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Guest Speaker

The Common Thread


How mountain flying meshes with primary training

The Common ThreadYou may not think that “learning to fly” and “mountain flying” fit well in the same sentence, but I urge you to reconsider.

Speed Is Life


Never underestimate the importance of an instrument cross-check

Speed Is LifeAs a former SR-71 pilot, and a professional keynote speaker, the question I’m most often asked is “How fast would that SR-71 fly?” I can be assured of hearing that question several times at any event I attend.

Air Shows As GA Rallying Point


Working together to benefit general aviation

Air Shows As GA Rallying PointAs much of the aviation industry suffered through the effects of the historic economic downturn during the last year, the air show industry experienced double-digit growth and, in some markets, record attendance.

My Secret


How teamwork makes for the best job in the sky

My SecretI have a secret that I’m going to let fly with the aviation community.

Reflections On Inner & Outer Flight


Reaching beyond self-imposed limitations

Reflections On Inner & Outer FlightWhy are we so fascinated by flight? What draws us to it? What makes flight so special?

Bringing The “Sport” Back To Flying (Kirk Hawkins)


Appealing to the emotional rather than the practical may be the key to revitalizing GA

Bringing The “Sport” Back To Flying (Kirk Hawkins)In 2004, the FAA passed what has been called the “biggest change in aviation in 50 years”—it created the LSA category and sport pilot license. “So what?” you ask. You’ve already got your private, commercial, instrument, CFI and MEI ratings, and your Eagle Scout Badge.

2009 National CFI of the Year


Improving the learning process

2009 National CFI of the YearRecently, a VFR pilot flying a Cessna 172 departed after dark in VMC and flew into IMC. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported an electrical failure to ATC, but continued into a thickening blanket of fog.

Smoke On!


Pushing my Edge to the edge over the Danube

Smoke On!It’s hot in this race plane…even at 1,000 feet…or is it just me? My mouth is dry and my heart is racing as I watch the competitor before me twisting his way through the track.

Protecting Kenya’s National Parks


Training the Kenya Wildlife Service Airwing

Protecting Kenya’s National ParksI often wear a little leather choker with two bronze elephant tusks. I picked it up a few years ago in a Nairobi gallery called Matt Bronze, and it reminds me of the wild things that still live in Kenya.

Personal Aviation At A Crossroads


Looking back and moving forward

Personal Aviation At A CrossroadsFive years ago, the first special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA) received its airworthiness certificate, opening up a new chapter in the regulation of simple personal flight. More than 1,000 of these factory-built aircraft and more than 8,000 former ultralights (experimental light-sport aircraft, E-LSA) are now flying under the sport pilot and LSA category.
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