CONTENTS November 2012 | Volume 55 | Number 11 | www.aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT ON THIS PAGE: Chris Rose photographed the flight line at the Reno Air Races to accompany Geri Silveira’s story “Return to the Valley of Speed,” which begins on page 54. 54 Debonair Debut Finding just the right candidate for AOPA’s Debonair Sweepstakes. By Thomas A. Horne Page 66 www.aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 1 FEATURES 75th Anniversary of the Piper Cub 75 years of Piper Mr. Piper and the J–3 The story behind the legend. By Charles Spence Page 44 Cross-Country in a Piper Cub Cold hands, warm hearts, and a Piper Cub love affair. By Jamie Beckett Page 51 AirCam River Run Following the Mississippi low and slow. By Dave Hirschman Page 62 Commemorating a general aviation icon. By Mike Collins Page 42http://www.aopa.org/pilot http://www.aopa.org/pilot