I want to think that I’m a better pilot than most. Looking back at logbooks that span shelves in my study one would have a hard time finding any intentional or unintentional bent metal, broken bones, or even nicked propellors in those volumes. However, I find myself watching airplane accident videos on repeat trying to […]
Often times I find myself saying I’m a father of five children and it’s certainly easier to explain that than the six I’ve brought into this world. When the observant notice the alphabetical nature of the names of our kids, they’ll sometimes ask “Where’s the N?” Well, Nora Catherine’s enjoying an eternity of love and […]
In a dramatic turn of events, the seniority percentage has reversed course. Having successfully completed my Captain upgrade training and required operational experience and evaluations, the eastern seaboard will once again be graced by the presence of yours truly. While the battle continues to be fought, the scheduling gods decided to take an unblemished record […]
the following words were written as part of a presentation I gave on Backcountry ADM as part of my involvement with the Backcountry Safety Coalition Before I begin my dissertation, I want to share with you one of my favorite quotes from the great Wolfgang Langewiesche. “We pay attention to the wrong things; we miss […]
These last few weeks, there’s been something weighing on my mind. More than my thoughts on ArkanSTOL, more than my most recent sunburn thanks to a lower latitude. Lately, I’ve been being reminded of a lacking number of entries in my logbook across the many backcountry airstrips across southern Utah. Thanks to a springtime of […]
In my quest to understand where backcountry flying sits within my personal risk versus reward balance, I’ve learned volumes through the shared experiences of others who’ve gone before me in my chosen field. Revered backcountry aviators, willingly or not, have become not only my mentors, but confidants as I have worked to find a community […]
Last month I spent a considerable amount of time reflecting on the balance between risk versus reward having completed the last leg of my journey home from Montana in less than favorable conditions. What drove me to reflecting on those tense moments when the smoke obscured my visibility beyond expectations was an airplane that took […]
I’ve been writing in my journal about the balance between risk and reward and having read the harrowing tale of three people who were recently killed flying into a canyon minutes from their home airport, the struggle to find the balance between the two is even more on my mind. Airplane accidents in today’s likes […]
Gracefully she standsyearning for the skies once moreon her mother’s lap. Under the age of two, Oakli is legal to be the cutest third passenger in our Cub. And a great passenger she is. Much like her father, itching for those moments to be aloft, staring out towards infinity, gazing into the miniaturized world below, […]
The heat of the summer makes flying vintage, “underpowered” airplanes in the high desert a challenge. Record highs across the west make you wonder if the designers of these flying machines even fathomed their operation in such an unforgiving environment. Oil temperatures that dance the ragged edge on what is comfortable force you to reconsider […]