Tag Archives: barnstormers

Gladys Ingle

There was once a time when flying airplanes was really fun and truly free – free in the sense of a lack of regulations. This period was short-lived, lasting less than a decade. During the time from the end of … Continue reading

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Solitude, at Icy Altitudes

This is a little bundled treat from music, aviation history, and my time. By my time, I mean from the time of my youth when the music was …  different. The artist is Joni Mitchell, who was a fantastic composer, … Continue reading

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Flying for Fun

As always, I woke early. Most of my students can’t believe I wake up so early – and without an alarm. I set my phone to sound at 6:05 and it is a rare morning when I sleep past 6 … Continue reading

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Veteran Airshow Fans

I overheard the Chair of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI), Bob Meder, say, “You can tell who the veteran airshow fans are. They’re the ones not paying attention to the show.” I thought about it and concluded he … Continue reading

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The Master Birdman

Ninety-nine years ago today, America lost one of her most cherished heroes. Pioneer aviator Lincoln J. Beachey, died when the aircraft he was piloting at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco on March 14, 1915 suffered structural failure. He … Continue reading

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Ready, Set, GO!

Yesterday, I wrote about my time. Well, there is something more to this time of year than just getting up early and enjoying the mornings. The one great event of this time of year, for all pilots, is the annual … Continue reading

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The Éole

Today, 121 years ago, Frenchman Clement Ader’s steam-powered airplane flew for the first time. Yes, you are correct in your math if you said that was 13 years before the Wrights flew. And yes, it was a steam-powered airplane. Ader … Continue reading

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It’s Another Year

Well, until today, I was older than my best friend, Paul.  Today, he is as old as I am.  Unfortunately, we both went over the hill a long time ago.  In other words, we are a couple of old fa…  … Continue reading

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Flying, Biplanes, and Museums

This morning when I got up, I began trying to catch up on some of my reading. One of the emails I read came from AOPA_ePilot@aopa.org and the lead article, titled, “Plane Jane makes last flight,” made me reflect on … Continue reading

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“Like a Sack of Potatoes”

When Charles Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic Ocean in May of 1927, he ignited the imaginations of many. One enthralled by the idea of being the first woman to fly across the Atlantic was Amy Phipps Guest. Amy Phipps was … Continue reading

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