Globe with the words Around the Pattern cured around the top half.

Your Flying Stories for 28 Jan 2011

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Here are some of the interesting stories in aviation that I found this week.

A sanity check concerning general aviation security
We’ll start out this week with a series of articles from The Atlantic. The main link is to a piece written by aviation writer (one of my favorites) Lane Wallace. The article is a rebuttal to another Atlantic article concerning general aviation security. Lane’s article refers to yet a third article in the same tone as hers. Well worth your time to read these. It’s nice to see that there are journalists who not only understand the world of aviation but also take part in it.

A look at the Flying Heritage Museum at Paine Field north of Seattle, WA.
This is an article from Airline Reporter that looks at the Flying Heritage Museum’s excellent collection of aircraft. The article provides links to over 30 photos of the aircraft in the collection.

The Bessie Coleman Story
This was first published in 2001, a Kid’s Reading Room article from the LA Times. It’s a good overview of Bessie Coleman’s life – a woman you got her pilot’s license 2 years before Amelia Earhart.  Short paragraphs, easy sentences – perfect for airline pilot reading.

Another airline livery to be gone forever.
Alaska Air Group has owned Horizon Airlines for quite some time, but had chose to let Horizon’s aircraft remain in that airline’s livery. The decision was made public on Jan 15th that the horizon aircraft would all be painted in the Alaska Airlines livery, and Horizon’s colors would join Northwest’s on the recently departed list. Sad to see.

An airline branding expert takes note of flight attendant performance and offers some solutions
Shashank Nigam is an airline branding expert. You have heard him a few times on the Airplane Geeks podcast. In this article from his blog Simpliflying he relates his experiences on a recent trip and provides some solutions for the conditions he encountered. Flight attendants, especially those without union representation, should take note.

A Snowbird pilot’s story and Snowbird Lead’s story.
Capt Denis Bandet flies as Snowbird #6. This is the story of how he arrived in that position – pretty much the same way that you get to Carnegie Hall. The second link is to a companion article about Lt. Col. Maryse Carmichael, the Snowbird’s first female pilot and now the commander of the unit flying the lead aircraft.

My apologies – this is next one is a direct cut and paste from one of EAA’s email newsletters. I just wanted to make sure you all saw it in case you don’t subscribe.

INTRODUCING 5-STEP PROGRAM FOR FUTURE AVIATORS
EAA Young Eagles
The Young Eagles introductory flight is now Step 1 in a five-step journey we call the Young Eagles Flight Plan. The plan includes programs that encourage young people to keep flying after their initial ride and pursue aviation careers. Step 2 is a free EAA Student Membership providing the tools for a successful aviation journey. Step 3 is the Sporty’s Complete Flight Training Course, a free two-part ground school that preps students for flight training. Once students complete part 1 of the ground school, they can take their First Flight Lesson, step 4 of the program. More than just a ride, this free introductory lesson puts the student at the controls. If students decide a career in flying is for them, Step 5 offers flight training scholarships to support their professional dreams. Click here to find out more about EAA Student Membership and the Young Eagles Flight Plan