticipated aviation film 'A Pilot's Story' screened the latest trailer of the production at the Fly-In Theater on July 31st at Oshkosh. The screening of the trailer took place before the evening's scheduled film 'X-15' and was well received buy the audience. 

Rico & Will were interviewed on stage by Skip Lehman of Mach 2 Management and discussed the making of the film (pictured above).

While at Oshkosh and prior to the start of the week-long event, the producers had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Tom Poberezny, EAA's president, for the film and capturing his own passion for flight and the Young Eagles program. 

Will had an opportunity to record a number of episodes of his aviation podcast: The Pilot's Flight PodLog with co-host David Allen:http://pilotwill.libsyn.com/

Another highlight during the week at Oshkosh was in the form of a flight with Chuck Aaron, the Red Bull aerobatic helicopter pilot.  Rico got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to film inside the cockpit of the Red Bull helicopter while Chuck 'The Master' Aaron gracefully performed a number of loops and rolls.  It was out of this world!

To watch the latest film trailer, please visit:
www.apilotsstory.com

I recently had the great pleasure of meeting Kevin Knapp, the Mayflower Transit hot air ballon corporate pilot.  I was introduced to Kevin through our good friends Col. Joe Kittinger and his lovely wife Sherry.

Will Hawkins (director of the film) and I met with Kevin upon our arrival to lakeland, FL for Sun ‘n Fun.  We had a chance to chat and discuss Kevin’s fascination with hot air balloons and how he was introduced to flying them.  We decided what day and time we were going to meet for our ride with Kevin. This was both Will and my first ride in a hot air balloon.

On the day of the ride, we met with Kevin at 5:30AM.  He was joined by 2 other hot air balloon pilots of ReMax Real Estate and United Van Lines and a few other passengers.

We all helped set up the baskets while learning about how hot air balloons are constructed and their flight characteristics. A little while later, all three balloons where ready for the flight.  Luckily, the winds that day were calm at the surface and within the first few thousand feet up in the air.  During the inflation process, Kevin asked Will to join him inside of the balloon with the camera. (Photo below) and the footage and images we captured were truly amazing.

Once it was time for us to take off, we each got into our respective balloon basket and got ready for departure.  Will was riding in the Mayflower Balloon and I got to ride in the ReMax balloon.  We both had our camera equipment and were ready to film from our own prospectives.  A couple of pumps of hot air and we were off...  Within seconds, I found myself in an relaxed state of mind.  I was taking in the amazing views and could not believe how peaceful it was to ride in a balloon.  This is a far cry from how anxious I felt just moments earlier.  Like many pilots, I have a fear of heights, however, none of that sensation affected me during the flight. It was simply magical!

Once all three balloons were up in the air, the winds aloft took over and we were on our way towards the east.  While filming the amazing scenery, I noticed that the Mayflower balloon which Will was in was descending towards a small pond.  Using his amazing skills at piloting the hot air balloon, Kevin was able to bring the ballon down ever so gently and splashing the bottom of the balloon’s basket into the pond then quickly lifting back up.  (Picture below).

The three balloon convoy continued east for a few more minutes until all three pilots while communicating over radio agreed on a landing area.  Usually, a hot air balloon ride is a one way ticket unless you’re inside a box canyon which may allow for a round trip flight!  We were met by the chase team soon after the gentle landing at a field.  Everyone including the passengers, the crew and the chase team helps in breaking down the balloons and packing them into their respective vans.

Will and I would like to thank Roy Caton pilot of the United Van Lines Hot Air Balloon and Jon Thompson pilot of the ReMax Hot Air Balloon.   Special thanks to Kevin Knapp and Mayflower transit for providing their balloon for this amazing ride.

To see the Mayflower Hot Air Balloon at an event near you, visit the following Facebook page for schedule and dates: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=54345723525&ref=ts

A Pilot’s Story is a feature length documentary film currently in production that explores the mystical attraction and endless adventure that draw pilots into the sky. www.apilotsstory.com

We plan to premier the third trailer of their film at the Fly-In Theater at AirVenture 2009.  The event will be at 8PM on Friday July 31st.  For more details, visit: http://www.airventure.org/attractions/evening_programs.html

Rico Sharqawi

Producer/A Pilot's Story

Earlier this month, Will and I got to spend 2 days with the Collaborators Aerobatic Team at their home airport, King City, CA. (KIC). What an amazing experience it was to witness 4 of the most professional aerobatic pilots in the business.  As you may know, the Collaborators are made up of Sean D. Tucker,Lead - Challenger Biplane, Ben Freelove,Right Wing - Extra 300L, Eric Tucker,Left Wing - Extra 300L and Bill Stein, Slot - Edge 540

The team was kind enough to let us film during the pre-flight briefing session, a full practice flight and their post practice flight debrief.  The Show consists of four high performance aerobatic airplanes lasting fourteen minutes of non-stop innovative flying. Pure rush! One of the most compelling show of non jet airplanes.

The maneuvers:

1- Close Formation: Showcasing the grace and beauty of the echelon, diamond, and arrowhead configurations. New manuevers to look for are the half cuban and the inside outside eight.

2- The Melee (this is my personal favorite): All four airplanes in the box simultaneously. A highly choregraphed display of cutting edge power aerobatics.

3- The Finale: Four-ship rolling rejoin, swooping diamond formation ending with a dynamic bomburst.

The Collaborators are on a mission to elevate the art of the airshow performance to the next level.

Here is a link to the Collaborators demo video from their website: http://www.tutimaacademy.com/collaboratorsvideo2008.html

Best regards,

Rico Sharqawi
A Pilot's Story- Executive Producer

Tell us your pilot story for a chance to win prizes!

The producers of "A Pilot's Story" are pleased to announce the launch of the first contest in connection with the film. You now have an opportunity to have your own "Pilot Story" featured in the film if you are the "Grand Prize" winner of the contest.

Tell us your story, how becoming a pilot has changed your life and impacted others around you. What does being a pilot and flying mean to you? How have you been able to promote aviation and inspire others to fly? What kind of plane do you fly or have flown? Tell us the most memorable event during your flying career.

How to enter:

1) reply to this blog posting with your pilot story

OR

2) email your pilot story to: contest@wilcofilms.com

The "Grand Prize" contest winner will receive:

* The producers of the film will come and film the winner's story at their airport/hanger. Some of this interview will be featured in the film.

* Two tickets to the premier of the film (location and date to be determined)

* A Lightspeed Zulu headset http://www.lightspeedaviation.com/content.cfm/Products/Zulu Winner of the 2008 Aviation Consumer "Product of the Year" award.

* A pair of Scheyden Aviation Precision Eyewear sunglasses: http://scheyden.com

* An iPod Touch Loaded with ForeFlight Software,the official Preflight Intelligence software of "A Pilot's Story": http://www.foreflight.com/index.php

The "Second Place" contest winner will receive:

* A Lightspeed Zulu headset, Winner of the 2008 Aviation Consumer "Product of the Year" award.

* An iPod Touch Loaded with ForeFlight Software,the official Preflight Intelligence software of "A Pilot's Story"

* A pair of Scheyden Aviation Precision Eyewear sunglasses

Three "Third Place" contest winners will each receive:

* ASA Flight Bag with Instrument & Private training kits http://www.asa2fly.com

* A pair of Scheyden Aviation Precision Eyewear sunglasses.

All winners will receive:

* A copy of the finished film on DVD

* A free one year subscription to Plane & Pilot magazine and Flight Plan Magazine

More prizes to be announced soon...

*** Contestants can submit their stories to contest@wilcofilms.com or reply to this blog posting.

*** Contest ends on June 30th, 2009 at 12PM PST

*** Winners will be announced July 20th, 2009 via email and an announcement on www.apilotsstory.com

*** Contest is open to legal US residents of the 50 US states 18 years or older. Void where prohibited.

*** Participating sponsors, vendors, suppliers and members of their immediate families are not eligible to participate.

*** The producers reserve the right to verify the eligibility of the winners.

*** Privacy Policy: http://wilcofilms.com/video_production_privacy_policy.html

***This contest is independent of AOPA and its entities. AOPA is not responsible for or affiliated with anything related to A Pilot's Story contenst.

Look for more information and clips of these interviews and other interviews to appear on the Let's Go Flying blog very soon.

The second trailer of the film was released recently, you may view it by visiting: (http://www.apilotsstory.com) 

This feature is shot in High Definition video with an original music score and breathtaking air-to-air footage. The expected release date of A Pilot’s Story is early 2010.

Currently, Virgin America airlines, Lightspeed Aviation, Scheyden Precision Eyewear, ForeFlight Preflight Intelligence software, NACTA and Flight Plan magazine are on board as sponsors and contributors to the production of A Pilot’s Story.

Each month, we will highlight a short clip of one of the interviews we film for your enjoyment!