Plane & Pilot is very excited about A Pilot’s Story, an upcoming feature film by Wilco Films. It will showcase many pilots with varied backgrounds, including Patty Wagstaff (aerobatic champion), Cathy Jensen (Southwest Airliner’s first female captiain), Barrington Irving (the youngest person to fly solo around the world), Erik Lindbergh (grandson of Charles Lindbergh), Chuck Aaron (Red Bull’s aerobatic helicopter pilot), and Major Samantha Weeks (Air Force Thunderbirds pilot). The film aims to educate, motivate and inspire the new generation of pilots and future astronauts. It will be entirely shot in HD with an original music score. Visit www.apilotstory.com and www.wilcofilms.com to learn more!
Dash For A Cure: Now In The Air
CarolAnn Garrat, a 3,100-hour instrument rated private pilot, and copilot Carol Foy have embarked on their seven-day trip around the world to raise $1,000,000 for ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease); all donations will go to the ALS Therapy Development Foundation. Garrat lost her mother to ALS in 2002 and is paying for the attempt on her own. The two pilots took off from Orlando, Fla., on December 2, and the next day landed in San Diego, Calif., their first stop. Next stop: Lihue, Hawaii. Track their progress here. To learn more about the trip, visit www.alsworldflight.com.
Lessons Learned—In & Out Of The Cockpit
Through some tough lessons that included maintaining a perfect heading while
executing Dutch rolls and reading the sectional chart, Rinker Buck's father
taught him how to fly precise. It was hard work, but it paid off. At the age
of 15, Rinker flew coast-to-coast with his 17-year-old brother, as
chronicled in his book, Flight of Passage. Through this extraordinary trip,
he developed a sense of self-confidence and a respect for self-doubt that
remains with him today. What lessons have you learned from flying that are
timeless?
executing Dutch rolls and reading the sectional chart, Rinker Buck's father
taught him how to fly precise. It was hard work, but it paid off. At the age
of 15, Rinker flew coast-to-coast with his 17-year-old brother, as
chronicled in his book, Flight of Passage. Through this extraordinary trip,
he developed a sense of self-confidence and a respect for self-doubt that
remains with him today. What lessons have you learned from flying that are
timeless?
The Things We Do For Flying
Senior Editor Bill Cox endured frostbite in minus 40 degree temperatures in
Alaska, but he got to fly in a Northrop F89D Scorpion. Software entrepreneur
John McAfee drove 17,000 miles to scout suitable routes for aerotrekking.
Stu Horn traded a successful real estate career for Aviat Aircraft. What
adventures, large or small, have brought you closer to your aviation dream?
Alaska, but he got to fly in a Northrop F89D Scorpion. Software entrepreneur
John McAfee drove 17,000 miles to scout suitable routes for aerotrekking.
Stu Horn traded a successful real estate career for Aviat Aircraft. What
adventures, large or small, have brought you closer to your aviation dream?
Wingipedia: "acrobatics" through "induced drag."
Aviation has a language all its own; "aviationspeak" if you will. To keep up with the terminology, and the times (you've probably use Web-based Wikipedia), we've developed our own aviation-based directory of terms, Wingipedia. In our first edition, we covered "acrobatics" through "induced drag." Our second installment continues with "Jenny" through "roll." If you'd like to add to our aviation encyclopedia or you think that we've omitted anything, this is the space to add your two cents.
GA Popularity Contest—Why isn't flying cooler?
What do you think we can do to bring more people into the aviation fold? Please share your thoughts, ideas, comments here.
Myth Bustin'!
Myths within any technological field almost always have a grain of, if not truth, at least enough fact that they have some ardent supporters who swear by them. This forum is for those of you who read “Myth Bustin’” and want to weigh in with your own thoughts about the myths we included, or even contribute your own aviation myths.
You’ll find our 20 Aviation Myths listed below. You can read the whole article in the October 2007 issue of Plane & Pilot.
Myth 1: If you make a sudden turn from upwind to downwind,
the airplane can stall.
Jessica Ambats
Myth 2: You can buy a fixer-upper airplane and save money by restoring it yourself.
Myth 3: Tailwheel airplanes require much more skill and are inherently dangerous.
Myth 4: Extending flaps while turning base or final can cause the airplane to stall.
Myth 5: A few hours of aerobatic training will save you if flipped upside down on final.
Jessica Ambats
Myth 6: Short-field approaches require hanging the airplane on the prop from a mile out.
Myth 7: Flying approaches at higher approach speeds is safer.
Myth 8: 2,000 feet is a short runway.
Myth 9: Pumping brakes is more effective and easier on brakes than steady pressure.
Myth 10: Wear lighter-than-normal shoes for increased rudder sensitivity.
Myth 11: A calm day is safer/easier than a crosswind day.
Myth 12: Power-off landings shock cool engines.
Myth 13: GPS is all that’s needed for cross-country flying.
Myth 14: Ice only occurs in clouds.
Myth 15: Stall-spin accidents always start with a nose-high altitude.
Myth 16: Running up your engine on the ground once a month prevents rust.
Myth 17: On takeoff, it’s safer to leave it on the ground until fast, and then rotate off.
Myth 18: Power-off landings are unnecessarily difficult.
Myth 19: Only licensed mechanics can do mechanical work on an airplane.
Myth 20: Once you fall off the “step,” you must increase power or lose altitude to regain it.