The Aspiring Pilot

Perfect example of why I want to get back in the air

The flying club I'm a member at, Windy City Flyers, posted a video on Facebook and Twitter from YouTube. It shows a dusk flight along the Chicago/Lake Michigan shoreline, with the amazing Chicago skyline lit up, (as well as Northerly Island, the former home of Meigs Field.) I can't wait to get back up and film my own videos of flights around the area... 

 

National Air and Space Museum's Become a Pilot Family Day and Aviation Display

The 7th annual 'Become a Pilot' Family Day and Aviation Display will be held June 18th at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. I unfortunately will NOT be attending due to prior commitments, but would have absolutely loved to be in attendance. This year sounds like it may be one of the best yet! I wrote an article off their press release in my Examiner column (except below, with link to full article at the end) and I encourage you to read it. The plans for this year sound very exciting. 

There will be a modest Navy presence in honor of the Centennial of Naval Aviation celebrations as well as the dedication of a new aircraft to the Air and Space Museum collection during the day. The museum is also holding a Tweetup for 25 lucky people who are follower's of their Twitter account and I will write an article focusing on the tweetup itself shortly. From the sounds of it, it's a MUST for any aviation geek! 

It's a good few weeks for aviation fans trying to get others interested in flying, betweenInternational Learn to Fly day this week (see prior posts on my blog) to the Become a Pilot day, there's no excuse not to get introduced to the world of flight. 

Excerpt from my General Aviation Examiner Column:

The Smithshonian's National Air and Space Museum will be hosting it's annual 'Become aPilot' day June 18th this year. The event will be held at the Museum's Steven F. Udvar-HazyCenter in Chantilly, Va., near Washington Dulles International Airport. (Google Map of the Center) 

The 2011 'Become and Pilot' day is the museum's seventh event of it's kind and continued growing the event to what should be one of the best events yet. There are 50 airplanes scheduled for static display, including a mix of vintage, recreational, military and home-built aircraft. The airplanes will be flown in to Dulles International Airport (KIAD) and taxied into position outside the center's Boeing Aviation Hanger. There, visitors will be able to examine the aircraft and possibly even sit behind the controls. The owners and pilots of each aircraftwill be present to answer any questions and to discuss their airplanes with visitors. The museum has a stock pictures of a few of the types of aircraft that will be present on theevent's Aircraft Display page.

The military will have a modest presence as well, with static displays of the F/A-18 Super Hornet, E-2C Hawkeye and the MH-60S Knighthawk and MH-60 Seahawk helicopters. Also slated for a performance are the Navy's internationally renowned Navy Ceremonial Drill Team and the Navy Jazz Ensemble. 

Continue reading on Examiner.com: National Air and Space Museum announces 2011 Become a Pilot Day events - National General Aviation | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/general-aviation-in-national/national-air-and-space-museum-announces-2011-become-a-pilot-day-events#ixzz1Mv4BxJkh

 

2011 International Learn to Fly Day coming May 21st

(crosspost from my General Aviation Examiner.com column)

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) released news that there are currently over 130 events planned for International Learn to Fly Day (ILTFD) which falls on Saturday, May 21st this year. In 2010, the US House of Representatives passed a resolution naming the third Saturday in May as International Learn to Fly day. Per the EAA, the House wanted to recognize the contributions of flight instructors, flight schools, aviation groups, and industry in promoting and teaching the nation’s next generation of pilots. The EAA hopes the events will offer aspiring pilots an opportunity to experience the fun and freedom that is offered by learning to fly. 

According to the EAA, kids that have taken free introductory flights through the EAA Young Eagle program are five times as likely to become pilots. The introductory flight offers the ability to not only experience flight in a general aviation airplane, but to also see that obtaining a pilot license is an achievable goal. Over 7% of the current US pilot population under the age of 35 participated in the Young Eagles program. 

This will be the second annual ILTFD, with the inaugural event held last year. EAA statistics show that over 40,000 people attended the multiple events last year held across the country and a much larger crowd is expected this year. To locate a scheduled event near you, you can go to the International Learn to Fly Day website. Events are still being added so be sure to check back as the day approaches for new events that may be closer to you. 

Events can also still be scheduled and added to the official website. The EAA is encouraging other airports, organizations, aviation business and pilots to help create a local event. Event planners along with local EAA chapters can offer introductory flights, seminars and airport open houses. To submit your local event, visit the International Learn To Fly Day website as well.

Continue reading on Examiner.com: International Learn to Fly Day events planned nationwide - National General Aviation | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/general-aviation-in-national/international-learn-to-fly-day-events-planned-nationwide#ixzz1Lt7QCoti

 

'Flyabout' Screening coming to Chicago this weekend

My article on the screening (which will be followed up by a review as well as a second article after speaking with the filmmaker and pilot) can be found at my Chicago General Aviation Examiner site here. Please share this and come to the screening! Bring friends, family and anyone you know that may be interested.  It's a great movie from what I've been hearing from friends and acquaintances.