Letters from our March 2019 issue
Destinations
Hangar Talk
Editor at Large Thomas A. Horne started working at AOPA Pilot in 1980. “Back then we had a small staff, like now, and AOPA Pilot was almost all staff-written,” he explains. But producing a magazine was different in that era: “No computers, internet, or anything digital either, of course. We had IBM Correcting Selectric II typewriters.” Horne tapped into decades of experience to document AOPA’s history for his story celebrating the association’s eightieth anniversary, “The Foremost Advocate,” which begins on page 50. Although the advocacy issues AOPA has faced have remained remarkably similar, styles and culture have changed even during Horne’s tenure. In 1980, coat and tie were standard. “We were like little Mad Men, if you saw that TV series,” Horne says. “We partied more, and we flew more also. Took more risks, too. I flew airplanes I wouldn’t go near today—I guess I’m thinking of some of the ultralights in those days. Anyway, I crashed two of them and had multiple engine failures. So I wrote all that up—and a couple ultralight companies went out of business because of it.”
I read Ian J. Twombly’s article about the traveling Kitfox (“Some Assembly Required”) with interest. I also do low and slow now after 40 years of flying fast and high. Last June I flew my Zenith CH801 on a 26-day, 11,235-mile flight from Georgia to Alaska, around Alaska, down the Trench to Vancouver, down the Cascade Range to California, over the Donner Pass to Reno, over Salt Lake City and up the Snake River eventually to Yellowstone, across the top of Montana down through the Black Hills and back to South Carolina.
Sam McNair
AOPA 910469
Pelzer, South Carolina
A very sincere well done to Julie Summers Walker and Mike Fizer for the “Island Hopping” piece in March AOPA Pilot magazine. It brought back many pleasant memories of flying in one of our beautiful Northwest treasures.
My awareness of the San Juan Islands began on May 25, 1973, when a pilot friend and I flew to Roche Harbor intending to have lunch. The restaurant was not serving lunch, but we went inside to see what we might find. On the wall in the entry was a large Geochron clock. The guest book was open on a nearby table. The last signature in the book was that of Ernest K. Gann. I was enamored with the area and my logbooks show a total of 26 return trips over the years.
It was a one-and-a-half hour flight and good for anything from a lunch run to a two-week stay. Stops were made at each of the airports mentioned. Thanks for rekindling the wonderful memories that came to life once again. My wife’s remains are in the waters of the San Juans and mine will join her later. Thank you, Julie and Mike.
Chuck Austin
AOPA 457256
Salem, Oregon
I really enjoyed Sarah Deener’s article (“Happy Trails”). I got my “no quickie ratings” seaplane rating from Steve Bean at the operation in Rangeley she mentioned and much earlier, I got my license at Augusta State Airport in 1970 from Bill Perry.
Jack Pines
AOPA 868103
Palo Alto, California
Jam sessions
For several years, I have been hosting weekly “Aviation Jam Session” meetings at the Flight 126 Cafe at the Santa Paula Airport—a small group who likes to chew on aviation topics. Our backgrounds and experience vary from Cessna to Boeing, and we come to have fun.
Back near the beginning, someone brought in a “Test Pilot” column with a question about Barry Schiff’s answer...and those columns of eight questions and answers have since become a staple inspirator at our meetings. Kudos also to AOPA for making Barry Schiff’s archives available online.
This is a thank-you note, long overdue, and is signed (in spirit) by everyone who has attended. We hope Barry Schiff never stops writing!
Don Becker
AOPA 731306
Ojai, California
Fresh approach
For a very long time, I have wanted to acknowledge how much I appreciate Natalie Bingham Hoover’s columns in the AOPA magazines and recognize her for her positive contributions to the industry.
Her insight, writing, and fresh approach to aviation is inspirational to all ages and genders.
I have just finished reading her recent column in the AOPA March 2019 edition (“Flying Life: A Thank-You Letter”). Quite moving to say the least.
I sincerely believe her low-key approach in writing about her experience and the joys of aviation/flying could be just the spark a potential aviatrix/aviator needs to take the leap. Please keep up the good work.
Marshall Pierce
AOPA 1309423
Snohomish, Washington
Back to life
I have been to Mike Busch’s seminars at EAA AirVenture and read his articles dating back to his Cessna Pilots Association days.
Mike, I like your style, and you fess up when you are not sure about something, that gives you credibility. The dry start article (“Savvy Maintenance: Powerplant Resurrection”) comes at the perfect time, as I am getting ready to start a Franklin 6v-335 in a Hiller UH–12C helicopter that has sat idle for the last 16 years, so glad I came across it in AOPA.
Doug McFall
AOPA 3995155
Filer, Idaho
Errata
Question 6 in the March 2019 “Test Pilot” incorrectly identified the Mooney Mark 20 as the first production four-place airplane with a normally aspirated engine that can cruise in excess of 1 mph per horsepower. At least the Luscombe 8 and the Beechcraft Bonanza preceded it.
A description of C–47s in “Home of the Brave” (April 2019 AOPA Pilot) incorrectly identified the restorers of That’s All, Brother as CAP. The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) restored the aircraft, which was the lead C–47 on D-Day.
“Some Assembly Required” (March 2019 AOPA Pilot) inverted two letters in the identifier for the Florida Keys Marathon International Airport. It is MTH.
AOPA Pilot regrets the errors.
We welcome your comments. Editor, AOPA Pilot, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701 or email. Letters may be edited for length and style before publication.
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