"In an odd sort of way I saw a connection between the fishing and aircraft industries," says Associate Editor Nathan A. Ferguson about doing research on his story about aircraft certification (see " The Road Less Traveled," page 78). "As a former newspaper reporter and editor in Northern California, I learned to appreciate seafood more after understanding the long hours and tremendous risks fishermen undergo. The same holds true for aircraft manufacturers. When you understand what it takes to survive the process and the passion involved, a sparkling new airplane seems even more amazing."
Dayton literally had to unlock its secrets when Senior Editor Alton K. Marsh showed up. Most of the Wright brothers-related exhibits were closed because of winter hours, but once inside, Marsh made a discovery. Opening a tool chest at Dayton's Carillon Historical Park, Marsh found a note painted on the underneath side of the lid by the Wrights' niece identifying it as having come from the Wright laboratory. Curators knew it was there, but the tool chest is normally kept closed to visitors. See Marsh's story on Dayton, " Postcards: Inventing Flight," which begins on page 95.
Who hasn't dreamed of landing on an aircraft carrier? Who hasn't marveled at the size of the ships and the teamwork needed to make it all happen? Air Safety Foundation Executive Director Bruce Landsberg visited the Navy's newest carrier, the USS Harry S. Truman (see " Safety Pilot: Leading Edge," page 105). "The machinery and the personnel are spectacular and the attention to safety detail is fanatical. GA pilots can apply at least some of the Navy techniques to make our flying safer," says Landsberg. In this photo, Landsberg models the latest in flight-deck attire. He says he highly recommends the VIP quarters located directly below the catapult.
"Easily the most enjoyable part of putting together an article about celestial navigation was talking to the older-generation pilots who used celestial before we had modern navigation systems," says Stephen Casner, a NASA researcher who specializes in promoting the teaching and safe use of cockpit automation systems (see " Celestial Navigation," page 120). "Their many stories reiterate that modern computers in the cockpit are best thought of as an addition to our conventional navigation skills, not a substitute for them. The way I see it, why not take advantage of every available navigational resource that Mother Nature and the world of technology are willing to throw our way? Batteries run out, computers crash, and you just never know what skills you're going to need to get home on any given night."
