You're Invited...

Love Piano Music?

My good friend Peter Morton, a retired Boeing Executive, who shares the gift of flight with Young Eagles, mentors aviation high school students, active in everything aviation is also on the Board of Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA).


Last year my husband and I had a spectacular time on the Island enjoying the music of Walt Wagner. To say it was amazing would be an understatement. I'm sorry we won't be there this year, but one of our Grandson's is turning 2 on July 20th and we will be in Austin.

But I want to help Peter promote their new PianoFest NW event. The music will be outstanding the money goes to a great cause!

Mark your calendar on July 19, 20, and 21, 

to be in beautiful Langley WA. 

Compliments of the WICA Website:

PianoFest NW is a Whidbey Island Center for the ARTS (WICA) fundraiser and you will find it to be an entertaining, educational, and inspiring expression of piano music onWhidbey Island. This festival launches an annual tradition of eclectic keyboard experiences that will grow to embrace the developing talent of young piano students in our community. Your attendance as a patron of PianoFest NW thus contributes to a new and innovative expression of the arts on South Whidbey.

David Lanz

Friday, July 19, 7:30 PM—Grammy-nominated pianist David Lanz, a contemporary instrumental legend whose deeply-felt compositions helped forge the New Age music movement

Walt Wagner

Saturday, July 20, 7:30 PM—Seattle favorite, Walt Wagner with his unique style of pianistic mastery from jazz to classical

Sunday, July 21, 7:30 PM—one piano and three women equal THIRTYFINGERS, a new group of classical pianists, Natalya Ageyeva, Lisa Bergman, and Deborah Dewey, with a performance that defies description and stretches the imagination

Sunday, July 21, 2 PM, Walt Wagner House Concert—an up-close and personal experience featuring Walt Wagner performing performing at an exclusive South Whidbey estate. Enjoy libations and hors d’ oeuvres while you take in the stunning view. Tickets for this WICA fundraiser are limited.

Concert prices $25; Walt Wagner House Concert is $150. All three WICA concerts is $65. Purchase tickets here. You can also call the WICA Ticket Office (360) 221- 8268 or (800) 638-7631.

For more information, please go to the WICA Piano Fest site by clicking HERE. You may purchase tickets on line, or call the WICA Ticket Office (360) 221- 8268 or (800) 638-7631 (Wed – Sat 1.00pm - 6.00pm and 2 hours before curtain).

Living off-Island, you may want to consider a Sunday-only concert package: Attend the Walt Wagner House Concert at a beautiful South Whidbey private home at 2:00 pm; (plan on the noon, 12:30, or 1:00 pm ferry; there will likely be no ferry lines out of Mukilteo), and staying for the THIRTYFINGERS evening concert."

If there is any way you can make it,  

you will not be disappointed! 

Enjoy the journey! 

XO Karlene  

Recipe For Success

Monday Motivation: 

"You manifest what you think about.

Change your focus. Change your life."

I recently received the following email from a frustrated Aviation Enthusiast:

"I am very passionate in being in the aviation industry. I have tried so hard to make my dream came true but at same point I feel hopeless, as you can see on my attached documents I have covered several areas in the aviation industry but my dream is to became a fully qualified PILOT. I have tried to work in the industry so that I can get to pay for my pilot training only to be disappointed at the end.

Currently I have worked with two Airline companies with no payment neither a guarantee to be employed so that at-list I could be in a position to pay for my training. Now I would like to ask you how did you manage to reach to where you are despite of all disappointments that come across, I don't want to give up on my dream I want to keep on pushing on till I get there. Please your advice to me will be highly appreciated."

How did I manage to reach my goals despite all the disappointments I have come across? 

The answer is simple ~ Focus and Attitude. They are the answers to a happy life. The answers to success.

 

 

How do you create 

what you want in life? 

It takes more than hard word, dedication, and commitment. It takes a positive focus on the outcome of your life. Remove the negative language that looks at the dark side. Get rid of the hopeless feelings. Know everything will work out. If you feel working with no pay is an option to gain experience, then get all the experience that you can. Focus on what you are getting, not what you think you are missing. If you work for free expecting something other than the experience, you are setting yourself up for failure.

I do not look at disappointment as anything other than a gift of something better to come, and knowing that whatever I think I missed, was actually not meant to be. I have also learned (through a great deal of experience) that no matter what happens, everything always works out for the best. Not through idle sitting around wishing it will work out. But working hard, doing everything I can to achieve success, and knowing however the dream happens, it will happen. It will be perfect.

Everything has always worked out, no matter what. 100% of the time. With odd like that, I have developed faith and confidence that everything always will work out.

You have two choices:

• You can wake up wanting, and yearning for something that you don't have. Feeling hopeless that you never will get it, and sorry for yourself that you don't have the ideal job. Those are the thoughts and the energy you are putting out in the universe.

Or ...  

• You can start each day knowing that you are one day closer to your dreams. Knowing that through your efforts the doors will open when the time is right. And every disappointment is an opportunity. Enjoy each day for what it is. 

This is my simple recipe for success and dealing with the hard times. We all face the challenges in life... but those who believe, achieve. Focus on what you want. Your dreams will come true. Once the thought process clicks, and you get in the flow of life, everything else will fall into place.

Enjoy the journey!
XO Karlene

Johnny Summers

Friday's Fabulous Flyer

 

Johnny D. Summers, Ph.D.

 

Johnny Summers is a professional airline pilot. But he's more than a pilot, he's a pilot giving back to his aviation community. It doesn't matter what aviation event you attend in the Seattle area, Johnny has a way of being there. Where's Waldo has turned into Where's Johnny?

 

He's got 13,000 hours of flight time.  As FAA designated pilot examiner he administers tests for ASEL Private, Instrument, Commercial, Military competency, foreign pilot conversion, Canadian conversion, CFI, and CFII certificates. 

 

1990 Desert Storm

 

Johnny began  his flying career as a US Army helicopter pilot. But after completing his degree, he transferred to the US Air Force and flew KC-135s refueling the SR-71 and then the F-117. 

 

 

He piloted the US Air Force Academy’s Wings of Blue competition parachute team, and was an instructor pilot at the Academy’s Flight Screening Program. Johnny spent three years as an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at Texas Christian University where he was recognized for his teaching skills. 

 

 

Johnny has been a Regional Director of Flight Operations, Regional Director of Training, Chief Flight Instructor, Chief Pilot, and FAR 141 Commercial Chief Instructor. In 1997, Johnny was recognized as the FAA National Aviation Safety Counselor of the Year. In 2012 Johnny received the Washington Aviation Association’s Spirit of Aviation Award. 

 

 

Currently Johnny is flying 737s 

for Alaska Airlines

Academically, Dr. Summers is an Assistant Professor for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He earned a Ph.D. in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. His graduate and post graduate studies focused on aviation and airport management, airport construction, and finance. Johnny’s bachelor’s degree is in Professional Aeronautics with a concentration in Aviation Safety. Finally, Johnny has an Associate’s Degree from Fort Steilacoom Community College (now Peirce College).

 

Johnny and his family make their home in Buckley, Washington, USA, and all the photos of the kids and planes, are his grandchildren after he gave them their first flight.

 

If you would like to meet Johnny in person, you can find him at the Seattle Museum of Flight conducting a Safety Seminar on behalf of Angel Flight West. Click on the Angel Flight Link and you can learn when he'll be there next. If you have any questions for Johnny, please leave them below.

Johnny, on behalf of all your fans, students, friends, family, aviation enthusiasts, and passengers... we all THANK YOU for the incredible gift you give to the aviation community, to safety, and to life. You're awesome and we appreciate all you do. Keep up the great work!

Please leave Johnny a question, 

or comment, or just say hello.

One day, he may end up in your flight deck. 

Enjoy the Journey! And have a great weekend.

XO Karlene

BIRTH OF A NATION

T.H.ursdays with Tom Hill

Happy Fourth of July, everyone.

Photo Taken by Tom in Homer Alaska, walking along Homer Spit.

Today is the day the United States celebrates the signing of its Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. As aviators, it can be a busy day, whether you're flying for fun or work. Today is the day large crowds gather at sporting events. Fly-by's are common. If you're in the emergency services field, I'm sure you're very busy. It's the nature of things when we all take time off from our normal grind that emergency services become more employed and needed. 

 

 If you're in the military, you're likely missing the celebratory fireworks. You could be flying in direct support of others in harm's way. You could be traversing the globe carrying people and "beans" to wherever they need to be. If you aren't working and are flying for fun, you will be enjoying the fruits of one of the more progressive recreational flying environments in the world. It's a great day to celebrate, the Fourth.

I've celebrated this day many different ways. I've watched my share of fireworks, including the spectacular 200th birthday party on the Mall in Washington, D.C. (As an aside, I've also spent plenty of time in traffic jams after the fireworks were done.) I even visited the National Air & Space Museum in 1976, just after it opened. Jaw dropping, is the feeling I remember most from that day. (I also remember the incredible crowds at that amazing facility.) 

 

I have also been overseas on the Fourth, in countries where it is just another day. Despite that, we always seemed to find ways to gather as Americans and celebrate with a barbecue. There were plenty of times when my friends and family gathered at outdoor concerts that inevitably ended with Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture." The cannons, smoke, and fireworks at the end of the overture seem to fit with our annual birthday celebration. By the way, the overture has an interesting history that has nothing to do with the United States and our War of 1812.

My favorite Independence Day memory is from my time stationed at Kadena AB in Okinawa, Japan. The winter monsoon was in full force when I arrived in February. This was quickly followed by the Rainy Season in spring, which lasted until the end of June. I remember having to fly an instrument approach at the end of every flight from February to July. While it wasn't raining all the time, everyday it rained hard. As in, sheets of rain hard. The only time I got a clear view of the sun then was when flying above the clouds. It's clear why there's a constant battle with the jungle on Okinawa. It's the rain.

Just to give you perspective on how hard the rain fell, I was standing in the Burger King on base when one of these storms rolled through. I was staring out the window barely making out the other end of the parking lot when a manhole cover goes shooting into the air, propelled by a huge gush of water. Seems a big surge of water came rushing down the hill and pushed drain pipes underneath the Burger King parking lot. Something had to give. It was the manhole cover.

By the time July rolled around, we all welcomed the end of the Rainy Season and the chance to be outside without being drenched. A couple of our squadron-mates owned a sail boat, which they kept at the base marina. On the Fourth, I recall it might've been the year's first sailing. We spent the day cruising up and down Okinawa's eastern shore. I am definitely not a sailor. I might make a better anchor than shipmate. (I know my buddies from then are nodding their heads in agreement.) This was one of my first ever real boating experiences and I remember it very fondly.

After the day on the water, we returned to the marina to replenish cargo and passengers, then sailed back into the night. On the dead calm water, we sat offshore from Kadena and watched the fireworks. I’d never done that before, watched fireworks from water. It was calm and quiet except for the distant fireworks. Hanging out with great friends: overall, just about the most perfect day anyone could ask for.

I still stay in touch with most of those who went sailing that day. We were overseas on an island where this and other epic adventures made for long-term bonding. I smile a lot about those days. Celebrating the Fourth takes me back, and makes those memories even more special.

 

What are your special Fourth of July memories?

Cheers

Tom Hill
www.tom-hill.biz

Where Is My Plane?

With the search to buy a plane, I thought it would be nostalgic to find my plane. I searched the N-number... N40386... and found its home. Oshkosh of all places! 

Tom Weigt, president of Basler Turbo Conversions, LLC, owns my plane. I contacted Tom, introduced myself and asked him if I could buy back my plane. 

This was his reply:

Morning Karlene:

I have some good news and some not so good for you. The good news is that N40386 was remanufactured into one of our new turbines in 2000.

It was used initially to flight test our fire retardand drop system and soon after that spent 3 years with the USAF Special Operations group at Hurlrburt Field in Florida. Following the USAF tour it was sold to the group Antarctic Logistics, a group that carry people and goods around Antarctica for a 14 nation consortium. It's still doing that today.

So now for the not so good news for you. It's obviously not for sale, and even if it was, it would bring about $4 million, probably a little more than you want to spend. I've attached some photos of it's life as a turbine that will have to suffice for now.

Thanks for asking and good luck to you.........regards.
Tom Weigt 

 $4 Million Dollars?

For an 

AZTEC!

I opened the photos and soon learned why 

my Aztec is now worth $4 million. 

I wrote to Tom and said, "I think my plane had a sex change, as it started life as an Aztec."

He responded with, "I think it's on steroids." 

Either way... my plane is still missing. 

Does anyone know the whereabouts of a Piper Aztec PA 23 250, that once had the tail number N40386?

Now the next question... What airplane should I buy?

I would like 6 seats to carry family. I need a high useful payload to carry books. I would like de-icing, for the occasions in the Pacific Northwest that I need to clear the mountains. The multi-engine would be nice to help future pilots build multi-engine time. And this plane is going to be the star in my children's series. Painted just like the plane in my book... she will fly Aviation Joy to all the children of the US. What do you think I should buy?

Enjoy the Journey!

XO Karlene 

Aviation in the USA

Happy Birthday America! 

What will your Aviation future bring?

 

In honor of the 4th of July this week, Blogging In Formation is all about the future of Aviation in the USA. But so close to the 4th of July I drifted on course to the independence and freedom of our country. Today is about the opportunities we have in America that we sometimes take for granted. 

Aviation is a gift. 

I decided to shift the discussion from what the future is, to what we have in the US.  Sometimes when we take something for granted, it goes away. We also can see a pattern of where we could end up one day. There is no time like today to make a difference, pay attention to and love what you have.

We are the Aviation Nation. Our roots run deep in the sky as the love of flight grew with the American dream. We spread our wings. We flew our colors. And like all things we love, sometimes we forget how special they are.

I’ve had the opportunity to meet several aviators from around the world who have come to the US to train, or have dreamed about it. So I had to ask them why we have it so good.

Cecilie Larsen From Norway:

Cecilie tells me that a C172 in Norway costs $300 per hour, verses $100 in the US. Did you know that in Norway, not only do you pay for your 1st class medical but they get a bill from the Civil Aviation Authority (The FAA of Europe) annually. They pay to reinstate their license! We don’t. 

In Norway they have to apply for slot times and landing fees. Imagine the expense of doing touch and goes during training. 

Cecilie says, “The US is the ultimate General Aviation country. It is organized in a way that I think attracts foreign pilots to fly there.” 

Jun Nishioka From Kobe Bay Japan  

Tells me that in the US the airspace is not as congested, which eliminates the frustration for the students. Renting a Cessna 150 in Japan costs $400 per hour! In the US there are more areas to land in the event of an emergency—In Japan the cities are vast and landing on a skyscraper would not be a good option.

Jun says, “In Japan, flying is a hobby for the rich. I haven't felt this way when I was trained in USA. So this means USA provides more freedoms to the people…. I won't give up chasing my dream to be a pilot.”

Ryan Lock from the UK

Tells me the benefit of training in the US that it’s significantly cheaper than in Europe. This appears to be a central theme. Speaking of cost, we do have areas of exceptional weather all year around. We have flight schools in the sunniest states of the USA…Florida, Arizona etc, and training can be conducted year round. He say’s, “Training expense would be reduced by a quarter of the average duration per pilots' license…. Remember, in this industry time is money.”

Ryan further states, “International students are required to leave the country once they have gained anything up to and including CFI/CFII --yes, I worked out that there is going to be a pilot shortage in the US in the coming few years! The GA community is aware of this and it is believed that the FAA are too, but try taking an issue like this to congress when they have so called other 'more important' issues to deal with and it will be laughed at.” 

  
Mona Nasser From Iran  
 

She had dreamed from childhood to be a pilot, but in Iran as a woman it was impossible without the right connection, like a father who was a pilot. And to her knowledge those who got through their lessons with a connection, weren't allowed to fly. Mona moved to the UK and tells me that they allow her to fly, but once again…she is flying in Europe where the expense is extremely high.

Mona is an Artist too.

 

Alex Wood From Brazil

Alex tells me there are two main elements lacking in the Brazilian aviation industry—education and infrastructure.

Only a few airports are equipped with ILS CAT-III, terminals are old and poorly built, and their airspace is not fully operational with ‘silent zones ‘ over the Amazon area. Alex tells me they have landing strips across the country, but they aren’t equipped with basic aircraft communication. They also lack universities that offer undergraduate courses in aviation.

What does Alex think of Aviation in the US?

“In the United States, the situation is completely different. Education is strong in the field. There are numerous high quality flight training facilities across the country capable of training proficient pilots, a great number of universities offering degrees in different aviation segments, all at a national level. Infrastructure was also invested wisely and we see large hubs, medium hubs, small hubs and simple landing strips fully equipped with systems corresponded to their category. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) works in a Federal basis (as the name suggests) – fully functional and flexible enough to correspond to the demand with low numbers on reported corruption cases.”

 

We have it great in the USA and I feel very fortunate to live in America with the ability to travel the world. Sometimes when we think we have it tough, but we must step back and realize that we are living in the land of opportunity....and are very lucky. This is something we must not take for granted. And think of the future.

Everyone must become involved to keep Aviation alive.

Blogging in Formation: 

Dan at Airplanista shared a powerful post with statistics of what is happening in General Aviation.
Andrew at Smart Flight Training highlighted technology with some powerful solutions for Aviation.
Brent at IFlyBlog identifies the crossroads to aviation and how to keep it alive by flying it forward.

Eric at Cap'n Aux will post on July 3rd, and Ron at the House of Rapp will post on July 4th. I'm excited to see where they go with this.

The real question is... where will you go?

We have it great. But what can we do, to 
help the future of Aviation in the USA? 

Have a safe and  Happy Holiday! 

Enjoy the Journey!

XO Karlene 

The Power of Creation

"I become part of life's creation by being willing to contribute to it's creation as well."

Eleesha

I just returned from my trip. Manchester was beautiful, and I brought them the sunshine as promised... if only for a day. I had the opportunity to meet with my friend Ryan Lock for dinner. Short night and back to Atlanta. "4" gate changes created a wonderful diversion between flights, with excellent exercise during the three-hour wait for my flight to Seattle. And I had the opportunity to meet some fabulous people that I will keep in touch with on this journey called life.

But a promise is a promise. And today I promised to write about creativity and creation, and the power within all of us. Which took me to the meaning of life. Why are we running around this earth, or flying as the case may be? What is the purpose of life? Of our existence? Our pain, and our joy...

Perhaps the purpose is nothing other than to create. 

Everything in our lives was once the spark of someone's imagination, and someone's creation. But the stuff is not as important as the lives we touch, and relationships we create along the way. One little girl and her mother left a special imprint on mine.

Walking through a terminal of thousands I stopped a young girl and said, "You need to come and be a pilot with me." I gave her wings. This was a first for me. I chat with the kids and give wings while I hang out at the gate, but not as a practice do I stop someone on a mission to their flight. But tonight I did. 

Why her?

Little did I know that her father had died in a plane crash five years ago. Mom told me they don't hang out with pilots much any more, but Elizabeth has flight suits and holds onto the dream her father once had. Her smile spoke volumes. Flying was a gift that her father had loved, and had taken him away. The amazing thing was her mother's love of life. She is teaching her daughter how to live. These two ladies are living... Not the life they had planned, but an incredible life all the same.

We had changed gates for the second time and as I walked past their gate, Elizabeth came running up to say hello again. And of course we had to take a picture together. Maybe creation is a decision to live a life of your making. Whether you paint a picture, write a book, plant a garden, have a baby, or go on living life to the fullest when tragedy strikes...

Creation is About Life.

What will you leave this world when your time is done? I know of one pilot who left a beautiful child who I am so glad to know. And Elizabeth, you will get a first edition book, "I Can, Because I Am" And this post proves one more thing, that creativity strikes with life. Get out there and live, you will have something to special to write about.

What sparks your creativity?

Enjoy the Journey!

XO Karlene