AERO CLUB OF PENNSYLVANIA PENNSYLVANIA PILOT Vol 23 No 3, Fall 2012 www.aeroclubpa.org

Published quarterly by the Aero Club of Pennsylvania for those interested in aviation in the Greater Delaware Valley Event Planning Aero Club and Ninety-Nines award $29,000... Wings and Wheels... 17 recipients awarded Balloon rises above PACC The Aero Club will have a table Over 60 members, recipients and Following the July 19 Aero Club setup at the annual Wings & family members attended the annual Board of Directors meeting, our Wheels Day on September 8 at scholarship dinner on June 14 at special guest Keith Sproul demon- Wings Field. The event is an Wings Field. The Aero Club of strated the inflation and tethering of annual fundraiser for Angel Pennsylvania Memorial Scholarship a one-person, hot air balloon. About Flight East, but the Aero Club Fund along with the Eastern PA 30 members and local pilots got up also sells aviation items to raise Chapter of the Ninety-Nines award- close to the balloon as it funds for the Aero Club Memori- ed nearly $29,000 to 17 recipients. was inflated on the al Scholarship Fund. Aero awards totaling nearly grounds of the $23,000 were given predomi- Philadelphia Eagles Mere... nantly to post-solo students, Aviation Coun- The Aero Club planned to make a but four awards were given in try Club at private visit to the Eagles Mere honor of Bob Shannon to Wings Field. A Aviation Museum in northern deserving students to start their number of brave Pennsylvania on August 5 about primary training. Two awards were souls also took the the time of the printing of this given in honor of local pilots controls and teth- newsletter. Museum information is Michael Dunn and Bill Backenstose. ered themselves under available on their website at The Ninety-Nines awarded $6,000 to Mr. Sproul’s guidance. www.eaglesmereairmuseum.org. three young women aviators. Built by Mr. Sproul, Hammondsport, NY... Our guest Speaker Captain Timo- N48KX is a 48,000 cubic Some members of the Aero Club thy Fields of the Delaware Nation- foot balloon which qualifies as an plan to visit the Glenn Curtiss al Guard spoke about flying C-130 ultralight aircraft. Mr. Sproul has Museum on September 15 during airlift missions in Afghanistan dur- been ballooning for 15 years and the annual seaplane homecoming ing his five combat deployments has built five balloons of his own, event sponsored by the museum. from 2006-2011. including his famous “tetrahedron” For information, contact Walt shaped balloons. He owns ten bal- Ellis at [email protected]. The Aero Club of Pennsylvania loons, including “special shapes” See story about Glenn Curtiss Memorial Scholarship Fund has and participates in balloon festivals and the museum on page 5. awarded over $100,000 in scholar- across the country. More photos of ships in the last 10 years. Scholarship his balloons can be seen at his web- Seaplane Base... applications are accepted each spring. The Aero Club plans on having a site at www.skychariot.com. display at the Friends of Lazaretto “History Weekend” on October 6 on the porch of the Lazaretto House at the Philadelphia Sea- plane Base in Essington, PA. Issue Index... President’s Message, pg 2 Event Calendar, pg 3 Airport News, pg 4 Glenn Curtiss’s America, pg 5 Scholarship Recipients, pg 6-7 President Jim Kilduff John O’Toole is at Paul Heintz waves to Flight Safety Briefing, pg 8 and Bruce Thompson the controls putting the cheering crowd on the inflation heat into the balloon PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE James Kilduff The planned fly out to the Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport NY was cancelled due to uncomfortably high temperatures and prediction of ORGANIZED: Dec 17, 1909; CHARTERED: May 10, 1910 thunderstorms all along the route. As it happened, thunderstorms did PO Box 748 Blue Bell, PA 19422 not materialize here until evening, which produced the usual second- www.aeroclubpa.org [email protected] guessing of the decision to cancel. One would never fly in summer if thunderstorm threats were universally a reason for canceling. In this The Aero Club of Pennsylvania was formed in 1909 to encourage and promote case, it seemed right to err on the side of caution. The instrument cur- aviation in Pennsylvania and the Greater rency of all pilots is not known by the Trip Committee and we should Delaware Valley. We are both a social and not be putting pressure on fellow civic organization which plans field trips, holds an annual dinner, sponsors presenta- ACPA pilots to fly in situations The highlight of the tions, awards aviation scholarships, and beyond their comfort. produces this quarterly newsletter. trip will be to see the No sooner had that been debated, New Membership is only $20 flying reproduction Signup at www.aeroclubpa.org than Bruce Landsberg, the AOPA of the America. Safety Institute head for many years OFFICERS President James Kilduff wrote on his blog of two in-flight break-ups near thunderstorms, rein- 1st Vice President Mary Wunder forcing the danger that those storms represent and emphasizing the Secretary Elaine Farashian importance of making the right decision when convective weather is Asst. Secretary Nancy Kyle Treasurer John O’Toole possible. Bruce’s blog can be seen on the AOPA website. Asst Treasurer John Stubbs VP Membership Mary Wunder The trip is not cancelled. We will go to the Curtiss Museum September VP Spec Projects Walt Ellis 15th, the day of celebration of flight from water, of which Curtiss was a VP Scholarships Debbie Harding VP Print & Web Robert Dant pioneer. The chief highlight of the trip is opportunity to see the flying VP Airports Elaine Farashian reproduction of the America, commissioned by ACPA member Rodman Solicitor Paul Heintz, Esq. Wanamaker to attempt a crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. WWI inter- BOARD of DIRECTORS vened and what happened next is chronicled elsewhere. But it is stagger- 3 Year Term: Michael Dunleavy Timothy Fields ing to think that 100 years ago this year, only 9 years after the first pow- Dan Kurkjian ered flight of an airplane, Curtiss and Wanamaker were bold enough to Michael Little Robert Smith think of an Atlantic crossing. 2 Year Term: Elaine Farashian Jim Nancy Kyle Juliet Lindrooth Glenn Long BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT Dennis Ryan 1 Year Term: Denise Burke Elaine Farashian, Secretary Walt Ellis The Aero Club Board of Directors the Glenn Curtiss Museum on Jeff Kahn Jeff McFadden met at Wings Field on July 19. Keuka Lake. Additionally, the club Deb Harding President James Kilduff wel- will likely participate for a second year at an annual event held at TRUSTEES comed the group, and then Elaine Farashian presented the the Lazaretto House, home of the Aero Club Mem. Scholarship Fund: Philadelphia Seaplane Base. The Bruce Thompson, Chair minutes from the April meeting. Jeff Kahn The group discussed financials, club has a long history of involve- James Kilduff, ex Officio membership and newsletter ment in the base operations. PENNSYLVANIA PILOT details. Paid membership stands Planning ensued for the upcom- Editor/Layout: Robert Dant at just over 180 members. ing Wings and Wheels day at Contributors: James Kilduff Debbie Harding and Bruce Wings Field. The club partici- Debbie Harding Thompson reported on the suc- pates by holding a small sale of Nancy Kyle cess of this year’s scholarship aviation items to raise money Photographers: Rick Schimpf for the scholarship fund. Robert Dant program and the awards dinner. Printed by: Graphic Impressions The board talked about upcoming The meeting adjourned for dinner events, including a repeat visit to and a demonstration by balloon- Editor: [email protected] ist Keith Sproul. Keith is a long 610-909-4467 the Eagles Mere Air Museum and Published Quarterly: February, May, August, November a trip to Hammondsport, NY to time pilot and balloon builder.

2 PENNSYLVANIA PILOT Aero Club Scholarship Report Bruce reminded me that In 1975, he received an $800 scholarship from the Aero Club of Chester County in the By Debbie Harding, VP Scholarships amount of $800 during a time when dual instruction was In the last newsletter, I wrote about the upcoming com- around $20.00/hr. Today, our Shannon awards are typical- mitment of this year's Scholarship Committee to deter- ly $1,000, while the cost for dual can exceed $150/hr. mine the final recipients for the Memorial Scholarship Inflation complicates our goal to award scholarships large and Shannon awards out of 37 applicants. It was a enough to make a real impact. So, to the membership daunting task taken on with diligence, wisdom and good and to those who read this newsletter; aviator and avia- humor by Scholarship Trustee and Committee Chair tion enthusiast alike, our club is dedicated to promoting Bruce Thompson, board member Dan Kurkjian, and Assis- aviation in the Delaware Valley region. All donations, tant Treasurer John Stubbs. I, too, had the privilege to whether cash or in kind through items donated to our serve, sharing time and stories with these fine gentle- auctions, go to actual people striving for a career in avia- man and getting a glimpse of the future of aviation. tion. Think of it as an investment in the future of avia- tion. We can continue to advance the art, the science, The interviews are the appropriate time and place for the business and the sport of flying through these young these young applicants to share their most lofty people through direct contribution to their success. dreams and brag about their current accomplishments. We met a young man who is attending school in Wilm- In the spirit of camaraderie, we also urge you to check ington, DE, who takes his bike on the train and pedals up on this year's recipients taking flight lessons at TAS from the station to New Garden Airport for lessons. at Brandywine Airport, Chester County Aviation, Gate- Then there is the Psychology grad that got 100 percent way in Queen City, New Garden Flying Field, the on his written and would like to offer more personal- Philadelphia Glider Council, Hortman Aviation and Hori- ized service as a Commercial Airline pilot. And, the 16 zon Helicopter in Delaware. As we know, all our mem- year old woman who would like to be an Air Traffic bers are rich in aviation experiences and connections. controller but wants to be a Captain of her own ship too, maybe as a hurricane hunter. There is the young The annual Aero Club Scholarship Donation Drive man who wants to privatize a space program, and the begins now with your contribution to help young practical young man who wants to figure out a way to men and women advance their careers in aviation. make learning to fly easier and less expensive. Donations can be made by mail or online. A $100 or more donation includes free membership for the year Ours was a daunting task, because there were so many great candidates and we realized how little the actual 2013. One hundred percent of your donation goes to awards would cover in the expensive field of aviation. scholarship awards each year. We hope that we compensate a bit by providing candi- Aero Club PA Scholarship Fund dates with our lessons from experience along with gen- PO Box 748, Blue Bell, PA 19422 tle career counseling and firm support. Some of the committee even gave out of our own pockets as well. www.aeroclubpa.org AVIATION EVENT CALENDAR AUGUST 5 Aero Club Fly Out to Eagles Mere Air Museum Board of Directors Meeting 17 (Fri) Atlantic City Airshow, Thunder over the Boardwalk October 18, 2012 25-26 New Garden Flying Field Airshow and Pancake Breakfast Wings Field, Philadelphia Aviation Country Club SEPTEMBER 8 Wings & Wheels, Wings Field (LOM) The Aero Club will hold its next quarterly 8 Allen Airstrip Pancake Breakfast (3NJ9) Board Meeting on October 18 at the Philadel- 8 EAA 643 Fly-in, Sky Manor Airport (N40) 10AM-2PM phia Aviation Country Club at Wings Field. 9 Heritage Airfield/PAOP Fly-In Breakfast (PTW) 9 EAA 70 Breakfast and Fly-In, Braden Airfield (N43) Following the board meeting, we will plan to 15 Ocean City, NJ Airfest (N26), 10AM-3PM have a presentation by a local aviator, yet to 15 Aero Club Fly-Out, Curtiss Museum, Hammondsport be determined. We will announce the speaker via our email list. Members and guests are OCTOBER welcome to attend our presentations. 6-7 History Weekend at Lazaretto, Philly Seaplane Base 6 EAA 216 Fly-in Breakfast, Alloway, NJ (NJ02) Dinner (optional) begins at 7PM and the 6 EAA 240 Pancake Breakfast, New Garden (N57) presentation begins around 8PM. Contact Jim 13 Allen Airstrip Pancake Breakfast (3NJ9) Kilduff ([email protected]) to announce your 18 Board of Directors Mtg, Thursday, 6PM, PACC intention to attend. Dinner is around $30 per NOVEMBER person, not including drinks. Attire at PACC 9-11 Waterfowl Festival, Easton, PA (ESN) is business casual.

PENNSYLVANIA PILOT 3 Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Meeting Report Airport News

June 21, 2012 this information is available on the remove the underground fuel tank By Elaine Farashian Chester County Authority website. and provide a new site for a 10,000 gallon fuel farm for AVGAS. It has CROSS KEYS [17] also acquired 2 parcels of land under DVRPC has completed 80% of the the runway 29 approach. Airport Layout Plan update project which is on hold awaiting a grant SOUTH JERSEY REGIONAL [VAY] extension. Grant extension requests A vendor has been selected for the to NJDOT have been submitted. REIL installation, but funding PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL [PHL] Meanwhile, all projects must wait. requires approval. A consultant is Runway 9L/27R rehab is underway. designing the Jet A fuel farm instal- DOYLESTOWN [DYL] Paving of taxiway K extension is due lation and preparing an RFP package. Acquisition of easements is being to be complete by the end of June. Capital Budget has been released by sought for properties under the run- the Governor to acquire land for run- NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA [PNE] way 5 approach. The airport is await- way obstruction removal. Runway 6/24 crack repair project is ing grants for runway 5/23 obstruc- 40% complete. tion removal and construction of SPITFIRE [7N7] bypass taxiways for the runway ends. The new owner wants to pursue BRANDYWINE [OQN] grants for a fuel farm installation and Recently completed projects include FLYING W [N14] security gate and fencing. the repair of east end runway and Nothing to report for the airport. taxiway, the repainting of the taxi- SUMMIT AIRPORT [EVY] HERITAGE FIELD [PTW] way center lines and the delivery of Nothing to report for the airport. Nothing to report for the airport. a new tug. Additional 2012 projects TRENTON MERCER [TTN] include drainage system repair NEW GARDEN [N57] The grant for runway 6/24 Emer- between the hangars and a new Taxiway A punchlist is complete. gency Materials Arresting System lighting system in preparation for Design for hangars at the airport has not yet been approved, however runway widening planned in 2014. east end is imminent and construc- the EMAS construction is scheduled tion is expected to begin before fall. CAMDEN COUNTY [19N] to begin soon. Both ends of runway The airport is anticipating a grant for The Civil Air Patrol is finalizing a 16/34 will be done simultaneously the design for reconstruction and contract for basing an aircraft here. in about 4 months. wideningof runway 6/24. Future Avi- The airport’s solicitation of ators’ Summer Camp was offered TRENTON ROBBINSVILLE [N87] Autonomous Airport Authority was again this July and August for ages A vendor has been selected to install presented to mayors of 8 towns. 8-15. The airport will host the Festi- a security camera. They are seeking clarification of val of Flight Air and Car Show potential liability to the towns. August 25 & 26. VANSANT AIRPORT [9N1] Medevac basing is being sought. A new FBO is operating the airport PERKIOMEN VALLEY [N10] and the Authority continues to CECIL COUNTY [58M] Nothing to report for the airport. address tree obstructions. Recognition as “Autonomous Airport Authority” has been solicited. The POTTSTOWN MUNI [N47] WINGS [LOM] airport might serve as a medevac A feasibility study for extended run- Hangars 3 and 4 demolition is under- site and is pursuing land acquisition way safety improvement for runway way and will be complete by July. for runway approach protection. 8/26 has begun. The preliminary New hangar service is expected by engineering is completed while the January, 2013. Completion of apron CHESTER COUNTY [MQS] environmental and next phase for- seal coat and pavement markings is The construction of the south apron mulation are yet to be done. planned for August. The Vintage Air- project is continuing. A revised heli- craft and Car Show date is the week- copter flight path information has QUAKERTOWN [UKT] end after Labor Day. been disseminated to all of the heli- The Authority is waiting for permits to copter tenants on the airport and Pennsylvania House approved new aircraft tax relief From the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania: Senator David Argall has introduced Senate Bill The PA House of Representatives has passed 1552. It is now in the Senate Appropriations Com- House Bill 1100 which eliminates the sales and use mittee chaired by Senator Jake Corman. tax on fixed wing aircraft sales, parts, maintenance The Aviation Council of Pennsylvania encourages and repairs. HB 1100 will allow airports and their Pennsylvania aviators to contact their local PA Sen- local communities to attract new aviation and ator to see where they stand and to encourage aerospace firms. There is a strong economic devel- them to support the bill. If your Senator is a mem- opment component to be realized once the PA ber of the Appropriations Committee, it is especially Senate takes the required steps to pass the legis- important that you make personal contact and ask lation. The bill passed with a vote of 179 to 19. It that the bill be moved to the Senate floor for a now moves to the Pennsylvania Senate. vote. More information is available at ACPfly.com.

4 Curtiss, America, and the Aero Club connection Aviation History by James Kilduff The Curtiss Museum in Hammond- old world to the new world with a making a “larger America” and these sport, NY, is home to the creations of multi-national crew. evolved into the H-12 and H-16 series Glenn Curtiss, the first volume pro- in the US and The Porte-Felixstowe F- duction American aircraft manufac- Wanamaker selected a US Navy lieu- 5 variant, produced in Great Britain. turer. Of particular interest to Aero tenant John Tower and a Royal Navy As the war progressed, the head of Club of PA members is the repro- counterpart, John Cyril Porte to be naval aviation in the U.S. began an duction of the fly- the pilots on this pioneering attempt. effort to further modify the design so ing boat America. The America’s that these anti-submarine flying boats development was could be flown into combat instead of Rodman Wanamak- interrupted by traveling by ship. er was a member of WWI. Lt Porte the Aero Club of was called home The Armistice put an end to the com- Pennsylvania and to England and bat need for transatlantic capability, son of John Wana- Tower assumed but here John Tower was in a position maker, the founder other duties in to influence events. Secretary of the of the department connection with Navy Daniels gave permission to con- store known of that John Tower, Glenn Curtiss and naval aviation. tinue the program solely to make the name in Philadel- John Cyril Porte. (San Diego However the selec- pioneering Atlantic crossing. Curtiss phia and New York. Air & Space Museum Archive) tion of these two was again given the job of developing The younger Wana- men proved highly what became the NC boats, NC stand- maker managed the European opera- influential on the eventual crossing ing for Navy-Curtiss. tions for the department store compa- achieved in 1919 by NC-4. ny, living in Paris at the time that Our member, Rodman Wanamaker, Glenn Curtiss won the first air race The German submarine navy was a provided the money for Curtiss to ever held, the Gordon Bennett Cup in threat to shipping upon which the build the prototype of what became a Rheims France in 1909. allies depended for the war effort. Lt series of flying boats built in the thou- Porte used his familiarity with the sands in Great Britain and the United Wanamaker persuaded Curtiss’s part- America’s capability to persuade the States. And Wanamaker selected the ner to exhibit his plane in the store Royal Navy to purchase the American personnel who were instrumental not windows at Philadelphia and New and several sister ships to be built by only in the airplane development but York, which presumably is how the Curtiss for use as anti-submarine in the transatlantic flight itself. It was two became acquainted. Wanamaker patrol planes. These flying boats had the same John Towers who command- was very concerned about warlike the nomenclature H-1, H-2, H-4. The ed the NC squadron that finally suc- atmosphere in Europe and he com- America herself sunk 3 submarines in ceeded in the Atlantic crossing. missioned Curtiss to build a flying her first year in Royal Navy service. boat for a transatlantic aerial cross- Every Aero Club member should see ing. The flying boat secondary mis- This success led to the several variants the America reproduction first hand sion was to promote world peace by of the America. Both American and and know the story of this pioneer- making a symbolic flight from the Royal Navies became interested in ing accomplishment. Glass Negatives from George Grantham Bain Collection (Library of Congress).

Christening of America, June 22, 1914. Launching of America, June 22, 1914, Pilot John Cyril Porte, George Hallett, Glenn on the shores of Keuka Lake. Curtiss and 16-year old Katherine Masson.

PENNSYLVANIA PILOT 5 Aero Club and Ninety-Nines award 17 scholarships...

2012 Aero Club of Pennsylvania Awards The Aero Club of Pennsylvania Memorial Scholarship Fund awarded 14 scholar- ships totaling $22,825, including a $2500 award in honor of Michael Dunn, a $2000 award in honor of Bill Backenstose, and $3,250 in honor of Bob Shannon. Photos by Rick Shimpf

BEN BEHRLE MATTHEW DALY PAUL DABROWSKI SEAN KOSTRUBIAK WYNNEWOOD, PA PHILADELPHIA, PA NEW CASTLE, DE PERKASIE, PA Graduated Temple Universi- Graduated LaSalle Universi- Attended Wilmington Uni- Student at Lehigh Carbon ty. Works at T.A.S. Flight ty summa cum laude. Just versity and recently com- Community College major- School at Brandywine Air- completed Private Pilot at pleted Instrument rating. ing in Aviation Science. He port. Has Private and work- Hortman Aviation. Aspires Works at Atlantic Aviation will earn Bachelors Degree ing on IFR. Ben plans to get to become airline pilot. and will use scholarship for in the Professional Pilot his CFI and help run and Scholarship to be used to Commercial rating. Goal is Program, hoping to become improve the flight school. start the Commercial rating. to become a corporate pilot. a professional pilot.

C. STEPHEN JORDAN EMILY LEWIS JACOB LEWIS JOSEPH PITTS WEST CHESTER, PA MICKLETON, NJ MICKLETON, NJ AVONDALE, PA Enrolled in Franklin and Completed her Private Graduated Lycoming Col- Engineering student at Penn Marshall College. Second Pilot certificate while in lege and spent the summer State. Completing his Pri- year award recipient. Train- high school and will be towing banners at the New vate at New Garden Airport ing at Chester County Air- attending Salisbury Univer- Jersey shore. Currently a with aspirations to become port. His goal is to become sity in Maryland. She has CFI at Cross Keys Airport. a pilot for U.S. Marine an airline pilot and to partic- aspirations of being an avi- Working on Multi with goal Corps and be accepted in ipate in Air National Guard. ation professional. of corporate or airlines. U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. 6 PENNSYLVANIA PILOT 2012 Ninety-Nines Awards

The Eastern PA Chapter of The Ninety-Nines Awards scholarships to woman interested in starting or furthering their interest in aviation. This year, they awarded $6000 in scholarships.

2012 Bob Shannon Awards Bob Shannon Scholarships are awarded in honor of Bob Shannon, who operated West Chester Airport (Brandywine) and then Downingtown Airport (Shan- non Airport) in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The Bob Shan- non program was incorporated into the Aero Club program last year. This year, the Aero Club awarded AMANDA FAULKNER $3250 in honor of Bob Shannon. THERESA DELLAQUILA AWARD (Working on Private)

CHRIS DEAUGUSTINE WEST CHESTER, PA BILL BACKENSTOSE AWARD Graduated Unionville H.S. and will attend Embry-Rid- dle. Finishing Private at Chester County. Volunteer Fire Fighter with goal of military or commercial pilot.

MCAYLIE LACOVARA NATHAN BUXTON High school student High school student, CAP working on glider rating at Cadet, starting Private. NICOLE GRAHAM Philadelphia Glider Port. Goal: Air Force Academy. CONNIE WOLF AWARD (Working on Instrument)

CHRIS ANZIDEO WARMINSTER, PA MICHAEL DUNN AWARD Graduated William Tennent H.S. and will be attending BRIAN MAHON JOSEPH TUSTIN Embry-Riddle. Taking les- Salesianum High School Bishop Shanahan H.S. sons at Doylestown. His GRACE PETERSON student, working on his student working on pri- LOUISE SACCHI AWARD goal is to become a fighter private rotary license. vate at Chester County. (LeTourneau University) pilot in the U.S. Air Force. 7 FIRST CLASS POSTAGE Organized December 17, 1909; Chartered May 10, 1910 REQUIRED AERO CLUB OF PENNSYLVANIA P.O. BOX 748, BLUE BELL, PA 19422

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FLIGHT SAFETY BRIEFING Excerpts from FAA’s Safety Briefing Magazine. groups like the Recreational Aviation Foundation (TheRAF.org), backcountrypilots.org and Flying for Fun shortfield.com. Another strategy is to seek out a At times, “FAA” and “fun” are not words found in local CFI and make the first trip a dual flight. the same sentence. But, this month, the entire issue Flying Just Because. of the the FAA’s well-written Safety Briefing Maga- zine is dedicated to “flying for fun.” Here is a sum- Susan Parson offers suggestions for some fun mary of some of the articles in this issue: philanthropic flying endeavors, such as flying for the Civil Air Patrol, FlightHawk, or other charita- For the Sport of It. Safe Flying is Fun Flying. ble organizations. There are some specific legal, From the perspective of a flight instructor, Helen financial and safety items to be concerned about Woods offers her philosophy on how flying for fun when flying these types of flights. and flying safe go hand-in-hand. Flying, especially Beyond the $100 Hamburger. for new students, is never fun if it is accompanied by fear. And fear is mitigated by developing good James Williams talks about the reasons we like to fly safe practices and personal minimums. and presents some interesting challenges to expand one’s aviation horizons. He suggests that pilots add a Coming out of the Woods. “new surface” to include water, snow or just grass. A Mark Spencer, private pilot, talks about flying the pilot can add “scope” to their logbook by planning backcountry safely and for fun. Sometimes “all avail- some long distance flights. And, a new “skill” can able information” about backcountry strips can be include adding a high performance, complex of tail little to none. There are many strips that are not wheel endorsement to the certificate. charted and only known by local pilots. Information Download the entire FAA Safety Briefing maga- can be gathered by local pilot organizations and zine at www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing