In Flight USA May 2024

Calendar of Events

To list your group’s event on a space available basis, please send your event notice with date, time, place w/city and state, contact name, and phone number to: Calendar, In Flight USA, P.O. Box 5402, San Mateo, Calif. 94402, or email 3rdavenue@embarqmail.com.

Note: Calendar includes only information available by our press date, Friday, May 3.Confirm the status before attending.

MAY

Sat. & Sun. Atwater, CA: Tours of the VC9C Presidential Aircraft, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Castle Air Museum, (209) 723-2178, castleairmuseum.org.

2 Santa Rosa, CA:Hot Dog Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Pacific Coast Air Museum, Sonoma County Airport, (707) 575-7900, pacificcoastairmuseum.org.

2—5 Salinas, CA: Transam Speed Fest, Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca, (831) 242-8200, (seemonterey.com/event/trans-am-speedfest/9373.

3—5 Vero Beach, FL: Vero Beach Air show, Fri. 6:30 p.m./Sat. & Sun. 9 a.m. to4 p.m., Vero Beach Regional Airport, veroairshow.com. Monroe, LA:Red White and Blue Airshow, gates Fri. & Sat. 3 p.m./ Sun. 11 a.m., Monroe Regional Airport, redwhiteandblueairshow.com.

4 Abilene, TX:Big Country Air Fest, West Gate open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Abilene Regional Airport, bigcountryairfest.org. Chino, CA: Hangar Talk/Flying Demo, 10:30 a.m., Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-3722, planesoffame.org. Vacaville, CA: Cup of Joe, 9 to 11 a.m., Rowland Freedom Center, (707)449-3402, rowlandfreedomcenter.org.

Hollister, CA: Antique Aircraft Display & Fly-In, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Frazier Lake Airpark, (408) 835-1694, frazierlake.com.

4—5 Panama City, FL:Gulf Coast Salute Air Show, Russell-Fields City Pier, (850) 233-5070, visitpanamacitybeach.com.

7 Chino, CA:Kilroy Coffee Klatch, 9 a.m. to noon, Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-7576.

11 Paso Robles, CA:Estrella Warbirds Wings & Wheels, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Paso Robles Municipal Airport, (805) 286-5566, ewarbirds.org.

11—12 Cherry Point, NC:MCAS Cherry Point Air Show, gates 9 a.m., cherrypointairshow.com.

Fort Lauderdale, FL:Fort Lauderdale Air Show, Drop Zone Beach open 9 a.m., fortlauderdaleairshow.com.

17—18 Peru, IL:TBM Avenger Reunion, schedule TBA, Illinois Valley Regional Airport, tbmreunion.org. Hayward, CA:Hayward Air Rally, 8 a.m., Hayward Airport to Livermore, (530) 621-1049, hwdairrally.org.

17—19 Hillsboro, OR: Oregon Int’l. Air Show, Portland-Hillsboro Airport, (503)629-0706, oregonairshow.com.

18 Comox, British Columbia:19Wing Comox Armed Forces Day & Air Show, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., comoxairshow.com.

Salinas, CA: Sun, Wind and Wine Festival, noon to 2:30 p.m., River Road, santaluciahighlands.com/events/wine-festival.

Atwater, CA: Open Cockpit Day, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Castle Air Museum, (209)723-2178, castleairmuseum.org.

Riverside, CA:Aircraft Display Day Fly-In, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Flabob Airport, (951) 683-2309, flabob.org.

Hayward, CA:Aircraft Display Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hayward Executive Airport, (510) 280-4111.

Santa Rosa, CA:Open Cockpit Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific Coast Air Museum, Sonoma County Airport, (707) 575-7900, pacificcoasterairmuseum.org.

Petaluma, CA:Petaluma Display Days, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Petaluma Municipal Airport, (707) 778-4404.

18—19 Duluth, MN:Duluth Air & Aviation Expo, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Duluth Int’l. Airport, (218) 628-9996, duluthairshow.com.

Dover, DE:Open House & Air Show, Dover AFB, dover.af.mil.

19 San Diego, CA:Historic Aircraft Display, noon to 2 p.m., MontgomeryGibbs Field, (619) 301-2530.

22—24 Annaplis, MD:U.S. Naval Academy Blue Angels (part of commisioning week), 2 p.m., Severn River, visitannapolis. org.

25 Riverside, CA:Aircraft Display Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, Riverside Municipal Airport, (951) 312-4832.

Novato, CA:Planes & Coffee, SkyShare Terminal, Gnoss Field, (415) 897-2403, skyshare.com.

25—26 Wantagh, NY:Bethpage Air Show, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jones Beach State Park, (631) 321-3510, bethpageairshow.com.

Miami Beach, FL: Hyundai Air & Sea Show, air events 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., South Beach, usasalute.com.

Augusta, GA: Augusta Air Show, gates 9 a.m., Augusta Regional Airport, augustaairshow.com.

Breckenridge, TX: Breckenridge Airshow, gates 9 a.m., Stephens County Airport, (254) 294-7393, breckenridgeairshow.com.

26 Indianapolis, IN:Indy 500 Thunderbirds Fly-Over, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, tickets (317) 492-6700, indianapolismotorospeedway.com.

30 Colorado Springs, CO:USAFA Graduation-Thunderbirds Fly-Over, U.S. Air Force Academy, usafa.edu.

WARBIRD EXTRAVAGANZA MAKESFOR GREAT AIRSHOW SEASONIN TEXAS

AnInterviewwithAnnaEzell

ByAnnamarieBuonocore

Mayisanexcitingtimeinthe worldofgeneralaviation.The skiesaregettingclearerand brighter,andtherearemoregreatdaysfor greatflights.Betteryet,thereareairshows,whichareablastforpilots,aviationenthusiasts,andthegeneralpublic, youngandold.Breckenridge,Texasisan old,historicsmalltownwherefolkshave alotofheart.ItishometoagreatgeneralaviationairportwhereEzellAviationis based.LikemanyFBOs,EzellisafamilyaffairwhereAnnaEzellandhersiblingslearnedthebusinessfromtheirparents.Intheirworkwiththeirlocalchamberofcommerce,theyhavecometoput ononeofthemostuniqueairshowsinthe country.Afterabriefhiatus,theshow madeabigsplashin2017andcontinues tobetheplaceforwarbirds,airshowperformers,andfamilyfun.Thisistheir storyandwhatyoucanexpectin2024.

InFlightUSA: Myfirstquestionto youis,whatisthehistoryofthe BreckenridgeAirshow?Haveyoubeen

solidsince2017?

AnnaEzell: Itstartedintheearly ‘80s.HowardParduewasthemainguyin theBreckenridgeAirshow.Hestarted withafleetofaircraft.HehadaC2anda T6.Backintheday,itwaskindofayouscratch-my-back-I’ll-scratch-yourskind ofthing.Theywouldsay,“Ifyoucometo myairshow,I’llcometoyours,”andthat iskindofhowitstartedgrowingand becomingmorerenowned.Peopleinaviationknowthatifyouwanttoseewarbirds,youcometoBreckenridge.

IFUSA: Right,thatiswhatisunique aboutit;itisawarbirdshow.Tellmeabout theuniquenessofthiswarbirdshow.

(CourtesyBreckenridgeAirshow)

AE: Yes,warbirdsarewhatwehave focusedon,andwekeepthathistory alive.Wewanttokeepasmanywarbirds flyingaspossible.Wewantpeopleto cometotheshowandkeepthefocuson thehistory.

IFUSA: Thatisexciting.Tellmea littlebitaboutEzellAviationandthe company’sroleintheshow?

AE: Iamthefounder’sdaughterat EzellAviation,andwhenmydad, Nelson, hadthebusiness,wealwayshelpedwith thebigevent.WhenIwas17,mybrother, Chad,sister-in-lawHeather,andItook overthefamilybusinessandcarriedonour roleintheannualevent.AtEzellAviation,

Idotheaccountspayable,accountsreceivable,payroll,andallthatgoodstuff.My brotherisoutonthefloorandmanagesthe projects,therealgoodstuff.

IFUSA: Thatsoundsgreat.It soundslikeyouhavedonealot.What interestingplanesdoyouworkon?Have youworkedonanyP-51Mustangsorany otheruniquewarbirds?

AE: Currently,weareworkingon restoringaHellcatforanindividual.The Hellcathasagreathistoryandactual wartimehistory,soitwasinthewar,and thatisexciting.Itisexcitingtobringback awarbird,butitisevenmoreexcitingto bringwarbirdsthatactuallyhaveliving historyduringapieceofthewar.My brotherisbetteratrecallingthehistoric details,buttheHellcathasalonghistory, liketheP-38thatwearefinishingup rightnow.Bothofthesewillbegoingto OshkoshinJuly.

IFUSA: Wow,thatiscool!Areyou goingtoflythemupthere?

AE: Yes,theyareairworthyandwill begoingtoOshkosh.TheP-38willbe

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BRECKENRIDGE AIRSHOW SET FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

ByAnnamarieBuonocore Page4

Editorial:PilotingYourMentalHealth ByAnnamarieBuonocore ................................................6

AOPAEditorial:HistoryonDisplay:CelebratingGA WithHistoricFlight ByMarkBaker,PresidentandCEO ..................................8

TheManyHatsWornbyThePatriotsJetTeam ByAnnamarieBuonocore ..............................................16

Overview:HistoricalLookUpToFinalRenoAirRaces ByPeteShirk ................................................................19 AirCompCalculatorHelpsAviationIndustryDetermine Compensation ByAnnamarieBuonocore ..............................................24

SeeingtheEclipseUpCloseandPersonal ByRosalynKahn ..........................................................43

Editorial

ByAnnamarieBuonocore

PILOTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Fromissuessurroundingthird-class medicaltorenewingone’smedical certificatewithage,aviationisripe withachallengingmedicalsystemto navigate.Forthemostpart,pilotsand aviationenthusiastscanagreethatwe needhealthypeopleflyingourplanes (physicallyandmentallyhealthypeople, thatis).Butwithinthissamegroup,peoplecanagreethatsometimestheFAAcan beabittoobigbrotherordraconianabout thesematters,especiallywhenitcomes tomentalhealth.Thispublisherrecently attendedanFAAwebinaronmental healthandpilotmedicalcertifications. Dr.VictorVogel,amedicalexpertand CFIinPennsylvania,shedsomelighton whymentalhealthisimportantandhow wecanimprovementalhealthinthepilot community.Iwilladdressthesepointsin thisarticle,butoneareathatstillhasme stumpedisthattheFAAhashandpicked whichantidepressantsitwillallowand whichonesitwillnotallow.IftheFAA believesmentalhealthisimportantand thateverybodyshouldbeflyingintheir beststateofmentalhealth,theyshouldbe willingtoworkwiththoseonallmedicationsonacase-by-casebasisinsteadof banningallpeopleonacertainmedication.Mentalhealthandmedications shouldnotbe“codified”byagovernmentbureaucracy.Covidisaprime exampleofgovernments(worldwide) tryingtoforcemedicalsolutions.

WhileIamnotadoctorormental healthexpertofanykind,Iwillstartby sayingthataspilots,weallneedtobe awareofourmentalhealthandthementalhealthofthosearoundus.Whetherwe workinaviationorenjoyitasarecreationalhobby,weneedtoworktogether asateamandmakesureweareallonour game,physicallyandmentally.Tomeet thisgoal,attendingFAAwebinarswith expertslikeDr.Vogelcanbebeneficial. Inthefirstpartofhiswebinar,Dr.Vogel talkedaboutthesignsofmentalhealth issuesthatcanaffectflyingandtoldsome unfortunatestoriesofpilotswhoallowed theirmentalhealthtogetawayfrom them.Onesuchstoryinvolvedapilotin Germanywhowasexperiencingsuicidal ideation.Hisphysicianwarnedhimnotto fly,buthedidnotreporthiscurrentstate ofmentalhealthtohisemployer.He endedupcrashingaplaneintoamountainwithmorethan100passengerson board.Tragicstoriesliketheseexplain whyweneedtobeawareofmental healthissuesandworktoremedythem

beforewetakeflight.SomesignsthatDr. Vogelpointedoutthatweshouldbe awareofincludebutarenotlimitedto:

•Depressedmood

•Lossofinterestinactivities

•Constantanxietyorpanicattacks

•Suicidalthoughts,ideation,or havingasuicideplan

•Homicidalthoughts

•Intenseanger

Thesearejustafewofthemany signsofproblematicmentalhealthissues thatshouldbeconsideredbeforetakingto thestickandrudder.Mentalhealthissues canariseforanumberofdifferentreasons,rangingfromfamilyhistorytodifficultortraumaticlifeexperiences.A recentlossofalovedone,adivorce,or evenanargumentcanaffectourmental health.Itisourresponsibilitytowatch outforthesesignsinourselvesaswellas inourfriendsandcolleagues.AsDr. Vogelsaid,“Wehavetogetpastthestigmaassociatedwiththesesymptomsor illnesses.Theyarenotanindicationof weakness,andtheydon’tmeanthatyou havesomethingwrongwithyou.Itis somethingthathastobedealtwith,like arthritis,diabetes,orhighbloodpressure.”We,asindividualsarenottheones “stigmatizing”mentalhealth,itisthe FAA.Vogeltalkedabouthowweareall likelytoexperiencesomelevelofmental illnessatsomepointinourlives.In today’sworld,withmorepressuretobe perfectfromsocialmediaandvideo games,wehavetobeawareofwhentoo muchstressistoomuch.Likepainsin ourbodies,thesesymptomscannotbe ignored.

Inthelatterpartofhiswebinar,Dr. Vogeltalkedaboutwhatweshoulddoif wenoticethesesymptomsinourselvesor inothers.Becauseitcanbedifficultto approachanotherperson,Iwillstartofby sayinghowweshouldhandlethese issuesinourselves:

•Rememberthatyouarenotweakor broken

•Talktotrustedlovedones

•Talktomentalhealthprofessionals

•Talktospiritualleadersifyouhave them

•Takeabreakfromaviationactivities (althoughthatmightmakethesituationworse)

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AirplanesUSA proudly presents this Oshkosh

with

ro-timeengine with 2022 overhaul by Radial Engines. This excellent example needs absolutely

CalendarofEvents

ContinuedfromPage3

JUNE

1 Chickasha, OK:Chickasha Wings & Wheels, airshow noon to 2 p.m., Chickasha Municipal Airport, (405) 222-6020, chickasha.org.

Rochester, NH:Wings & Wheels, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Skyhaven Airport, flight4cf.com.

Chino, CA: Hangar Talk/Flying Demo, 10:30 a.m., Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-3722, planesoffame.org.

Vacaville, CA:Cupof Joe, 9 to 11 a.m., Rowland Freedom Center, (707)449-3402, rowlandfreedomcenter.org.

1—2 Terre Haute, IN: Terre Haute Air Show, gates 9 a.m., Terre Haute Regional Airport, terrehauteairshow.com. Bolingbrook, IL:Cavalcade of Planes, Clow Int’l. Airport, cavalcadeofplanes.com.

2 Alamogordo, NM:Hollowman AFB Legacy of Liberty Air Show, holloman.af.mil.

Hollister, CA: Antique Aircraft Display & Fly-In, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Frazier Lake Airpark, (408) 835-1694, frazierlake.com.

4 Chino, CA:Kilroy Coffee Klatch, 9 a.m. to noon, Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-7576.

6 Santa Rosa, CA:Hot Dog Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Pacific Coast Air Museum, Sonoma County Airport, (707) 575-7900, pacificcoastairmuseum.org.

7—9 Reading, PA:Mid-Atlantic WWII Weekend, gates 8:30 a.m., Reading Regional Airport, (610) 372-7333, maam.org.

8 Sunset, LA: Rockin’ on the Runway, Red Oak Landing Airport, rotr-la.com.

8—9 St. Louis, MO:Spirit of St. Louis Air show, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Spirit of St. Louis Airport, (636) 534-1440, spirit-airshow.com.

Mt. Clemens, MI:Selfreidge ANGB Open House & Air Show, (586) 239-5576, teamselfridge.com. Wasaga Beach, Ont.:Wings over Wasaga Air Show. CANCELED Grand Haven, MI:Lake Michigan Elemental Experience. CANCELED

14—16 West Milford, NJ:Greenwood Lake Air Show, gates Fri. 4 p.m./Sat. & Sun. 2 p.m., Greenwood Lake Airport, greenwoodlakeairshow.com.

Columbus, OH: Columbus Air Show, gates 9 a.m., Rickenbacker Int’l. Airport, columbusairshow.com.

15 Virginia Beach, VA: Military Aviation Museum Flying Proms, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Virginia Beach Airport, (757) 721-7767, militaryaviatiomuseum.org.

Riverside, CA:Aircraft Display Day Fly-In, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Flabob Airport, (951) 683-2309, flabob.org.

Hayward, CA:Aircraft Display Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hayward Executive Airport, (510) 280-4111.

Santa Rosa, CA:Open Cockpit Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific Coast Air Museum, Sonoma County Airport, (707) 575-7900, pacificcoasterairmuseum.org.

Petaluma, CA:Petaluma Display Days, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Petaluma Municipal Airport, (707) 778-4404.

15—16 La Crosse, WI:Deke Slayton Airfest, gates 9 a.m., La Crosse Municipal Airport, airfest.com.

Borden, Ont.:Borden Canadian Armed Forces Days & Air Show, CFB Borden, bordenairshow.ca.

Moses Lake, WA: Moses Lake Air Show, gates 7:30 a.m., Grant County Int’l. Airport, moseslakeairshow.com.

Baltimore, MD: Maryland Fleet Week & Fly-Over Baltimore, Inner Harbor, (866) 639-3526, MDFLEETWEEK.ORG.

Tumwater, WA:Olympic Air Show, 9 a.m., Olympia Regional Airport, (360) 705-3925, olympicairshow.com.

16 San Diego, CA:Historic Aircraft Display, noon to 2 p.m., MontgomeryGibbs Field, (619) 301-2530.

18—22 Lock Haven, PA:Sentimental Journey Fly-In, William T. Piper Memorial Airport, (570) 893-4200, sentimentaljourneyfly-in.com.

19 North Bay, Ont.:North Bay Armed Forces Day, North Bay Waterfront &Shabogesic Beach, armedforcesday.ca.

21—22 Wausau, WI:Wings over Wausau Airshow, gates Fri. 4 p.m./Sat. 11 a.m., Wausau Downtown Airport, wausauevents.org.

21—23 Salinas, CA: Firestone Grand Prix, Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca, (831) 242-8201.

22 Truckee, CA:Truckee Tahoe AirShow & Family Festival, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Truckee Tahoe Airport, truckeetahoeairshow.com.

East Wenatchee, WA:Pangborn’s Festial of Flight & Fly-In, 9 a.m. to 3p.m., Pangborn Memorial Airport, flywenatchee.com.

Ypsilanti, MI:Yankee Air Museum Wings & Wheels, 2 to 6 p.m., Willow Run Airport, (734) 483-4030, yankeeairmuseum.org. Riverside, CA:Aircraft Display Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, Riverside Municipal Airport, (951) 312-4832.

22—23 Dayton, OH:Center Point Energy Dayton Air Show, Dayton Int’l. Airport, daytonairshow.com.

Davenport, IA:Quad City Air Show, Davenport Municipal Airport, (563)349-0044, quadcityairshow.com. Spokane, WA: Fairchild AFB Inland Northwest SkyFest, fairchild.af.mil.

KEEPYOUR HEADIN THECLOUDS.

BeingamemberofAOPA is more than a hugelist of pilot benefits. Joining AOPA empowers general aviation with a louder voice, keeping skies safer and open to pilotseverywhere. Amplifyyour power to fly.

HISTORYON DISPLAY:CELEBRATING GA WITHAN AMAZING HISTORIC FLIGHT

ByMarkBaker AOPAPresidentandCEO

Generalaviationisallaboutcelebratingourpastinawaythat pavesourfuture.Ourhistoryhas beenshapedbythosewhohavegonea stepbeyondtoexplorenewhorizons.It happenedinNorthCarolina’sOuter Banksin1903,overtheAtlanticin1927, andcountlesstimessince.

WeinGAarefortunatetobepartof thislivinghistory.Whatevertheaircraft, destination,andmission,everyoneofus wholiftsofftherunwayiswritingapage inoursharedaviationtimeline.Tobepart ofthisissomethingIcherisheverytimeI takeflight.AndwhenIflyaroundtovisit ourmembers,theytellmethesamething.

Ican’twaitforthislivinghistory–ourhistory–tobeonfulldisplayasmore than60aircraftleaveAOPAheadquarters atFrederickMunicipalAirporton Saturday,May11,fortheNational CelebrationofGADCFlyover.This amazingdisplayoverournation’scapital willhonorgeneralaviationfromitsroots intheGoldenAgetothepost-warboom

yearsandthemostmodern,technologicallyadvancedaircraftintheskiestoday.

WhileImayhavecrossedoffmany itemsonmyaviationbucketlist,theflyoverwillbesomethingtrulynew.Flying overthePotomacRiverandpastthe LincolnMemorial,thendownthe NationalMalltoward(butnotover!)the Capitolwillbeaspectacleforeveryone inourGAcommunity,fromthemostseasonedpilotstothosejuststartingouton theiraviationjourneys.

IwouldloveeveryoneinourGA communitytotakepartinthismonumentalday,asyouareallpartofthishistory. Geteveryonetogetheratyourairport, hangar,flyingclub,FBO–reallyanywhere–foraviewingparty.Makeitthe bigcelebrationthatitshouldbe.Make surethekidsarewatching,astheyarethe futureofGA.Whatagreatwaytopass downthispassionduringthisonce-in-alifetimeevent.

Theflyoverwillbebroadcastliveon ourAOPAYouTubechannel(@flywithaopa)withcommentaryfromlongtime AOPALiveThisWeek hostTom Haines,journalistMilesO’Brien,and specialguests.

Topulloffsuchanamazingfeathas takenimmensecoordinationandatrue partnershipwithmanyagencies,including theFAA,ATC,TSA,SecretService,U.S. CapitolPolice,andouralliesonCapitol Hillwhohavelenttheirtremendoussupporttosuchamilestone.And,ofcourse,a bigthankstotheAOPAteamforputting togethersuchamonumentalevent.

Andwhatanhonoritwillbetofly theleadairplaneinmy1944Beechcraft 17Staggerwing.Talkaboutahistoricairplaneflyingahistoricmission! Followingmewillbeaformationofairplanes(flownbysomeofthenation’s bestpilots)thatrepresenttheincredible valuethatGAhasprovidedtoournation andcommunitiesoverthepasteight decades–fromtrainersthattaughtmost ofustofly(includingme)topostwaraircraft,homebuilts,backcountrygemsand seaplanes,helicopters,businessjets,and othersthathaveaddedspecialchaptersto sucharichGAhistory.We’llalsoseeaircraftthatflymissionsvitaltoourcommunities,suchaslawenforcement, searchandrescue,anddisasterrelief.

AOPAPresidentMarkBakerwilllead theNationalCelebrationofGADC FlyoveronMay11inhisBeechcraft17 Staggerwing.

(ChrisRose/CourtesyAOPA)

It’salsonosmallcoincidencethat theNationalCelebrationofGADC Flyoveristakingplacethisyear–It’sthe 85thanniversaryofNationalAviation Dayandit’salsoour85thbirthdayat AOPA.Hardtobelievethatwehavebeen aroundfor85years,protectingyourfreedomtoflyeveryday.

Lookingaheadtosuchanincredible eventandwhatitrepresents,Ican’thelp butthinkofthelinefromsingerDarius Rucker:“Whenwasthelasttimeyoudid somethingforthefirsttime?”

Blueskies–todayandforthenext 85years.

Phone: (707)449-3402

TheRo day*,fr avariet honorin

The Rowland Freedom Center is open every day*, from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, featuring avariety of aviation and military displays, honoringthosewho defend our freedom.

*Duetoexcessive heat (and no air conditioning),wemay close early on certain days.

*Dueto tioning) reedom ev wlandF AM–4:00 rom10:00 viation displa tyofa ngthosewhodefendo eheat condi oexcessiv ycloseearly da ),wema ery risopen PM,featuring tarydisplays, our freedom. noair condiys. oncertain da

Suggest 64$5, Over6

Admission Donation – ted ActiveD Kids4-17$3, 5andUnder3Free Adults 18- on–Veterans, Duty, y,

SuggestedAdmission Donation – Adults 1864$5,Kids4-17 $3, Active Duty, Veterans, Over 65 and Under 3 Free

Editorial:MentalHealth

AsIsaid,itisdifficulttoapproach thisissuewithfriends,soestablishthat youarethereforthembeforeyounotice anythingatall.Ifyoudonoticesomethingamongfriends,approachthemprivatelyandrespectfully.Ifyounotice somethingintheworkplace,donotbe afraidtotalktoasupervisororanother party.Whilethismightbedifficult,weall havetodoourparttomakesurethose experiencingintensementalhealthchallengesdonotflywhentheyarenotinthe rightstateofmind.Asinallareasofaviationbusiness,safetymustremainthetop priorityforall.

Alas,Ihavetoarguethatwhenit comestomentalhealthinaviation,we mustbeawarethatallexperiencesaredifferent.Mentalhealthisaspectrumlike anythingelseinlife.Itiswrongforthe FAAtobananentiregroupofmedication takersbecauseofhowonepersonreacted tothatmedication.Formanywhosuffer fromdepression,anxiety,andothermental healthchallenges,medicationisthebest andonlywaytocontroltheirtroubling symptoms.Attheendoftheday,itisbettertohavethesymptomscontrolledona medicationratherthanhavetheperson experiencingthesymptomswhileflyingor outofaviationentirely.Remember,there aremanyshortagesinaviation,including thoseofmechanicsandpilots.Wedonot wantpeopleresigningbecausetheytakea medicationorfeeltheyareupagainsta governmentimposedstigmaforbeing mentallyunwell.TheFAAandAME physiciansshouldevaluateeachapplicant foramedicalcertificateonacase-by-case basis,butthismightbewishfulthinking, asthegovernmentwillalwaysstandfirm toitsrules.

Itshouldbenoted,however,the FAAmedicalsystemisnotqualifiedto assessmentalwellness.AME’sarenot trainedpsychologists.FAAAeroMedisa Federalbureaucracystaffedbycivilserviceemployees.FAAAeroMedisnota medicalcarefacilityauthorizedorqualifiedtodiagnoseillness,dispensemedical careorprescribemedications.Arethese thepeoplewewishtogivetheauthority todefine“mentallywell?”Theonly powervestedtoFAAAeroMedwith respectto“supposed”flightsafety,isthe abilitytodenyamedicalcertificate. Codifyingmentalhealthsimplygives FAAAeroMedmoreauthoritytodeny medicalcertificateswithoutanyrequirementfordueprocesspriortolabelinga

personas“mentallyill.”Inkeepingwith thisreality,medicalcertificatedenials havetripledinthelastthreeyears.

TheoperationsendoftheFAAtakes the“carrot”topromotingregulatory complianceandoffersclearpathstocorrecterrors.ThefailureofaCommercial checkridedoesnotinanywayaffectyour privateprivileges.FAAFlightStandards promotesapositivecultureofsafety. FAAAeroMedtakethe“stick”approach tosafety,withdenialstheirprimarysafetytool.Ifupgradingtothesecond-class medicalforthatcommercialcheckride, donotpulladenial,asthatwillendall pilotprivileges.Afailedsecond-class medicaldoesnotsimplyrevertbackto third-classmedicalprivileges.And AeroMedoffersnosecondchances.A denialnotonlykillsyourpresentpilot privileges,forever,butalsopreventsone fromparticipatingasasportpilotorusing BasicMed.Theonlyoptionsgiventoone withamedicaldenialisthecomplexand expensiveprocessoffilingalegalappeal withtheNTSBorseekingtheopinionof afederalcourt.IsitanywonderthatFAA statisticsnowshowthatoverhalfofall pilotseitherlie,omitdataorself-medicatetoavoidthisunbalancedmedical system?Isthisthekindofbureaucracya pilotwishestobejudgingmentalhealth? CoulditbesaidthecurrentAeroMed policiespromotejusttheoppositeofa “cultureofsafety?

Herearesomeresourcestostayflyingandcopewithchallengesthatmight arisefrommentalhealthchallenges:

•NationalSuicideHotline:988

•SocietyofAviationandFlight Educators(SAFE):https://safe pilots.org

•LeftSeatMedicalSolutions: www.leftseat.com

• AIM(containsmanyofthewords spokenbyDr.VogelinSection8.): https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/pub lications/atpubs/aim_html/chap_8.html

•Pilot’sHandbookofAeronautical Knowledge,Chapter2.Aeronautical DecisionMaking(ADM):https:// www.faa.gov/regulationspolicies/ handbooksmanuals/aviation/phak /chapter-2-aeronautical-decisionmaking

Note: Donotstoptakingmedication unlessyouareunderaphysician’scare andguidance.

Here’stohealthyblueskiesandtailwindsforallwhoflyandaspiretodoso!

LETTERTOTHE EDITOR

InFlightUSAreceivedthisletterasa“LettertotheEditor”afteritwassent bytheauthortoCongressmanDarrellIssa(R-48thCongressionalDistrict,Calif.).

CongressmanDarrellIssa Topic:FlightTraining Urgent:

Hello,I’maresidentofNorthCountyofSanDiego.Thepurposeandreason forthisletteristoaddressanissuethatIfeelisimportantthatimpactsflighttraining.Asyouareaware,thereisapilotshortagenotjusthereintheUnitedStatesbut acrosstheworld.Tobemorespecific,whensomeonepursuesalicenseliketheprivatepilotlicense,instrumentlicense,andcommerciallicense,therearewritten testseachoftheselicensesrequireandhoursneededandcoursecurriculumthathas tobecompleted.TheregulationsandpoliciesaremandatedbytheFAAwhenit comestoflighttraining.

WhenIgotmypilot’slicensebackin2004,Ihadtotakeacheckridewitha DesignatedPilotExaminer(DPE).ThereweremanyDPEsavailable;itmightbe 30daysatthemostthatyouwouldhavetowait.Today,thechallengemanypilots faceishavingtowaitfivetosixmonthstogetacheckridescheduledwithaDPE. TherewasayoungmanwhocamefromPalmBeach,Florida,andtoldmetwo DPEthathescheduledwithbothcancelledonhim.Hehadtowaitseventoeight months.HecametotheSanDiegoareaandscheduledwithaDPE,whichIknow hewasabletogethispilotlicense.Thereasonwashehadafriendherewhoknew theDPE.ManypilotsaregoingacrosstheUnitedStatestofindaDPEthatwill givethemacheckride.

Whenyoutakeawrittentest,youhave24calendarmonthstogetthelicense. Theproblemiswhenyouhavetowaitsixmonthormoretoscheduleacheckride, ifyougopastthe24calendarmonthsyouhavetotakethewrittentestoveragain forwhicheverlicenseyouareworkingon.Thecostofrentinganaircraft,aswell astheinstructorrates,havegoneup.TheFAAisdown1,800airtrafficcontrollers nationwideandtheyaredownFAAinspectors.Also,theyaredownDPEsnationwide.Thesearerealseriousconcerns.

ThesolutiontotheproblemregardingflighttrainingwouldbeiftheFAA wouldliftthe24-monthrestriction,notrequiringtohavetoretakeanywrittentest pertainingtotheprivatepilotlicense,instrumentlicenseandcommerciallicenseat leasttemporarilyuntiltheFAAstaffingissueshavebeenresolved.Congressman Issa,IwashopingyoucouldreachouttotheFAAregardingthismatterandseeif thiswouldbepossiblefortheFAAtotakeactionandliftthe24-monthrestriction sowedon’thavetoretakeanyFAAwrittentest.

Thankyou, AndyWilliams

FAAOPENS APPLICATION PROCESS FOR ENHANCED AIR TRAFFICCOLLEGIATE TRAINING INITIATIVE

TheFederalAviationAdministration(FAA)hasopenedtheapplicationprocessfortheEnhancedAir Traffic-CollegiateTrainingInitiative (AT-CTI).TheEnhancedAT-CTIwill helptheFAAaccelerateairtrafficcontrollerhiringandtraining.

“Hiringmoreairtrafficcontrollersisa toppriority,andwemustaccelerateour efforts,”saidFAAAdministratorMike Whitaker.“Inadditiontofillingeveryseat attheAcademy,thisenhancedcollegecontrollertrainingprogramgivesusanother avenuetogrowandtraintheworkforce.”

TheFAAdevelopedtheEnhanced AT-CTItocreateanadditionaltraining pipelineforairtrafficcontrollersby authorizinginstitutionstoprovidethe samecomprehensivecurriculumoffered attheFAAAirTrafficController Academy.Aftergraduatingfromoneof theeligibleschools,newhirescanbegin trainingatanairtrafficfacility.These graduatesstillmustpasstheAirTraffic SkillsAssessment(ATSA)examand meetmedicalandsecurityrequirements.

TheFAAhasprovidedguidanceon

ContinuedonPage12

VAN’S AIRCRAFT C HAPTER 11 REORGANIZATION PLAN FILED

OnFriday,March29,Van’sAircraft fileditsChapter11PlanofReorganization withtheFederalBankruptcyCourt.Thefilingwillbecompletedafterthecourtsetsvarioushearingdatesandthejudgesignsacertificatemakingitanofficialcourtdocument.

Acopyoftheofficiallyfiledplan wasmailedtothesameapproximately 40,000peoplethatwerenotifiedatthe timeVan’sfiledbankruptcy.Thosepeoplewhohaveclaimsagainstthecompany receiveballotssotheycanvoteeitherfor oragainsttheplan.

VoteswillbecollectedbyVan’s attorneys,tallied,andreportedtothe courtasitconsiderswhethertoapprove orrejecttheplan.

Clyde Hamstreet, of Hamstreet and Associates, (left) is the Chief Restructuring Officer for Van’s Aircraft. In a video message on April 12, he said the company is doing well. See the YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJTlu mzM5og.

(Courtesy Van’s Aircraft/YouTube)

ClydeHamstreet,ofHamstreetand Associates,istheChiefRestructuring OfficerforVan’sandinavideomessage onApril12saidthecompanyisdoing well.“Over80–almost85–percentof ourcustomershaverenewedtheircontractsata(higher)pricethat’sveryappreciativeandmakesabigdifferencetothe successofthecompany.

“We’vegotabacklogofbusiness nowthatweknowcanbeprofitable(and) allowustorepayourobligations…I’m verypleased,”saidHamstreet.

Van’scustomerswhomadedeposits ontheirorderspriortothebankruptcy andchosenottorenewtheirordersand havevalidclaimswillhavetheirclaims classifiedasPriorityand/orUnsecured claims.Priorityclaimswillbepaidupon confirmationoftheplanorassoonas allowed,andtheunsecuredclaimswillbe paidatanestimatedrateof55percentof theunsecuredamountoverthecourseof thenextthreeyears.Hadthecompany liquidatedratherthanreorganizingunder Chapter11,itisestimatedthatcreditors wouldhavereceivedonlyfourpercentof theirclaimamounts.

Theexistingskilled,hardworking teamatVan’shasmadesolidprogress towarditsrecoverygoalssincetheinitial

filinginDecemberandisshippingmany kits,parts,andorderstocustomerseach week.ToassisttheexistingVan’steam, theplancallsforaddingnewpositionsin qualitycontrol,engineering,accounting, andtechnology.Inaddition,theplan includesfundingtoreplaceequipment andinstallnewbusinesssystems,includinganMRPsystem.

“ThefutureforVan’sisprettygood,” saidHamstreet.“Thecustomersdon’thave anythingtoworryaboutwhenitcomesto Van’s;they’regoingtobeinbusiness. They’vecomeoutwithabalancesheetthat isingoodshapeandtheearningpotentialis good.Theymakegreatproductsthatare highindemand.Idon’tseeanyreasonthat anybodyhastoworryaboutthiscompany. It’sgoingtobearoundforquiteawhile.”

TolearnmorevisitVan’swebsiteat vansaircraft.com.Toseethislatest(April 12)message,visittheVan’swebsiteorgo toYouTubeathttps://www.youtube.com /watch?v=XJTlumzM5og.

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InFlightUSA ispublishedeachmonthbyInFlightPublishing.Itiscirculatedthroughoutthecontinental UnitedStates.Businessmatters,advertisingandeditorialconcernsshouldbeaddressedto InFlightUSA,P.O.Box 5402,SanMateo,Calif.94402orbycalling(650)358-9908–fax(650)358-9254.Copyright©2008InFlight Publishing.

InFlightUSA isnotresponsibleforanyactiontakenbyanypersonasaresultofreadinganypartofany issue.Thepiecesarewrittenforinformation,entertainmentandsuggestion–notrecommendation.Thepursuitof flightoranyactionreflectedbythispaperistheresponsibilityoftheindividualandnotofthispaper,itsstaffor contributors.Opinionsexpressedarethoseoftheindividualauthor,andnotnecessarilythoseof InFlightUSA Alleditorialandadvertisingmatterinthiseditioniscopyrighted.Reproductioninanywayisstrictlyprohibitedwithoutwrittenpermissionofthepublisher.

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WAI2024 CONFERENCE HOSTS IMPRESSIVE NUMBEROF

ATTENDEES & EXHIBITORS

Women in Aviation International held one of its largest and most successful annual gatherings during the 35th Annual Women in Aviation International Conference at Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida, March 2123, 2024. With its unique blend of worldclass speakers, busy exhibit hall, an array of education sessions, and more than 130 scholarship recipients, the WAI2024 conference delivered numerous opportunities to connect and network with female peers in the aviation and aerospace industry.

“As the largest organization in the world dedicated to increasing the number of women in all aspects of aviation and aerospace, WAI was able to celebrate the strength of our expanding Women in Aviation International community this week during our annual conference,” WAI CEO Lynda Coffman said, adding, “At every moment during WAI2024, thousands of attendees were able to learn, network, and mentor one another in a venue full of like-minded women who come together to share their passion for aviation and aerospace. We are helping to change the face of aviation, and WAI is proud to support our members throughout their aviation journey with a lifetime of programs.” Coffman acknowledged the annual conference representing attendees from a variety of aviation and aerospace careers was an impressive venue to celebrate Women’s History Month. WAI thanks the generous support of sponsors, passionate members, and volunteers.

A highlight of every conference is the induction of women into WAI’s International Pioneer Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees include Katherine Johnson, a legendary mathematician of her time and a NASA trailblazer featured in the book and movie Hidden Figures; U.S. Air Force First Undergraduate Navigator Class 78-01, the first female class of six navigator candidates to pave the way for other women in military avi-

(L to R) Outgoing Board Chair Captain Deborah Hecker and WAI CEO Lynda Coffman at the WAI2024 Exhibit Hall Ribbon Cutting with current and founding board members at the Orlando World Center Marriott. (WAI/Mike Ullery)

ation; U.S. Army Air Forces World War II Flight Nurses, a dedicated group of 500 volunteer flight nurses who served 31 medical air evacuation squadrons at the height of World War II.

Visits to the sold-out exhibit hall were interspersed with general sessions on Friday and Saturday mornings, with dozens of education sessions, professional development seminars, and workshops held Thursday through Saturday where attendees chose which sessions were best for their career goals and personal interests.

During the WAI annual membership meeting, Captain Bart Roberts was approved as a new board member, and Michaela Lucas was re-elected for an additional term and will continue her role as board treasurer. Captain Deborah Hecker, outgoing board chair, and Marci Veronie, board member, were both recognized for their nine-year terms serving the WAI board of directors. Effective April 1, 2024, Kathy Yodice assumed the role of board chair and Shannon Weidekamp became board vice chair. Linda Markham will continue to serve as board treasurer.

The membership report detailed more than 18,000 active members in 120 countries with 1,800 international members and more than 5,000 junior members aged 18 years and younger. Both student

Continued on Page 14

FAA Opens Application Process

Continued from Page 10

academy criteria and coursework and will oversee all program requirements. Information on requirements and the onboarding process is on FAA.gov.

The FAA began accepting applications beginning April 1. Interested schools can submit applications online year-round.

The Enhanced AT-CTI is one of the

many actions the FAA is taking to increase the number of controllers and improve training. These aggressive actions include year-round hiring for experienced controllers from the military and private industry, filling every seat at the FAA Academy and finishing the deployment of upgraded tower simulator systems in 95 facilities by December 2025.

Cover Story

Continued from Page 4

something to see because it also has history in World War II.

IF USA: Are you a pilot? Or is anyone in your family a pilot besides your dad?

AE: My brother is a pilot and flies regularly. I have hours but never finished. After my dad’s aircraft accident, I got away from it. I love the history and the planes, but I do not fly myself.

IF USA: Sure, I understand that. Let’s talk more about the event. Why is it such a great event for people to attend? Why should people come out for this?

AE: I think people enjoy Breckenridge because it has an old-school feel that takes them back in time. It is not like going to Fort Worth or a big city for a big-time show. You are getting a big show in a little town. I don’t know how describe the special feeling you get in this little historic place, but we do some pretty big things here. We have great people performing, like Olympic-level worldrenowned pilots. These pilots have flown in the big leagues. One such pilot is just 30 miles from us and is a great friend of ours. He just loves the show and loves the history. He loves to see the smiles on people’s faces and to see the history live on. We all have the same goals of where we go from here. We want to make this a family event to keep history alive. The history of the show is warbirds, and we want to keep them flying. We call our current times the newer age, and we like the newer planes and everything, but we want to keep what built America and what America was built on. Many people worry about flying such old machines, but those of us in the business know that if they are maintained properly, they are fine and can last for many years.

IF USA: As they say at Planes of Fame here in California, “Keep ‘em flying!” I think it’s great that you focus on that. So, have you lived in Breckenridge your entire life?

AE: Yes, I was born and raised here. We have always had our business here, and it is a great place to live and work.

IF USA: Why is it a great town to visit? Why should people, maybe from other parts of the state or country, come to this event?

AE: Like I said, it is an old-school show with an old-school feel that makes new-school sense. It is a small town; it is rural town. There are a few shops and restaurants that people can enjoy, but people should come here for the history, especially the aviation history. You can see a P38 or a Mustang, a Corsair, a Hellcat, or even a TBM. There are so many warbirds

here in one small place. You will see Mark Marston, who is a local guy, the next generation Eagles as they do a good performance, and then there is Carl Best. He puts on a great performance in an aerobatic AT6 Texan. Then Stew Dawson will be flying the Tigercat F7F. He will be flying aerobatics and doing a great performance. Everybody loves and raves about him, and we will have a PBY (Catalina) here. His original PBY was based out of Midland, Texas. (Readers may recall) another famous Texas pilot and aircraft collector, Wilson “Connie” Edwards, who passed on May 3, 2019, also had PBYs.

IF USA: That is just amazing!

AE: Yes, he was doing the tour through the islands and had engine trouble. He ended up out in the Bahamas. He had engine trouble, so he came back through Florida. He called me last week and said, “If we can get a good check, we will be there in May.” It is a small town, but it brings a good feeling, if you are a warbird lover. You will love the planes here.

IF USA: You have mentioned a few of your performers already. Let’s go over the performer lineup and who you are most interested in seeing.

AE: Yes, we have Tora Tora Tora. We have Mark Marston, and we have Julia Wood. She will be doing a pit performance, which is exciting because not everybody has a woman come out to do an aerobatic performance. Then we will have Dawson and the Tigercat and Carl Best in the T6 doing aerobatics. We will have our bomber and fighter flights, and we will have a B-25 Yellow Rose. She will have 200-500 shirts with the Breckenridge Airshow logo printed on them, and they will drop over the runway if the FAA will allow it, and the crowd can actually catch them and take them home.

IF USA: That will be fun. What other fun activities do you have planned?

AE: Yes, it will be fun. We did it in 2017 and 2018, and we tried to do carnations in ‘18, but the carnations did not come out like we thought they would. In ‘17, the ball drop was really exciting, and everyone kept their ball. They did that back in the day, and we had comments from people saying they still had their balls from so and so years back in the ‘90s or ‘80s. There is a lot of nostalgia about the Breckenridge Airshow because you can get up close and personal with the warbirds and the history without being 100 feet farther than the flightline. The rules permit you to be right there and up close. You can smell the fuel burn and all the exhaust and everything. The best part about Breckenridge is that you are more involved because it is a smaller show, and

Continued on Page 14

Cover Story

Continued from Page 13

everything is right there in front of you. You don’t have to be 1,000 or 1,500 feet back. There is a spot line (restricted area) more than there used to be, but you are definitely more up close and personal with us than in many other places.

IF USA: That sounds great! It is just a wonderful experience to get up close and personal. Tell me a little bit about some food vendors or other vendors that might draw interest for youth or other attractions besides the airplanes and performers.

AE: Yes, we will have food trucks and vendors. We will have a lot in between each airshow performance. We will likely have several different vendors and food trucks that attendees can enjoy during or in between the performances.

IF USA: Yes, that is exciting I am sure the food is delicious. I imagine this is a great event for kids. Tell me what you have lined up for the young ones.

AE: Yes, you see people comment on our page that they came to the ‘80s or ‘90s shows, and they came with their dad, uncle, grandfather, or they came with a best friend, and that is what got them involved in aviation, just seeing a plane fly, hearing, or smelling it. That is what inspired their aviation career or lifelong passion. It amazes me!

IF USA: What does the airshow need

in order to sustain going forward? You mentioned volunteers. Is there a page where people can make donations or volunteer?

AE: Yes, on our website, we do have a sponsorship page, where you can donate, and if you want to volunteer, there is a volunteer link also. We are always looking for help to keep this event alive. We are looking at making it every two or three years, so it is not such a hard thing every year. Two years seems more like it. We talked about moving it to October and then going every other year.

IF USA: Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about the event or about your business at the Breckenridge Airport?

AE: Yes, if they want to see a good warbird collection and history, then they should put Breckenridge on their (bucket list). We put this place on the map in the ‘80s and ‘90s, and we are trying to keep it on the map. The collection makes for the best warbird airshow, and every enthusiast should see it at least once.

IF USA: Great! Do you do anything special for veterans at the show? Is there a presentation for them or do they get a discount?

AE: Yes, we do have discounts for them. See our website at www.brecken ridgeairshow.com for more information.

IF USA: Thank you!

WAI2024 Conference

Continued from Page 12

members (more than 3,700) and corporate members (nearly 500) continue to increase.

P C P astle and has operation, ar of gest s lar ’ om the t fr craf

C Air Museum, Castle (MER) is in its 41st ye oast est C W become the air of

Castle Air Museum, adjacent to Castle Airport (MER) is in its 41st year of operation, and has become the West Coast’s largest static display of vintage military aircraft dating back from the late 1930’s. With over 80 aircraft in the collection and more due soon, such as the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk and FA-18 Blue Angel Aircraft, the Museum is situated on 31 acres, 25 of which are currently occupied by aircraft. The most comprehensive collection of WWII Bombers, from the Douglas B-18 Bolo to the mammoth Convair RB-36 Peacemaker, B-52D Stratofortress

Girls in Aviation Day Orlando

• The WAI Chapter network has reached 180 chapters in 26 countries worldwide representing 140 U.S. chapters and 40 international chapters. Some 42 percent of WAI members belong to their local chapter.

• The exhibit hall hosted over 200 separate companies and organizations, representing all aspects of the aviation community, and livestream video coverage on WAI’s new YouTube channel @WAIOnAir.

view aircraft from the Lockheed F-80 to the General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon.

air s.1930’ such as the L e and mor A-18 Blue Nighthawk and F Museum is situated on 31 acr ently air curr ehensive collection of compr omfr eacemak onvair RB-36 P C om L t fr craf view air -16A al F Gener tcraf -117 ockheed F the Aircraft, Angel e which ar 25 of es, he most T craft. WWII Bombers, tratofortress B-52D S er, -80 ockheed F alcon. ighting F F

The Museum is located at 5050 Santa Fe Dr., Atwater, CA 95301, and open daily 9 am to 4 pm, with last admission to the Aircraft Exhibit Grounds at 3:15 daily.

For more information, please call 209-723-2178 or visit www.castleairmuseum.org.

he Museum is located at 5050 Santa F T 95301, CA Atwater, sion to the with last admis pm, ounds daily Gr e information, or mor F .castleairmuseum.or or visit www ., e Dr t Exhibit Aircraf ase call 209-723-2178 ple g. F-15A -16AF

On Saturday, March 23, 250 girls, along with their chaperones, were hosted by more than 100 WAI volunteers at Girls in Aviation Day Orlando. The girls, ages 818, visited nearly 30 activity stations, heard about six different aviation careers from “The Sky is Unlimited” career panel, had lunch with Nicole Battjes, Rainbow Helicopters CEO and owner, met multiple role models, and had fun while they learned about aviation/aerospace. The older girls had the opportunity to meet with representatives about their aviationfocused programs from 14 participants including the military, universities, flight schools, and airline pathways. Each participant earned a WAI Aviation Fun Patch.

Other conference highlights include:

•A total attendance of more than 5,200 includes 142 international representatives from 35 countries including Nigeria, Canada, United Kingdom, Tunisia, Brazil, Australia, United Arab Emirates, and others.

•During the conference, 131 scholarships were distributed to WAI members at every stage of life for academic use, lifestyle enhancement, and flight training, including type ratings. Since 1995, scholarship funders have awarded more than $15 million to WAI members.

View all the videos from the WAI Annual Conference in Orlando, including the opening Conference video, 2024 Scholarship Winners, Pioneer Hall of Fame inductees, Girls in Aviation Day 2023 wrap-up, on the WAI YouTube Channel, @WomeninAviationIntl and @WAIOnAir.

The 36th Annual Women in Aviation International Conference will be held on March 27-29, 2025, at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.

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THE MANY HATS WORNBYTHE PATRIOTS JET TEAM

By Annamarie Buonocore

The Patriots Jet Team, based in Byron, Calif., features pilots who were formerly part of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Navy Blue Angels. They have logged more than 105,000 hours of flight time and performed in more than 1,500 air shows. The volunteer pilots all share the same genuine passion to entertain audiences at air shows and other events, while also encouraging the nation’s youth toward careers in the aviation and aerospace fields. In Flight USA was pleased to have the opportunity to talk to Randy Howell, owner of the Patriots Jet Team, and Ginette “Ginger” Huot, events and sponsor coordinator for the Patriots about some of the many facets of the jet team and its foundation.

In Flight USA: Give us a little bit of a refresher about what you have been doing lately.

Patriots Jet Team: In the past, we have talked about all the avenues of aviation that we participate in for our business and for the Foundation. We basically perform at airshows with the Patriots Jet Team six-ship L39. We also provide filming for movies or commercials with the Cinejet, whereby we have two L39 jets that are set up with a large gimbal that hold the cameras and an operator in the backseat. The Patriots also provide Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) where we teach airline and corporate pilots to recover from an upset/loss-of- control in flight. According to the FAA, this is the number one cause of fatalities in the airlines, in corporate aviation, and in general aviation. If you get in a situation where you find yourself upside down or in an unusual attitude due to turbulence or high-altitude stall due to weather phenomena or anomalies with auto flights, we teach the mantra of “push, roll, power, stabilize” to recover from those situations. Our program provides five hours of ground school followed by two one-hour flights in the L39, followed by a one-hour flight in the Sabreliner, which is a corporate jet with side-by-side seating with CRM and the crew concept. This is a typical corporate airplane that we use to teach pilots how to recover, and it seems simple: “push, roll, power, stabilize”. However, it takes a lot of practice to build that muscle memory, where the pilot’s immediate action to take in a startle becomes push, roll, power, stabilize rather than pulling like most pilots will do in a startled situation.

IF USA: So, it sounds like it could be a big panic for somebody going

(Courtesy Patriots Jet Team)

through an upset, and it is very good that you provide that kind of training. How are things going out at Byron, at the airport? I see that there is quite a bit of development out there.

PJT: Yes, the Byron Airport is growing, and it is great to see there are quite a few electronic flight vehicles that are being tested out at Byron. We’re a little bit off the beaten path from the populated areas, and we’re lucky that there’s an area out here they can do the testing of primarily drones and eVTOL aircraft. There are several hangars that have been built for them and several more that are being built right now for the companies. There’s also the skydive operation “Bay Area Skydiving,” the glider operation, and of course our operation. So, it’s growing, and we eventually hope to see longer runways at Byron to accommodate larger airplanes.

IF USA: Yes, that is very important, so how are things going with the Patriot’s Jet Team?

PJT: The Patriot’s Jet Team is a sixship L-39 jet aerobatic formation demo team, and the performance is 26 minutes long. It’s very exciting, similar to the

sons, as Fleet Week is one of my favorite shows. It’s just amazing to be able to perform in front of millions of people right there in downtown San Francisco over the bay, which is one of the best settings for an airshow that any pilot could imagine.

IF USA: Well, that is beautiful and just fantastic. What other airshows are you looking forward to in 2024?

PJT: We’re looking forward to doing the California International Air Show in Salinas, September 27-29th, and the Pacific Air Show in Huntington Beach Oct. 4-6th. We went to the ICAS convention in Las Vegas this past December and are working on getting a few more airshows during the 2024 season. It usually takes four to five days for each show, so that’s a slightly full schedule for us.

IF USA: Are you still operating on sponsorship funding, and have you found any good sponsors for the year?

PJT: Currently, we have a sponsor, but we’re always looking for more, and if someone is wanting to get their name or brand out there especially in California, as well as across the country or across the globe on social media, this is a great place to do it. We would love to find another sponsor for the whole season, (the 2024 season) however, we also have the opportunity for a one-off airshow for a smaller sponsor just in a particular location.

Blue Angels, however, its quite different. Our aircraft are tight when flying, so we can always keep jets in front of the crowd. There is no down time. It’s 26 minutes of high-energy flying. Post Covid, the airshow industry slowed a bit, but now it’s starting to pick up some steam again, and we expect to have a good season here for 2024. This will be our 22nd season as The Patriot’s Jet Team, and we’re really looking forward to that.

IF USA: Wow, that is exciting! I understand that you participated in 2023 San Francisco’s Fleet week. What was that experience like? I know it was not your first time doing it, but tell us a little bit about that experience?

PJT: We finished San Francisco Fleet Week as the last show of our 2023 season, and I believe this is our 20th year doing a Fleet Week performance as the Patriots. I used to have a Mig 17 team, the Stoli Migs, and we performed for some years at Fleet Week prior to the Patriots performing in 2003. We expect to fly at SFO Fleet Week in 2024 and future sea-

IF USA: The last time I was out at your hangar, it looked like you were doing some work with high school and college students. Are you still working with youth and bringing them into aviation?

PJT: Absolutely! We have the Patriot’s Jet Team Foundation, a separate non-profit 501(c) 3 entity that educates youth across our country in aviation and STEM-related career paths, so we have many programs with the students. We have an introduction to aviation program that we run almost every Thursday throughout the year, which is a sevenweek program for kids. We give them an overall idea of what types of career paths are available in aviation, and that could be from a mechanic, dispatcher to a pilot. There are so many avenues in aviation. When I say pilot, that could be a commercial airline pilot, a cargo pilot, a military pilot, or a flight instructor. There are many different avenues that you can choose as a pilot or other aviation professions. Options to select from in that field are endless. We don’t only talk about aviation but aerospace as well. The Foundation also awarded 10 flight scholarships in 2023 for young men and women in high school 15-18 years old.

Continued on Page 18

The Patriots Jet Team has logged more than 105,000 hours of flight time and performed in more than 1,500 air shows. (Courtesy Patriots Jet Team)

The Patriots perform at airshows with a six-ship L-39 team.

The Patriots Jet Team Foundation, a separate entity from the performance team, focuses on educating youth across the county in aviation and STEM-related career paths. (Courtesy Patriots Jet Team)

ICON AIRCRAFT INITIATES RESTRUCTURING PROCESSAND FILESFOR C HAPTER 11 PROTECTION

ICON Aircraft, manufacturer of the ICON A5 amphibious sport plane, on April 4 announced that it has commenced a strategic restructuring process by filing for Chapter 11 protection. The Company further disclosed that it intends to pursue a sale of its business under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, while continuing to support its customers and operations during the Chapter 11 process.

The ICON Aircraft management team

remains committed to the Company’s mission of revolutionizing personal aviation and continuing to support owners and employees during this transition, states a recent company press release.

The company intends to keep operations running as smoothly as possible throughout the restructuring process to minimize disruption. In a statement, Jerry Meyer, CEO of ICON Aircraft, emphasized the company’s dedication to its

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Cessna 172S G1000 2005+

Cessna 177RG 1971-1978

Cessna 182P 1972-1976

Cessna 182R 1981-1986

Cessna R182 Skylane RG 1978-1986

Cessna 182RG Turbo 1979-1986

Cessna 182T Analog Gauges 2001+

Cessna 182T/G1000 2004+

Cessna 210N Centurion 1979-1984

Cessna Turbo 182T 2001+

Cessna Turbo 182T/G1000 2006+

Cessna Turbo 206H 1998+

Cessna Turbo 210M Centurion1977-1978

Cirrus SR20 Analog Gauges 2000-2003

Cirrus SR20 G1-G2 2003-2007

Cirrus SR20 G3 2007+

Cirrus SR20 Perspective 2008+

Cirrus SR22 G1-G2 2003-2007

Cirrus SR22 G3 2007+

Cirrus SR22 Perspective 2008+

Cirrus SR22 G3 Turbo 2007+

Cirrus SR22 Turbo Perspective 2008+

Diamond DA20 C1 1998+

Diamond Star DA40 2001+

Piper Archer II PA-28-181 1976-1994

Piper Archer III PA-28-181 1995-2002

Piper Arrow 180 PA-28R-180 1967-1971

Piper Arrow II PA-28R-200 1969-1976

Piper Arrow III PA-28R-201 1977+

Piper Arrow III Turbo PA-28R-201T1977-1978

stakeholders: “We plan to continue to produce and sell aircraft and provide first-rate service, training, and support to our customers. We believe this process will enable the business to address its current challenges and emerge with new ownership – stronger than ever – and continue building amazing planes with a focus on innovation, safety, and incredible flying experiences.”

Continued on Page 22

ICON Aircraft, manufacturer of the ICON A5 amphibious sport plane, has began a strategic restructuring process by filing for Chapter 11 protection.

(Courtesy ICON Aircraft)

Continued from Page 16

Piper Arrow IV PA-28RT-201 1979-1982

Piper Arrow IV Turbo PA-28RT-201T1979-1990

Piper Cherokee 140 PA-28-1401964-1977

Piper Cherokee 150 PA-28-1501961-1967

Piper Cherokee 160 PA-28-1601961-1967

Piper Cherokee 180 PA-28-1801963-1973

Piper Dakota PA-28-236 1979-1994

Piper Cherokee Lance PA-32R-3001976-1978

Piper Navajo PA-31-310 B/C 1972-1980

Piper Navajo Chieftain PA-31-3501973-1984

Piper Saratoga SP PA-32R-3011980-1992

Piper Saratoga SP Turbo PA-32R-301T1980-1987

Piper Tomahawk PA-38-112 1978-1982

Piper Warrior 151 PA-28-151 1973-1977

Best-Selling Avionics Quick Reference

Piper Warrior II PA-28-161 1976-1986

These scholarships take a young man or woman who has never flown before, but they have an interest in becoming a pilot, so the funding we give them covers them for their private pilot ground school as well as all their books, and taking the FAA written test. It also gives them about 17 hours of flight time, and by the time they finish they will have soloed in an airplane by themselves, which is a great opportunity for them! Some of them do it in 8-10 hours, some of them do it in 16 hours, and then the remainder of their flight time available, they can either do some more dual flying or some solo flying. It is a great opportunity for young people to get that kickstart into an aviation career. We have been providing these aviation scholarships since 2016. In 2023, we started to give out engineering scholarships. We recently awarded four $5,000 engineering scholarships to students that want to study engineering, not necessarily aerospace engineering, but any type of engineering which will help them pay for their education as they exit high school and go into university. In 2024, we plan to offer six of these $5,000 engineering scholarships.

Avidyne Entegra

Garmin G1000 Non-WAAS

Garmin G1000

Garmin G1000 WAAS

Garmin G600/G500

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Bendix/King KLN 89

Bendix/King KLN 90B

Bendix/King KLN 94

Garmin GMX 200

Garmin GPS 400

Garmin GNS 430

Garmin GNS 480

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Garmin GTN 750/650

Garmin GX Series

Garmin MX 20

Garmin 300XL/250XL

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AvMap EKP IV / IV Pro

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IF USA: Well, that is great! Are you working on any other projects at the hangar, or it sounds like you have the jet team and the youth going and that is all going well. Are there any other updates or anything else you would like to share with our readers?

PJT: I would really like to get across the foundation piece of course, but also we need funding to be able to continue flying in front of millions of people, and anyone who is interested in partnering with the Patriot’s Jet Team in sponsorship, we welcome you. We would be more than happy to share some ideas of what we can do for you on a sponsorship level. For more information it’s best to contact Ginger at: ginger@patriotsjet team.com.

MANY MORE MODELS COMING SOON!

THE 2023 FINAL RENO NATIONAL C HAMPIONSHIP AIR RACES AND FAMILY REUNION: A BRIEF OVERVIEWOF UNLIMITED RACING AT RENO OVERTHE DECADES

By Pete Shirk

It is interesting how an event can evolve over time. When the Reno Air Races began in the early 1960s it was intended as a rebirth of the Cleveland Air Races, which had ended tragically in 1949 with an Unlimited crash involving fatalities in a nearby residence. During the interim between 1949 and 1964 air racing had mostly disappeared and there was little or no “racing culture.”

Racing in 1964 was essentially starting over and the Sky Ranch venue near Reno was rustic to say the least. Obviously the Sky Ranch desert operation was not going to work for either competitors or paying customers. But in 1966, the former Reno Army Air base (later known as Stead Field) with hard surface runways and ramp areas was only a brief drive north of the bright lights of “America’s Biggest Little City,” as the casino town of Reno called itself. It became the home of the air races until 2023.

Highly competitive is how the race

culture could be described. But over time this competitiveness morphed into something more. It became increasingly social. People not only came to watch air racing, they came to gather.

Racing results for all classes for all years since 1964 are made available by RARA for all to see. Go to https://airrace.org/racers/.

In those early days races were started by Bob Hoover in his bright yellow P51 being used as a Pace Plane. Hoover had been a contemporary of Chuck Yeager doing post World War II test flying, then worked for North American Aviation. As a Vice President of the company, Hoover was always well-dressed; Yes, he flew wearing business attire. It was surprising to see him step from the Mustang after a precision aerobatic demonstration wearing a tie, which did not even need straightening. Hoover was quite a positive influence on the racing scene.

But it would be inaccurate to view Bob Hoover as just a dignified, corpo-

Bob Hoover stepping from the cockpit of his corporate P-51 after aerobatics at Reno in 1966.

(Pete Shirk)

rate, fatherly figure. Boring, he was not. In addition to starting the Unlimited races with his P51, he had a beautiful aerobatic routine of loops, 16-point rolls, etc. The final maneuver was a landing on one wheel. Mustangs were highperformance, state-of-the-art fighter planes in their day. Being high-performance and not docile like a trainer, landing and takeoff demand a pilot’s full attention. The landing gear was strong and stable in its widespread stance, but landing on a single wheel required the most delicate touch and careful judgment. Landing a high-per-

Bob Hoover performing his legendary one-wheel landing at Stead Field in 1972. In an effort to get a good picture of it I hiked out across the ramp to be closer and have an unobstructed view. To my surprise and disbelief at the last instant seven people crowded out in front of me and stood on the very edge of the runway! Not a good idea. Lax runway security spoiled what was to be my perfect shot!

(Pete Shirk)

formance fighter on a single wheel was an invitation to disaster and many average pilots found themselves off in the weeds beside the runway if they didn’t land carefully.

Hoover’s early versions of the one-

Continued on Page 20

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Race year 2023 was remarkable for the collective spirit. The Reno competitors have always been a lusty bunch but what set this year apart was the high level of interest in its history. Many of the Unlimited racing field had rich history. Aircraft such as Bardahl Special had been campaigned by Chuck Lyford in the late 1960s. Later it was acquired by ACV Group and prepared for modern racing standards. The current mods include things like the scoop and the prop off of Strega and the pilot was to be none other than Steven Hinton. Mechanical issues sidelined it for several days but the crew got it ready for the final race on Sunday, which was unfortunately cancelled due to a fatal accident.

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When owned and flown by Chuck Lyford the airplane’s main competitor was legendary Darryl Greenamyer and his Conquest 1. (Conquest 1 was so important to air racing in the 1960s and 1970s that it has been preserved in the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.). Chuck Lyford’s challenge to Greenamyer was one of the strongest of the field in those early days. Racing was intense.

One of the most modified aircraft is a P-51 with one of the most complicated histories. Purchased by Chuck Hall in 1964, N7715C became Miss RJ in 1967 as Race 5. In 1971 it was acquired by Gunther Balz who further modified it and renamed it Miss Roto Finish. After a couple more successive ownerships it acquired a Rolls Royce Griffon engine with counter-rotating props, became Red Baron, attained a speed record of 499.08

A top competitor in the early days was an aviation parts dealer, E.D. Weiner of Los Angeles. He was a bit of a character and had two Mustangs with matching checkerboard paint. One was modified with a wet wing for long distance racing and the other had clipped wings for pylon racing. In those early days I met a photographer/ historian named Bill Larkins. Bill did top quality work and was always willing to help others who had similar interests in aviation. Below is a beautiful example of the crisp, precise photos he was known for.

The purple P-51 of Clay Lacy had been Race 64 all the way back at the beginning in 1964. It placed 3rd so many times that it could have been renumbered “Race 3” but in 1970 it won the “Championship Race” as it was termed then. Now it is known as the Gold Race.

Miss America as Race 11 had also been active in the early 1970s and many times since. The stunning paint scheme attracted much attention and although it was highly prepared for racing it never managed to be competitive at the top level in those early days.

The P-51H Mustang of Steven Coutches had been raced by his father, Mike, in the 1970s. More powerful and lighter than the numerous D model, it theoretically could be faster, but Mike’s

Continued from Page 19 Continued on Page 21

Darryl Greenamyer takeoff for 1971 Championship race. (Pete Shirk)

Chuck Lyford and Darryl Greenamyer debrief after race on Sept. 24,1967. (Pete Shirk)

Miss Roto Fininish, Race 5, rounds pylon10 in 1971. (Pete Shirk)

E.D. Weiner, Reno 1968/69. (Photo by Bill Larkins)

Race 64 gets underway in the 1970 Championship Race. (Pete Shirk)

2023 Final Reno Air Races

Continued from Pge 20

Shirk)

vision was to keep it basically a stock warbird and the machine was never highly modified to the top standards. Just as well, since most of us did not want to see such a rare airplane come to grief as happened to so many top racers. (See Photo Essay accompanying this article for photo of the P-51H parked on the ramp in 2023.)

And of course, Sea Fury Dreadnaught has been dominant for many years. Dennis Sanders and the entire Sanders family and organization have been significant contributors to the racing scene. In a 2023 practice session on Tues. Race 8 was running very strong. I remember thinking “That engine really sounds great!” A second thought occurred, “Does it sound too good?!” And suddenly it was making funny noises and Joel Swagger was pulling up for a dead stick landing. The engine was done for the season. After the power failure and Mayday landing Dreadnaught was parked in the pits and a docent put out front to answer questions. This was the spirit of the 2023 Reno races. In the old days that would not have happened. The airplane would have been parked in a dark corner and the crew long gone to the bar.

Other very special unlimited racers were also present in 2023, and one with an incredible story. During the 1940s pilot and actor Jimmy Stewart and Joe Debona owned a highly modified P-51C and flew it successfully in the 1949 Bendix race from Lake Rosemond, Calif. to Cleveland achieving a record speed.

It passed through a succession of owners and was destroyed in 1955 when the main gear would not lower, preventing a safe landing so the pilot bailed out.

Famed Mustang owner Warren Pietsch acquired some of the wreckage ... along with title and registration. Pietsch combined those parts with others and registered the resulting creation as N5528N and thus the cobalt blue and yellow Race 90 was resurrected. It looked so good at Reno in 2023.

Notable about this 2023 Reno race scene was the degree of interest in race planes with a history but also the camaraderie. For so many years people have come together to share a love of aviation. But 2023 really was a little like a family reunion with a shared sense of joy. And also there was a shared sense of passing, knowing that these races, at least the ones

Thunderbird, resurrected from the 1949 Cleveland Air Races, in the pits at Reno in 2023 (Pete

held at Stead Field, would never be held again. Talk abounds about reconvening at another location.

Over the decades the races kept a bit of that original 1964 rustic-event charm.

In searching for a beyond 2023 replacement site will it retain that rustic charm? And consider the challenges of finding a replacement site –You could find another airport, one which did not have new homes encroaching into unsafe areas, but would it have good runways, ramps, hangars, and be only a 20-minute drive from a great little city with entertainment? And as for the camaraderie, that takes years to develop.

Sadly, the races came to an abrupt, early end. At the completion of the T-6 Gold race on Sunday the first place airplane was on final approach for landing. The second place airplane was on a left base to turn final and land next. Apparently the second airplane lost sight of the first and struck it amidship and both planes crashed. The two fatalities ended the race.

PIPER ANNOUNCESTHE M700 FURY

Piper Aircraft, Inc. recently announced and publically debuted at Sun ‘n Fun in April, a new model in its PA46 line of high-performance aircraft –the Piper M700 FURY –a single-engine, 700 shaft horsepower, cabin-class turboprop.

The Piper M700 FURY represents the first step towards a new generation of

the M-Class family, outperforming past PA46 models and several competitive aircraft in performance, operational cost efficiencies, and overall value. Powered by the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-52 engine, the M700 FURY boasts a maximum cruise speed of 301 ktas with a max range of 1,149 nm / 1,849 km (at max cruise

speed, 1,424 nm at normal cruise speed) while maintaining its Basic Med compliant 6,000-pound MGTOW limit.

At a 301-knot max cruise speed, the M700 FURY stands alone as the fastest single-engine aircraft in Piper’s enviable 87-year, 134,000 unit production history, and it’s the second fastest model of all

About the author: The author first attended the Reno Air Races in 1966, the first year the event was held at Stead Field. He arrived in the back seat of a P-51. At that time he was a college student working for an aircraft dealer in Fresno, CA. The dealer was one of the early people searching the world for surplused fighter planes which often were used for racing. He kept one of those Mustangs as personal transportation. My back seat ride in N5480V was a great introduction to the air racing scene.

Editor’s Note: The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) announced on Feb. 29, 2024, the top three locations in the running to become the future home of the National Championship Air Races (NCAR). The three finalist cities are Casper, Wyo., Pueblo, Colo. and Roswell, N.M.

The National Championship Air Races are a one-of-a-kind air racing event which has brought an estimated $100 million in annual economic impact to its current home in northern Nevada.

Meanwhile, RARA is preparing for a final farewell to Reno with a 60th anniversary Reno Air Show Oct. 4-6 at Stead Field. RARA recently announced that the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the Canadian Snowbirds and the USAF F-16 Viper Demonstration Team will be there.

Save the date and watch for more details on the event and ticket release coming soon. Visit airrace.org for updates.

time. Only the mighty Piper Cheyenne 400LS turbine twin is faster.

Key performance highlights in different phases of flight include:

• Take-off Performance –TOFL distance over a 50-foot obstacle at SL, STD day MGTOW is a class-leading 1,994 ft.,

Continued on Page 22

Dreadnaught engine run-up in 2018. (Pete Shirk)

Race 11 flown by Howie Keefe rounds the last pylon in 1973. (Pete

Shirk)

Piper Announces the M700 FURY

Continued from Page 21

representing a 641 ft., 24 percent improvement when compared to the M600 SLS that it replaces. That TOFL performance is also 1,198 ft. (38 percent) shorter than a competing single-engine jet.

• Initial Climb – after a MGTOW departure, the M700 enjoys a class-leading 2,048 fpm climb rate, 32 percent better than the M600.

• Climb to Altitude – settled into the climb, the M700 FURY reaches a comfortable FL250 in 13.9 minutes (34 percent quicker than the M600) after covering a short 34-mile distance (35 percent less distance than prior) while only burning 97 lbs. of fuel (25 percent less fuel than the M600 and nearly 50 percent less fuel than a single-engine jet competitor).

• Cruise – 301-knot max cruise speed.

• Landing Performance – Landing over a 50 ft. obstacle, the M700 FURY continues its class-leading performance, achieving a 26 percent reduction versus the M600 and within half the ground roll distance of some competitors.

“The M700 FURY is a beautifully efficient, cross-country thoroughbred that gives our customers a performance-based flight experience with economics never seen before,” said Piper President and CEO John Calcagno. “We listened, and we delivered. The M700 FURY encompasses power, performance and the most advanced safety measures available today and an overall value proposition that is extremely compelling to individuals and corporate flight departments alike.”

Airframe changes to accommodate the more powerful engine include a redesigned, more efficient intake plenum that improves ram air recovery, new engine mount assemblies and an improved exhaust stack design that maximizes residual thrust.

The M700 FURY features Garmin’s G3000 avionics system — a touchscreencontrolled glass flight deck. The G3000 avionics suite is the most sophisticated Garmin technology available and offers the most comprehensive, intuitive and technologically advanced package in today’s market. It all comes standard in

the M700 FURY along with the HALO Safety System (including Garmin’s Autoland technology) that was first certified in the M600/SLS.

The new model will retain Garmin’s PlaneSync technology, which includes a 4G LTE Cellular and WiFi datalink that enables new avionics capabilities to streamline an aircraft owner’s pre-flight and post-flight activities. Piper is also first-to-market with Garmin’s remote aircraft status capability enabling owners to remotely check the fuel quantity, aircraft location, oil temperature, battery voltage, the current METAR at the aircraft’s location and more via the Garmin Pilot application. PlaneSync technology also automatically downloads databases wirelessly while the aircraft is powered down and the owner is away from the aircraft.

This new aircraft includes six new interior schemes, featuring new leathers and aesthetically styled seats that have been thoughtfully crafted with the customer in mind.

FAA certification for the aircraft was achieved before the end of Q1, 2024 with

ICON Aircraft Initiates Restructuring Process

Continued from Page 18

Throughout the restructuring process, ICON Aircraft will maintain open lines of communication with its customers, suppliers, employees, and other stakeholders to ensure transparency and provide updates on critical developments. Meyer continued by saying, “The purpose of the Chapter 11 filing is to resolve the Company’s financial challenges and position the A5 for success for years to come. We understand that this situation creates a hardship for everyone involved. However, without taking these steps, there is not a viable path forward for the business to do what we do best –build incredible airplanes and support our aircraft owners.”

The Company expects to continue operations during the Chapter 11 process and seeks to complete an expedited sale process with Bankruptcy Court approval. ICON Aircraft has arranged for debtor in possession financing to fund post-petition operations and costs in the ordinary course. To minimize the adverse effects on its business and the value of its estate, the

company has filed customary motions with the Bankruptcy Court to get court approval to sustain its operations in the ordinary course, including honoring commitments to customers and vendors and fulfilling obligations to all employees.

For more information about the Company’s Chapter 11 case, including claims information, visit https://cases. stretto.com/iconaircraft or call the toll-free hotline at (866) 993-1870. International callers should use (949) 892-1896. Inquiries can also be sent directly to TeamIconAircraft@stretto.com

ICON Aircraft is represented by Sidley Austin LLP as its legal counsel, Armanino LLP as its financial advisor and SSG Capital Advisors, LLC as its restructuring investment banker.

For more information about the sale process, interested parties should contact Neil Gupta of SSG Capital Advisors at ngupta@ssgca.com.

Editor’s Note: While not generally necessary, we include the following statement from ICON, since restructuring and

Chapter 11 bankruptcy involves legalities that can impact customers.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as “can,” “will,” “intends,” “could,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “seeks,” “allow,” “aim” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forwardlooking statements, including but not limited to, statements regarding a sale of the Company’s business, continuing operations during the Chapter 11 process, completing an expedited sale process with Bankruptcy Court approval, funding postpetition operations and costs in the ordinary course, sustaining operations in the

Piper Aircraft, Inc. publically debuted at Sun ‘n Fun in April, a new model in its PA46 line of high-performance aircraft –the Piper M700 FURY –a single-engine, 700 shaft horsepower, cabin-class turboprop. (Courtesy Piper)

deliveries starting immediately thereafter. International validations for Canada, EASA, the UK, and Brazil will be achieved in the second half of 2024, with customer deliveries in those regions before the end of the year.

To learn more about Piper Aircraft, visit the company’s website at www.piper.com.

ordinary course, the Company’s ability to continue developing light sport aircraft, the timing of when Chapter 11 motions will be heard, the accuracy, reliability and quality of the Company’s product; and future work on new products, are based upon the Company’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking statements that the Company makes in this announcement speak only as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update forward looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this press release, except as required under applicable law.

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COURAGEOUSAND INNOVATIVE C ALCULATOR HELPS INDUSTRY PROS

DETERMINE COMPENSATION

AnInterviewwithChrisBroyhill

ByAnnamarieBuonocore

TheAirCompCalculatorisbusiness aviation’sonlyonlinecompensation analysissystem.ItwascreatedbyDr. ChrisBroyhill,oneoftheindustry’smost respectedauthoritiesonbusinessaviation compensation.Anindustryveteranwith morethan38yearsofexperience,Dr. Broyhillhasledseveralscientificresearch projectsconcerningpersonnelretention, compensation,andleadershiponbehalfof theNationalBusinessAviationAssociation (NBAA)since2017.Nowwithhisown business,heperformscompensationanalysis forhundredsofbusinessaviationoperators, includingnationalmanagementcompanies, smallmanagementcompanies,andseveral hundredclients. InFlightUSA ispleasedto havehadtheopportunitytospeakwithDr. BroyhillaboutTheAirCompCalculatorand compensationintheaviationindustry.

InFlightUSA: ThefirstthingIwantedtoaskyouiswhatistheAirComp Calculatorandwhydidyoudecidetostartit?

Dr.ChrisBroyhill: Backin2016,I gotaPh.D.inaviationfromEmbry-Riddle University,andatthesametime,Iwasthe DirectorofAviationforalargeenergycompanyintheMidwest.Iwasalsosittingon theNBAABusinessAviationManagement Committee.Thesummermeetingwasin Miami,andIhadjustfinisheddefending mydissertationatEmbry-Riddle’scampus inDaytonaBeach.IdrovedowntoMiami, andweweretalkingaboutwhatwasgoing onwithpilotsgoingintotheairlinesand havingourownlittlepersonnelcrisis.This waswhenwereallybegannoticingthat therewasapilotshortage,andoneofmy fellowcommitteememberssaid,“Well, Doctor,nowyou’vegotthisresearchdoctorate,whydon’tyoudosomeresearchand findoutwhypeopleareleavingbusiness aviation?”So,Ibuiltascientificsurveyand in2017,Iconductedit.Inthefallof2017,I presentedtheresultsatNBAABACEin LasVegasandinstantly,overnightIwasthe expert.Peoplewerecomingtomesaying: “Soyou’retheexpert,telluswhatarewe doingrightandwhatarewedoingwrong, whatdoweneedtodotokeepourpeople,” andthatsortofthing.Abigelementofthat wastheretentionequationisthecompensationpiece,andIguessIneverrealized,even asadirectorofaviation,thelackoftransparencythatthereisinbusinessaviation compensation.

Ithinkcompensationingeneralis bigdeal,andmanypeoplethinkthey understanditbutthetruthisthatmostof

themdon’t.Ihadtodevelopascientific methodologytoparsethecompensation dataandgeneratecomparisonsandrecommendationsthatIcoulddefend.From 2017to2020,Iservedinavarietyof positionsanddidretentionandcompensationconsultingontheside.

SherylBardenfromAPIandI workedtogetheronquiteafewdifferent occasions,andthenin2020,whenCovid hit,myemployeratthattimefurloughed me.IrealizedthatGodwassendingmea messageaboutmyfutureanditwastime totakemypracticetothenextlevel.I wantedtomakecompensationdatamore accessibletopeople,soItookthe methodologythatIhaddevelopedand automatedit.

Theonlinecalculatorhasdevelopeda following,andithasprocessedthousands ofreports.Aviationmanagerswillbuya membership,subscription,orpackageof reports,andtheywilluseittorunreports fortheirteam.Otherusersarejustindividualswhowanttocheckthecompensation oftheircurrentjob,ortheywanttocheck andarenegotiatingforanewjob.Theway thedataispresented,youcan’targuewith themethodology.Thereareaviationpeopleandexecutiveswhohavetakenexceptiontothedata,butthepeoplewhodon’t arguewithitaretheHRprofessionals.

EverysingletimeIhavehadacompensationconversationwithanHRcompensationprofessional,Ihaveexplained themethodology,andtheyarelike, “Wow,thatisgood,thatissound!”They don’tcontestit.Istillperformdeep-dive compensationstudies;todateI’vedone over300ofthemforflightdepartments ofeverysizeacrossthecountry.Inthe past,itwasnearlyalwaystheaviation managerthathiredme.Thesedays,Iam increasinglyhiredbytheHRcompensationprofessionalstoperformthesestudies.Theygettiredofdelvingintothe weedsandtryingtounderstandthedata atthegrandularlevel.Theyneedtobe focusedonotherthings,sotheytrustme todoit.Theyareprettyobjective;the dataisthedata.Mybiggestadvantagein thesestudiesisthatIamadisinterested thirdpartywithoutadoginthefight.That helpsthemtrustthedataevenmore.

Ispokeinfrontofthepilot’sround tableattheendofaleadershipconference recently,andafterwardmorethanoneof theattendeescameupandtoldmehow greatithasbeenthatIhavebeenableto increasethetransparencypieceofcompensationandmakeitsodemocratized

TheAirCompCalculatoris foranyonewhowantsinformationabouttheircompensation.ThetoolisforaviationmanagersandHR departments,aswellasindividualprofessionalswho wanttobeabletocheckup ontheircompensation.The AirCompClub,asubscriptionprogram,isdesignedfor individualprofessionalsin theaviationindustry.

(CourtesyAirComp)

andaccessibletoanyonewhowantsto findoutthisinformation.Ithasbeen greattonotonlyperformservicesforthe aviationmanagersandHRprofessionals butalsofortheindividualprofessionals.

IFUSA: Right,sothisisforanyone thatisworkingintheindustrywhowants tounderstandwhattheircompensation shouldbeandforHRdepartmentstobetterunderstandwhattheiremployees shouldbepaid.Isthatcorrect?

CB: Yes,thatiscorrect,andtheinterestingthingisthatIamintheprocessoftryingtogetmyCertifiedCompProfessional credential.Ihavetakenseveralofthecoursesandhaveseveralmoretogo.Ithascaused metodevelopanewrespectforcompprofessionalsbecausetheyreallyhavetobea jack-of-alltrades,compensationwise.They havetounderstandhowfinancialpeopleare paid,andtheyhavetounderstandhowIT peoplearepaid,andmanyotherjobs throughouttheircompanies.Theyhaveto understandhowexecutivesarepaid.There isawholeraftofareas,andaviationisjust sodarnarcane.Youwouldknowthatyou notonlyneedtounderstandwhatposition somebodyisin;youwouldhavetoknow whatthedifferenceisbetweenacaptainand aseniorcaptainoramaintenancetechnician andamaintenancesupervisor;andwhydoes itmakeadifferencehowbigtheairplaneis andhowdoyouregionallycorrectforwhere youareandthatsortofthing.Ithasbeena journey,butitissomethingthatanybodycan use.

IFUSA: Thatisgreat.Howlonghas itbeenaround?Whendidyougetstarted withthis?

CB: Istartedtheconsultingworkin 2017.Asforthecalculator,thefirstedition ofitcameonlineinthesummerof2020. Sincethen,thecalculatorhasbeeninexistenceforaboutfouryears,oritwillbefour yearsthissummer.Iupgradeitcontinually,andIchangethewayinwhichitana-

lyzesandwhatfeaturesithas,sonowit doessomebigsalarytotalcashcomp,plus base,plusbonus.Itdoes401Kmanagementandtotalcompensation,anditalso looksatbonustargetpercentagesandthat sortofthing.Itjustgivesyoufourdifferentsnapshotsofwhatcompensationlevel shouldbefordifferentjobs.

I’vegot14differentpositionsthatI canworkwith,andthosearethe14differentpositionsthatIcouldmapacross thesurveysthatIuse:captainandsenior captionpositions,firstofficer,andchief pilot.ThenIhavedirectorofaviationflyingandnotflying,directorofmaintenance,maintenancesupervisor,maintenancetechnician,lineservicetechnician, flightcoordinator/officemanager,scheduler,seniorflightattendants,andflight attendants.ThenI’vegotdifferentjet classesthatIhaveusedaswell,andI parseoutdatafromthesurveys.Icanpull outmorejetclassesthanthesurveys depictbecauseI’vegotaproprietaryway thatIcangoinandstructurethedata.

IFUSA: Whatdoesn’titdo?For example,ifsomebodyislookingforan aircraftappraisalitdoesnotprovidea value,justtobeclear,itdoesnotdothat?

CB: No,allitis,isbusinessaviation compensation.

IFUSA: Doesitreallydoitsown thing?Cansomebodygointhereandplugin allthenumbersandgetanassessmentordo youhavetogointhereandmakeitwork?

CB: Weoffertwodifferentlevelsof service.Theycanhaveusrunthereports,to makesuretheygetitright.Foranadditionalcost,wecanprovidecompensationcomparisionsandIprovideobservationsand recommendationsaboutwhereinputcompensationisversusthedata.Butmanyusers justbuypackages,andtheyhavetheirown accesscode,theirownlogincredentials, theyruntheirreports,andtheylogoff.

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InterviewwithChrisBroyhill

ContinuedfromPage24

IFUSA: Right,andthatiswhatpeoplearelookingfornowadays,averyconvenientoptionlikethat.So,shifting gears,goingbacktoyourbackgroundin aviation,you’vehadalotofjobsinthis field.You’vebeeninthemilitary.What promptedyoutogetstartedinaviation, wasyourfamilyinaviation,andwere youalwaysfascinatedbyflight?

CB: Yes,Ihavealwayswantedtobe apilot.WhenIwasinsixthgrade,mydad hadasmallprivateplane,andIgottoflyin that.IgottoseetheAirForceThunderbirds inhighschool,butIwantedtogototheAir ForceAcademysinceIwaslike10or12, andIjustworkedreallyhardandwasfortunateenoughtogettogothere.

IFUSA: Thatisawesome!What businessaircraftdoyouenjoyflyingthe most?Whatisyourplane?

CB: TheoneIhaveenjoyedflying themostistheFalcon7x.I’vegotover 1,000hoursinit,andIhaveactually taughtinit.IjustlikeitbecauseIama formerfighterguy.Iliketheside-stick control,andIlikethedigitalflightcontrolsystem.Itjustfeelsverynaturalto fly,anditisaverysmooth-flyingairplane.IliketheEASy(advancedflight decksystem)cockpit.Itisveryintuitive. OfthejetsIhaveflown,itistheoneI haveenjoyedthemost.

IFUSA: Thatisacoolaircraft.You mentionedthatyouworkedincorporate aviation,likeatClayLacyandsomeof thebigcorporateflightdepartments. Whatwasthatexperiencelike?Youmentionthattherewasalackoftransparency. Whatproblemsdoyouthinkthecalculatorcansolveinthoseenvironments?

CB: Whathappensistherearetwo differentwaystolookatthis.Firstofall,you haveHR,whetheritisacorporationora managementcompany,you’vegottheHR peoplethatsitoffintheirownlittleworld. Eveniftheonesinamanagementcompany arelittlebitmoreattunedtotheaviation compensation,theHRfolksincorporations havealotofothercustomerstodealwith,so ifyouareabusinessaviationprofessional, oryouareanaviationmanagerinaflight department,andyoudon’tnecessarilytrust thenumbersthatyouaregettingfromHR, oryoudon’tthinkHRiskeepingupwiththe trendsofwhatisgoingoncompensation wiseinourindustry,mydataoffersyouthe abilitytopresentdatatothemandsay,“Hey, listen,thisiswhattheexpertsaysabout compensationlevelsandwheretheyshould be,”andlikeIsaid,thedataisthedata.I don’tenhanceit.IhavewaysthatIregionalizeit,butthedataisthedata.Itisatoolfor businessaviationmanagersandprofessionalstogetsometransparencyofwhattheir compensationshouldlooklike.

IFUSA: Doesitgetintoanything likeinsurancebenefitsor401Ks,orisit strictlyaboutpay?

CB: Yes,itdoeslookat401Kmatch.I canmapoutwhatsomeoneisgettingfora 401Kmatchversuswhatsomeoneelseis doingatthedifferentpercentagelevels. WhenyougettheHRperspectivesthatare involvedinmanagementcompanies,they haveadoginthefightintermsofwhatcompensationlevelsaregoingtobe,because theyhavetomaintainhappyaircraftowners, sotheyaregoingtodownplaycompensation anywaytheycantokeeptheaircraftowner happy.Again,thatiswheremydatacomes in.Thedataisthedata.Sometimesmybest clientsarethepeoplewhoaretheleadpilots whoareinchargeofmanagementaccounts becausetheydon’ttrustthenumbersthatare beinggivenbythemanagementcompanies. Theytakemydataandgototheaircraft owners.Theysay,“Hey,thisiswhatthisguy says.Heisanexpert,andthisisn’tustalking, thisishim.”Again,thisiswheremebeingan unbiasedthirdpartycomesinhandy.Right now,Ihavethreenationalmanagementcompaniesthatareusingmydata,andI’vegota hostofsmallermanagementcompaniesthat areusingthedata,aswell.Thesmallermanagementcompanieswillactuallygenerate reportsandtakethemtotheaircraftowners andsay,“Thisiswhatyouneedtobepaying becauseyouwanttodotherightthing.”It haskindofhelpedallfacetsofourindustry.

IFUSA: Itsoundslikeaveryhelpful tool.Whatdoyouthinkisthebiggestcrisis facingaviationtoday:isitthepilotshortage,isitthefuelcrisiswehavegoingon?

CB: Ijustwroteanarticleaboutthis.I thinkitisverytemptingtothinkthattheairlinesareslowingdownandthattheyarenot hiringasmanypeople,butsomeofthemare stillhiring.Americanisgoingtohire1,300 pilotsayearfortheforeseeablefuture.I thinkitisverytemptingforustosay,“Hey, thispilotshortagethingiskindofeasingup; wearegoingtobejustfine,butalltheconditionswehavethatfueledthepilotshortage from2016and2017arestillthere.

Wearestillnotproducingpilots;the airlinesarestillhiring.In2024,thedeliveryofnewbusinessaviationjetsisgoing tobeamongthehighestever.Theyare goingtodelivermorethan700aircraft, andyouaregoingtoneedpilotstofly them.Istillseeadsformanagement companiesofferingjobsonadailybasis forpeopletoflythisairplaneorthatairplanetothislocationorthatlocation.My pointis,asforthepilotshortageorpilotdemandaspect,noneoftheoriginalconditionshavechanged.Itisstillthereand isgoingtobethereforawhile,soifyou trytosay,“Ok,wearedonehavingto worryaboutthis,”anditisstillgoingto

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InterviewwithChrisBroyhill

bewithusforawhile,itwillbeaproblem.Ithinkcomplacencyiswhatthe biggestcrisisis.Ithinkalotofpeople wantthispilotthingtobeover,andit’s notgoingtobeoverforawhile.

IFUSA: Thatistrue.Therearealot ofpilotshortagesandmechanicshortages. Mynextquestionsis,everydaylastweek wesawaproblemwithaUnitedAirlines flightbeingdiverted.Theyarefallingapart. Thisisalaborandmechaniccrisis.Iam wonderingwhatyourthoughtsareonthis.

CB: Themechaniccrisisiscertainly withusaswell,anditisjustasbigofa dealasthepilotshortage.Itisjustthatwe don’ttalkaboutitasmuchbecauseitis perhapsnotasvisibleasitshouldbe.I wasaskedtospeakataServiceElements coffeechatandIwasasked,“Wearetryingtogetourprincipalstopaymorefor theirmechanicsandgivethemahigher hourlyrate.Howshouldweinspirethem todothat?Whatcanweuse?”Isaidthis iseasy.Justgodowntoyournearestluxurycardealershipandaskwhatthe mechanicstherearemakingonanhourly basis,becausealotofmechanicsinour industryaregoingtotheluxurycar industry.Forone,theywillmakemore moneyperhour,andsecondly,theydon’t havenearlytheliabilitytoworryabout whenworkingonanairplane.Anddo youreallywanttheguyorgalturning wrenchesonyourjettobepaidlessthan thepersonworkingonyourcar?

Ithinkthatisabigdeal.Wehavecreatedaculturewherewemakepeoplefeel ashamediftheywantacareerworking withtheirhands.Wetelleverybodytoget acollegedegree,buttherearelotsofpeopleouttherewherecollegeisnotwhat theywantorwhattheyneed.Theyjust wanttogosomewhereandworkwiththeir hands,andthatisaveryhonorablewayto makealiving.Someofthecoolestpeople Ihaveknownarebusinessaviationprofessionalswhoaremechanics.Betweenthe societalpressuresofitandthefactthatwe areprobablynotpayingenoughtokeep them,andthefactthattheairlinesarehiringtoo,itisamulti-facetedproblemfor techniciansandthepopulationaswell.

IFUSA: Thismechanicandtechnicianshortageisclearlyleadingtoproblemswithairplanes,anditisveryconcerning.Whatadvicewouldyougiveto thoseseekingemploymentinbusiness aviation,likepeoplewhoarethinking aboutgettingintoit,whetherthroughthe tradesideorthemorewhite-collarside?

CB: Iwouldsayknowwhatyouwant. Ifyouaregettingintoaviation,andyour goalistosimplymakeasmuchmoneyas youcan,youneedtogorighttotheairlines. Justbemindfulofthefactthatyouare

goingtobeanumber,notaname,andyou aregoingtobetrottingthroughairports yourwholelife,justgoingtoandfro.Ifyou wanttomakemoney,andthatisallaviation isabouttoyou,thentheairlinesarewhere youbelong.Butifyouloveaviationand youlikeinteractingwithpeople,andyou wantaflyingjobthatisgoingtobemore rewarding,thenleanmoretowardsbusiness aviation.Ithastheedgebyfar.Itisapersonaljob.Youinteractpersonallywiththepeople.Yougettoflywiththesamepeopleon aregularbasisinsteadofsomeonenew everytimeyougetintoacockpit.Itisa muchwarmerenvironment,anddon’tget mewrong,wehaveourfairshareofcrazy peopleinourindustry,butitisamuch warmerenvironment.WhatIwouldsayis justdothemathandmakesurethatyou knowwhatyouwantdo.Doyouwantto makethemostmoneyyoucanbyflyingairplanesordoyouwanttoenjoytheexperienceandmeetalotofcoolpeople?

IFUSA: Yes,thatisalwaysthe tradeoff.Doyouwanttoenjoyitordo youwanttomakemoremoney?Thank youforthatadvice.Whoshouldbuya subscriptiontoAirCompCalculator?

CB: Itisprettymuchforeverybody whowantsinformationabouttheircompensation.ThetoolisforaviationmanagersandHRdepartments,butwhatIam findingincreasinglyisthatthereare manyindividualprofessionalswhowant tobeabletocheckupontheircompensation.ThatiswhyIcreatedtheAirComp Club.Itisaprettylow-budgetplan.Itis about$300ayear,andyougetdiscountedreportsandonefreereportperyear,so Ithinkeverybodyshouldtakeadvantage ofitandplugin,becauseonedayyouare goingtowanttoknowtheyearlybasis whenyourcompreviewcomesup.You willwanttoknowwhatyouaregetting paidisfairandwhatindependentdata sourceareyougoingtohavetomeasure thatagainst.Itisforeverybody.Itis meantformanagers,anditismeantfor individuals.Itwillhelpanybody,dependingonwhattheirneedsandgoalsare.

IFUSA: Ontheconsultingside, whenyouworkone-on-onewithpeople, doyoudealwithpeoplewhoareinadisputewithanemployerorfeelthatthey arebeingunderpaid?

CB: Typically,whenIdothedeepdivestudies,Iamhiredbytheaviation managersorHRdepartments.Iftheaviationmanagersareinvolved,theywantthe datatogototheirHRwithandsay,“Here areyournumbers;herearethesenumbers.Let’stalkaboutthedifferencein data.”Itisusuallyusedasanindependent reviewtooltohelpwiththeuseofdata.

IFUSA: Thankyou!

ofFlight

byDeniseDeGregoire

DESTINATION:TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASETOTHE NUT TREE AIRPORT

LastmonthIcircledbackto Vacaville,CaliforniatovisitThe LeeA.Archer,Jr.Chapterof TuskegeeAirman,locatedintheaviation museumatTravisAirForceBase.Avisit that,notonlyfilledmewithavastsenseof ourmilitary’shistorybutledmetoa YoungEagleseventthefollowingdayat theNutTreeAirport.Iwenttothemuseumtogathermoreinformationaboutthe remarkableAfrican-American332nd FighterGroupknowntohistoryasthe TuskegeeAirman.Duringmymuseum visitItriedtotakeinallthatIcouldasIlistenedtoMr.AubreyMatthews,Historian andMr.NathanielClayton,Chapter Presidentsharewithmetheirvastknowledgeoftheseincrediblefighterpilots.The twohoursIspentspeakingtothesegentlemenwasn’tenoughtimetodothehistory justice.Isuggestanyoneinterestedinaviationandmilitaryhistoryswingbythe museumandspendthedaylearning.

Asmytourended,Idiscoveredthat theTuskegeeMuseumwasholdinga YoungEagleseventattheNutTree Airportthatweekend.

Mr.Matthewsremindedmethatmany YoungEagleshavegoneontohaveincrediblecareersinaviation,suchasLieutenant BrandonBrownandCaptainJean-Luc Duckworth,USAF.BothwereYoung Eagleswhoarenowprofessionalpilots.

Thistookmedownmemorylane16 yearsagotoatimewhenmyownson wasaYoungEagle.Iwasexcitedto returnthefollowingdaytoattendthis wonderfuleventwhich,asstatedinthe ChapterMission,“mentorsouryouth

Doyoueverfeelasthoughyouhave beenlivingunderarock…youknow…you crawloutofyourknownworldanddiscoversomegreatthingthateveryoneelseseems toknowabout,butisnewtoyou?This writerpickeduponthatfeeling(notthefirst time!)justrecentlywhen InFlightUSA’s AssociatePublisher,InFlightPublishing’s, AnnamarieBuonocore,mentionedacompanyshehadrecentlyhadconversations with,BASPartsSales (https://baspartsales.com).Notsounding likeanaviationspecificbusiness,some researchwaswarranted.Asapro-pilotthat comesfromthemid-1950s,thisoldairplane driverstilltendstoreadmagazinesandstick tovirtualpublications,likeInFlightUSA, whenbrowsingtheweb.Sorrytosay,the webisnotpartofmyrecreationalprofile, butvisitingtheBASPartsSaleswebsitewas

towardsoutstandingachievementand leadershipintoday’ssocietythrough socialandeducationalactivities.”

UponarrivingattheNutTree Airport,Icouldnothelpbutnoticethe smilingfacesthatsurroundedmeasthe volunteerswereregisteringexcitedkids inanticipationoftheirfirstflights.The pilotswerelineduponthetarmacalongsidetheirairplaneswaitingtotakethese YoungEaglesuptotheskytosoarthe heavensandexperienceabirds-eye-view.

Theprogramlaunchedin1992; YoungEagleshasdedicated30yearsto givingyouthages8–17theirfirstflights inanairplane.It’stheonlyprogramofits kind,withthesolemissiontointroduce andinspirekidsintheworldofaviation.

Today,morethan2.3millionyoung peoplehaveenjoyedafreeintroductory flightthroughtheYoungEaglesprogram. Theseflightsaremadepossiblethrough thegenerosityofmembervolunteers.

Ispokewithavolunteer,amother whosesonwasa“YoungEagle.”He wentontoreceivehispilot’slicenseand isnowreturningthefavorofmentorship bytakingotherYoungEaglesontheir firstflights.

Overthecourseofthemorning,Ihad achancetochatwithsomeofthekidsand waseagertohearwhattheyhadtosay.

“Cool”wasthecommontheme.One toldmethathelikedgoinguphighand didn’trealizehowmuchgreenwasbelow andanothersaidthathereallylikedgoing uphighandfeelingtheturnsinhisstomach.Ayounggirlsaidthatshewasatiny bitscaredatfirstandthengotusedtoit

afterafewminutes,furtherstatingthat thelandingwasmuchsofterthancommercialairplanes.

I’dliketogiveabigshouttothevolunteerswhomentorandmakeeducation funwhilegivingchildrentheopportunity andexposuretohelpturntheirdreams intoreality,tolooktothesky,andfly. OnesuchvolunteerispilotRussell (Russ)Fisher.

Russwasgenerousenoughtotakeme onaflightandIaskedhimsomequestions abouthisbiplaneandwhymentoring youngpilotsareimportanttohim.

“Theaircraftweflewinwasa1946 BoeingStearmanPT-17.Theaircraftwas usedbytheArmyAirCorpsastheinitial pilottrainerforallpilotsinWWII.The aircrafthasbeenatNutTreeforabout30 years.ItwasrestoredbyDuncanMiller, JohnPetersandJimEdwards.IpartneredwithJimEdwardsaboutfiveyears agoandthenpurchasedtheaircraftfully aboutayearago.

“Ihavealwaystriedtofindthetime whenIamnottravelingforworktobeat theYoungEaglesdays.Isimplyloveto flyandwanttosharethatpassion.Ihope toinspirethekidsIfly.ThatiswhyIdo allofit.NowthatIownsuchasignificant pieceofhistorywiththeStearmanIwant tomakethathistoryavailabletothekids. It’snotavideogameorpictureonthe internet.It’sreal.Youcantouchitand feelit.NocomputergameorYouTube videowillgiveyoutherumbleofthat radialengineorthewindinyourface. Theexcitementonthosekids’facesjust warmsmysoul.”

BASPARTS SALES

arealeye-opener,onethatisworthsharing. BASPartsSalesisarelativelynew company,formedin2012.Whenviewed fromundertheshadowofmyrock,one mightfirstseeBASPartsSalesasprimarily anaircraftsalvagecompany,withavastsupplyoffullyinspectedandguaranteedparts applicabletoawidevarietyofairplanes.The conceptofasalvagecompanyisnostranger tothiswriter,havingrecentlypurchaseda simpleradiatorcapforanoldtractorforjust $15fromoneofthemanyfarm-implement salvagestores,versuspayingover$60from theoriginalmanufacturer.Evenmyfirstairplane,a1942TaylorcraftL-2camefroman aircraftsalvageyard(Compton,CA)and paidbackeverybitofits$900purchasecost asagreattimebuilder.Overtheyears,great companieslikeUnivairandAircraftSpruce becameveritablefamilymembersasthisair-

planenutownedTri-Pacers,T-Crafts, Aeroncas,andevenanErcoupe.Butwhat aboutthosewhoownmorecontemporary aircraftsuchasCessna,Beechcraft,Piper, Rockwell,Cirrus,Mooney,Mitsubishi, Learjet,Hawker,Maul,Jetstream,Beechjet, JetStar,Robinson,Hughes,AirTractor,and more…andmore,updateddaily!

Youneedtovisithttps://baspart sales.com.Thefirstthingyouwillnoticeis theterrificorganizationofthewebsite.You cansearchforpartswithawidevarietyof searchparameters.Youwillfindeverything fromnutsandboltstocompleteaircraftsubassembliessuchasanentirewing,orperhapsalandinggearboxstructure.Goinga stepfurther,BASPartsSaleswillbuyyour airplane,nomatterwhatthecondition.They evenhavewhatarereferredtoas“project planes,”whicharereadytoberestoredbya

PilotRussFisher&yourstruly! (DeniseDeGregoire)

AubreyMatthews(farleft)&Nathaniel Clayton(farright)onthetarmacwith YoungEagles.(DeniseDeGregoire)

Russellsummeditupwiththesepartingwords, “Unlikesomanyotherprofessionsintheworld,beingapilotisnot somethingyoudo,itissomethingthatyou are.Aviationisintheblood.” Icouldn’t agreemore.HistorianslikeMr.Matthews arekeepingouraviationhistoryalivealong withdedicatedvolunteersandmentors readytopassdownthehistoryandteach theknowledgetothenextgeneration.

Flywell,BlueSkies… –Denise

lovingownerorrestorationshop.

President&Co-FounderofBAS PartSales,JaredBoles,andCo-Founder, ScottMauch,President&Co-Founderof BASPartSales,arejustifiablyproudof theircompany’sgrowthandteamof highlyqualifiedtechniciansandcustomerserviceexperts.Thebottomlineis thatwithtwolocationshavingacombinedfloorspaceofmorethan163,000 squarefeet,boththevarietyandnumber ofpartsandcomponentsimmediately availablearemindnumbing!

So,hereisthetip,climboutfrom underyourpersonalrockandvisit https://baspartsales.com,callat970/3134823,orchatwiththemthroughthewebsite tospeakdirectlywithasalesteammember. Besides,theworldisalotmoreinteresting whennotstaringatitfromunderarock.

THIRTIETH AEROFRIEDRICHSHAFEN INSPIRES MORE THAN 30,000

VISITORS FROM ALL OVERTHE WORLD

The30thAEROwillnotonlybe rememberedastheanniversaryAERO,but alsoasatradefairwithaparticularlylarge numberofinnovationsandpremieres. With31,500visitorsfrom81nations,the numbersweresignificantlyhigherthan lastyear’seditionandtheproportionof pilotsincreasedagain.TheAERODrones, theAEROGlidingExpoandtheAERO CareerDayshaveproventhemselves.

The30theditionofAERO Friedrichshafen(April17-20,2024),the leadingglobaltradefairforgeneralaviation,airsportsandbusinessaviation,has cometoasuccessfulend.“Wealready hadhighexpectationsfortheanniversary AERO,butthisyearthetradefairfar exceededourexpectationsdespitethe anythingbutidealweatherconditions,” saysStefanReisinger,Managing Directorofthetradefairorganizer FairnamicGmbH.TobiasBretzel,AERO projectmanager,adds:“Over680 exhibitorsfrom38countriesaswellas thehighnumberofvisitorsfromallover theworldunderlinethehighinternationalimportanceofAERO.Themany Europeanandworldpremieresshowthat theexhibitorsmeetaveryknowledgeable andinternationalaudience.Thevisitors wereabletoseeover270aircraftinthe hallsandinthestaticdisplay–from motortrikestoultralight,touringand trainingaircrafttolong-haulbusiness jets.”Inthecurrentsurvey,morethan53 percentofAEROvisitorsstatedthatthey hadorhaveapilot’slicense.

Thepremieresatthetradefair included,amongothers,theelectrically poweredaircrafteDA40fromDiamond AircraftfromAustria,theRX-1E-AelectricaircraftfromRhyenAircraftIndustry Co.Ltd.fromChinaandtheIntegralE fromtheFrenchmanufacturerAuraAero, thesingle-engineturbopropaircraftPiper M700FURYfromPiperAircraftfrom VeroBeachinFloridaandthePhoenix motorgliderfromJMBAircraftfrom BelgiumandtheCzechRepublic.

IntheZeppelinCATHallA1,the largesthallontheexhibitiongrounds,allthe importantglidermanufacturerswererepresentedattheAEROGlidingExpo.Thenew conceptforthisAEROsegmentwithits ownconferenceareawaswellreceived.

Helicoptershavealsobecomean integralpartofAERO.Thevisitorswere abletoview20helicopters,including–forthefirsttimeatatradefair–allcurrentproductionmodelsfromthemanufacturerRobinsonHelicopterCompany fromTorranceintheU.S.stateof

•Exhibitorandvisitornumbersatthe30thAEROatatoplevel

•NumerousEuropeanandworldpremieres

•Innovationsformoresustainabilityinaviation

•Industryoffersgoodcareerprospects

The30thAEROFriedrichshafenhadmorethan30,000visitorsfromallovertheworld, andwashighlightedbymanyEuropeanandworldaircraftpremieres,alongwithinnovationspromotingmoresustainabilityinaviation. (CourtesyAERO)

California.LeonardoHelicoptersfrom ItalywasrepresentedatAEROforthe firsttimeandshoweditstwohelicopters AW109GrandNewandAW139.

Thethree-dayAERODroneshasfirmlyestablisheditselfasatradefairfor unmannedaircraft.TheBjörnSteiger FoundationandMintmastersGmbHused theAERODronestopresenttheirnewly developedrescuesystem“RescueBee”for thefirsttimeworldwide.Itsupportsrescue workersinsearchingforpeopleindistress, forexampleintheeventofaswimming accident,andconsistsofoneormoredrones, ahangarandanemergencytelephone.

TheAEROConferencesofferedthe mostextensivelectureandpresentation programinhistory.TheAEROGeneral Aviation(GA)Academywasalsointroducedaspartofthe30thanniversaryedition.Itischaracterizedbyhigh-quality trainingandfurthereducationofferings invariousareasofaviation.Numerous lectureswereoffereddailyontopicssuch aspoweredflight,gliding,enginescience,instrumentflight,weatherscience, aviationlawandinsurance,whichmet withgreatinterestfromtheaudience.

Aviationischangingandgeneral aviationwithallitssegmentsisanincubatorfornewtechnologiesandinnovationsthatwillalsoinfluencecommercial aviationofthefuture.Thetradefairaudiencewasabletogetagoodoverviewof theindustry’sactivitiestowardsgreater sustainability.TheAEROSustainable AviationTrailhighlightedexhibitorswho

areparticularlycommittedtosustainabilitythroughspecialmarkingwithgreen balloons,whichwasclearlyvisibletovisitors.Fourdifferentelectricaircraftwere alsoseenintheskyforthefirsttimeatthe airshowonSaturday.

Qualifiedpersonnelareneededinall areasofaviation,beitforthecockpit,technology,flightpreparation,airtrafficcontrolortheproductionofsystemsandentire aircraft.Aviationoffersgoodcareer prospectsandmanydifferentcareer options.WiththeAEROCareerDay (April19thand20th),thetradefairsupportstheindustryinitssearchfornewpersonnelwhoattachgreatimportanceto morediversity.Forexample,currently onlyaroundsixpercentofallprofessional pilotsworldwidearewomen.Thatshould change,andAEROisanidealstarting pointforthis.MargritWaltz,theworld’s mostexperiencedferrypilot,whohasferried960aircraftacrosstheAtlanticalone, wasatAERO2024inFriedrichshafenand wantstomotivateyoungpeopletopursue theirdreams.Shelearnedtoglideatthe ageof15andflewanairplaneacrossthe Atlanticaloneforthefirsttimeattheage of20.Todayshehasmorethan26,000flyinghoursinherflightlog.

AEROisnowaglobal,recognized brand.Inadditiontotheleadingtradefair inFriedrichshafen,FairnamicGmbHis organizingAEROSouthAfrica(July3-5, 2024)incollaborationwithFrankfurt MesseSouthAfricaandAEROAsia(Nov. 6-9,2025)togetherwiththeZhuhai

AirshowGroupinChina.Thisyear,forthe firsttime,theAEROFly-In“Futuremeets History”(Aug.31-Sept.1,2024)will takeplaceatAalen-ElchingenAirfieldin cooperationwiththeLuftsportringAalen andLuftraumSüd.

ThenextAEROwilltakeplacefrom April9thto12th,2025in Friedrichshafen.

Furtherinformationathttps://www. aero-expo.deandhttps://www.linkedin .com/showcase/aeroshow

CommentsaboutAERO Friedrichshafen2024:

SaschaCostabel,ManagingDirector ofSchempp-Hirth-FlugzeugbauGmbH:

“Wearetotallyhappyandhavemet veryinterestingpeoplehereandhadlong conversations.Wehavealsometmany loyalcustomersherewhoreallyenjoy meetinginperson.Thebadweatherthis weekdefinitelyhelpedustoo.Theteam atFairnamicGmbHisdoingagreatjob!”

DrewMcEwen,Chief CommercialOfficer,AURAAERO: “ItwasaverysuccessfulAERO FriedrichshafenforAURAAERO.We havesignedseveralcontractsforourelectricallypoweredIntegralEandhadgreat discussionswithotherinterestedparties fortheIntegralSandR.Hereatthetrade fairweevenreceivedalotofinterestinour ERAregionalaircraftprogram.”

Jean-MarieGuisset,CEO,JMB Aircraftsro: “Wehadasuccessfultradefair. Unfortunately,theweatherpreventedmany customersfromarrivingbyplane,butthey camebycarinstead.Wealsomadesome salesatthefair.90percentofthevisitorsto thestandwereinterestedinourVL3.”

NicolasvonMende,CEO,Atlas AirServiceAG:

“AERO2024wasasuccessful anniversarytradefairandcelebration. AugsburgAirServicehasbeenaloyal exhibitorsince1978andalwaysenjoys beingattheAERO.Itisagoodplatformfor exchangingideaswithcolleaguesandcustomersandaniceopportunitytomeetyour existingcustomers.Wewereoften approachedbypeopleinterestedinajob andhadgoodconversationsintheareaof specialmissions.Therewasgreatinterest amongvisitorsinourtradefairtopic InflightConnectivitywithourpartnerGogo BusinessAviation.Ourwishwouldbe: moreexhibitorsfrombusinessaviation.”

ContinuedonPage34

Homebuilder’sWorkshop

ByEd Wischmeyer

KNEES,ECLIPSES, AND BANKRUPTCIES –FORTUNATELY,UNRELATED

It’snowadozendaystillkneereplacementsurgery.Recuperationtimetill usabilityshouldbeontheorderofsix weeks,moreorless–hopefullyless–andthatamountoftimeisrequiredfor softtissuerecovery,sortoflikeavery expensivesprain.

Theaircraftmaintenanceisall scheduledforwhenI’mrecuperating,but Ialsowanttopolishmyskillstoahigh lustersothattherewillbelesspractice neededafterthelayoff.Thosewell-intentionedplansare,unfortunately,gonewith thewind,withgustsover20knots.

IalsoheardontheATISthatpractice approacheswerenotbeingapproveddue tostaffingissues.Ouch.

Theeclipseisthreedaysaway,and I’vemadeplans,sortof.Andtheweather forviewingissupposedtobelessthan sortofgood.I’dneedawholelotmore airplane,orawholelotmoretime,toget toseethiseclipseunderclearskies.

Backin1979,whenIwaslivingin California,fiveofusrentedaCessna Turbo210andwatchedtheeclipsefrom 23,000feet.Igotanairplanecheckout outofthedeal,butallinall,itwasn’tall thatspectacular.

Thisyearmightbethesame.(Itwas, 70percentdidnotholdattentionvery long.)

Intheopeningsongofhitmusical, “TheMusicMan,”amemorablelineis, “Buthedoesn’tknowtheterritory.” There’sapartofmethatwondershow muchthisdescribesIconAircraft,now bankrupt,makeroftheA5amphibian.

Firstshownin2008,theA5isatwoseatamphibianthatwasdesignedtoLSA (LightSportAircraft)standards.Sortof.

TheA5isheavy,andbysomealchemy, Icongota200-poundexemptionforsafetyequipmentorsomesuchthingsothatit couldgetsoldasanLSA.Whatsafety equipmentweighed200pounds,Iwondered–theyneversaid.

Iforgetthedetails,butyoucould ordereitherfoldingwingsoramphibious landinggear(wheels)andkeepthe weightlegal,butnotboth.

Afternumerousdelaysandprice increases,thefirstA5wasdeliveredin 2016.Averystylishbird,theequallystylishcockpitwasdesignedbyBMW–who didn’tknowtheterritoryofGAcockpits. Bystandardsbackthen,thatfirstcockpit lackedfunctionality.ItwasgreatforflyingVFR,butIdon’trecallthatthecomm, nav,ortransponderwereuptothen-currentstandards.Andnogyros.Inlater years,the7-inchscreenGarminG3X Touchsystembecameavailable,providingflightinstrumentsinthecenterofthe instrumentpanel,notinfrontofthepilot.

Butgettingbacktotheterritory.One ofthefoundersflewF-16sandBoeing 757s,theotherfounderwasaproduct designspecialistwhofoundedaskateboardcompany.Wrongterritories.At Oshkoshintheirfirstyears,theirvery slick(andlarge)boothwasallaboutoutdooradventures.ButmyadmittedlytactlessquestionsabouttheA5’slimitations wereunanswered.Andunanswerable.

Quitesomeyearslater,Iconwas advertisingforCFIstodotransitiontraining.Theirspielwasthatifyouwere alreadyaCFIairplane,singleengine–there’snodifferencebetweenlandandsea CFI,aslongasyouhavetheclassrating–theywouldgiveyoutheseaplaneadd-on toyourcommerciallicenseandyouwould thenbeaseaplaneinstructor.Thisisfrighteningtome,asseaplaneflyingrewards skillsandexperiencewellbeyondatenhoursyllabus.Seaplaneflyingwithrivers andlakes,powerlines,floatingobstruc-

tionsandwindsnearshorelines,isfor thosewhoknowtheterritory.

Theyalsocenteredtheirtraining aroundacentrallylocatedangleofattack indicator.Myresearchandexperience showthatavisualangleofattackindicatorcanbevaluableincalmairona straightin,finalapproach,withno allowancesforgusts,butbeyondthat…

WhentheA5wasfinallyreadyforpress flights,fourjournalistswereinvitedtoflythe A5–underverycontrolledconditionsandin limitedflightregimes.Youcanguesshow revealingthosepilotreportswere.

TheirwebsitetoutstheIcon ParachuteSystem(IPS)ashavingsaved morethan300lives,afigurethatdoesnot tallywellwith209aircraftdelivered.

Bycontrast,I’veknownfolksinthe SeaReyamphibiancamp,thatbeinga genuineLSAamphibian,andthey remarkedhowtheiramphibianwould handilyout-performtheA5inwatertakeoffsandmore,Iforgetthedetails.

Sonow,IconhasfiledforChapter 11.Maybetheunder-powereddesigncan berescuedwiththenewRotax915or 916engine,ifweightcanbemanaged.

Andiftheycanhirepeoplewho knowtheterritory.

(Writtenlater) Aweekfromnow,I’ll befeelingnopain–literally–thankstoall kindsoffancydrugsassociatedwiththe kneereplacement,TKAinmedicaljargon –totalkneearthroplasty.Andyes,ifTKA remindsyouofFIKI(flightintoknown icing),TKAwillrequireicing.Lotsofit.

Sowiththelimitationsofanew knee,willtheRV-9Astillbetheright plane,giventhatit’sabitclunkytogetin andoutof?

I’vealwayslikedtheGlaStarseries, andthelargerSportsman2+2isattractive.Ithashighwings,folding,andcan

flyasatrike,taildragger(formore insurancecost)oronamphibiousfloats (forlotsmoreinsurancecost).It’s15-20 knotsslowerthanthe-9A,buthasahuge baggagecompartmentwithadoor.

TherewasatimewhentheGarmin G3Xwasclearlysuperiortoitscompetitors,butIdon’tknowhowtruethatstatementistoday.Therearesomeveryobvious,incrediblypooruserinterfacedesign decisionssomecompetitorshavemade, buttobefair,pilotsadapttojustabout anything.Nevertheless,havingclimbed wayuptheGarminlearningcurve,and beingofacertainage,I’mveryreluctant toundertakeanewlearningcurveclimb.

ButGarminhas,itseems,beenoutmarketedinthehomebuiltworld. EspeciallyintheGlastarSportsmans, Garminglassseemsrareinthoseplanes, eveninthesuper-expensiveSportsmans.I didfindonewithGarminG3XTouch, whatI’musedtobutwithonlyonescreen, askingprice15percentmorethanI’vejust uppedmyinsurancetoontheRV-9A.

OneSportsmaninsurancequoteis 350percentofwhatI’mpayingonthe RV-9A,theotheris500percent.Really? And,yes,thatdifferenceisallforhull insurance,liabilityisaboutthesame.Or tobedramatic,consideringonlythehull insurancepart,thelowestGlastarquoteis tenTIMESasmuchastheRV-9A,the otheris14timesasmuch.

Yes,theGlastarshavealwaysbeen expensivekits,andthefactorywasjust soldtoandmovedtoChina–likeso muchofGAthesedaysisownedby China–butIjustdon’tunderstandthe insurancedifference.I’venotchecked, butIwonderwhatitwouldcosttoown andflyaCessna182?TheG3XTouchis, tomymind,farmoreusablethanthe GarminG1000orG3000systems.And steamgaugesandaniPad?Uh,nothanks.

Mootpoints,though,allofthis…

PILOT MEDICAL SOLUTIONS S TAFFS UPTO SUPPORT PRO PILOTS

PilotMedicalhasrampedupstaff hiringinresponsetoadramaticincrease inFAAmedicalcertificationcases.Pilots stillappeartobeacquiringworkatan unprecedentedpaceasopportunitiesin professionalaviationcontinuetogrow. Butalongwiththegrowthinpilotopportunities,comedelaysinprocessingthe

increaseinmedicalapplications.

Pilotsarejustifiedincomplaining abouttheamountoftimeittakesto obtainFAAmedicalcertification.Thisis particularlyproblematicforpilotswho check“yes”tomedicalhistoryquestions onthe“MedXPress”application.

PilotMedicalSolutionshasdevel-

opedmanytimesavingstrategiesand shortcuts.Careerpilotsreceivevirtually real-timetoll-freehelpat800-699-4457 andareencouragetoheadoffpossibleprocessingdelaysbyutilizingtheservicesof pilotMedicalSolutionsbeforebeginning themedicalcertificationprocess.

Pilots,theirphysicians,eventhe

FAAbenefitfromPilotMedical Solutions’acceleratedcasemanagement support.IfsomeoneyouknowiscomplainingabouttheirFAAMedical Certificationwait-time,anaeromedical briefercanbereachedat800-699-4457 (405-787-0303)oronlineat www.LeftSeat.com.

ENHANCED CESSNA HIGH-WING PISTON AIRCRAFT ENTER INTO SERVICE FOLLOWING FIRST DELIVERIES

TextronAviationannouncedonApril 9,theentryintoserviceofitsenhanced CessnaSkyhawk,CessnaSkylane,Turbo SkylaneandTurboStationairHDfollowingfirstdeliveriesforeachaircraft.These latestproductinvestmentsaimtoprovidea modernandstylishtonethatalignswith thenewestCessnaCitationjets,while

maintainingtherenownedcomfort,durabilityandperformanceoftheiconic Cessnapiston lineup.

TheCessnaSkyhawk,Skylane, TurboSkylaneandTurboStationairHD aredesignedandmanufacturedby TextronAviationInc.,aTextronInc. (NYSE:TXT)company.

“Theseenhancementstotheiconic Cessnapistonfamilyofferimproved comfort,functionalityandstyle,”said ChrisCrow,vicepresident,PistonSales. “Whetheryou’reastudentpilotoran experiencedaviator,theextensiveproductlineupofferssomethingtomeetyour needs,elevateyourflyingadventuresand

inspirethejourneyofflight.”

Withnewfeaturesanddesignelements,theCessnaaircraftcontinuetobe

ContiniuedonPage42

ContinuedfromPage30

OleGehrmann,Managing DirectorHeli-FlightJLR:

HMEWatch is offering excellent prices on their long established Professional Flight Watch line.

They are offering an excellent clearance sale to make room on new models coming out later this year. Take advantage of these high-quality models while they last at really great pricing.

There are a number of different models and colors offering both, Metal Bracelet models starting at a low $139.95, as well as high-quality Rubber/Neoprene bands at only $119.95.

The ATP model is an all digital multi-function watch offering multiple alarms, stopwatch, as well as countdown time, multiple city “World-Time” covering every time zone on the planet, and a thermometer, as well as an altimeter/barometer. These popular full-featured models are newly priced, starting at $74.95!

There are four versions of the “ATP,” a larger all black plastic with either a regular LCD display or a reverse LCD display; the other, slightly smaller, offers a metal case and yellow rubber strap.

The HMEWatch A.T.C. (Aviator Timepiece-Chrono) Aviator watch is an all analog, high-quality aviator watch offered in multiplestyles.Thismodel features a 60- minute chronograph, date window and a second-hour indicator to show a constant display ofasecond time zone whether it be your home, destination or as most use it, G.M.T./Zulu Time. This second large hand is a 12hourhandteamingup with a 24-hour Subdial indicator.

There is also a simple, optional instant-reset for the Chrono, where an instant push of the lower right mode button resets the chrono; no more having to stop the chrono before resetting it if that is your wish. In addition, there is also a functional E6B calculator Bezel on each model.

The A.T.C. comes in either all-stainless with a stainless steel bracelet or a stainless steel body with a polyurethane strap. HME Watch offers all models, including the P.U. strap model with a deploy clasp instead of the lower price “Tang-Buckle” foundonmost watches. In keeping up with styles today, this is a fairly large watch, at 43mm diameter by 13mm thick. Weight is about normal for a stainless steel model.

Take advantage of these special prices while stock lasts. Also, they are offering prices well under retail on Citizen Eco-Drive Pilot watch models.

“Wefeltahigherrushthanbefore.We hadgoodconversations,AEROhasagreat audience.Therewasparticularinterestin trainingopportunities.Inclosecooperation withtheGermanHelicopterAssociation (DHV),wewereabletoexhibitallhelicoptermodelsfromtheRobinson HelicopterCompanyhere.Thatwasareal eye-catcher.ThetalkbyTimPittelkowand AndreasHennigintheHeliForum,who togetherproducethehelicopterpodcast “Abgehoben”,wasgreat.Heparticularly appealedtoyoungpeoplewhocameto AEROspecificallyforthispurpose.”

Abouttheevent:

AERO2025willtakeplacefromApril 9through12,2025attheMesse Friedrichshafenexhibitioncenter.AEROis theleadinginternationaltradefairforgeneralaviation,businessaviationandairsports. Aircraftondisplayrangefromcivilian dronestogliders,ultralightaircraftand gyrocopters,helicopters,travelandtraining aircraftwithpistonenginesorturboprop drivesandbusinessjets.Newpropulsion systems,electricflight,state-of-the-art avionics,servicesandaccessoriesforpilots arefurtherfocalpoints.Thesesubjectareas arealsoreflectedintheAERO Conferences,makingEurope’slargestgeneralaviationeventanimportantplatform forknowledgeexchangeandfurthertraining.Learnmoreataero-expo.com.

AboutFairnamicGmbH:

WiththefoundingofFairnamic GmbH,theFrankfurtandFriedrichshafentradefaircompaniesaresealinga partnershipwithafocusoninnovative mobility.Themarketpositioninthe futuremarketsofgeneralaviation,ecomobility,e-bikesandbicyclesisstrengthenedthroughbundledexpertiseandmarketknowledge,globalpositioning,brand strengthandspeed.TheAEROand Eurobikebrandsandtheirsatellitesform thefocusofthejointventure.Theaimis toexpandandfurtherdevelopthetwo leadingtradefairs.

• 2xRotax100HP –Twin-Engine Safety

• Performance-Based Navigation –State-of-the-Art Avionics: Twin-Screen G1000 Nxi IFR

• 9Gal/Hr

• ComplexTraining Solution

FAAINVESTS $27MILLIONON RESEARCHTO REDUCE EMISSIONSAND NOISE

Researchteamsfromuniversities nationwideareworkingonavarietyofaviationenvironmentaltopicsincludingsustainableaviationfuels,aircraftemissions, andnoiseimpactswithsupportfrom FederalAviationAdministration(FAA) grants.TheFAAisawarding$27.2million to11U.S.universitiesaspartofitsAviation SustainabilityCenter(ASCENT)program. Theawardswillbematchedin-kindbythe Center’spartnersunderthegrantsprogram one-to-onecostsharingagreement.

“TheworkoftheseteamsisacornerstoneoftheFAA’ssustainabilityefforts,” saidFAAAdministratorMikeWhitaker.

“Theentireaviationindustrycanleverage thisresearchtoreducenoiseandenable safeandefficientoperationswhileworkingtowardnet-zeroemissionsby2050.”

ASCENTgrantswillsupportthe workoftheseuniversities:

•TheGeorgiaInstituteof

Technology:fuelefficiency,fuelemissions,fuelcells,sustainableaviationfuel technology,airquality,noisemeasurementandnext-generationaircraft.

•WashingtonStateUniversity:sustainableaviationfuel,thesustainableaviationfuelsupplychain,fuelefficiency andhydrogenpropulsion.

•PennsylvaniaStateUniversity: enginetechnology,fuelefficiency,noise measurementandsupersonicpropulsion.

• MassachusettsInstituteofTechnology: fuelemissions,airquality,contrails,noise, thesustainableaviationfuelsupplychain, highaltitudeoperations,hydrogenpropulsion,electrificationassessmentsandcommercialspaceemissions.

•DaytonUniversity:sustainableaviationfuelandfueltesting.

• BostonUniversity:airquality,noise, andhealthissuesinvolvingaviationnoise.

•UniversityofIllinois:contrails,

emissionsimpacts,fueltesting,andcommercialspaceemissions.

• PurdueUniversity:fuelefficiencyand thesustainableaviationfuelsupplychain.

•TheUniversityofNorthCarolina: airquality.

•StanfordUniversity:sustainableaviationfuel.

• UniversityofHawaii:fuelefficiency andthesustainableaviationfuelsupplychain.

TeamsfromMissouriUniversityof ScienceandTechnology,OregonState University,theUniversityofPennsylvania, theUniversityofTennesseeandthe UniversityofWashingtonarecontinuing theirresearchonotherASCENTprojects.

“TheFAAhasinvestedmorethan$155 millioningrantfundssincetheASCENT researcheffortbeganandtheworkhasdrivenforwardourenvironmentaleffortsignificantly,”saidAssistantAdministratorfor Policy,InternationalAffairs,and

EnvironmentLaurenceWildgoose.“Asa resultofASCENTresearch,fournewprocedureshavebeenimplementedatBoston LoganInternationalAirporttoreducenoise impactsonsurroundingcommunities.”

Detaileddescriptionsofall ASCENTprojectsincludingannual reportscanbefoundattheASCENT website,https://ascent.aero/.

InitsAviationClimateActionPlan,the UnitedStatessetagoaltoachievenet-zero greenhousegasemissionsfromtheU.S.aviationsectorby2050.Moreinformationabout theFAAanditsenvironmentaleffortsatits SustainabilityGatewaypage(https://www. faa.gov/sustainability)anditsSustainable Aviation Fuelpage(https://www.faa.gov/ about/officeorg/headquartersoffices/apl/s ustainable-aviation-fuels-saf).More informationisavailableontheFAAwebsite,faa.gov.

AOPA’SAIR SAFETY INSTITUTE RELEASES T WO NEW ACCIDENT C ASE S TUDIES

TheAircraftOwnersandPilots AssociationAirSafetyInstitute(ASI)has releasedtwonewepisodesofitspopular RealPilotStoryvideoseries.

Thefirstvideo, RealPilotStory: TrappedintheHills,presentsacompellingportraitofafather’sheartbreaking lossandtheprofoundlessonspilotscan drawfromthedevastatingevents.

Thispoignantnarrativefollows ArturoGuerra,Sr.,andhisson,Art,Jr.,as theyreturnfromaweekendadventureto Burnet,Texas,totheirhomein Monterrey,Mexico.Throughgripping narrationandafirsthandaccount,you’ll bedrawnintotheheartoftheGuerra family’sjourneyandwitnessthefateful eventsthatunfoldedonthatchilly Novemberday.

“Inthisrealpilotstory,afather explainshowaroutineflightwithhisson turnedfatal.Thepilots’familiaritywiththe terraingavethemanillusionofsecurity, andtheysuccumbedtotheallureofcomplacency,”saidAOPAAirSafetyInstitute VicePresidentofOperationsPaulDeres.

“Discoveringwaystochallenge overconfidenceandbreakfromroutine, weexploreadoptingalearner’smindset amongpilots.Activelypursuingnewratingsorendorsementscanserveasapowerfuldisruptortothecycleofcomplacency,preventingitsformationbeforeit takesroot,”Deresconcluded.

Viewtherealpilotstoryataopa.orgor directlyathttps://www.aopa.org/trainingand-safety/online-learning/real-pilot-stories/Trapped-in-the-Hills.

Thesecondvideo, AccidentCase Study:ConflictintheCockpit,recreates thetragiceventsthatledaBombardier Challenger605tocrashjustseconds beforelandingatTruckeeTahoeAirport inCalifornia.

“Welookatfactorsthataffectedthe flight,includingcrewdynamicsduring theflightandimproperenergymanagementduringthecirclingapproachtothe airport,”saidDeres.

Derescontinued,“Circling-to-land approachesoftenrequiremaneuveringat lowairspeedandlowaltitudeduringthe finalapproachsegment,riskinglossof controlorcollisionswithterrain.

“Thisriskisevenmorepronounced inlarger,fasterairplaneslikethe Challenger605,whenmonitoringappro-

priateenergymanagementisimperative,”Deresconcluded.

Seethisvideoataopa.orgordirectilyathttps://www.aopa.org/training-andsafety/online-learning/accident-casestudies/Conflict-in-the-Cockpit.

AccidentCaseStudiesuseFAAair trafficcontrolradiocommunicationtranscripts,NationalTransportationSafety Boarddocumentation,andvideoanimationtorecreatethedynamics,andtrack eachaccident’schainofevents.The videossharecriticallessonstohelppilots recognizeandavoidsimilarmistakes.

ASI’sRealPilotStoryseriesallows pilotstosharetheirencounterswitha dilemmasootherscanbenefit–while comfortableontheground–fromlessons learnedthehardwayinflight.

TECNAM’S P2012STOLACHIEVES EASACERTIFICATION

TecnamannouncedonMarch27 thattheEuropeanAviationSafety Agency(EASA)hasawardedfulltype certificationtotheP2012Travellerinits STOLvariant.

TheP2012STOLaircraft,specificallydesignedforShortTakeOffand Landingoperations,isengineeredandtailoredtooperatefromairportsandairstrips characterizedbyextremelyshortrunways anddemandingoperationalconstraints.

The18monthsextensivecertificationcampaignensuredimpressive TakeoffandLandingperformance,while stillmaintaininga99percentcommonalityofpartswiththestandardP2012 Travellerseriesaircraftinaneffortto enhancetheP2012STOLsupportability andtoprovidea“fleet”option.

Addressingtheneedsofaniche marketthathasbeenunderdevelopedand unsupportedfordecades,withtheP2012 STOLTecnamonceagainprovidesa solutionforoperatorsseekingamodern, spacious,comfortable,safeyetstylish aircraftwithoutstandingSTOLcapabilitiesfortheirbusiness.

Withtheproductionaircraftalready inthefinalstageoftheassemblyline,the P2012STOLisreadyforthefirstdeliveriestocustomersfillinganuncovered gapofthecommercialaviation.

TheAircraft

TheP2012STOListheonlytwin-pistonaircraftwithShortTake-Offand Landingcapabilitiesthatcomplieswiththe latestcertificationamendments.Itoffersa

maximumgrossweightof3,680kgs./8,113 lbs.withausefulloadof1,284kgs./2,831 lbs.whilemaintainingamoderndesign,a wideandcomfortablecabinand11seats.

Thecabinentranceandaccommodation isenhancedbyawidesingleaccessdoorand acentralaisle;moreover,adedicatedwindow foreachofthe9individualpassengers,no bench/doubleseatsandthebestpassenger amenitiesareprovidedsuchasUSBports, cabinairconditioning,individualfreshand hotairoutlets,dedicatedreadinglight,seat pocketsandcupandmobilephoneholders.

Theinteriorsdesignandthesuperb viewgrantedbythe“highwing”configurationprovidea“best-in-class”experiencefortheflightstotypicalremote STOLdestinations.

Themulti-missioncapabilityofthe aircraftallowstoexchangetheSTOLconfigurationfrompassengers’transportation toCargo,Combi,orAirAmbulancewithin minutes,providinghealthcare,assistance andservingcommunitiesworldwide.

Missionaccomplishmentandflight safetyenhancementpassthroughamoderncockpitwithlatesttechnology,includingasastandardstate-of-the-artG1000 NXiavionicsystem,GFC700specifically tunedautopilot,andADS-BIN/OUT.An activeandconnectedflightdeck (Bluetooth,flightstream,Iridium)anda toolboxofmodernaids(Wxradar,storm scope,insetmap,SyntheticVision)are providedtoreduceworkloadandfatigue whileincreasingmissionsafetyandeffectiveness.Fromacomfortperspectivethe P2012STOLoffersa+34percentwider cabin,+24percentlargerseatpitch,+188

percenthigherluggageweightallowance and+303percentbetterluggagevolume whencomparedtothemostknownBritish STOLaircraftanddoesitallinaccordance withthelatestcertificationstandards.

Performance

Fromtheperformanceperspectivethe P2012STOLcaneasilyandmorecomfortablycarryanequivalentpayloadofthe mostknownSTOLaircraftwhilematching itstakeoffandlandingperformances, moreover,theP2012STOLcanalsooutperformitsusefulloadby20percentupto aremarkablevalueof1,284kgs./2,830 lbs.whileperformingaSTOLmission.

AtMaximumTakeoffWeightof 3,680kgs./8,113lbs.,thetake-offrun takesonly315m/1,033ft.andtoclear theobstaclethetakeoffdistanceis achievedinjust425m/1,394ft.

Evenbetteratthe3,630Kg MaximumLandingWeightwherethe landingdistancefromtheobstacletakes only360m/1.181ft.andtheimpressive groundrunrequiresjust225m/738ft.

P2012STOLPROGRAM

TheP2012STOL,developedbythe renownandinnovatingTecnamResearch andDevelopmentteam,isavailablein thepassengerandmulti-missionconfigurations(combi,cargo,airambulance). Fullyinterchangeable,the11-seat,twinengine,fixedgear,unpressurizedTecnam canquicklyandeasilybeconvertedfrom a9-passengercarrierintoaspecial-pur-

TecnamhasbeenawardedfulltypecertificationtotheP2012Travellerinits STOLvariant.(CourtesyTecnam)

TheP2012featuresamoderncockpit withlatesttechnology,includingasa standardstate-of-the-artG1000NXi avionicsystem,GFC700specifically tunedautopilotandADS-BIN/OUT. (CourtesyTecnam)

poseaircraft…andbackagain.

Theaircraftmainfeaturesare:

• Twocrewseatsplusninesinglepas sengers’seatscabinaccommodation.

•Twosixcylinders,turbocharged, pistonengines.

•SinglePilotcertifiedinVFRand IFR.

•PBNcertifiedforGPSapproaches.

•Notyperatingissue/renewal required.

•Easymaintenance.

MoreinfoontheP2012STOL: https://www.tecnam.com/aircraft/p2012STOL/

OODIES

Oneofthetrulygreatthingsaboutbeinganaviationbuffisthenumberof“GoodiesandGadgets”availabletoplay with.Here InFlightUSA hascollectedafewnewonesworthyofyourconsideration.

AND AND

AircraftSpruce&SpecialtyCo.hasbeenthesupplierthataircraftbuilders,owners,pilots,andaviationbusinesseshavedependedonsince1965.Theycarryawide selectionofaircraftparts,buildingmaterials,avionics,andpilotsupplies,allofwhichareofferedontheirwebsite(www.aircraftspruce.com)andinthefamousAircraftSprucecatalog,nowover1,000-pagesavailablefordownloadorforfreeinprint.YoucandependonAircraftSpruceforpromptshippingandcompetitivepricingonallorders.

MADGETS SPRINGISINTHE AIRAT AIRCRAFT SPRUCE

ayisagreattimetostartthinkingaboutsummerflyingand sprucinguparoundthehangar. AircraftSprucehaseverythingyouneed tomakesummerflyingsmoothand “uneventful”inagoodway!Theyalso havethetoolsyouneedtomakemaintenancetaskscleanandeasy.Visittheir website,aircraftspruce.com,forallyour needsandwantsthisSpring.

NewestLightspeedDeltaZulu AnrHeadsetWithBluetooth Overview:Delta Zuluisbuiltforyour missionwithsafety, control,andcomfortin mind.ThenewestheadsetfromLightspeed includestheirbestANR todate,withthesuperiorcomfortanddurabilityyouexpect fromaZulu,whilealsointroducing groundbreakingnewtechnologiesthat couldsavethelivesofbothpilotsand passengers.

plug,allowingyoutoconnecttoother devicesdirectlyfromtheheadsetfor charging,datacommunications,andauxiliaryaudio.

Comfort:ThelegendaryZulucomfortanddurabilitycontinuesintheDelta Zulu.Performanceearseals,sturdy cablesbuiltaroundaKevlarcore,full Bluetoothintegration,andanindustrybest7-yearwarrantyarestillstandardin thenewestLightspeedmodel.

VisittheAircraftSprucewebsiteto seeallthefeaturesandspecificationsof latestLightspeedheadset.Eachheadset sellsfor$1,199andcomeswiththe optionforoneofthreeplugtypes:Dual GA,6-PinLemoorHeliU-174.

BurkBagsAccessoryPouch–LargeorSmall

Safety:Lightspeed’sdesignersand engineerscollaboratedwithateamof highlyqualifiedflightandsafetyexperts todeveloparevolutionarydigitalplatformandgroundbreakingnewtechnologiestomakeflyingsafer.Kanari™smart alerttechnologybuiltrightintotheheadsetprovidesprotectionbymeasuring cabincarbonmonoxidelevels,helpingto keepyouandyourpassengersalertand safewithaudiblewarnings.Thefree LightspeedAppallowsyoutoalsocheck theCOsensordatavisuallyduringflight andreviewyourfullhistorylater.The DeltaZulualsointroducesabuilt-in audioequalizationsystemcalled HearingEQity™thatensurescrystal clearflightcommunication.Throughan automated12-frequencyhearingtestthat canbetakenthroughtheLightspeedApp, HearingEQitysetsthehearinglevelin eachearofyourheadsettocreateyour individualhearingprofiletocompensate foranyhearingvariationsbetweenears.

Control:TheLightspeedAppalso allowsyoutorecordradioconversations, playbacktransmissions,drawdiagrams, andarchiveflightrecordingsforpostflightbriefingandtraining.DeltaZuluis alsothefirstheadsettoadopttheUAC

Ageneralpurposepouchwith clearfront,luggage gradezipper,and Velcroontheback. Perfectfororganizingcablesandcameraaccessories.

Selectthelargesizeat8by8by2.5inchesfor$25orthesmallsizeat8by4 by2.5-inchesfor$20.Thepouchescome inyourchoiceofred,blue,yellowor greentrim.

FunnelCapQuartCanCap

TheFunnelCap makesitsafeandeasy toserviceaircraftoil andhydraulicsystems withoutspillingofoil andwithoutgetting FODintheoil,oilcanorbottle.

Openhalf-usedoilbottlesandcans canbestoredinthestorageroomoraircraftwithoutriskofoilleakingout.The flexhoseclipensuresatightsealofthe flexhosetothecapstud,andalsosecures theflexhosetothebottleorcantominimizestoragespacewhennotinuse.The redcapsealstheflexhoseandensuresa tightsealoftheflexhoseend.

Moreflexhosescanbeconnectedto increasethereach.

Theflexhosecanberemovedif desired.Theredflexhosecapisthen installedonthecoverstudandsealsto

avoidleakageandFOD.

Nomore:

•Spillingintothenacellebyback-or overflowingordinaryfunnels.

•Cleaningdirtyfunnelsorcutopen sodabottlesbeforepouringoil.

•Throwing½quartoilawayorrisking FODinanopenoilcan.

•Spillingofoil,bynotreachingfar enoughintotheoilfiller.

EachFunnelCapsellsfor$9.95.

MaintenanceHandbookfor Van’sRVAircraft

2023/2024AircraftSpruceFull ColorPrintCatalog

Thisbookisaculminationofover45yearsof experienceworkingonand maintainingalltypesof Van’sRVaircraft.Itshould betheultimatereference guideforyouoryourmechanictoinspect andmaintaintheaircraftthroughoutits life.Usingthechecklistandaccompanyingpictureswillbealmostasgoodashavingtheauthorworkingoveryourshoulder. Thisbookcontains151pagesand443pictures.Itisspiralboundtoenhanceusein theshop.Thepurchaserwillbeabletosee theissueandhowtorepairit.Itisessential forVan’sRVandLycomingpistonengine ownerswhodotheirownmaintenance.

ThisMaintenanceHandbookcomes highlyrecommendedifyouplantomaintainyourAmateur-Builtaircraft.Itsells for$69.95.

SummerAireVintageSign

Didyouknow youcangetaprinted versionofthe1,000pageAircraftSpruce catalogfreeifmailed withintheUnited States.Whilethe onlineversionisuserfriendlyandallorderingcanbedone online,theprintedversionisatreasure troveofnearlyeveryaviation-related productavailable.And,orderingisquick andeasybycalling1-877-477-7823. Ifyoufly,repair,restoreorbuildaircraftthiscatalogisamustforyou.Fully illustratedwithmorethan100,000products forcertificated,experimentalandultralight aircraftandthepilotsthatflythem.Aircraft Sprucecarriesthemostextensiveselection ofproductsintheindustry.

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Vintage aviationairplanesign printeddirectly todistressed woodpanelsthathaveknotsormetaland otherimperfectionsinthem.Weendup printingrightovertheseimperfections, whichgiveseachsignthelookandfeelof arealvintagesign.Notwoarethesame! Oftenpeopleaskus“Aretheseoriginals?”Allofoursignscanbecustomized makingeachvintagesignpersonaland original.Eachdesignedinthestyleand lookofahistoricalperiodusingdifferent fontstyles,colors,andvintagelayouts.

Choosefrommetalorwoodandtwo sizes,15-by26-inchesfor$56.85or20by-32-inchesfor$78.75.

AircraftSpruceatAviation Events

FindAircraftSpruceatthefollowing events:

GreatAlaskaAviationGathering Date:May4-5,2024

City,State:Palmer,AK Booth:Booth#174

EAAAirVenture

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NBAA–NationalBusinessAviation Association

Date:Oct.22-24,2024

City,State:LasVegas,NV Booth:TBD

MARK BAKERTOBE HONORED WITH PRESTIGIOUS ENGEN TROPHY

TheAeroClubofWashington announcedonApril18thatAOPA PresidentMarkBakerwillbethe2024 recipientoftheDonaldD.EngenAero ClubTrophyforAviationExcellencein recognitionofhisfierceleadershipandpassionatecommitmenttogeneralaviation.

Establishedin1993,theEngenTrophy isawardedtoanindividual,organization,or teamwhohasdemonstratedacommitmentto excellenceinaviationthatreaffirmsthestandardsetbytheWrightbrothers.Previous recipientsincludeformerCEOofSouthwest AirlinesHerbKelleher,theTuskegeeAirmen, andtheSTS-114DiscoveryShuttlecrew.

“MarkBakerisapassionateandtirelessadvocateforthegeneralaviation communityandhasledseveralinitiatives overthepastdecadethathaveadvanced aviationsafetyandinnovation,andmade flyingmoreaccessibletomorepeople,” saidAeroClubPresidentDavid Richardson.“OnbehalfoftheAeroClub ofWashington,Iamhonoredtobethe personwhowillhandtheDonaldD. EngenTrophytoMarkBaker.”

UnderBaker’sleadership,AOPA haschampionedtheprotectionandfuture foraviationonbehalfofthe300,000 memberpilots,aircraftowners,andaviationenthusiasts.

TheAeroClubofWashingtonD.C.will presenttheEngenTrophytoAOPA’s MarkBakeronJune17.

(ChrisRose/CourtesyAOPA)

than250flyingclubshavebeenlaunched acrossthecountry;32,000rustypilotshave returnedtotheflightdeck;andapproximately71,000studentshavebeenintroducedto aviationthroughthehighschoolaviation STEMcurriculum–with60percentofprogramgraduatesindicatingtheyarepursuing anaviation-relatedcareer.Inaddition,more than2,800instructorsandstudentshave loggedontotheinnovativeAOPAFlight TrainingAdvantageapp,designedtomake thelearningexperiencemoreefficientand effectiveforall.

“SinceIstartedflyingasateenager,I haveseenfirsthandthevalueofastrong andprosperousgeneralaviationcommunity,”Bakersaid,reflectingonhisextensive experienceandachievements.“Noother placeonEarthallowsthefreedomsand opportunitiesweenjoyinthisgreatnation, andIamhonoredandhumbledtoberecognizedashavinghadahandinpromoting, protecting,andgrowinggeneralaviation fortheaviatorsoftodayandtomorrow.”

Theorganization’sadvocacyarmhas seenrobustsuccessonthelocal,state,and nationallevels–repeatedlybeingrecognized byTheHillasatop50-advocacyorganization.Theskiesaresaferthaneverthanks,in part,tohisleadershipoftheaward-winning AOPAAirSafetyInstitute.Andhispassion forsharingthemagicofflightwithothers hasledtotheexpansionoftheYouCanFly programundertheAOPAFoundation.More

TheAeroClubofWashingtonwill presenttheEngenTrophytoBakeratthe organization’sJune17luncheon.

Tolearnmore,visitwww.aopa.org. FormoreinformationabouttheAeroClub ofWashingtonD.C.visit.aeroclub.org.

CessnaHigh-Wing

ContinuedfromPage34

versatileandreliabletoolsthatenable customerstofulfillawiderangeofmissions.Thenewinteriordesignsinclude:

•All-newcomfortableseatswith additionalsupportandpadding

•Powerheadsetjacksateveryseat

•AandCUSBchargingportsat everyseat

•Sleek,blackinstrumentpanels

•Thoughtfullyplacedsideandcell phonepocketsthroughouttheaircraft

•Integratedoverheadairconditioning onequippedaircraft

•Anewcenterarmrestavailableon certainmodels

Whenitcomestotheexterior,owners canselectfromavarietyofnewmodern

exteriorschemestomatchtheirpreferences.

TextronAviation’sinvestmentinthe Cessnapistonaircraftlineupdemonstrates thecompany’scontinuedenthusiasmand supportforpilotsworldwide,whetherthey arepursuingtrainingambitionsorplanning theirnextadventure.Thecompanyremains dedicatedtodeliveringcutting-edgetechnologyandexceptionalcraftsmanshipto theaviationcommunity.Thenewinterior designswereunveiledatthe2024Sun‘n FuneventinLakeland,Florida.

SeeaYouTubevideoat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13I9 F1fBqrs&t=7sorlearnmoreat https://cessna.txtav.com/.

SEEINGTHE ECLIPSE UP CLOSE

ByRosalynKahn

Peoplecamefromfarandnearto Dallas,Texas,onApril8towatch the2024solareclipse.Astime grewclosertothebigevent,thehour-byhourweatherreportdescribedconditions, andwehopedthatcloudswouldnot blocktheamazingsite.Theclouds movedanddancedtoandfro.Theclouds movedbackwardandforward,waiting forthegranddisplay.

Thereweresomewhohadtelescopes,baby-sizedonesandbigpapasizedones,althoughsomesaiditwasjust a12-inchbeam.Therewereresearchers inthefieldsofphysicsandmathematics. Thereweresix-year-oldsto80-year-olds, justwaitingfortheamazingsite.Our guidewasamere20-year-oldinhisfirst yearofaPhDprograminphysics,buthis knowledgewasyearsahead.Social mediapostsranamuckwithmisinformation.Onepopulartheoryclaimedthetotal solareclipsewouldpassoverseven placesintheU.S.namedNineveh. However,thatisnotcompletelytrue. Onlytwofellinthepathoftotality: Nineveh,Indiana,andNineveh,Ohio. Fiveothers–inKentucky,NewYork, Pennsylvania,TexasandVirginia–saw onlyapartialeclipse.

Theguideexplainedthatwhenall wassaidanddone,theeclipse’sshadow traveledat1,500mph.Neartheequator, ittraveledatabout1,100mphand increasedinspeedasitapproachedthe poles.Ittookamere68minutestotravel fromMexicotoMaine.

Therewasagreatsightingin Carbondale,Illinois,homeofSouthern IllinoisUniversity,Carbondale.The SolarSTEAMproject,whichisamultiagencyteamprogramfundedbyNASA tocompleteresearchonthetotalsolar eclipseevent,providedlivecoverage anchoredatSIUSalukiStadiumandfeaturedcommentaryandinterviewsfrom scientistsandoutreachprofessionals fromtheAdlerPlanetariumofChicago, NASA,JohnHopkinsUniversity AppliedPhysicsLabandSIU Carbondale.Seethevideoby SolarSTEAMfromSIUCarbondaleon YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCn OqqKD30o(titledEclipse2024Live FromSouthernIllinoisUniversity Carbondale).NASAhadplacesand eventssetupallovertheworldtowatch theeclipse’spathoftotality.

Therealkeytogreatphotographyis theuseofatelescopeorCanonEOST7, rangingfrom$479.99atTargetto$599at AmazonandBestBuy.Thenthereisthe

Theskyscapebeforethe2024solar eclipse.(CourtesyRosalynKahn)

WriterRosalynKahnandhusband DavidHymanviewthe2024solar eclipseinDallas,Texas. (CourtesyRosalynKahn)

Hestia,thefirstsmartphonetelescope (sellingfor$399)byVaonis.Itseemed thebetterthetelescope,theclearerthe photos.Yet,today’ssmartphonehada prettyclearimage.

Marketershadafielddaycreating specialdelicacieslikeKrispyKreme donutsfortheeclipse.Localtownshad specialviewingstationswithporta-pottiesonroadsides.Homerentsforthe eventwerecrazywithahomeinthehillsiderentingfor$4,000,toanindividual rentingouthisvantotakeitoffroad.

Thecommonstoryran,“Howmany ofthefourminutesdidyousee?Didyou getthewholethingorjustpartofit?”Iwas inMarbleFalls,andtheinstructionsupto theminuteran,“Evenifthereareclouds, youwillstillbeabletoseesomething spectacular.”Welaterlearnedfromthe localastronomyphysicistthatallfiveof thecollegestudentsintheirPhDprograms wereinstructedtoensurenooneburned theireyesbuthadaspectacularview.

Thebestpartoftheeclipsewastravelingtoseetheevent.Iheardoneperson whoflewtoTexassayhefollowedthe weatherreporttofindthebestviewing place.Therewerelotsofstormwarnings

ContinuedonPage45

AIRCRAFTFORSALE

American Aircraft Sales, Livermore Airport, CA, americanaircraft.net, cell (510) 783-2711, (925) 449-5151.3/13

From Trade-ins to Aircraft Management, financing and appraisals. T.J. Aircraft Sales, Novato, CA, (415) 8985151, tjair.com. 3/13

AirplanesUSA Aircraft Sales, San Carlos, CA, Airport, (650) 394-7610, airplanesusa.com. 1/16

Quality aircraft since 1948.Volare Air, aTECNAMdealership,(940)800-8020, volareair.aero. 1/23

Historicallysignificant1950s-era aircraftforsaleortrade.Allinrestorable conditionwithminimum corrosion. InventoryincludesaPiaseckiXHJP-1and aSikorskyS-55.American Helicopter Museum, West Chester, PA. Contact info@americanhelicopter.museum for more information.231000.TFN

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SmallMannedAerialRadar Target, Model1.Tinyjet aircraft, long-range tank. SMART-1, Tucson, AZ, (202) 2132400, smart-1.us. 5/21

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Sunshine Flyers Flight & tailwheel instruction, rentals, mountain flying, and aerobatics., Auburn, CA, (530) 820-3442, sunshineflyersaviation@gmail.com.3/20

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Recurrent pilot training and services. L/D Aerospace, Grace Passmore, (916) 790-0501, ldaerospace.com.1/22

Fly for fun or career Discovery flights, pilot training, AOPA Distinguished Flight School & Cessna Pilot Center. Smith Aviation, Napa County Airport, (707) 345-6526, mikesmithaviation.com.4/22

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XL Aviation - Aircraft Maintenance. Custom-tailored programs for all aircraft. Livermore, CA, (925) 961-6135, xlaviationtailwheel.com.8/20

RESTORATIONS

Iconic Aircraft Restoration Repairs, refurbishments, parts fabricated, con-

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Serving the GA Community since 1981.Wisconsin Aviation, Watertown MunicipalAirport,WI,(920)261-4567, WisconsinAviation.com.3/13

World's largest network of FBOswith over200 locations offering consistent, exceptional service. Signature Flight Support, signatureflight.com.4/23

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Avionics for Every Mission. All major brands.Airtronics, Calaveras County Airport, CA, airtronicsavionics.com, (209) 736-9400. 11/14

Basic installs to complete panel and glass retrofits. Great service and value pricing. Pacific Coast Avionics, (800) 353-0370, PCA.aero. 7/15

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Keeping "classic" aircraft flying since 1946 Univair Aircraft Corp., Aurora, CO, (888) 433-5433, univair.com.3/21

Iconic Aircraft Restoration for all the classics. Reasonable rates. The Wright Experience, (540) 347-1909.2/23

SAVAGE Magneto Service since 1946. Hayward, CA, (510) 782-7081,2/23

Wingtips with total lighting solutions, aveoengineering.com.9/23

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Insurance solutions for all aviation-related services. Business Aviation Insurance, bizavins.com, (925) 825-1900.7/20

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Informed, accurate aircraft appraisals. jetvaluesjeremy.com, (636) 751-3987.7/20

Complete Aviation Sales & Marketing Services Use Promo Code "INFLIGHT" to save 10%. AviationBusinessComsultants. com/Lab, (702) 987-1679. 4/23

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NocheapimitationwatchesatHME!

Specialpricingon ATP series multifunctional watches with Altimeter. To order or for information, (323) 464-6660 or hmewatch.com. 11/16

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Protective covers for every make and model.Bruce's Custom Covers, Morgan Hill, CA, (800) 777-6405, (408) 7383959, aircraftcovers.com.10/19

Apparel as unique as your journey Discounts to members. AOPA Pilot Gear, aopapilotgear.com.9/21

Mountain Bike, Full-size, pilot-friendly, rugged. FLATBIKE, flatbike.com.10/18

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Global Aircraft Group USPAP bank values for all aircraft, aircraft management, insurance claims & certified aircraft appraisals. Mark Parry, (855) 6GBLAIR, (413) 335-7507. 4/22

At Thirty1 Hybrid, we help aviation companies, including flight schools, manufacturers, mechanics, brokers, and more, build a cohesive website that positively impacts their bottomline. And it’s not just a website — it’s an Experience.

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Aviation Building Systems, custom designed hangars. R&M Steel Co., Caldwell, ID, (208) 454-1800, aviationbuildingsystem. com, (866) 454-1800.51217:TFN

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New Runway & Taxiway Homesites Available in amentity-rich community, Granbury, TX. From $179,900. Pecan Plantation, AviationHomesites. com, (833) 273-2159. 2/24

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Become an Aircraft Broker — #1Largest USA Network of Aircraft

Start with USA’s proved system for listing and selling everything from highperformance single-engine airplanes, cabin class through jets, and helicopters & jet fractional shares. Includes multi-million-dollar inventory to start. Complete turn-key proved system. Noexperience necessary. Will train. Licensed USA Aircraft brokerage. Call (504) 723-5566 orvisit Business Opportunity Section at usaaircraft.com 4208:TFN

Free avgas 100LL and free tie-down parking in exchange for help with projects for an airport in Southern California. Email: wignot@hotmail.com.23600:TFN

ART/VIDEOS/GIFTS

Specializing in aviation photography horizontalrain.com.1/15

New Pocket guide to avoid pain & stiffness during travel by a leading pain expert. "Pain-Free Vacation/Travel," (980) 785-8128, goptfirst@gmail.com.2/4

PILOTPOSITION WANTED

SoCal pilot desires Turbine/Jet SIC time Comm/Instru/Multi-Eng with SIC for Gulfstream G-IV and scores of hours inthe Citation V560. Many years of aircraft design/flight test/aerospace industry experience. Willing to travel as needed (and for repositioning). Contact Paul at (562) 714-6686 or ptglessner@ aol.com. 23700:TFN HELPWANTED IN FLIGHT USA, the leading source of general aviation news, seeks writers and photographers to cover all aspects of aviation. Send an SASE for writer’s guidelines to: In Flight USA, P.O. Box 5402, San Mateo, CA 94402.TFN Oakland Aviation Museum recruiting volunteers.Oakland, CA, (510) 638-7100, oaklandaviationmuseum.org.12/23

MUSEUMS

Rowland Freedom Center Vacaville, CA, (707) 449-3402 rowlandfreedomcenter.org

Castle Air Museum World's largest

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Mid-Atlantic Air Museum Reading, PA (610) 372-7333, maam.org

Military Aviation Museum Virginia Beach, VA, (757) 721-7767 militaryaviationmuseum.org

Olympic Flight Museum Olympia, WA, (360) 705-3925 olympicflightmuseum.com

Yankee Air Museum Ypsilanti, MI, Willow Run Airport (734) 483-4030, yankeeairmuseum.org

Oakland Aviation Museum Oakland, CA, (510) 638-7100 oaklandaviationmuseum.org

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Cannula or Mask? For aicraft service ceilings to FL180 & FL250. Ask "The Oxygen Lady," info@aviationoxygen.com2/23 4720:TFN

Fuel Cells Repair, overhaul or new. New tanks with 10-year warranty. Hartwig Aircraft Fuel Cell Repair, hartwigfuelcell. com.2/09

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Wherever business takes you Navigate It. (575) 615-2091, vatit.com.10/21

Scheduling Software that connects to your flight department. Simple, affordable. airplanemanager.com.9/22

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Divorce-Paternity Cases Contact LawyersforMen'sRights,(213)3848886, www.mensrightslawyers.com. Offices of Stuart J. Faber.4/10

Aero & Marine Tax Pros

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Need a gift? Givearide in an open cockpit biplane. WACO Air Museum, Troy, Ohio, wacoairmuseum.org, (937) 335-9226. 20601:TFN

Fly By Wire Air,aone-stop site for aviators. flybywireair.com.4/21

Aces High Aviation & Military Art (800) 528-0887, aceshighgallery.com.10/21

Shirts Made to Fly Unique, original fabrics embedded with your sectional chart. Save 20% with "INFLIGHT20" code. PilotQuarters.com. 2/24

PUBLICATIONS

Avionics Checklists & Quick Reference gudes Available in book, card &new iPad editions. qref.com.8/14

SEAK, Expert Witness Directory, by Bert Botta for aviation accidents and incidents. (415) 320-9811, bert@bertbotta. com, bertbotta.com.4/22

"Ghosts," Phil Makanna's legendary warbird calendars are back! Visit ghosts. com, (800) 331-8231.2/23

List your non-profit club or organization FREE on a space available basis.Sendinformation to: 3rdavenue@embarqmail.com

Wings of Rescue Flying Animals to Safety wingsofrescue.org Please donate NOW!

Flabob Airport, Jurupa Valley, CA (951) 683-2309, flabob.org. Anonprofit airport fostering apassion for flying in young people. Donations welcome.

DONATIONS Needed!

Non-profit youth aviation program teaching High School kids to build a Zenith 750 Cruzer — then learn to fly in it! It’s 70% completed. Need a usable O-200 engine to make kids’ dreams come true! Full value tax benefit. Bill (818) 634-9762.4/23

RED BULL AEROBATIC PILOTS FLY THROUGH RARE SOLAR ECLIPSE, CREATING ONCE-IN- A-LIFETIME PHOTOS

IttookthesynchronizationandprecisionoftwoRedBullaerobaticpilots, tworenownedphotographers,andanaturalphenomenontocreateiconicimages ofairplanesagainstthebackdropofa totaleclipseofthesunonApril8,2024.

Twoaerobaticpilots,KevinColeman andPeteMcLeod,workedwithateamof photographerstocreateaseriesofonce-ina-lifetimephotographsduringtherare,full eclipseinSulphurSprings,Texas.

TheseuniquephotosweremadepossiblebythecreativityandexpertiseofphotographersDustinSnipesandMason Mashon.Theduodevotedendlesshours figuringoutlightingsolutions,planeformations,andidealpositioningtocapitalize onthefour-minutewindowoftotality.

Tomaketheoutlineoftheplanes morevisibleandtocombatthedarkness createdbytheeclipse,areflectivewrappingwasinstalledonthewingstoassist inilluminatingtheaircraft.

Theeclipsecastitsshadowin SulphurSprings,Texasaround1:40p.m. TexastimeonApril8andlastedfor roughlyfourminutes.

Thepilotshadtoflyinatightformation,flyingat1500feet(457m)inelevationandonlyfourfeetapart,inordertoline upthesun,themoon,andboththeplanes withinthesameframe.Ontheground,Red BullAirForceteammemberLukeAikins receivedinstructionsfromthephotographersthathethentranslateddirectlytothe pilotstocreateaseriesofepicimagery.

“Normally,thiswouldbeamanageablemaneuver,butwhenyouhavethe darknessfromtheeclipse,aflightangle thatneedstobeperfectlylinedupwith thesun,andonlyfourminutestotakethe shotwhilemovingat290kph(180mph),

itmakesitincrediblychallenging,”said KevinColemanabouttheproject.

DustinSnipeswelcomedthechallenge:“Ilovedbeingabletosolvethese ‘impossibleshots’withourteamandcreatesomethingthatnoonehasseen before.Togettheplanes,thesun,the moon,andthelightsallwithinoneexposurewasanextremechallenge,oneI haven’tfacedyet.”

Theseone-of-a-kindimageswere capturedwithinafour-minutewindow, withonlythreequickpassesfromthe planes.Leadinguptoeclipseday,Snipes andMashonconductednumerous rehearsals,shotdozensofflyovers,tested numerousilluminationsolutions,and builtacaptureplanthroughmonthsof preparation.Theymadevariouscalculationstofindthepreciseangleforpositioningthepilots.

“Thisisoneofthehardestphotos thatI’veevertriedtocapture,”said MasonMashon.“Thereareknownsettingstocaptureaneclipse,butwhenyou needtofigureouttheheightoftheplanes abovegroundleveltoframeandscale themperfectlywiththeeclipse,during totality,it’satotallydifferentgame.”

Ultimatelythisprojectwasdevelopedasanopportunitytocelebratearare celestialevent,andchallengepilotsand photographersinnewandunexpected ways.“Unlikethehighadrenalineand aerobaticsI’musedto,thisprojectisall aboutexactprecisionandplanning”,said PeteMcLeod,“It’sallaboutteamworkto makethishappensoit’sbeenincredible tobeapartof.”

SeeingtheEclipseUpClose

thatscaredsomeviewersaway,butluckily,thebigstormcamethefollowingday.

LocalhypehadputTexasinthecenterofitall,butuptothelastminute,it wasagameofhide-and-seek.Experiencingthesettinginagroupaddedtothe excitementoftheyellsandscreams. Everyonehadtheirownexperience, dependingontheirsurroundings.

Evenresearchonanimalssaidsome, likegorillas,wenttotakeanapasthesky grewdarker.Yettheelephantsstoodand swayed.NASArecordedthesoundfrom huddledflamingostosleepingprimates. Itwasunbelievable!

Darknessfromtheeclipserequiredaflightanglethatneededtobeperfectlylinedup withthesuninordertogetthemosteffectivephotograph.(CourtesyRedBull)

RedBullaerobaticpilots,KevinColemanandPeteMcLeod,workedwithateamofphotographerstocreateaseriesofonce-in-a-lifetimephotographsduringtherare,full eclipseinSulphurSprings,TexasonApril8. (CourtesyRedBull)

Discussingthemoon,Ideferto Time

Magazine.Theysaid,theinnershadow wascalledtheUmbra,whichgetssmallerasitgoesawayfromthesun,andthe outersidecalledthePenumbra,which willincreaseinsizedependentonthe location–itgetslargerasitgoesaway fromthesun.

Thesunwascleartomanymore peoplethanbeforein2024.Itsrough11yearsolarcyclewasmoreprominentthan before.Ithadmoreextendedactivity. Somepeoplealsosawanexplosionofthe plasma,nottobeconfusedwithsolar flares.Whatmanysawwasactuallya prominence,whichisalargebrightfea-

tureextendingoutwardfromtheSun’s surface.Prominences,accordingto NASA,areanchoredtotheSun’ssurface inthephotosphere,andextendoutwards intotheSun’shotouteratmosphere, calledthecorona.

Wesawthisredballfromourvantagepoint.Thetemperaturedropped,and itgrewdarker.Insomeplaces,thechange intemperaturewasasgreatas10degrees, likeinCarbondale,Ill.

Thenexteclipsescanbetrackedon scienc.nasa.gov.NextupisOct.2,2024 whenanannulareclipsewillbevisiblein SouthAmerica,Antarctica,PacificOcean, AtlanticOceanandNorthAmerica.

InTexas,peopleweretoldtostayoff theroads.Allpoliceofficerswereon duty.OneemployeeatthelocationI stayedatsaidshedroveup,andtheroads wereempty.Rumorwasthattorrential rainstormshadscaredmostofftheroad. Specialstoreitemsforpurchase includedmoonpies,whichappearedin thegrocerystores.KrispyKremesolar donutsandeclipsesunchipswerealso funtreats.

Ialsoheardthattheywerecollectingthesolarglassesandshippingthemto SouthAmericaforthenextviewing. Folksthereareinforarealtreat!

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We are located on the west side of KAUN. AND Aviation Services takes pride as a family-owned and operated business providing a more personal service with the highest level of standards for aircraft owners and operators. AND Aviation Services was created due to customer demand. Our expectation is to get you back in the air safely, quickly and on time. When you rely on AND Aviation Services for the mantenance of your aircraft, you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re working with the most trusted and experienced professionals in the business.

We pride ourselves in exceeding all FAA stadards. Combined, we have over 50 years of experience in aviation maintenance.

We are conveniently located close to Sacramento and Bay Area airports. Above the fog and belove the snow. We offer “valet” services if you want to be picked up and dropped off at your home airport.