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"We are the protagonists of our stories called life, and there is no limit to how high we can fly."


PHD. MBA. MHS. Type rated on A350, A330, B777, B747-400, B747-200, B757, B767, B737, B727. International Airline Pilot / Author / Speaker. Dedicated to giving the gift of wings to anyone following their dreams. Supporting Aviation Safety through training, writing, and inspiration. Fighting for Aviation Safety and Airline Employee Advocacy. Safety Culture and SMS change agent.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Dusty Crophopper

Friday's Fabulous Flyer 

Dusty Crophopper

Dusty is a plane with lofty dreams and high hopes. A crop duster by trade and a single-prop plane, he dreams of soaring alongside his high-flying heroes in an international race. The fact that he’s not really built for competitive racing doesn't deter him from pursuing his dreams. But his fear of heights just might.


With a little help from his friends—and a WWII vet with wisdom to spare—Dusty takes off on an adventure of a lifetime, flying prop-to-prop and wing to wing with champions. He dares to reach heights he never imagined possible, and learns that nothing is impossible if you dream big and never give up.


Karlene: Dusty I know you have big dreams, but can you tell us what you were built to do?

Dusty: I’m a crop duster. I help grow corn for ethanol. Dusting crops is all right, but when I’m flying   back and forth across the same field each day, I sometimes imagine that I’m doing something else. 


Karlene: You imagine doing something else? What could a crop duster possibly dream of doing?

Dusty: I want to compete in the Wings Around the Globe Rally. It’s this big race I’ve followed on the RSN Network for years. Chug and I like to hang out and watch these amazing racers show off their speed and agility. It’s like poetry in the sky, y’know what I mean? 

I know I can race. I have a tight turn radius and a high power-to-weight ratio. I KILLED the treeline moguls during training last week. I could be a contender.


Karlene: I have no doubt you could be an awesome racer. So... which racers do you most look up to?

Dusty: Whoa—that’s a tough one. They all have such unique style and form. I mean—Ripslinger’s a legend. The Green Tornado! He’s won more races than I’ve dusted cornfields, which is saying a lot. Bulldog is a diehard. Tougher, younger planes can’t seem to beat that guy. El Chupacabra has more passion in his landing gear than most planes can muster in a lifetime. But I’ve always been a fan of the female racers. Rochelle from the Great White North, eh? [laughs] And Ishani… she’s pretty—talented. 





Karlene:  Dusty, I know a woman who can fly without arms. But seriously, you’re clearly not built to race—how can you compete with top racers like Ripslinger and Bulldog?

Dusty: Maybe, just maybe I can do more than what I was built for. Doesn’t everybody want that at some point? Well they should. 



Dusty: I have a few tricks up my wing. My team, for one. Dottie—my mechanic—is the absolute best. She knows me inside and out. I think she’d prefer I keep it low and slow—for health reasons—but she’s got my back when it comes to racing. 


Dusty: Chug is the best buddy a plane can have. He’s been my coach for years, too, and some days he has more confidence in me than I have in myself. Then there’s Skipper. He’s this Corsair who knows more about flying than any plane I’ve met. He’s tough. Relentless, really. But I don’t mind because he knows what he’s talking about.


Karlene: You've got some great friends and role models to help lead the way. Which leg of the race are you most excited to take part in?

Dusty: All of them. Iceland, Germany, India, Mexico. They’re like foreign countries to me. I hate to admit it, but Propwash Junction is all I know. Planes like Skipper—well they’ve seen the world. I’ve never had the chance. Till now, that is. And I intend to soak up everything I can if I qualify for the race—I mean, WHEN I qualify for the race… and then follow that by winning the race. Right? 



Karlene: Right! Dusty, I've flown to all these places and at one time I was told I couldn't fly because I was a girl. Heck, if a girl can fly a crop duster can surely race! Did you know that Delta Air Lines started out as a crop dusting service? Yep! And look at them now. The leader of all airlines and they carry zillions of people daily to places all around the world! Also, did you know that many pilots are afraid of heights too? I am. So don't let that stop you. Don't let anything stop you.


I have no doubt you can do anything you believe in. Keep dreaming, and never give up my friend! We are all counting on you. And congratulations on your new movie. Remember... 



PLANES TAKES OFF TODAY
August 9th
Happy Birthday Mom!

"From above the world of “Cars” comes “Disney’s Planes,” an action-packed 3D animated comedy adventure featuring Dusty (voice of Dane Cook), a plane with dreams of competing as a high-flying air racer. But Dusty’s not exactly built for racing—and he happens to be afraid of heights. So he turns to a seasoned naval aviator who helps Dusty qualify to take on the defending champ of the race circuit. Dusty’s courage is put to the ultimate test as he aims to reach heights he never dreamed possible, giving a spellbound world the inspiration to soar. For more information, check out Disney.com/Planes, like us on Facebook: facebook.com/DisneyPlanes and follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DisneyPictures."

(click above to read more)

Enjoy the journey and the popcorn!
XO Karlene

16 comments:

  1. Karlene,
    What a perfect Fabulous Friday Flyer! I am so excited about seeing this movie I can hardly contain it. I think it'll be a great boost to aviation, even if it just plants seeds that we see pop up in 10 years.
    Kudos to you for doing your part to promote it!

    Brent

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    1. This is going to be an awesome boost to Aviation. Exactly what we need. And everyone is going to have fun! Thanks so much for the comment!

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  2. Yes off to Walt's place to see the movie today at @ Downtown Disney AMC theater Orlando where else :) have been counting the days for the last couple of weeks..excited.

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    1. Oh how fun!!! Come back for the update and let us know what you think. Have a great time!

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  3. Ah... Remember when I said that we must break our own expectations? This is a GREAT example!

    This film arrives in September here. I think I'm going to the Premiere!


    An epic interview with an epic character!


    Alex

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    1. Oh GREAT!!! I'm sorry you have to wait until September. But good things come to those who wait! You'll love it.

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  4. Loved it! Can't wait to see this movie. You are never to old for Disney Movies, I Loved cars and I haven't been this excited about a movie in a long time. So cool how you got to be involved with the movie and Meeting and interviewing some of the cast members.

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    1. Thanks so much for the comment! Yes... this is all so cool, all the way around. And the movie is spectacular! I've been so excited to take the grandkids too.

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  5. I saw Planes on Thursday and I'm looking forward to seeing it again but, in 3D! 8)

    Karlene, you rock wings! You interviewed Dusty! :D

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    1. Thank you so much for the comment! Oh... how many times will you see it? I'm thinking ... probably three this month for me. And then when it's on video... the sky is unlimited.

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  6. Awesome Friday Flyer! He's a great one to have!

    Haha I used my 10 year old brother as an excuse to go see the premier today :)

    Thanks for another great post!
    -Swayne

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    1. Thanks Swayne! And... I'm thinking any excuse to go.

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  7. LOL! This is too awesome. I can't wait to see Dusty's movie.

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    1. Heather, it's a great movie! You'll love it. Brings out the kid in all of us.

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  8. Hey, Dusty. I used to buckle dusters onto my butt, and I want to know where those huge, uncluttered corn fields are that were so boring. Lots of us old clowns were usually on the crop for only a few seconds at a time before we were cranking another tight, time-is-money, P-shaped turn. And at night on seed alfalfa, we were pretty busy switching lights...you know, drive lights, turn lights. In Hawaii, those steep uphill-downhill runs would get a guy's attention, too, especially uphill-downwind, including landings on one-way-only strips. Then, too, there were the "wire farms," where we had to sneak under some pretty low stuff angling all directions. And there was the fog flying. Just wanted you to know that some of us really earned our pay and enjoyed the challenges that go far beyond what most pilots are called on to do. Hope you've moved on out of that endless-corn country since the race for some more challenging spray work.

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    1. Ahhh... those were the good ole days for sure! And, made for excellent piloting skills. I think Dusty doesn't know how good he had it. But the desire to believe, dream and achieve is in the heart of all of us. Some just hide it. Others press forward without fear.

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