A life led out loud
Pancho
Among the cast of colorful characters who raced in the 1929 Women’s Air Derby, none stood out quite like Florence “Pancho” Lowe Barnes, even though she never even finished the race—her Beech Travel Air clipped a car parked on the edge of the runway when landing at Pecos, Texas. That we remember Barnes more so than many of the other racers is because of her persona and her flying achievements. The wife of a minister, she wore breeches and smoked cigars, and she liked to fly because it released her from the tyranny of petty things—mainly her social duties as a minister’s wife.
There’s more to Barnes than her ill-fated air race. She set long-distance speed records and was known to be an excellent pilot. She founded the first movie stunt pilots’ union. She was the owner of the infamous Happy Bottom Riding Club in Lancaster, California, a hangout where U.S. Air Force test pilots including Chuck Yeager and Bob Hoover came to debrief. When she died in 1975, Gen. James Doolittle delivered a eulogy for her at a memorial service, in which he said that she put great store by courage, honor, and integrity, and said exactly what she thought and believed. —Jill W. Tallman
Ode to a legend
Stars and Commanders: The Life and Vision of Ted Smith
Author Dave Duntz became interested in Ted Smith after owning an Aerostar. The deeper into the prolific designer’s story he got, the more fascinating it became. Duntz’s book is his labor of love from that journey.
Perfect for fans of the Aerostar, Twin Commander, or even how aircraft are designed and brought to market, Stars and Commanders is a complete account of these airplanes, and the legendary designer behind them. Over more than 600 pages you’ll read Smith’s previously unpublished memoir, see more than 700 historic photos, and learn about the history and line-up of both product lines.
The Aero Commander was one of the first certificated piston twin engine airplanes. It reached cult status following Bob Hoover’s energy management demonstrations at airshows through the second half of the twentieth century. The Aerostar, Smith’s follow-on design, is known for its incredible performance. Both are a testament to Smith and his cutting-edge design techniques.
You can order the signed, hardcover book directly from the author’s website. —Ian J. Twombly
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