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That island feeling
Great piece about island fly-in destinations ("Island Hopping: Fly to Places Only a Few Can Get To," August 2009 AOPA Flight Training), but no article on this subject would be complete without mention of Madeleine Island in northern Wisconsin and its excellent Madeline Island Airport (4R5). Park the airplane, put $10 in the honesty box for overnight parking, head out onto the road, and stick out your thumb. You’ll have a lift to the ferry over to Bayfield inside of five minutes, guaranteed. It’s a perfect point from which to explore the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
Angus Watson
Arlington Heights, Illinois
Seduced by the light
The last comment in the article, "Seeing the Light" (August 2009 AOPA Flight Training) about the seduction of a glass cockpit reminded me of a flight I had in a magnificent TSIO-550-equipped Grumman Goose. It also had a full glass cockpit, and the owner/pilot was an ex-airline pilot.
We were to go to lunch at an airport just about 40 miles away, and it was beautiful weather in a fantastic airplane. When airborne, the pilot started fiddling with his GPS, trying to get to our destination. In the entire flight, he looked outside not one single time, even though this was in some of the busiest airspace in the area.
He finally looked up, and said he wasn’t able to get the proper inputs. I said, "Well, it is probably because we crossed over our destination 10 miles ago."
Lee Taylor
Diamondhead, Mississippi
I’m a pro too
Interesting article on "Career Pilot: What Makes a Pro" (August 2009 AOPA Flight Training). I would gather by the author’s description, a pro is only that pilot with a commercial ticket who works for the airlines or the corporate world. I have to differ with the author here. It has been many years since I have had the enjoyment of piloting my own airplane. I considered myself a professional pilot even though I only owned and flew my PA-28-180 for a little more than five years before a health problem grounded me.
My idea of a professional pilot is one who, in addition to meeting all the regulatory requirements, knows his craft and airplane like the back of his hand, continually performs ongoing preventative maintenance, and gives the same respect to all others that he expects in return.
Paterik Tobias
Costa Mesa, California
Before there was Sully...
Great article by Chip Wright, "One-Two Punch: The Two Most Important Things Right Now" (July 2009 AOPA Flight Training). He explains it very well when he writes, "One of the keys to survival is to stay ahead of the airplane."
On January 2, 2006, the engine in our Piper Warrior quit. At 900 feet and just north of the George Washington Bridge our options were limited. We were unfortunate to be in an area with no ferry boats or other traffic, aerial or water. But because we were ahead of the airplane I was able to execute several emergency calls along with performing other emergency procedures before ditching in the Hudson. That made the difference--NYPD and U.S. Coast Guard helicopters rescued my student and me.
It was a life-changing experience. I am forever grateful to the crew that saved my life. I also value the excellent training I received in prior years on forced landings and the reinforcement to always stay ahead of the airplane.
John Eberle
Palatine, Illinois
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