WingsOfun.com Newsletter #30 (February 3, 2014)
WELCOME PILOTSHere in North Carolina we have been hit with an unusual winter storm that has affected every county in the state with snow and ice accumulations. My thoughts go out to those stuck in traffic in nearby Atlanta and the many people without power. When anyone says the “S” word (keep it clean it's a family newsletter, I mean “snow”) Southerners are required to drop everything and go to the grocery store in a coordinated zombie attack on the milk and bread isle. But seriously, being a risk adverse pilot I have elected to keep my automobile in the same place I left it last night, in the driveway. By the time you read this the snow will most likely be all gone. This is one thing I like about the South; it snows, stays a few days and it's gone. In the mean-time people tend to lose their minds on the roadways. As good pilots we know when to leave the aircraft in the hangar and live to fly another day. If only this wisdom would pass along to some drivers.
Make sure you check out the FaceBook page for WingsOfun and Operation: Fly NC for timely news from the web. There is a great article posted about a possible loophole in the FAA regulations regarding drones (a.k.a. Unmanned Aerial Systems).
~TC Freeman
Chief Executive Aviation Ambassador (CEAA)
*FREE COPY OF THE NEW PRESENTATION, "PILOT AND AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE" AVAILABLE THIS WEEK ONLY (FEB. 3 -10, 2014) via
the WingsOfun Products Page (click here).
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Your opportunity to continue the dialog is on FaceBook:
http://tinyurl.com/woffb
*********************************************************PILOT SAFETY MINUTE VIDEO #30 ~ AIRCRAFT ICING
WELCOME PILOTSHere in North Carolina we have been hit with an unusual winter storm that has affected every county in the state with snow and ice accumulations. My thoughts go out to those stuck in traffic in nearby Atlanta and the many people without power. When anyone says the “S” word (keep it clean it's a family newsletter, I mean “snow”) Southerners are required to drop everything and go to the grocery store in a coordinated zombie attack on the milk and bread isle. But seriously, being a risk adverse pilot I have elected to keep my automobile in the same place I left it last night, in the driveway. By the time you read this the snow will most likely be all gone. This is one thing I like about the South; it snows, stays a few days and it's gone. In the mean-time people tend to lose their minds on the roadways. As good pilots we know when to leave the aircraft in the hangar and live to fly another day. If only this wisdom would pass along to some drivers.
Make sure you check out the FaceBook page for WingsOfun and Operation: Fly NC for timely news from the web. There is a great article posted about a possible loophole in the FAA regulations regarding drones (a.k.a. Unmanned Aerial Systems).
~TC Freeman
Chief Executive Aviation Ambassador (CEAA)
*FREE COPY OF THE NEW PRESENTATION, "PILOT AND AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE" AVAILABLE THIS WEEK ONLY (FEB. 3 -10, 2014) via
the WingsOfun Products Page (click here).
*********************************************************
Your opportunity to continue the dialog is on FaceBook:
http://tinyurl.com/woffb
*********************************************************PILOT SAFETY MINUTE VIDEO #30 ~ AIRCRAFT ICING
http://youtu.be/uN6aqK0FnfQ
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IMPORTANT AUDIO PRESENTATION AVAILABLE:
OPERATIONS AT NON-TOWERED AIRPORTS… for pilots flying just for the fun of it.
With the issue of sequestration, the shut-down of many Air Traffic Control Towers is a possibility. Regardless, it is important to know how to safely and efficiently operate at Non-Towered Airports. In this audio book TC Freeman discusses; straight in approaches, dealing with aircraft on extended downwind and traffic pattern entries.
Available at: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/tcfreeman
(Run time: 34 minutes)
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DO WE NEED THE “OUTLIERS” IN AVIATION?
By TC FREEMAN
It's no secret that general aviation flight hours are down. Many of those concerned are constantly kicking around the topic of how to renew interest in aviation. People are quick to point out high cost, lack of interest by the younger demographic and so on. A pilot I met at the Sebring Sport Aviation Expo mentioned a facet of aviation that I had not thought of, the “outliers.” The term outliers was made popular by the book of the same name written by Malcolm Gladwell. I highly suggest you check out the book, but a very simplified definition is something that stands apart, on the fringes. This pilot mentioned an article he had seen (he couldn't remember where it was from) that said the allure to flight can be based on the type of flying that is out of the norm.
The best example of “outliers” in recent history are the Red Bull flyers. From the pylon racing to helicopter flying in Patagonia they have captivated a new viewer-ship, not to mention customer base.
One might argue that Space Ship One did the same thing by accomplishing the goal of civilian-funded space flights. Some might ask the question if this relates at all to recreational flying? I would say yes. Remember the US space program inspired a generation of young people into all types of aviation endeavors.
An example closer to home (aircraft wise) is Loni Habersetzer (a.ka. CubDriver 749er), a Super Cub pilot from Alaska that lands on all sorts of spots. Calling his landing sites a runway would be inaccurate. In one of the videos he lands on what can be described as a jungle of boulders. Sure, tundra tires help, but it is still an amazing feat. He makes some very cool DVD's, too!
Isn't all of this high risk flying a bad influence on early formative aviation minds? I admit there will always be the “bone-headed” pilot that goes to an airshow and gets inspired to go out and try some of those cool maneuvers they just witnessed. Sadly, the end result is one or more fatalities. However, most pilots I know are reasonably cautious folks.
Another area of aviation that has garnered a huge audience is the “winged suit” parachute jumpers. Looking like a human flying squirrel these jumpers strap on an action camera and catch dramatic flying footage. The glide ratio is not much better than a piece of plywood but the action does get the blood pumping. I'm certain the videos have drawn thousands to the local airport looking to get into this sport. The prudent jump school will advise the prospective student by directing them to the traditional beginner tandem parachute experience. As the student networks with the group they soon find out that it takes years of work to pull off the winged suit deal.
The point is that we need the experienced outliers to show off the vast potential of aviation even if we don't do these things ourselves. In a recent AvWeb poll 85% of responding pilots stated that we need more experimental flight testing. Experimental pilots, a kind of “outlier,” can push technology forward while inspiring a new generation of pilots.
On the converse, if a lot of fatalities result in inexperienced pilots attempting to show off, the sport gets a black eye. I vote for keeping experienced professional “outliers” to keep the inspiration of flying alive.
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NATIONAL TAKE FLIGHT DAY, SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2014
www.NationalTakeFlightDay.com
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OPERATION: FLY NC NEWS
Discuss OP: Fly NC with fellow pilots on Facebook at:
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*(UPDATED!) Saturday, February 15, 2014 (12 p.m. - 4 p.m.) B Bar D Flight Training (Allegro), Raleigh Executive South Jetport (TTA). Seminar topic: Operations at Non-Towered Airports. Contact: B Bar D at: (919) 775-2224
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eBook
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON FLIGHT TRAINING
*INCLUDES SPECIAL CAREER PILOT SECTION!
Available at: Amazon.com (click here) or
http://tinyurl.com/lw2s674
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OUR FAVORITE VIDEOS FROM THE WEB ~ CUBDRIVER: NO SECOND CHANCES
http://youtu.be/eDBxX-DrXNc
