Let It Roll

Air show pilot Patty Wagstaff won the U.S. National Aerobatic Championships three times and is a six-time member of the U.S. Aerobatic Team. She’s a flight instructor, and after three years of flying an OV-10 Bronco for Cal Fire as an Air Attack pilot during fire season, she is back to full time airshow flying, consulting, coaching, and instructing aerobatics. Patty also runs Patty Wagstaff Aerobatic School based at Southeast Aero, the U.S. dealer for the Extra Aircraft, in St. Augustine.

February 28, 2017

The Inverted Ribbon Cut
Pushing boundaries to cut a ribbon with a turning propeller while flying 20 feet above the ground upside down

Everest was meant to be climbed and the Antarctic explored. Pushing boundaries is what we do. People are motivated by lots of things—fun, money, the chance to be the first, to prove something to themselves or others, or just “because it’s there.” So, one might ask why would any sane person want to cut a more »
February 1, 2017

Loop
How airshow pilots turn sport into art.

We stand, shoulder to shoulder, gazing up at the sky. With a hand shielding our eyes from the sun, we watch the smoke trail of an airplane flying up, up and over into a perfect loop. A vertical circle in the sky, a loop is a loop, whether flown by a biplane or a Bearcat. more »
December 21, 2016

History And Aerobatics
Connecting with the past forges a more meaningful relationship with flying—and makes us better pilots, too

Airshow pilots have always been a motley and colorful crew of interesting characters. As a rule, they’re resourceful, multitalented and inventive. The people I’ve performed with are from all walks of life. Extroverts and introverts, they range from being airline pilots (lots of them), to dentists, actors and singers, to wealthy land owners and a more »
November 16, 2016

Oshkosh
Reaffirming aviation’s future…one Wisconsin airshow at a time.

When I started to learn to fly, I began reading aviation magazines and soon heard about the big, big annual fly-in called “Oshkosh.” I heard about this amazing EAA-hosted gathering of airplanes, pilots and enthusiasts somewhere or other in Wisconsin. I have to admit, I was intrigued mostly because I had been wearing a pair more »
October 21, 2016

A Twirl In The Tucano
The challenge of flying a new plane to keep you inspired.

In 1993, I stood on the ramp at the Dayton Airshow keenly watching the jets and turboprops in the JPATS competition. The JPATS—Joint Primary Aircraft Training System—program was interesting. In a rare move, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy decided to team up in an effort to modernize their training fleets and replace more »
September 8, 2016

Freedom
What it means to me, and to all pilots

There are a lot of reasons why I love to fly, but the one that’s the foundation of them all is freedom. In airplanes, as in dreams, I rise above the mountains and the mundane. I can see over the trees. I’m in charge and in control of my destination, my destiny. The world becomes more »
August 24, 2016

Mentors, Heroes, Role Models
Learning how to live life in and out of the cockpit

Through life and career, we undoubtedly pick up mentors, heroes and role models. Everyday life is a challenge, leaving us wondering how to act, and we have to rely on others to show the way—overtly as you might expect from a coach or inadvertently when we like a character on TV or meet someone whose more »
July 19, 2016

Fear
It may be inevitable, but we can control how we react to it

Fear is a topic that comes up a lot when I talk to people at airshows. One of the most frequent questions I get is: Are you afraid? Don’t you get scared? I usually reply that I wouldn’t do it if I were afraid, a true, but simple answer. For me, flying airshows is about more »
June 13, 2016

Aerobatics In Snow Boots
When you’re doing what you love, discipline comes easy

In the winter of 1985, we decided to bring our Pitts to Alaska. Some might question the sanity of flying any airplane to Alaska in winter, much less one so small it weighs the same as a Harley Fat Boy, but then, some people are always up for an adventure. It seemed like a good more »
April 27, 2016

Unlimited Challenges
Going to the next level can take you to new and sometimes scary places. Why it’s that next step that matters most.

I spent the winter of ’84 giving tailwheel instruction, getting more aerobatic training and working on my helicopter rating. After I soloed the Bell 47G, I had a lot of fun flying it to the base of the Chugach Mountains that rise over Anchorage. I carved my initials in the snow with the skids and more »
March 18, 2016

Discovering America By Air
The chariot, a VFR-only Pitts. The plan, made up along the way. The result, pure magic.

In mid-October, I left Texas in the single-seat Pitts S-1S, N8078, and flew west to compete in my second and third contests, respectively. I knew where I was going, but didn’t really know what I was getting into yet. Other than that I loved to be around aviation and loved to fly aerobatics, all I more »
February 2, 2016

Learning The Rules
Traveling in a Pitts S-1S by pilotage

In 1984, I bought into a Pitts S-1S biplaneÑa single-seater with a 180 hp Lycoming engine and a fixed-pitch propeller.
December 25, 2015

Reliving An Eventful Contest
Tales from the 2015 World Aerobatic Championships

How does one get to the World Aerobatic Championships (WAC)?
November 18, 2015

Airport Etiquette
Good manners go a long way

Small general aviation airports around the country, indeed around the world, are the safest, most hospitable places I know.
November 4, 2015

Balance And Presence
Like everyone, I’m a mass of contradictions

Sitting at home one recent weekend, I didn’t have an air show, but I sort of wished I were at one.
September 23, 2015

The Rewards Of Flight Instructing
Every day is a new adventure at aerobatic school

For years, people suggested I start an aerobatic school, but I hemmed and hawed about it. It seemed like a lot of work for little money.
August 26, 2015

Loss Of Control
How to gain control of your aircraft

Recently, the NTSB came out with its 2015 “Most Wanted” list of transportation safety improvements. At the top of the list was “Loss of Control.”
July 21, 2015

Taking A Deeper Look
Airborne LIDAR mapping takes our pilot perspective one step further

My happiest moments are spent in the sky surveying my kingdom.

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