Flying mom

Every pilot wants to nail every takeoff, landing, maneuver, and radio call every time.  It’s just the way we are.  But when do you really, really want to get those things right?

When you fly mom. Read More >>

Posted in Airplanes | 1 Comment »

First solo cross country

Last Friday was the first time I used the airplane for a purpose other than fun.  For my very first solo cross country, I visited my flying friends Tim and Anthony at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL.  Anthony invited me to visit him for the day, and with the university right on the airport, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to fly down and meet him.  I arrived at Westosha at 7:30 in the morning to meet with Greg Smith.  Greg is an instructor at Westosha and agreed to look over my flight plan.   Read More >>

Posted in Training | 3 Comments »

Sailplanes – Getting “Launched”

We have seen that gliders, once airborne, can fly high and remain in the air for long periods. Pure gliders lack a power source to get them in the air. So, how is this done? Read More >>

Posted in Sailplanes | No Comments »

How I learned to fly.

One of the things I enjoy most about being a corporate pilot is the relationship and conversations I get to enjoy with my passengers.  If there is a long enough pause in the discussion, inevitably the question comes up, "So, how did you learn to fly?"  Here is my full, non-abbreviated answer: Read More >>

Posted in Careers, Certification, Private, Training | 3 Comments »

The case for medevac choppers made by death of actress

The terrible death of actress Natasha Richardson highlights the value of medevac helicopters.  According to Tarek Razek, director of trauma services for the McGill University Health Center in Montreal, the lack of a medical airlift may have contributed to Richardson's death. Read More >>

Posted in Helicopters | 6 Comments »

Building brick houses

In flying, we are undertaking an effort that contains a greater element of risk (and higher price to pay for error) than almost anything else we’ve ever done.  It is extremely important to establish fundamental procedures that will not only stick with us as we advance in and explore our own aviation envelope, but procedures that will step forward when we need them the most, in an emergency.  Read More >>

Posted in Private, Training | 1 Comment »

When our heroes die…..

I was afraid this would happen when I reported of the missing aircraft (Cessna 180) of Sparky Imeson yesterday. Search crews found the wreckage of it and Sparky died in the crash. So really really sad.First of all my condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Sparky. It is always sad when someone dies, even more when it is one of our pilot friends, even when he's doing what he loves best: flying!

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Posted in Careers | 1 Comment »

An Oldie But Goodie: “Runway Zero-Eight”, the Original Airplane!

Long before the outrageous airline disaster movie-farce Airplane! had audiences rolling in the theaters laughing, there was the over-the-top serious thriller that inspired it.  A friend and collegue mailed me  Arthur Hailey's Runway Zero-Eight to read.  Hailey wrote a series of airplane disaster books, including Airport, which inspired the movie series. Read More >>

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Off Field Landings

All aviators face the possibility of an unplanned emergency landing and are supposed to keep options in mind. Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger made the best of a very bad situation by gliding Flight 1549 to a landing in the Hudson River setting an example for all of us. Glider pilots have a special empathy for Sully and his passengers. Read More >>

Posted in Sailplanes | No Comments »

The “A Pilot’s Story” Contest goes Live…

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.
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Posted in Aerobatics, Airplanes, Balloons, Helicopters, LSA, Paragliders, Sailplanes, Skydiving | 2 Comments »