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In Flight USA Articles
Falling Upwards Chronicles the Oft Overlooked but Fascinating History of Early Ballooning
By S. Mark Rhodes
Many believe that the history of aviation begins with the Wright Brothers or maybe some less well-known (at least to the public) aviation pioneers like John Montgomery or Alberto Santos-Dumont. Interestingly enough, you could make an argument that the history of aviation starts with individuals like Dr. Jacques Alexander Charles, Felix Nadar, Charles Green and Thaddeus Lowe who all in one way or another helped pioneer and popularize the notion of balloon flight in the 18th and 19th century. This history and these figures remain, if not forgotten, at least considerably overshadowed by their early 20th century counterparts like the Wrights and so on.
The very fine historian Richard Holmes’ new book Falling Upwards: How We Took to the Air (Pantheon) offers a corrective to this and gives the history of ballooning its fascinating, long overdue credit in the annals of the histories of aviation, the military and even society. Mr. Holmes was nice enough to correspond with In Flight’s Mark Rhodes about his books and the colorful history and characters associated with man’s first successful forays into flight.
CAP’s Cell Phone Forensics Leads Searchers to Six Found Alive in Nevada
Two adults and four children missing nearly two days in bitter winter conditions in rural northwestern Nevada’s rugged, mountainous Seven Troughs Range were found alive and well on Dec. 10 by Civil Air Patrol in coordination with Pershing County Sheriff’s Office, Fallon Naval Air Station, Washoe County Regional Aviation Enforcement Unit, Nevada National Guard Lakota helicopters and the state Division of Emergency Management.
Nevada Wing Commander Col. Tim Hahn said Maj. Justin Ogden and Col. Brian Ready, CAP’s cell phone forensics experts, played a critical role in helping rescuers narrow the search area.
“The cell phone forensics team pinpointed where they could not possibly be and their efforts were very time-consuming. They provided a key clue that redirected the search and led to the rescue.”
Learning to Fly in the 1940s
By Charlie Briggs
Charles BriggsAviation buffs read a lot of flying stories from pros who write articles on a regular basis. While often entertaining and informative, hearing from professional pilots sometimes lacks the real world experiences of the hundreds of thousands of aircraft owners and flyers who were never professional pilots, but simply lived with an airplane as a permanent family member. Such is the case with Charlie Briggs, a pilot for more than 65 years, having a career that included ranching, agricultural services and consulting, computer technologies and business concept development. In Flight USA invites readers to join Charlie as he reminisces about flying and life. You will experience a side of aviation that is informative, entertaining and personal. Enjoy.
My father was always interested in flying. He started flying Culver Cadets just as WWII occurred. Of course this stopped all private aviation. At the end of the “curfew,” after the defeat of Japan, Dad resumed his flying, mostly for business purposes. Being in the cattle “order” buying business, having your own plane was a real creative help, especially before the super superhighways and extensive commercial airline network matured.
NASA’s Orion Travels Country
See If You Can #SpotOrion
This map shows the route the Orion mockup will travel through on its way to its final destination in California. Image Credit: Google Earth.A test version of NASA’s Orion spacecraft has taken to the road, as it makes its way across country for recovery tests off the coast of California.
The mockup rolled away from NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., on Dec. 11, and will arrive at Naval Base San Diego in California in early January. There, the Orion stand-in will be used in February to support tests simulating the recovery of Orion following its return from space.
FAA Puts Sleep Apnea Policy on Hold
Agency Plans Stakeholder Discussions
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced it will put its controversial sleep apnea policy on hold, opting instead to work with stakeholders to find a more acceptable way to address concerns about undiagnosed sleep disorders in pilots.
Federal Air Surgeon Fred Tilton contacted AOPA Thursday, Dec. 19, to say that the FAA would not move forward with implementing the policy, which is a reversal from statements made on Dec. 12 when the FAA said the policy was a “process enhancement” and would move forward in January.
“This is an important win for the aviation community, and we appreciate the FAA’s willingness to step back from its previous position, open discussions with stakeholders and find a better path forward,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “We look forward to collaborating with the FAA to resolve their safety concerns in a way that makes sense.”
Historic Flight Foundation At Kilo-7 Offers Collection Of Important Aircraft Produced Between 1927 And 1957
In Flight USA thanks the Historic Flight Foundation and HFF volunteer Liz Matzelle for the use of our cover photo. The Foundation website is www.historicflight.org.Historic Flight’s mission goes beyond serving as trustees of an era. They want you to experience the roar of their F8F “Wampus Cat” taking off; Watch engineers at work restoring the aircraft to flying condition; Share the rush of viewing international treasures from all angles.
Whether you’re an experienced aviator, a student of history, or a newcomer to aviation, Historic Flight will spark and fuel your passion. Sited at the southwest corner of Paine Field, Wash., Kilo-7 offers a journey into the energy, hard work, and passion that fueled aviation from 1927 through 1957. Like the aircraft in their collection, the hangars at Kilo-7 are designed to reflect beauty, durability, and honestly expressed materials.
Every aircraft in their collection has a unique “backstory.” Some are packed with drama, some simply offer prime examples of the roles aviation played during 1927–1957— and fun facts about the people and events that make up the aviation world. Dig into to collection, learn more, and come back soon for new stories! The collection includes the following and their stories can be found on the organization’s website: http://historicflight.org/hf/collection/ The collection includes Waco Upf-7, North American P-51b, Mustang, Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Ixe, Grumman F8f Bearcat, Canadair T-33 Silverstar, Beechcraft, Staggerwing D-17s, North American B-25d Mitchell, and Grumman F7f Tigercat.
Contrails: Bird Dogs
By Steve Weaver
Any of us who have spent much time around general aviation airports have probably witnessed an arriving light airplane, where when the door opened the first person out was a dog.
Dogs are adaptable creatures and for those of us whose life is made complete by the constant presence of our four legged best friends, taking them along in an airplane doesn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary.
Dude, the Yellow Lab that had me before my present Lab Austin got me, came into my life when I was doing a lot of flying to destinations scattered all over the U.S. On his first flight, I just patted the wing walk and he leaped up and strolled into the cabin like he’d done it a hundred times before. He looked a little puzzled on takeoff when the scenery started slowing down and shrinking, but after contemplating this for a few seconds he curled up in the same comfortable ball that he used in the car and that was the end of it.
Skies to Stars: Christmas Stars
By Ed Downs
No, there is no mistake in titling this column in the plural, that is to say “stars” as opposed to “star.” To be sure, the “Star of Bethlehem” is a cherished part of the Christmas tradition, as are the Three Wise Men. These three searchers are said to have used that star to guide them in their search for the Savior. Biblical historians have long argued as to who these “Wise Men” might have been and how it was that they, presumed to be of Babylonian origins, would have known about Hebrew prophesies of a coming of a Savior. Some have guessed that these “scholars” may have been what we would today call astrologers, a possibility often shunned by those who think of astrology as a superstitious form of divination.
GAMA Welcomes ICAO Resolution on Climate Change
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) welcomed the October 4 approval by the 38th General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) meeting in Montreal of a resolution that addresses greenhouse gas emissions from aviation.
ICAO’s 191 member countries agreed to develop a single global market-based measure (MBM) for aviation emissions from 2020, the specifics of which are to be decided at ICAO by 2016. In addition, detailed technical discussions lie ahead as governments work on the monitoring, reporting and verification standards for such a scheme.
Skies to Stars: Coming Attractions
By Ed Downs
Part of the fun at looking into deep space (beyond our own solar system) is knowing that the light you are seeing has been traveling through space for possibly millions of years. While astronomers talk as if they are viewing in the present, the images they observe are actually being seen as if you were looking back in time. In other words, the dramatic announcement of spotting a super nova (massive exploding star) makes it sound as if the event was currently in the process of happening whereas, in fact, it may have happened a million years ago. That does not, however, alter the fact that it is the first time the event is being seen from our planet. True, others, on other exoplanets (planets not in our solar system, and there are a BUNCH of those) may have seen an event first, but they (the little green guys) are not talking… yet.
But let’s take another approach at talking about celestial objects and events, like those that are to come. What about “coming attractions?”
A True Airpower Giant
By Gen. Mark A. Welsh III
Air Force Chief of Staff
Then-Maj. James Robinson “Robbie” Risner poses with F-86 Sabre in South Korea. Brig. Gen. Risner enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He flew more than 108 combat missions in the Korean War, shot down eight MiGs, and became the 20th jet ace of that war. Risner passed away Oct. 22, 2013. (Air Force Photo) We lost another Air Force hero last month. Brig. Gen. James Robinson “Robbie” Risner was part of that legendary group who served in three wars, built an Air Force, and gave us an enduring example of courage and mission success.
Most of today’s Airmen know General Risner because of his leadership and heroism as a Vietnam War POW, but his story actually started well before that.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He flew more than 108 combat missions in the Korean War, shot down eight MiGs, and became the 20th jet ace of that war.
During the Vietnam War, Risner was an F-105 squadron commander. On March 16, 1965, he was shot down, but made it to the Tonkin Gulf before bailing out and was rescued. A month later, Time magazine featured him on their cover. On Sept. 16, he was shot down again, and this time, was captured. To make things worse, his captors had the Time article, and made him their “prized prisoner,” which meant more abuse. Risner served as a leader in the Hoa Lo Prison – first as senior-ranking officer and then vice commander of the 4th Allied POW Wing. Some called him “the most influential and effective POW there.”
General Aviation Airport Makes Comeback in Texas
By Dan Namowitz, AOPA
When a private airport south of Lubbock, Texas, invited the public for an October Saturday of flying, food, and family fun, the airpark’s new owner summed things up with this comment on his airport’s Facebook page: “Wow is all I can say!”
The Oct.19 fly-in event at Lubbock Executive Airpark was clearly a hit with area aviation fans who turned out in hundreds to celebrate the re-emergence of an airport that as recently as last spring had appeared headed for other uses. That unhappy prospect had evaporated when Mark Drake, a local businessman and pilot who was keenly interested in keeping aviation alive at the airport, intervened.
Passing Your Airman Medical Exam When You Have Hypertension
By Dr. Susan Biegel, M.D.
Having hypertension is not a death sentence to continuing to fly, but there are some tips to make your airman medical exam go much more smoothly and increase your likelihood of passing the first time.
Get a good night’s sleep the night before the exam. Many times, my patients’ blood pressure will be significantly higher if they had a poor night’s sleep the night before.
Don’t exercise right before your exam. Exercising naturally will raise the pulse and the blood pressure. This is normal! But please allow two to three hours for the blood pressure to come down before your exam. Last week I saw a patient who did his 30 mile bike ride the night before his physical. His blood pressure did not come down after 45 minutes and he doesn’t even have hypertension! Please don’t come bounding up the stairs as this can raise the blood pressure. Instead, take the elevator to the doctor’s office.
Contrails: Dragging Nylon
By Steve Weaver
Whether you’re a pilot or not, you’ve seen the ubiquitous tow plane, clattering along over the beach or circling the stadium, pulling the banner exhorting you to Get the Crab Special at Phil’s, or some such message. As pilots, many of us have observed the banners being picked up at an airport, but the general public and even many pilots have no idea how the process works.
I joined the stream of hard working tow pilots who for one reason or another flew the banner aircraft back in the seventies. Unlike many of these sign draggers, I didn’t need to build time, I was just trying to avoid starvation. During this era I would have taken on any flying chore that wasn’t overtly illegal or positively lethal. To keep myself fed I was already doing instructing, charter, survey flying and sightseeing rides, so it was not a big step to add one more hopeful income stream and order a banner kit from Mr. Gasser down in Tennessee and then teach myself how to use it.
Editorial: Pilot in Command
By Ed Downs
Before I launch into a variety of viewpoints and opinions, please read the following news announcement that was recently received by In Flight USA from the EAA:
EAA Declines FAA Exemption for Young Eagles, Eagle Flights Pilots
EAA has notified the FAA that it is declining a partial grant of exemption that would have allowed Young Eagles and Eagle Flights pilots to obtain reimbursement for fuel costs and logging of flight time. While EAA welcomed the time the agency spent considering and formulating the partial exemption, its mandated record-keeping, coordination, and notification requirements would cause complete restructuring of the program with enormous time and expense burdens.
Sean Elliott, EAA’s vice president of advocacy and safety, stated in a letter to John S. Duncan, FAA director of Flight Standards Service, that, “EAA sincerely appreciates the substantial efforts of the FAA in reviewing, publishing for comment, analyzing, and finally granting an exemption in response to EAA’s petition dated April 17, 2012. Unfortunately, EAA is unable to accept the exemption because of the severe requirements imposed by the FAA grant.”
Supporting Aviation's Future
This year’s Gathering of Eagles fundraising event at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh brought together the aviation industry and private aviation enthusiasts to support aviation’s future. The event raised $2.679 million, and after expenses, EAA will invest approximately $2.17 million in its youth programs. The Gathering is presented by Cessna Aircraft Company.
Cessna Celebrates First International TTx Delivery
Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, is celebrating the first international delivery of the new Cessna TTx, the world’s fastest commercially produced and certified fixed-gear single-engine aircraft, to a customer in Thailand.
The TTx was certified in July and enters the global marketplace as Cessna’s all-composite aircraft designed specifically for comfort, speed and luxury.
Kiatichai Monsereenusorn, managing director of Kiattana Transport, accepted his aircraft in a handover ceremony in Independence, Kansas, saying the TTx will allow him to quickly visit multiple business sites per day, and do so in a comfortable, luxurious aircraft that is also fun to pilot.
Copperstate Fly In, Bucking the Trend
Much has been said about sequestration and the negative effect it has had on not only aviation, but many public events. To be sure, elected representatives who serve inside the beltway seem to have gone out of their way to make sure recreational events are adversely affected, perhaps highlighting what the ruling elite consider to be “unnecessary activities.” Airshows and celebrations of our military services have been hit particularly hard, with the shutdown of military demonstration teams (like the Blue Angles and Thunderbirds), causing the cancellation of many aviation programs that have long and proud traditions. FAA political management follows the leadership of our politicians by implementing illegal service fees on programs that have used pre-paid FAA services in the past. Such fees, often running into hundreds of thousands of dollars, have caused many airshows to simply pack it in. Others fear potential liability issues (the predatory legal system), and do not proceed with an airshow in a non-towered environment. It is a disappointing trend.
Fortunately, aviation has a proud tradition of breaking trends, both in terms of technology and flight operations. It is these trend-breakers that created the remarkable aviation infrastructure America enjoys, unequaled in the world. This writer hopes the upcoming Copperstate Fly In will be recognized as the trend-breaker that demonstrated that major aviation activities can successfully take place, without the overriding control of “Big Brother.”
Commander Discusses Future of Air Force Reserve
By Col. Bob Thompson
Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs
Lt. Gen. James “JJ” Jackson speaks during the Air Force Association’s 2013 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 16, 2013, in Washington, D.C. Jackson is chief of the Air Force Reserve and the Air Force Reserve Command commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Andy Morataya) Discussing the future of the Air Force, senior military and industry leaders gathered at the Air Force Association’s 2013 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at National Harbor, Md., Sept. 16-18.
More than 5,000 U.S. and allied-nation Airmen along with corporate and media representatives attended the annual event to discuss challenges and financial austerity facing the Air Force and aerospace community.
“The most important thing we have is our Airmen,” said Lt. Gen. James F. Jackson, chief of Air Force Reserve at the Pentagon and commander of Air Force Reserve Command at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.
AOPA Keeps Pressure on as CBP Moves to Keep Records Secret
By Elizabeth A Tennyson (AOPA)
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has filed a request to change its record keeping system to remove some air and marine records from public disclosure under the Privacy Act. But AOPA is asking for a 90-day extension to the comment period on the request to give Congress time to investigate recent incidents in which CBP has stopped and searched general aviation flights operating entirely within U.S. borders. The extension also would allow time for interested parties to understand exactly what the record-keeping changes would mean.
In the meantime, members of AOPA’s government affairs team are meeting with members of Congress to seek support for ending stops and searches on purely domestic general aviation flights. Although the number of stops has decreased dramatically since AOPA began filing Freedom of Information Act requests, the question remains why CBP was conducting such stops in the first place and whether the agency, which is responsible for border protection, has the authority to conduct such stops on flights that never leave the United States.