David Walker: Friday's Fabulous Flyer

I'm doing a blog sway today... a first for me, and fun.

Please welcome David Walker to Flight to Success. I know you'll enjoy his story as much as I did. David proves that a successful flight is one that we walk away from, and that lessons learned should be shared.

After you've read his story... you can find one of mine on his blog at David's Thoughts and Ideas.

David:

My private pilot’s license was about two weeks old when I left Oklahoma City to fly to Bozeman, Montana, to visit my sister and her family in nearby Three Forks. On the return trip, after a long day of fighting mountain-induced turbulence and heavy winds at an airspeed of maybe 125 miles per hour in the Cherokee 140, I decided to stop for the night in Lamar, Colorado, instead of pushing on home.

Prices back in 1974 were a bit different from now, and one of the things I remember about that overnight stay is that it was the first time I ever paid over ten dollars for a steak. The Cow Palace was a new motel at the time, and both the accommodations and the steak were excellent.

When I got out to the airport the next morning, I faced skies almost obscured by a thin cloud layer about 500 feet above ground level. I stewed for a few minutes about what to do, but I was already a day overdue getting back, and I decided to take off. I could see a couple of holes big enough to climb through, so I would be legal.

FSS told me the cloud cover went most of the way to Oklahoma City. Skies there were clear, but it was possible the cloud cover would extend there in the next few hours. At a distance of around 330 miles, the trip would take me close to three hours. I could be on the ground there before noon.

The takeoff and climbout were uneventful, and I was soon VFR on top. I set my VOR receiver on 118 degrees “FROM” to head for the Liberal, Kansas, VOR, noticing that the cloud cover extended as far as I could see in any direction. I began to wonder what I’d do if I got to Oklahoma City and couldn’t see the ground there.

Within minutes I decided to go back to Lamar and wait for the sky to clear, which it was predicted to do in an hour or two. As I headed back, I remembered a very tall radio tower several miles southeast of the airport, so I decided to stay west of my course to be sure of missing it.

Strangely, as I drifted to the left, which should have had my course on the VOR receiver to my right, it actually moved to my left. Startled, and keeping that tower in mind, I turned more to the west. The needle showed me more to the right. What was going on?

I was beginning to panic about that time. I saw ground through a hole in the clouds ahead of me, but was it safe to descend? Where was that radio tower? Why was my VOR receiver moving wrong?

About that time I noticed the receiver read “FROM.” I’d forgotten to reset it when I turned around. I quickly switched it and saw that I was indeed well west of the course, which was great. I had avoided the tower, and the Lamar airport is a bit west of a 298 degree heading to the VOR.

By this time I was rattled by the events of the last few minutes, and when I got to the hole in the cloud I almost dived down. Once VFR below, I saw the airport directly ahead of me and headed for a straight-in landing.

Trouble is, I’d forgotten I took off to the south into a bit of headwind. Now, landing from the south, I had that wind behind me. I got on the ground, but the increase groundspeed from the tailwind caused me to run beyond the end of the runway and onto some rocks that punctured one of the tires.

By the time I got the tire changed and was ready to go, the cloud cover had lifted, and I had a pleasant trip the rest of the way home. In retrospect, I was never in actual danger that morning, since I did stay away from the radio tower, but I did scare myself to death, particularly after almost killing several family members on the trip up to Montana.

I wondered afterward what the limit is for pilot stupidity on one trip.

David N. Walker is a Christian father and grandfather, a grounded pilot and a near-scratch golfer who had to give up the game because of shoulder problems. A graduate of Duke University, he spent 42 years as a health insurance agent. Most of that career was spent in Texas, but for a few years he traveled many other states. He started writing about 20 years ago, and has six unpublished novels to use as primers on how NOT to write fiction. Since his retirement from insurance a few years ago, he has devoted his time to helping Kristen Lamb start Warrior Writers' Boot Camp and trying to learn how to write a successful novel himself.

Thank you David. And if you would like to read my pilot stupidity story, it all started when I was nineteen years old and... Oh wait! You have to pop on over to David's blog to read why I almost killed myself in a plane by clicking David's Thoughts and Ideas.

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene

Where Have You Been?

As a pilot, I've traveled the world...

"I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and coworkers.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.

I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!"

And, sometimes I think I am in Vincible but life shows me I am not!

I have been in Deepshit many times; the older I get, the easier it is to get there."

Thank you Kathy for making me smile tonight during my time over Whelming. You're the best.

Where have you been?

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene

Stress and the Holidays:

Pilots Aren't Exempt!

"Off the Record Q & A with a Local A.M.E"

DR. Larry

Dr. Larry, reports show that the winter months and the holiday season cause stress for a lot of people—stress that many have a difficult time coping with. Pilots may fly over the moon, but they are not exempt from depression. Especially when so many miss the holidays at home with their families. Relationship problems can ensue when a spouse complains that the other is never home. The pilot (or flight attendant) misses seeing the kids open their gifts each year.

My question is this: How does a pilot identify if they are suffering from depression that may require help? What are the signs, and what should they do? The problem I see is denial of the situation.

Correct! Denial is a big part of the problem, especially for personalities that are solution-driven and built for toughness. As pilots and doctors, we are brainwashed to put aside emotions and fix problems. This requires us to ignore the human factor, which is all fine and dandy so long as it’s about someone else. However, when we’re personally involved, internal conflicts arise, breeding confusion and discontent. Irritability, sadness, sleep disturbances, absences, difficulty concentrating or loss of interest are all manifestations of the conflict within.

As the cycle continues and the gap widens between what we want to do and what we have to do, symptoms escalate to frustration, anger or rage, or complete withdrawal with feelings of hopelessness. All are signs of depression. Sound like union negotiations? At its core, it’s no different than any other area of conflict.

When “the system” inhibits us from expressing our feelings, we become trapped and depression deepens. Hopelessness eliminates our ability to move forward. “What’s the use?” becomes the slogan of the day. Does this need to happen? Absolutely not, which is not to say there won’t be dilemmas to address. How then do we go about preventing the downward spiral which all too often leads to relationship and health issues?

It begins with awareness and acceptance. As with most things, if we don’t recognize a problem exists, then we can’t address it. And what do we call that? Denial! Isn’t this why we are taught to pay attention to our airplane’s instruments? Avoiding reality forces us into the imaginary world where we truly have no control.

Admitting to ourselves we don’t feel right is crucial, even if we don’t know why. It’s important to listen to what others are telling us about ourselves, too. It’s easy to dismiss what we don’t want to hear yet it’s exactly those things we need to address. Ignoring issues doesn’t make them go away.

Over the past couple of decades in both aviation and medicine, conflict resolution has become part of the corporate culture. Prior to this concept when people were afraid to say something, bad things happened. By acknowledging the best outcomes depend on it, we learned how to avert disasters by talking about our concerns in a non-threatening environment. If we can do this for the business, we surely can do this for ourselves, and in fact, we are getting better.

We’ve come a long way. Pilot culture was built around the public’s desire for fearless and take-no-prisoner behavior. There simply wasn’t room for emotion and sensitivity. Depression was a word never uttered in public. Pilots could be grounded for admitting they were dealing with depression. Medication for depression was an absolute disqualifier. Not any longer.

Now, by acknowledging symptoms of the blues or depression exist, we allow ourselves the opportunity to explore and address those very things which bring us down.

Start by making sure the uncomfortable feelings are not due to a metabolic disorder, such as low hormones or thyroid, Vitamin D deficiency or anemia. Get a checkup. Correcting these types of problems can make all the difference in how one deals with the world around them.

Lastly, do you remember the owner’s manual for being a parent? Trick question because there isn’t one and figuring out our emotions is similar. Our challenge is magnified if we didn’t acquire the tools growing up. We can fly by the seat of our pants or ask for assistance and it’s so much easier to learn to fly with instruction. Plenty of well qualified counselors are available to help us understand our reactions to the myriad of challenges we are confronted with. Take advantage of one. Talk about it. Learn new lessons. Go to school on yourself. Take control or the control will be taken from you. For your own peace of mind and body, do TQI (total quality improvement) and don’t put your head in the sand and think it’ll all go away someday. Or sadly, it might.

To your good health,

Dr. Larry

Postscript: Depression among pilots is common. In a 2006 study by the National Center for Health Statistics, one out of 20 people in the United States suffered from some level of depression. There are over 500,000 active pilots in the United States. When you do the math, you’ll see there are a lot of silent sufferers.

For further information on depression, visit these websites:

National Institute of Mental Health

Mayo Clinic / depression

Santa Express

This morning I did bounces, alias three takeoffs and landings, in the simulator in Minneapolis, and then back to Seattle in time for the Santa Express. (Or so I thought)

Travel Update: Thanks to a great instructor, he not only gave me some excellent flying tips, an engine failure, and a high energy approach... he got me out of the simulator with 5 minutes to spare, for the 8 a.m. van. But... the van no-showed! At 8:20, the nicest man, Ken, had just arrived to work and said, "I'll give you a ride to the airport." We got chatting and missed our exit, but he still got me there in time. I rushed to the gate and boarded. We fit my suitcase in the overhead. Yeah. Then the man in 14C gave me his aisle seat. Is this my lucky day? I'm now going to make it for boarding the Santa Express.

Santa Delivers more that Gifts!

The Excitement never ends. We landed early, but ended up waiting 3o minutes for our gate, at which time my phone rang, "Mom, Kayla is in labor!" My daughter was off to the hospital. Long story short... I made it to the hospital with 15 minutes to spare and watched my youngest grandchild enter the world. Miss Ellis Kathryn landed at at 9 pounds 2 ounces, and 21 inches long. Healthy. Alert. Beautiful.

Ellis Kathryn Wopschall

My plan for the early flight so I wouldn't be late or Santa express was with good intention. But the detour well worth it. I flew over to pick up my grandson, alias big brother, and bring him home with Grandma. We spent an extra 40 minutes in traffic. He was such a great passenger, I didn't have the heart to tell him world is about to be turned upside down. That little sister is strong.

Miles Richard Wopschall... alias big brother

We may have missed boarding, but Miles and I finally made it to the North Pole~ and with plenty of time to see the arrival of the Santa Express!

What is the Santa Express?

Christina Wallace, Regional Ops Manager of Flight Operations, West Region, Delta Air Lines, had been busy playing Santa for 115 under-privileged kids in the Seattle area. She's been selling these really cool silver, 747 NWA key chains. The proceeds went to purchasing a book for each of these kids, to take on their flight... The Santa Express!


Additional sales then went to getting each child a $10 gift card. What a great cause... supporting children and reading, too. I went a little overboard in the purchasing department, but it was for a great cause.


The Flight...

The Santa Express departed SeaTac airport and flew to the North Pole with 115 children on board. Each child received a bag of goodies... They each got a book and their gift-cards, wings, treats, Delta baseball hats and more. This night was full of magic.


How does magic like this happen?

The 767 departed the gate, and taxied around the airport for 30...40...50.. minutes. Then they arrived at the hangar, alias North Pole, and gave these kids the gift of a lifetime.


A special thanks to the women behind the Santa Express and the North Pole Event... Kim Cook, Christina Dumas, and Tammy Aguilar. The pulled off an incredible feat with Christmas decorations, a choir, and Santa too!


Oh... back to those key chains... All you have to do is follow this blog, and leave a comment on this post and you'll be entered in a drawing to receive one of three of these key chains. A NWA collectors item. You'll know that the key chain came from a place of giving, and provided smiles on many children tonight.


Remember to leave a comment. Trust me, this is one gift you'll want to receive. This will be a Christmas that these kids will remember always, and you'll be part of it.

Drawing to be held on December 22nd!

What do you plan to do this year to make someones Christmas bright? Christmas is about giving... your heart, a smile... hope.

Happy Holidays!

XOX Karlene

Tis the Season to be Jolly!

"Let me not be anxious this
day, because in the grip of my
anxiety, all that I wish to achieve
- is made elusive to me."

Eleesha

The holidays are upon us, and while it’s the time for joy, what often happens is we get so busy trying to make everything perfect that in the midst of the holiday bustle, many of us feel stressed and anxious. For those who are writing, working, flying, and trying to keep up with their normal life, this time of year can sometimes be overwhelming.

Happy 21st Birthday Christine!

For me, I try to focus on one thing at a time and not look at all the Christmas ornaments I’m juggling. I remind myself that everything will get done, as it should in the right time. Christmas will come and the smiles we can hold throughout will make it perfect.

Today I’m flying to Minneapolis for bounces at 0600 on Tuesday. Then after my sim session, I’ll be running to the airport to fly back to Seattle in time for the SANTA EXPRESS! 65 minutes from simulator to departure, but if I miss that flight... I'll have a five hour sit and then be landing 30 minutes after the activities begin. The 115 children will be checking in, and that should take about an hour. I'll make it.

Santa Express... what’s that you ask? You’ll have to come back tomorrow and find out. More holiday gifts... this time from Flight To Success to you!

Happy Holidays!

XOX Karlene

Charlie Hewitt: Friday Fabulous Flyer!

And Fly Right Films...

Charlie Hewitt

A few months ago I had the great opportunity to meet Charlie Hewitt at the Museum of Flight in Seattle Washington. Charlie and his crew were visiting Seattle to film some footage of work they were doing for Bob Yerex and Max Viz

Chris, Kirby, Charlie, and Steve
Fly Right Crew in Seattle

Charlie Hewitt, Fly Right Films Producer, is not only a film producer, but he’s a pilot, entrepreneur, father, and talented musician. He’s now flying around Alaska creating movies to improve aviation safety. His story is amazing, and Charlie an inspiration... proving that creativity and flying can meld into the perfect combination of learning.

Everyone needs a great copilot and Charlie found his in California in 1983 when he met Chris Jules, who is now Charlie's Co-producer. But long before they had a film production company, they had a band together which took them on many adventures.

Charlie... Rock 'n Roll Christmas party for Mirror Studios 2010

Both sang, and with Charlie on the guitar and Chris on the piano, they performed live as well as running their recording studio—Mirror Studios. While they were performing at "The Whales Tail," at the Hotel Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage Alaska, Charlie met his future bride Mary, and moving North became the obvious next destination on his journey.

Charlie playing for Mary's birthday.

After moving to Alaska, in 1990, Charlie became Production Manager, and then Director of Booking at the Anchorage Performing Arts Center (PAC). He rented a small retail space below the Center where he and Chris transformed the space into a great-sounding studio where they continued to write songs and work on their music. When a drummer working in the PAC ticket office came knocking on their door with the desire to record his band—Mirror Studios' Alaska location was on its way.

What does he do in his spare time? Works on projects. Here he's laying a hardwood floor in his cabin in Big Lake. I'm wondering... what spare time?

In search of more space, in 1998 Charlie moved the studio to Mid-town Anchorage. With Chris based in California, Charlie took advantage of the most advanced technology enabling both studios to share files and projects while working apart. Mirror Studios expanded, working on projects ranging from music, to corporate/commercial audio as well as sound for film. Most recently, the many film projects coming to Alaska to take advantage of their film tax incentive have meant additional opportunities for this growing studio.

Charlie performing with his son, Nico, at the Mirror Studios Christmas Party. Apparently this company holiday party is like none you've ever been to.

But Charlie is a pilot! How did this recording music genius get into flying?

Charlie had flown when he was a kid, and airplanes had always been a passion for him. But he realized that aviation is more than a need in Alaska, it’s a necessity—Charlie's adventures as a pilot began with a cold call to Roger Motzko, the Runway Safety Manager for the FAA. He also knows the power of storytelling. As Charlie would say, “It is the act of storytelling, that underpins everything I do. Whether as a songwriter/performer or a filmmaker, that need to communicate, to tell a story, goes back to the core of each one of us.”

It became clear to Roger that Charlie's skills in film and storytelling could communicate things the FAA wanted to say, but couldn't address them directly via "the letter of the law." Thus, Fly Right Films’, The Runway Safety Series was born:

Face to Face Eye to Eye Heads Up, Hold Short, Fly Right Are available by clicking: Safety/Videos

All three films, including Listen up, Read Back, Fly Right, have also been made available to watch for free on the Fly Right Films website by clicking HERE.

Congratulations! Charlie is a licensed pilot.

Working on the Runway Safety Series inspired Charlie to train for his private pilots license, which he earned on September 9th, 2004.

Charlie had been bitten by the flying bug and there was no turning back. He bought a Cirrus SR20 in October of 2005 and flew from Duluth, Minnesota to Alaska with an instructor.

When I asked Charlie, “Why the Cirrus?” He responded, “I got my private license in a Cessna, and the 172 looked like the airplane I flew 35 years ago. Nothing had changed.” He saw an article on the Cirrus and the glass cockpit and he knew that was the way he wanted to go. With a company and electronics that have evolved with the times, so should the airplane.

Charlie taking his son Nico flying after receiving his license. September 12th logbook entry: Family jaunt with Mary and Nico, Cessna 172.

In July of 2006, with 110 hours under his belt, Charlie and Chris flew to Oshkosh, Wisconsin over the Alcan Highway, Yukon Territory and British Columbia. In 2007 they made the trip again, but the projected week of thunderstorms in Calgary made discretion the better part of valor, and they flew home commercial.

Coming back in August to pick up his Cirrus, Charlie seized the opportunity to advance his pilot skills and flew with an instructor on instruments the entire way back to Alaska. He now has over 1000 hours.

In addition to cross-country flying opportunities, Oshkosh provided him the chance to get to know Dick Rutan. The idea for The Aviator Series grew from Charlie's conversations and friendship with Dick.

The idea that pilot training resources could be compelling and excellently produced, with concrete information, presented through real-life stories that literally get your heart-rate up, excited them both. Dick's experiences in combat and as an experimental test pilot definitely fit the bill to Charlie's desire and understanding of the power of story telling.

Charlie created Fly Right Films—the film division of Mirror Studios—to bring quality pilot training resources to life.

A bit about these films—they’re excellent. Not only will the viewer be riveted to their chair listening to Dick’s stories, but the choreography is breathtaking. I kept interrupting my non-pilot husband to tell him he had to “come see this.” There are so many unique aspects about these training films, and one is that Charlie is the student and Dick the instructor. All the mistakes Charlie makes, and his first time experiences are real.

I'm grateful to have met Kirby, the production coordinator, and her team. Kirby sent me Dick Rutan’s films, otherwise I may not have realized the opportunity I’d be missing. The point is, I thought these were for general aviation. And while they are, I got a great deal of information out of them for my flying as an airline pilot. So much so, I intend on watching them again. Improved safety is for everyone.

Fly Right Films' production team includes award-winning talent: Writer John Wedin, cinematographer Steve Rychetnik—he's filming the new Nicholas Cage/John Cusak flick Frozen Ground as we speak, Co-producer Chris Jules and Charlie, Producer.

Kachemak Bay, Alaska. Captain Peter (with beard), Charlie, Gary Lamar. Cinematographer/Editor, Colin Lamar (Gary's son) Jake Wedin in front (John's eldest son) John Wedin, Writer of Aviation Series films, and many others is behind the camera.

Attitude Flying Volume I was released in 2008 and Decision Making Volume II in 2009, and they are currently in early pre-production of Volume 3 of the Aviator Series. Aerobatic champion Michael Goulian will be the Master Instructor for this volume.

Charlie interviewing Dr. Najmedin Meshkati (Nejm) Meshkati is a Human Factors Expert. Charlie interviewed him for Decision Making and they became fast friends in the first 15 minutes. He's a weather of information and experience with a huge depth of insight into the ways Human factors... stress, task saturation, hunger and dehydration, tiredness, spacial disorientation, etc., influence our judgment and decision making processes.

Advice from Charlie on flying:

“General Aviation pilots: keep a logbook! It's part of the discipline of flying. You may be estimating a couple hundred hours a year by doing lots of short trips, when perhaps you may only be flying 50 or so. It's like your ATM card - write down your balance or you'll hit zero before you know it.”

“Practice with different instructors. You won't get into a routine of going over the same things all the time, but rather will be tested on less familiar skills and have information presented to you in a new way.”

“And just like in music: Practice, practice practice... fly a heads down ILS or GPS approach on a clear day with your right-seat watching out for you. It doesn't take long to get rusty; flying regularly and challenging yourself in controlled situations go a long way towards safer flying and the ability to handle the unexpected when it comes up.”

Dick Rutan and Charlie in the hangar of the Mojave spaceport with Dick's experimental Berkut plane, while he was building it.

What do you have to look forward to?

• Three up and coming interviews on Flight Podcast: Charlie Hewitt, Dick Rutan, and Jill Hoffman, Dick’s daughter.

• The opportunity to win “one of two” of the Fly Right Films with Dick Rutan and Charlie.

• One lucky winner will receive Attitude Flying Volume I

• Another lucky winner will receive Decision Making Volume II

Check back on Holiday Gifts tab on December 22nd to see if you are one of our lucky winners!

Charlie, and the entire Fly Right Team, Thank you all so much for the opportunity to get to know you, and for all that you do for aviation safety. You’re the best! I’m looking forward our trip to Australia.

Kirby... the woman who manages it all!

A special thanks to Kirby—Behind every successful man, they say there is a woman. I’m beginning to believe that with companies too. Thank you for reaching out. Your energy and enthusiasm for life and all that you do is contagious.

Thank you Charlie!

Please take the time to follow FlyRightFilms on twitter, and leave a message for an outstanding group of people. Find them on Facebook too!

UPDATE: 

YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE THE TALENT

OF THIS MAN!

CLICK HERE TO BE AMAZED

Don’t forget to become part of the Flight To Success team, and leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for one of these great films.

Enjoy the Journey and have a great weekend!

XOX Karlene

A 330: Managing the Descent Phase

Did you know pilots need three takeoffs and landings in the previous 90 days or they go non-current? It's true. If not, we take a visit to the simulator to get reacquainted with our charge. I'm headed there Monday.

My head is now in the books to get my mind back into the sky before my body goes into the simulator.

Did you remember that if you're more than 200 miles from the airport, and ATC descends you to a lower altitude, you'll lose your descent path indicator... ie., the Chinese glideslope?

When you descend to a lower altitude prior to 200 miles, the airplane re-cruises you at that lower altitude. Operationally this means that you are still in the cruise phase, and the decent path indicator disappears.

While there are other means to in assist descent planning, if you want this tool back in your tool kit now, all you need to do is go the performance page and put in an altitude above the altitude you're cruised at. This puts you back into the descent phase.

Another note on descending...

You're at FL340, and you're supposed to be at intersection HAPPY at 10,000 at 250 KTS, but ATC descends you to FL300. Remember the path has drawn a straight line from FL340 to HAPPY. You've just been cleared down to 300. To get the descent path indicator to provide good information you'll need to take the HAPPY constraints out. Then, when level at 300 put them back in. Your straight line, your path, will be recalculated from your present altitude to HAPPY's constraints.

Happy Flying!

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene