Skywritings

William Garnett: Aerial Photographs
By William Garnett

As much as anything, it is the view that inspires people to fly. That said, William Garnett's breathtaking new book of black and white photographs of snow geese, plowed field, cattle trails, sand dunes, and cracked ice ought to swell the pilot ranks considerably. Considered a doyen of aerial photography, Garnett has also attracted budding young photographers to follow in his footsteps. Barrie Rokeach of Berkeley, California, whose aerial photography over San Francisco was featured in October 1993 Pilot ("Pilot Briefing"), was one of Garnett's students. Many of Garnett's color and black-and-white photographs made from his trusty Cessna 170-B were exhibited in 1980 at the National Air and Space Museum. His work has been featured in 25 group exhibits and 18 one-artist exhibits. Garnett has always hinted there were additional black and white photos that few had ever seen. As this all-photo coffee table book reveals, he was hiding a rare treasure. Available for $45 plus shipping from: University of California Press, 2120 Berkeley Way #5814, Berkeley, California 94720-5814. — Alton K. Marsh

Fly Idaho! offers a colorful and informative guide to backcountry airports in the middle of nowhere; nowhere, that is, unless you like to fish, camp, hike, or photograph. Then, you're somewhere special. Most of these airports have no FBO, restaurant, fuel — heck, not even a town.

This book will also motivate you to seek mountain flying instruction, once you see the color photographs of several nightmare airstrips where you'll have to land. Pine Airport's Runway 16, for example, appears to be a par 3 (looks like three landing attempts will be needed) dogleg to the left. And watch out at Hollow Top: The runway surface is subject to damage from livestock, ground vehicles, and rodents. The excellent photography is by John Plummer, who worked closely with Hanselman on the book.

In the section marked "Ground" you will find tidbits on local history and things to do. All of the airport descriptions contain advice from the locals on how to use their airports safely. Hanselman's no amateur: He spent enough money on graphics and research to do it right. Don't fly the Idaho backcountry without it. Available for $39.95 plus shipping from Q.E.I. Publishing, Box 1236, Hailey, Idaho 83333, or phone 800/574-9702 or 208/788-5176; fax 208/788-4621. — AKM

Videos

Tales From The Cockpit
Swamp Fox Communications

All the videos for kids listed here are kid-tested first. This one passed with high marks from a 12-year-old. Swamp Fox Communications knows a lot about good video editing, camera technique and scripting. The tape is narrated by Chris Edwards, announcer for the Flying Circus that operates from the spring through the fall each year out of Bealeton, Virginia. The tape provides a wealth of information on aviation careers for from good role models such as airline captains, flight instructors, and air show performer Patty Wagstaff. In-cockpit sequences of Wagstaff and Sean D. Tucker performing their high-G routines holds the attention of adults, as well as kids. Available for $19.95 plus $3.95 shipping from Swamp Fox Communications, 9891 Broken Land Parkway, Suite 300, Columbia, Maryland 21046, or call 800/543-8431. — AKM

Flying the Turks & Caicos Islands
Island Star Productions

Anyone wanting to get into the aviation video business should purchase this and other tapes by Island Star Productions, because producer Ross Gault has found the right formula. It promises valuable information and from the time the tape is shoved into the VCR, that is what it provides. Gault has spent the time and money to do it right, returning to the islands again and again for additional scenes and interviews that illustrate key points. Even if you can't afford to fly to the Turks and Caicos, you can travel there vicariously through this tape. The tape is 60 minutes long and sells for $19.95. Call 800/940-6084, or write: Island Star Productions, 2225 State Road 3, Suite 14, St. Augustine, Florida 32084. — AKM

Flying Down to the Bahamas
Current Productions

Travel videos often have to walk a fine line between presenting the information necessary to make a trip possible and offering sufficient entertainment to keep the viewer interested. Current Productions' Frank Augustine has solved this thorny problem by separating Flying Down to the Bahamas into two volumes.

The first takes you on a flying tour of the Bahamas and Caicos and Turks islands, seen both from the perspective of the tourist and from the perch of Augustine's Mooney. You'll even see underwater footage mixed in with video and still shots of resorts, restaurants, and breathtaking tropical vistas.

Volume 2 contains the nuts and bolts information pertaining to customs and paperwork, and a good bit of in-flight videography. As in the other Current Productions pieces, the held-by-the-hand approach works quite well, offering a first-hand view of the customs and procedures. Moreover, you get views of all the major airports in the area and useful tips on runway condition, ground transportation, and fuel availability.

This is Current Production's third shot at traveling videos, and the experience is beginning to show. Much of the footage is shot with hard-mounted cameras in the airplane or using tripods for ground-bound views.

Augustine captures a typical yet comical encounter with the unicom operator at Pittstown Point on Crooked Island. After receiving an airport advisory, the friendly voice on the unicom reads the flight of two Mooneys the current lunch menu, from which each crewmember places an order.

Each volume costs $39.95 plus $4.50 shipping, or you can buy both volumes for $69.95 plus $6.00 shipping. Augustine says that with the purchase of both volumes he'll send along a note good for 10 percent off the rates at most of the featured resorts.

To order contact Current Productions, 5104 Smoki Drive, Prescott, Arizona 86301; telephone 602/776-7768. — Marc E. Cook