Monday Motivation: The Sky

"For some the sky is the limit,
For we who fly, it's home"

Barry Schiff

For anyone who has discovered his or her passion, and is living it, knows the meaning of being home. For pilots, it's in the sky. For writers it's sitting at their computer. For artist’s it’s behind the a lens of a camera or at the end of a paintbrush. Could there be anything better than making a living doing what you love?

In honor of Thanksgiving, I have an extra special week all about Barry Schiff—Barry defines the meaning of home by welcoming you into his.

Barry is an accomplished pilot, author, motivator, and he’s continually giving back to the community that’s become his life. I’m honored to have the opportunity to share his story.

Throughout the week you’ll have many opportunities to enter a drawing to win one of Barry’s autographed books—the drawing will be held December 22^nd.

And one day this week, you’ll learn how to enter Barry’s 500-word essay for $3000 toward your solo!

It’s people like Barry who motivate us all. Who are you going to motivate this week? Who will you give thanks to?

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene

Life is an Adventure...

Fact or Fiction:

Could a pilot be assigned a trip to deadhead from Seattle to Detroit for an 18 hour Layover. Then Deadhead 13.5 hours to to Nagoya for a 48 hour layover. A 7.5 hour flight to Honolulu, for a 35 hour layover. Followed by a deadhead to Seattle?

Is this fiction... or the glorious life of an airline pilot on reserve over the holidays?

What's the craziest thing you've ever done for work?

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene

Friday Fabulous Flyer

Dipeet Mehta

Many young people have dreams and aspirations of greatness, but it takes someone with work ethics, energy, and ambition, to reach those dreams. Dipeet is that person. Depeet is originally from India where he started his love affair with airplanes. This was after watching "one" plane pass over his house every evening after he returned from school, for four to five years of his life. The Aviation Bug captured Dipeet at a young age, and he’s been working hard toward his dream of becoming a pilot ever since.

Depeet focused his life to immerse himself in with aviation in anyway possible—Teaching at Air Cadets, volunteering in aviation related events, and becoming a member of Air League. All of which have proven positive experiences for him. He’s currently living in London, and has been there for the six years. He also won and completed a flying scholarship.

What was the best moment of his life? Soloing! He’s even written a diary to included the details— time, date, place, technical details, fun experiences— everything he could recall. Dipeet plans on writing a book one day, too.

Karlene: Depeet how did you catch that flying bug?

Depeet: ‘Bug’ of flying was already into me even before my first flying experience. I use to watch Airplanes take off from Mumbai international airport from my aunt’s house which literally next to the airport. I use to run from one end to another to have a second glimpse of take off. I use to record the Airline name and time when I saw it. At that time, I was 10 or less and had no idea why I had ever done that. Moving to London in 2005 and visiting Heathrow airport in pouring rain or harsh cold winter to see airplanes take off and land one day, it soon flourished into a more specific interest when I took my first flying lesson and the instructor said "you have controls"; this confirmed my earlier thoughts that being a Pilot is one of the most exciting professions that exists. Since that day I have made the Internet my best tool to find out about everything possible regarding this ambitious career. I have loved it ever since and can't wait to do what I have always wanted to: to fly! I have joined the club of aspiring Airline Pilot.

Karlene: You’re amazing with all the volunteering you’ve done. Can you tell me about your aviation events and how you got started teaching at Air Cadets, and volunteering in aviation related events, as well as your involvement in Air League?

Dipeet: I use to be at Air Cadets was given this fantastic opportunity to teach Aviation subjects for First Class & Leading Cadet level which included Principles of flight, Airmanship 1 and 2 along side I also had a bonus, loving flying very much and knowing a 'little' bit more I was given an opportunity to teach on Flight Sims to cadets giving idea of basic instruments, circuits and general handling before they go of to have real experience in the Grob Tutor aircraft.

I had totally loved it I had gained an amazing new experience on how to confidently teach the right stuff, make sure its understood and in return make sure the results from exams are great. Fortunately everyone I had taught passed. I am an Air League student member, which is an Educational Trust which provides flying scholarships, engineering scholarships, balloon scholarships along with gliding to help young people support their ambitions to fly and get that initial step towards it. Being a member we also go to places like RAF valley, RAF Lyneham, sim visits to fly with BA pilots! It’s great fun great way to make a network really.

Karlene: What is your favorite part of teaching and/or volunteering?

Depeet: I would honestly say volunteering because the teaching I did was by being a volunteer, helping out at flying events to raise awareness again by being a volunteer, simply helping the Air League a lot by being a volunteer because they provide us so many things like flying, gliding, career advice, activities, etc. I would really like to help in whatever I can.

I also love teaching not that I am an expert of anything, but I love to see people go 'what on earth is that' and after 2 weeks they pass an exam with flying colours knowing exactly what they didn’t know before! Its great to see someone progress. I was very nervous at first but it was aviation subjects I had extra interest in it so I was able to teach at a standard.

Karlene: Tell me a little bit about the scholarship you won. How did you win it?

Dipeet: Keeping ongoing love for aviation always inside my heart, I decided to apply for the Air League Flying Scholarship competition 2011 through www.airleague.co.uk I had won the Flying Scholarship which was 12 hours towards my PPL. For me it was extra special because it was my first official flying career start so I started from 0 went all the way to Solo in 9 days in 10 hours! Best 12 hours of my entire life, it was so amazing to be flying specially after all those years you have waited for and going Solo in matter of days being in a Cessna I cant describe how brilliant it has ever been to me.

The way I had won it was writing the best possible essay I could, and spell checking it 100 times before sending it off. Once you are through the initial you go to an interview round. I decided not to be over confident and start to plan from square 1, which is ‘why do I like airplanes’, ‘what do you know about becoming a pilot’ not that I dint have an answer to that but I wanted to make it have a steady progress on preparing for this date.

Preparing for the interview was a challenge in itself I had to practice my speech, communication tactics, putting all my hard earned research into 1 format, being up to date with current affairs in aviation and most of all learning to be yourself in that controlled environment. Finding out in real honesty of what I was good at and where lied my weaknesses, long term planning and most of all interest in flying ‘that bug’. So I think that was the main reason why I had got it because its to prove your commitment and have clear goal towards why you want it will certainly get you in a nice position.

Karlene: Do you have any family members who fly?

Dipeet: Unfortunately NONE! I am in fact the first ever person in my family and family (cousins, uncles, anyone else) to ever go flying. I can't truly understand why they are not interested. It’s a downside not being in an airline environment, which I really wish I did, but it also makes me to all the research and work myself to prove that I really want it. But I am planning to start a a new flying trend in future so there will be next time.

Karlene: What are your ultimate goals with flying?

Dipeet: My very short-term goal at the moment is finish off my Private Pilot's License. My medium term goal is to get the Airline Transport Pilot's License and what I would call my main career goal is to fly for British Airways as First officer and work really very hard to become a Captain and ultimately working even harder for the ultimate aim which is to become a Training Captain. Because I would always love to stay in the industry as a Pilot no matter what. If possible help others when I have enough experience in my life. Nothing better then helping young people to fly, I love it when other pilots help me I would do the same when I am old.

Karlene: If you could give anyone advice, what would it be?

Dipeet: As a student just like any other person, I would always say to anyone before starting to fly make sure you hold a medical certificate! I cant stress enough on how valuable it is along side when training make sure YOU use every hour in sky to best because flying school are doing their job to get you through but it is YOUR responsibility to learn, adopt it and enjoy it. Because flying isn’t like 'yea that will do' it is a job of 'knowing your stuff up to date' and also keep loving airplanes it is very hard to start fund etc. I have the same problem of on going funding talks but that wouldn’t let me work towards what I want to be, what I have always aspired too. I can't wait to turn my dream into reality its just fascination and all will be rewarded sometime in future. Many pilots honestly say it is though job and it is but if you love it you should be ready for it. Better then 9-5 at an office.

Karlene: What has been your greatest struggle and how did you overcome it?

Dipeet: My biggest struggle in this day and age is the funding! It's the biggest pain for any student pilot who really wants to make this a career. The way I am still overcoming this is by saving as much as I can, correct planning, right decisions, taking decisive actions and some sacrifices for couple of years for this well worthy career of flying. To over come it is simple: Believe in yourself make things happen don't wait for someone else for to do it for you.

Dipeet, I know you’re going to make all your dreams come true. Keep working hard like you are, and never give up. Continue to believe in yourself... I do! And don’t forget to drop on over to Critique Sisters check out the advice I gave you for writing your book.

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene

First Professional Female Pilot

“I felt the hoop shake under my feet,
but I would rather have died
than miss an engagement that I had taken.”

Blanchard after an1812 ascension over the city of Frankfurt, Germany.

Please meet another fascinating women in the history of aviation—Sophie Blanchard. Who is she? The first professional female pilot.

Sophie made her living selling tickets to her hydrogen balloon performances along with flights that had been commissioned by patrons such as Napoleon Bonaparte and King Louis XVIII. She was named the “Official Aeronaut of Napoleon's Empire” and later the “Official Aeronaut of the French Restoration.”

Jen Sachs—a filmmaker and animator with a passion for stories that have been overlooked or misrepresented by history—contacted me and shared Sophie’s story, and the documentary she is creating.

Jen tells me, “Nearly a decade ago I read a passage in a book on female pilots that noted Sophie Blanchard's first solo flight in 1805 and her role as the Official Aeronaut of Napoleon's Empire. To read of a woman pilot so early in aviation history was exciting. To read of a woman with an official appointment in the French Empire was altogether astonishing.

I embarked on a decade-long personal journey to restore a tale that has been forgotten by history for nearly two centuries. Traveling throughout France, Italy, and the United States, I conducted independent research at archives, libraries, and museums. Every piece of information that I found on Sophie Blanchard made me want to know more."

I had so many questions when I first read this story, and many with an underlying theme of Jen’s motivation— Why Sophie? Why now? What did Jen hope to achieve with this documentary?

“There is a lack of positive female role models in the mainstream media, and I want to see that change. Sophie Blanchard is a fascinating and complex character. At a time when there were very few rights and opportunities for women, she reached for the skies. It's unfortunate that she is generally noted as the first woman to die in an aviation accident despite her successful 15-year career. In making this film, I hope to inspire others with the story of a truly extraordinary heroine.”

Once complete, Jen will pursue distribution of this 72-minute film via theatrical, television, home video, and educational venues, as well as screenings at international film festivals and museums. She’s also interested in doing community screenings for local organizations.

Why would a non-pilot be interested in a woman pilot?

“I’ve always loved flying, in a plane or in a balloon, and the sense of adventure that it conveys. I get excited every time I see an aircraft take off for some unknown destination. My father was an airplane mechanic, and he had once hoped that I would become a professional pilot. In fact, the aviation book in which I first found Sophie Blanchard’s story was a gift from my dad! Though neither of us are licensed, we recently enjoyed our first flying lesson together.”

Jen needs help to bring Sophie’s story to life. If you would like to read more about the woman behind the film, and the woman flying aloft, please visit: The Fantastic Flights of Sophie Blanchard.

I donated enough to take Sophie to 500 feet, and this gave me a copy of her DVD. It’s the time of year to give—and what a better way than help to bring an aviation hero back to life for our children? Sharing this message will get the word out and help take Sophie, and Jen to new heights, too. She needs your help.

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene

Shingles in a Pilot

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

DR. Larry

A 60 y/o pilot laying over in Bangkok recently contacted me via email. He wanted to discuss an intensifying pain on the top and side of his head which had been present for a few days. In the thirty-six hours preceding our meeting on Skype, he developed a red, raised, bumpy tender rash on his forehead. The usual remedies of Tylenol or Advil weren’t helping the pain and he wondered if he should be worried. It wasn’t affecting his vision or his ability to fly however, it wasn’t pretty and it was keeping him from sleeping.

He was in a bit of a panic, thinking he may have contracted something during his trip to SE Asia. After I had a visual of the problem, the easy part was diagnosing a case of shingles, Herpes Zoster. The hard part was telling him it wasn’t going away anytime soon and it was likely to get worse. In fact, it did get worse. The rash spread and caused his eyelid to become swollen. Fortunately, it didn’t affect his cornea or his vision.

The treatment, an anti-viral medication called Valtrex, wasn’t available to him in Bangkok. Once he got home, he started therapy and over a number of days, the rash started to recede. The pain predictably took a few weeks to diminish to the point he didn’t need prescription pain medication for relief and sleep.

He was relieved to know he did not contract this overseas. He came to learn he developed shingles because he had chickenpox growing up. Simple as that. Why him? That remains a mystery.

After having chickenpox, the herpes zoster virus lays dormant in the nerves of the once affected body. It can re-activate years and decades later to a particular nerve to the skin, thus explaining the way it affects a clearly demarcated band of skin only.

We explain its resurgence as due to a decrease in the body's natural resistance, which may come through other infections, stress, being generally run down, or occasionally, when the body's immune defenses are affected by certain drugs or other immune deficiencies. You might think if this were the case, then everyone someday would develop shingles because everyone at some point is stressed or run down beyond healthy. It actually is common with a lifetime incidence of 10% to 20% , and for those over 85 years of age, at least 50%. We used to believe once a person had an outbreak, they were protected. We now know the recurrence rate is over 5% within the following 8 years.

Shingles wouldn’t garner much attention if the rash were the only problem. Pain is the nasty culprit which brings people to their knees. It’s typically intense, often searing and unremitting in nature and people can't bear clothes touching the affected area. To make matters worse, the pain usually lingers long after the rash recedes. We call this pain, Post-Herpetic Neuralgia, or PHN and it’s not uncommon for PHN to last for weeks, months and in some cases, years. There are therapies for PHN however, many of them are not compatible with flying.

To combat shingles and its disability amongst an aging population, a vaccine was created called, Zostavax. This vaccine reduces the risk of an outbreak by up to 50%. While not perfect, it is something to seriously consider for those at risk. Talk to your health care provider to find out if this is something you might benefit from for one never knows when or where this might pop out.

To your good health,

Dr Larry.

CMA

For further information: HERE

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene

Trivia Tuesday: What Good Is It?

After witnessing a successful balloon flight in France, this well-known individual was asked, “What good is it?”

The now-famous response was, “What good is a newborn baby?”

Who was this person?

Barry Schiff, Test Pilot 1,001 Things You Thought You Knew About Aviation

Sign up to follow Flight To Success, and take a guess and you'll be entered in the drawing to win Barry's book, Test Pilot 1,001 Things You Thought You Knew About Aviation.

Drawing for Barry's book to be held on December 22nd.

The answer will be posted around midnight tonight.

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene

And the Answer is: Benjamin Franklin Congratulations to those who knew, and everyone has an entry into the drawing. Next week... you'll get another chance!

Monday Motivation: The Journey

"The best journeys are not always in straight lines."

David Baird

One thing I know is true... despite whatever plans I make, they may not turn out as I'd planned. This truth doesn't stop me from planning. But it does provide me the gift of knowing that when a turn, a road block, or a rock is thrown in my path, it's there for a reason.

Perhaps I have something to learn, an experience I need to embrace, or simply my plan wasn't ready for the world, yet. My career has been anything but a straight line. I've been furloughed, cutback, bankrupt, bumped, and shutdown, but with each experience I have learned something.

If you asked me what I value in life, I would say learning, growth, and experience. Despite what I thought at the time of my career path, I got exactly what I desired. Everything you desire will come to you with time, too, if you don't give up and are able to flow with the curves life throws your way. Accept, and keep going.

How straight has your journey been?

Enjoy the Journey!

XOXO Karlene