AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2011 - 6

HANGARTALK
Visit us at www.aopa.org/pilot The story behind the story “The combination of a Waco Classic radial-engine biplane, sparkling autumn weather, and a whole continent to fly across was like an aviation fantasy,” Senior Editor Dave Hirschman says of the autumn 2010 flight from Maryland to AOPA Aviation Summit in Long Beach, California (“Epic Flight: 88 Magical Aerial Miles,” page 52). “Throw in some good friends and talented professionals like John McKenna of the Recreational Aviation Foundation, videographer Jim Clark, and AOPA Photographer Chris Rose and you’ve got the makings of an unforgettable flying adventure.” The highlight of a trip full of spectacular scenes took place above the winding Colorado River where the raging waters carve through the ancient and dramatic western landscape. “I kept trying to comprehend the massive expanse of time it must have taken for this single river—and the pre-historic ocean that came before it—to shape this incredible land, but it was futile,” Hirschman says. “The best I could do was to savor it, and with the help of Rose’s accompanying images, treasure the memory of it.” “Going in to this story, I thought it would simply be a look back at the Cherokee and what it has meant for general aviation,” says Associate Editor Ian J. Twombly (“Fiftieth Anniversary Piper Cherokee: When There was One,” page 58). “A logical place to start is with the first airplane, which is still flying in Georgia. But when we got there, I was struck by the history of this particular airplane, and the interesting life it has led. There’s been a little damage, some time spent in storage, a flying club, and single and multiple ownership. It’s just so fitting that the first Cherokee has been operated as a perfect example of what the airplane’s designers envisioned. And getting to meet current owner Joe Warren was a treat. Warren takes wonderful care of the airplane, and appreciates it for the piece of history it is.” It’s safe to say that Senior Editor Al Marsh was a bit skeptical when he first heard of his “rubber-band airplane” story assignment (“Flying Skeletons and Electric Hummingbirds,” page 74). Would “real” pilots want to read about these “aircraft”? Then Marsh discovered at the national model airplane convention in Johnson City, Tennessee, that airline captains, active flight instructors, and aircraft owners are involved in the hobby. While at the convention, Marsh also discovered the sister of an aircraft salesman from the Carolinas, serving breakfast at a Waffle House, and gave the surprised dealer a call after returning from the trip—”Hey, I met your sister.” There was also a side trip to the beautiful and well-run airport in Elizabethton, Tennessee. “What do we have to do to get mentioned in your magazine?” one of the airport staff wanted to know. “Pilots, check out Elizabethton Municipal Airport next time you are in eastern Tennessee.” “Watching a National Intercollegiate Flying Association championship really is a treat,” says Technical Editor Mike Collins, who photographed the 2010 national Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (Safecon) hosted by Indiana State University in Terre Haute. By the time the story could get into the magazine, however, the 2011 championship—held at Ohio State University in Columbus—had concluded, so he updated the story (“Short Work,” page 81). “These young people are here because they want to be,” says Collins. “They’re very motivated, they’re incredibly professional, and they’ve worked hard to earn a spot in the national competition.”
AOPA PILOT •

publisher
associate publisher/ editor in chief editor at large managing editor technical editor senior editors associate editors editorial and production assistant administrative assistant contributors

Craig L. Fuller
Thomas B. Haines Thomas A. Horne Julie Summers Walker Mike Collins Dave Hirschman Alton K. Marsh Jill W. Tallman Ian J. Twombly Sylvia Horne Miriam E. Stoner Peter A. Bedell Kathy Dondzila Mark Kimberling Bruce Landsberg Rod Machado Barry Schiff Phil Scott Mark R. Twombly John S. Yodice Michael E. Kline Jill C. Benton Elizabeth Z. Jones Adrienne R. Rosone Chris Delisio Mike Fizer Chris Rose Carol Dodds Brenda D. Ridgley Liz Tarver

design director art director art director contributing designer digital media specialist senior photographer photographer advertising director advertising production manager advertising sales and marketing manager

advertising administrator Donna Stoner advertising representative

The Orison B. Curpier Co., Inc.
East: Central, International: South Central, West:

732-946-0130 607-547-2591 214-789-6094

AOPA Pilot editorial 301-695-2350 Advertising information/production 301-695-2368 Facsimile 301-695-2180 E-mail AOPA Pilot pilot@aopa.org Address changes www.aopa.org/coa-form.html
All manuscripts and contributions should be accompanied by stamped, addressed return envelopes. Reasonable care will be taken in handling manuscripts, but the magazine assumes no responsibility for material submitted. Copyright 2011, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. All rights reserved. No part of this monthly publication may be reproduced or translated, stored in a database or retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or other means, except as expressly permitted by the publisher; requests should be directed to the editor. To have the latest general aviation and AOPA news delivered to your desktop, subscribe to AOPA ePilot, a free e-mail newsletter. As a subscriber you will receive weekly issues of ePilot as well as special editions when information vital to your flying is available. To learn more about AOPA ePilot, view a sample issue, or subscribe, visit AOPA Online (www.aopa.org/ members/epilot.html).

Member Assistance 800-872-2672

PRINTED IN THE USA

6 • AUGUST 2011

http://www.aopa.org/pilot http://www.aopa.org/coa-form.html http://www.aopa.org/members/epilot.html http://www.aopa.org/members/epilot.html

AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2011