I spent thirty-eight years in public service as an Federal Employee. The first four in personnel, now called human resources, for the Air Force Reserves. The last thirty-four as an air traffic controller. Almost twenty of those were active air traffic control in en route and terminal radar as well as a tower environment. The […]
What Do Arbor Day, The Chisholm Trail and Indiana Jones Share?
It is well known that Wichita is a frequent stop for the actor Harrison Ford, who has endeared himself to us as Star Wars, Han Solo and Dr. Indiana Jones. But why Wichita? And what has this to do with the Chisholm Trail? First, Wichita is the home to Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker-Learjet and their […]
How Flying Is A Walk Of Faith
“Sometimes a pilot has to take a firm grip on emotions, forcing oneself to take a firm control of a nervous stomach or shaking hand.” Weather Flying, Robert N. Buck Aviation is a world seeped in perceptions of thrills and frightful emotions. In reality, it requires just the opposite. Being led by ones emotions […]
If You Are In Kansas Then You Can Be An Aviator
This was my second year as an exhibitor at Kansas Aviation Day. I and a fellow Advocate Wing member participated on the behalf of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) to showcase yet another way Kansas Aviation is employed. Since a majority of MAF’s fleet of almost 50 aircraft based in 17 countries are Cessna Aircraft from […]
How To Tame Time Like An Air Traffic Controller
They say the job of air traffic control is telling pilots where to go, and this for the most part, correct. That definition, of course, includes a tongue-in-cheek double entendre which makes it fun! However, behind that privilege and responsibility is another skill: Telling Time Where To Go. Air traffic control is the ultimate in […]
Success Is A Long Walk In The Same Direction
If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. ~ African proverb I consider myself a fairly independent person. Taught to carry my own weight, do my part and not quit, I champion getting things done. I like my time alone. Yet, it is when I am part […]
Exciting First Steps For Biplane Dream Underway!
Exciting First Steps! The beginning is the most important part of the work. -Plato The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Lao Tzu It has begun! After: the initial transport from my hangar to the EAA workshop last July, collecting of plans, Oshkosh, coordinating work teams, the fall fly-in season and the […]
How To Resurrect An Airplane In Style
“Hold fast to dreams, For if dreams die, Life is a broken-winged bird, That cannot fly.” – Langston Hughes My roots in aviation came from my father. His sprouted in the 1960s. I do not know what or who influenced him. He had not flown in the military nor been involved in aviation prior to his decision […]
Two Unusual Exciting Ways To A Pilot’s Licence
“Worse than not realizing the dreams of your youth would be to have been young and never dreamed at all.” Jean Genet Acquiring a private pilot’s licence in the United States is fairly straightforward: Pass the Federal Aviation Administration’s(FAA) written exam Take flying (and landing) lessons from a FAA certified flight instructor (CFI) for at […]