In Flight USA Article Categories
In Flight USA Articles
Statement on the Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act
NATA Will Not Support “Leap of Faith” FAA Reauthorization Proposal
EAA Proposes ADS-B Solution for Light-Sport Aircraft
Legendary Author, Frederick Forsyth, Revisits His Action-Packed and Aviation- Fueled Life in The Outsider
By Mark Rhodes
Frederick Forsyth is well known as one of the most accomplished and prolific thriller writers of the 20th century whose works have sold more than 70 million copies and been adapted into films a dozen times. This is only a part of his life’s work; his resume includes stints as a BBC correspondent (where he covered the attempted assassination of Charles de Gaulle––the core plot point of his most famous thriller (The Day of the Jackal); radio broadcaster; MI6 operative; and the youngest ever RAF pilot at 17 and a half. Suffice to say they don’t make ‘em like Mr. Forsyth anymore.
His recently published memoir, The Outsider: My Life in Intrigue (GP Putnam’s Sons), chronicles Mr. Forsyth’s extraordinary, swashbuckling life. His tone is rakish, self- depreciating but also aware of how his luck, drive, and talents have served him well.
Mr. Forsyth reports that he was obsessed with the idea of aviation and being an aviator since flying in the seat of a Spitfire at the age of five, and indeed the incessant need to fly consumed much of Mr. Forsyth’s youth. His accounting of his early aviation training and roguish exploits in the cockpit propel the initial chapters of the narrative. His initial success was getting placement in an RAF Flying Scholarship in the mid-50s. The idea here was a novel one; give young men interested in flying the chance to earn a private pilot’s license with the idea that they might get the flying “bug” and join up later. Mr. Forsyth paints a vivid picture of the rough-and-tumble nature of this training, including an episode where he “buzzed” his old school.
What's Up: It’s Pucker Month so? The month of love and Valentines!
By Larry Shapiro
I love each month that has a theme. Some are good, and some aren’t. It seems that most have a food theme, and then I remember I write an aviation column, and I’m suppose to write about things that are suppose to make aviators happy.
It was at that point I remembered that making an aviator happy might be above my pay grade. Then I remembered how much alike we all are… but we are polite except for a few rude ones that sneak in. I know we all appreciate the kindness and help offered to us almost everywhere when we’re trying to survive a cross-country flight.
This reminds me how few pilots ever leave their zip codes or time zones after they are sitting on their private tickets. I’m serious! I have this discussion more often than I do about ice cream. Any new aviator that works with me gets the same suggestion: When you have 100 hours, beg, borrow, or even rent an appropriate airplane, and now the “kicker,” I beg, plead, and whatever it takes to get them to do the following trip, and… to do it solo.
Contrails: The Dream
By Steve Weaver
Most people dream. Scientists say that in fact everyone dreams, just not everyone remembers dreaming.
Of the ones who do remember, a small percentage will tell you that they have reoccurring dreams. These are the same or similar dreams that return to us, unbidden and seemingly without a waking connection, hijacking our regular nighttime programming.
I’m not sure what opens the door to our subconscious and lets out reoccurring dreams, but no doubt something from our waking hours has touched us. A hope or a fear that we’ve given thought to, or perhaps a reminder from our past has sent an unseen signal that calls for a rerun of the dream.
Flying Into Writing
By Eric McCarthy
Hello world! Welcome to my first column in In Flight USA magazine. I’m excited to share my experiences of the past, present, and future with you. I look forward to bringing you along as I explore my new home in the southwest, present “lessons learned,” and advance my aviation knowledge and skills. This should be fun!
Allow me to provide a little background: I earned my Private Pilot License in 1980, fresh out of college – I’m a long-time flyer, if not a high-timer. My father, an MIT-trained aeronautical engineer, had introduced me to flying at a young age. He earned his PPL and took me up in a rented Cessna 172 when I was in third or fourth grade. It was a short hop from Hanscom Field (KBED), just west of Boston, to Norwood Airport (KOWD), just south of Boston, but that was all it took. To see the world from a few thousand feet was just magical to a young boy! I was hooked! I couldn’t get enough of it! I loved the maps and figuring out the “secret” codes they contained about the airports, terrain, and obstacles. I’d read and cut out pictures of airplanes from his Aviation Week and Flying magazines, often before he’d had a chance to see them – drove him crazy!
What's Up: It’s Pucker Month so? The month of love and Valentine's!
Opportunity to Meet Legislators
Pilots Get a Chance to Meet with State Legislators
By Alyssa J. Miller
AOPA members have the opportunity to meet with state legislators in New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Iowa to discuss aviation issues and initiatives in their states and to explain how general aviation fosters job growth, safe transportation, tourism opportunities, and revenue streams.
Each of the states will host an aviation day during which the public can attend events at its capitol to talk to legislators and their staff.
Flying Musicians
Flying Musicians Fleeing Cold for Sebring Sun
The Flying Musicians Association will feature FMA Solo Scholarship recipient, Drew Medina, on Saturday, Jan. 23, in Sebring, Fla., at the annual U.S. Sport Aviation Expo being held Jan. 20-23, 2016.
“U.S. Sport Aviation Expo is proud to support FMA and the passion they bring to the blending of music with aviation. This nonprofit group offers tremendous enthusiasm and inspiration for the sport of music and flying,” said Jana Filip, Expo Director. Music by members and friends of the Flying Musicians Association will fill the skies and the ramp at the Sebring Regional Airport. Visit the FMA daily from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. by the stage in the Aviators Hot Line Show Center Tent, to learn about our organization and our programs; join us for hangar flying and jamming. Bring your lunch and an appreciation for music daily from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m..
GAMA Tax Extensions
GAMA Praises U.S. Congress for Funding Important Aviation Priorities and Tax Extensions
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) today thanked the U.S. Congress for passing an omnibus measure that includes key funding priorities for general aviation manufacturers in safety, certification, and alternative fuels for piston-engine aircraft, makes permanent the Research & Development (R&D) tax credit, and extends bonus depreciation for five years. The bill, which now heads to President Obama for his signature, will fund the U.S. government through September 30, 2016.
Floatplane Heaven
By David Brown
A Beaver takes off noisily from Lake Union, the pilot having to contend with sailboats and assorted water craft. The paddle steamer beyond the Beaver just adds to the atmosphere. (David Brown)Many years ago, I gained my seaplane ticket at the Salton Sea in California, flying a Piper Cub on floats. In two days, I learned the art of operating from water, coming ashore on beaches and ramps, reading the water, assessing the wind, sailing without the engine, and the ins and outs of operating from rivers and lakes.
Fast forward through a number of years of landplane flying, interspersed with a couple of delightful flights in a Twin Otter on floats out of Ketchikan, landing on Lake Wilson, and a scenic tour of the Great Lakes with Chuck Greenhill in his twin-engine Mallard flying boat from his base at Kenosha.
Recently, I was offered the chance of a right-seat ride in a floatplane Turbo-Otter from Lake Union to Victoria Inner Harbor in British Columbia, Canada.
Adam Makos's Devotion is an Inspirational Work Ideal for the Holidays
By Mark Rhodes
Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Friendship and Sacrifice (Ballantine Books) is the riveting account of one of the most fascinating episodes of the Korean War; a war that is too often overlooked and is mostly known about from the popular film and subsequent television series M*A*S*H.
The heart of the book is the relationships between Ensign Jesse Brown, the first African-American aviator in the U.S. Navy and the well-known Naval Aviator Captain Thomas Hudner Jr. who was assigned to the same Fighter Squadron as Ensign Brown and whose heroism in The Battle of Chosin Reservoir (particularly as it related to his bravery with regard to Ensign Brown) earned him The Medal of Honor.
With Devotion, NY Times bestselling author Adam Makos (A Higher Call), has put together a meticulously researched work that is intimate and epic–poignant and rousing. Mr. Makos was nice enough to conduct an email interview with In Flight’s Mark Rhodes about his work, the relationship between Brown and Hudner as well as the dangers of having a “forgotten” war.
(Editor’s note: Spoilers ahead)
No Second Chances: AFE Airmen Ensure Pilot Safety
By Senior Airman Michael Cossaboom
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Airman 1st Class Kyle Denzine, a 20th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment specialist, checks the seal of his gas mask. (US Air Force Photo)Pilots rush into the locker room, preparing for another day of flying. Laughing and joking, they throw on their gear and grab their helmets. To them, it is just another day, but the Airmen that serviced their equipment look on slightly anxiously as they see the pilots walk out the door to their aircraft.
Confident yet tense, thoughts of the pilot’s safety linger in their heads as they continue to work. All they can do now is wait.
Aircrew flight equipment Airmen assigned to the 20th Operations Support Squadron are responsible for the maintenance, inspections, and servicing of all equipment that aircrew personnel require while performing their duties.
Aviation Gifts
NAHA, Partners Schedule First Flight Anniversary Events
Podcast 1
What's Up: Service
By Larry Shapiro
I’ve had so much fun thinking about how many times and places we see and use the word: “service.” Here are a few of my thoughts on this important word. (Please feel free to share some of your favorites and not so favorites).
I know I’ll miss some, but for starters, I was in the Service … and I’m very proud of it. How many times have you heard the word used when there is a uniform involved?
I couldn’t guess the amount of service stations I’ve used, and how I evaluated each of them. I still do. Ever wonder why they’re called “Service Stations?”
A great meal at your favorite restaurant with bad service becomes a least favorite place. On the other hand, great service at your favorite greasy spoon or drive through becomes a regular. I’ve always loved this: A good meal served badly ends up being a bad meal. Bad food coupled with good service is what you remember and will go back to.
In conversations about retail stores, hotels, and other places of pleasure, the questions of service always comes up. We can’t help ourselves; we all are aware of the “service” provided.
What's Up: Service
Airman Author Brings Fictional, Real Heroes to Life
By Staff Sgt. Darren Scott, 460th Space Wing Public Affairs
(This feature is part of the “Through Airmen’s Eyes” series. These stories focus on individual Airmen, highlighting their Air Force story.)
Senior Airman, Brian McLean, an 11th Space Warning Squadron, Future Operations Flight staff instructor, is the main point of contact for HEO-3 training and operations. In his spare time, he writes fictional short stories. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Darren Scott)In stories, the hero is often called upon to accomplish a great task, to take on the weight of a burden they did not anticipate, even though they know that hardships may plague every step of their journey. For storytellers, joy often comes from seeing the hero overcome the many obstacles placed in front of them to emerge strong and victorious against the odds.
Senior Airman Brian McLean is the author of such stories. He is also, in his own way, the hero.
As an 11th Space Warning Squadron Future Operations Flight staff instructor, McLean has been handed some heavy responsibility of his own, becoming the main point of contact for all things HEO-3, the newest highly elliptical orbit satellite in the Space Based Infrared System.