i Health

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

DR. Larry

Ok, I really meant “eye” health, although it is about the “i” in individual. A week doesn't go by when a pilot coming in for their physical tries to prove - to me or is it themselves - their eyes are as good as they ever were, denying they need readers or perhaps glasses to see a far.

They struggle through the eye exam, barely reading the minimums for near and distant vision, all the while holding on to their cheater glasses hoping they won't be needed. In the back of my mind, I’m wondering if they clearly see the runway signage on a rainy night.

I get this. I truly do and I’m not above this myself. It’s about not succumbing to the plague known as glasses. It's about maintaining the perception of youth while pushing father time into the background and it's about the ego.

There’s also some science to the idea that by making eye muscles contract and relax, called Visual Therapy, the lens maintains its elastic properties bringing images into focus. This concept lends credence to the notion that using glasses becomes a crutch for the lens to stiffen.

Be what it may, I’m continually amazed at the number of aviators who have either never been to an eye doctor or have not been in many years. They don’t even go with good insurance benefits for preventative eye care. This shouldn't surprise me since it's no different from the doctor-avoidance way of thinking. For these avoiders, my job is to push them.

GO SEE AN EYE DOCTOR, GET AN EYE CHECK-UP!

As an AME, I don’t care if glasses are worn or not so long as one’s visual acuity meets the standards. Not only am I grateful as a passenger when my pilots have sharp visual acuity, I'm also grateful when my pilots stay healthy in order to return for their next physical, sans problems. This is the crux of i health. Staying healthy includes the eyes and all other body parts.

It's difficult for a doc to assess eye health without the special tools optometrists and ophthalmologists possess. Checking for glaucoma, cataracts and retinal diseases are just a few of the problems which can creep up and potentially affect an aviator’s flight status, and they are not easily evaluated in a primary care setting.

Many eye problems can be prevented. Damage to sight from glaucoma (a.k.a. ocular hypertension) is controlled by medication. Cataracts can often be prevented by good UV blockade. Retinal damage may be averted with various laser or medication therapies. BUT, if we don’t look for the problems, it’s likely they will find us first, and I’m willing to bet that long after one’s flying career is over, we’d be grateful to have our eyesight, along with all our senses.

My recommendations for wellness eye exams are every three years the 30s, every two years in the 40s and every year after 50. Please don't be one who ignores their “i” (eye) for the sake of their “e” (ego).

Here’s to a healthy outlook!

Dr. Larry

Dr. Larry Greenblatt
Heart Attack, Stroke and Diabetes Prevention
Sports medicine/Family Practice
cmadoc.com

425-637-0636

Thank you Dr. Larry!

Enjoy the Journey~
XOX Karlene

Happy Valentines Day!

From the bottom of my furry little heart,
I wish you all the most lovable Valentine's Day ever!

I'm having a Valentine's Dinner party with the grandkids tonight. (parents included) Cupcakes, heart-shaped pizza, and valentines will prevail. Sprinkled with a little candy, and lots of magic too. When all the kids are here, it feels like a zoo. So much fun. I'm also receiving my hardback books this afternoon and will be autographing them to ship first thing Wednesday morning.

What are you doing special today? Whatever it is, enjoy every moment, and have a wonderful day of love.

XOX Karlene
(Fatigue post on Thursday)

What Inspires You?

Seriously, what inspires you?


What gives you the drive to wake up each morning and put one foot in front of the other? What force commits you to hours of studying? What propels you to climb out of your warm bed before sunrise preflight your plane? What makes you sit at your computer for endless hours late into the night when your bed is calling your name?

Is it a drive?
Is it dedication?
Is it genetic or learned?
Did you create it, or was it a gift?

What Inspires You?

I'm in the process of writing my next book:

FLIGHT TO SUCCESS, It's all about the Attitude.

Inspiration is huge key to success. I know what inspires me, I'm curious what drives you.

By leaving a comment, you're telling me it's okay for me to quote you in my book. If I use your words of wisdom for my inspiration chapter, I will send you an autographed copy.
To be released in Fall of 2012.

If you could sum it up in a quote of your own, what would you say?

One thing that inspires me is the motivation of others. One of the most motivating stories to me is about a little girl named Lydia, who smiles despite the pain. I've written a few posts with her struggles and her journey. Meet the young lady by looking in the left column: Love for Lydia and read her stories. And for those of you who have been following her, click HERE for her latest update.

Thank you!

Enjoy the Journey~

XOX Karlene

Mike Coe

Friday Fabulous Flyer

Captain Mike Coe

"I can easily recall the taste of my dream as a young boy to become an airline pilot and the many 'missed approaches' in my 'Flight to Success.'” Mike Coe

Mike is a graduate of Auburn University (B.A. '76 in Aviation Management) and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (M.S. Aeronautical Science '84), and served six years as an Air Force pilot (USAF HH-53 pilot/instructor pilot.) Five years as a corporate pilot~ Flight department manager and pilot for a regional hospital management company with a fleet of eight and ten pilots. He spent 21 years as a commercial airline pilot for American Airlines flying the F-100, B727, B737, B757, B767, MD11, and retired from American Airlines as a 757/767 captain.

He’s an author too!

His first novel, “Flight to Paradise: was released May 2010; his second novel “Flight into Darkness” (a sequel) was released November 2011; his third novel in the Flight Trilogy, “Flight to Freedom” is scheduled to be released in 2012.

Mike has graciously offered to give away to one of our readers one of his books. Just leave a comment and you’ll be entered for the drawing. The winner will be announced on Valentines Day, February 14th. What a better day for a gift from the heart. After you read his interview, you’ll agree—Mike Coe is a man with a heart.

His struggles, challenges, and continued successes, speak volumes for what a person can do when they don’t give up, have a lot of faith, a solid relationship and good friends to encourage them along the way. Mike’s an experienced pilot in so many ways, and reached his dream of becoming an Airline Pilot for American Airlines. But that success doesn’t end there. He’s doing something so many of us only dreamed about. Please enjoy the journey with Mike Coe~ It’s a heck of a ride.

Karlene: Mike, I love to discover when and how pilots became interested in airplanes. Did someone or something inspire you?

Mike: "I first recall becoming obsessed with airplanes at the age of five (1959) when my grandparents began taking me to our local country airport on Sunday afternoons to watch Eastern Airlines and Southern Airways DC-3s and Martin 404’s land, taxi up to our little shack-like terminal building, deplane and load passengers, fire up the smoky radial engines, taxi out and take off. There was something magical about standing at the fence (previously used to keep cows in) watching the relatively quick operation (less than 30 minutes). I was twelve years old (July 31, 1967) when Southern Airways retired their fleet of DC-3s with the last flight being from our little country airport (Dothan, Alabama) to Memphis, TN.

A year later (1968), I took my first roundtrip airplane ride in a Southern Airways Martin 404 from Dothan to Atlanta. Seated in a window seat on the left side of the cabin adjacent to the wing’s leading edge, I had the perfect seat to study the big 18-cylinder Pratt & Whitney 2,000 hp radial engine. I was hooked."

Karlene: I often wonder at the power of that first observation as a little boy with airplanes. I can see you standing at the fence looking in. I took my grandson to Boeing field during an air show, and at 15-months old he hung on the fence and stared in awe. Powerful experience. So you’re hooked. From 12 to pilot, how did that happen?

Mike: "My 19-year pursuit to earn my living as an airline pilot was a bumpy “flight” filled with deviations, near misses, and plenty of emotional ups and downs. With the relatively few numbers of available airline jobs (approximately 2% of the U.S. population are pilots, but only 10% of pilots are employed by airlines) and daunting competition for each job, my pursuit often appeared hopeless.

First, I obtained all the necessary licenses and ratings as quickly as possible, but building time—good quality time—was difficult. I rode shotgun on countless numbers of oddball trips for the chance to log a few minutes; I flight instructed; I served as a helicopter-only pilot in the Air Force; I flew corporate—all good but not good enough to land an airline job during the severe economic recession that hit much of the developed world in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. The effects of deregulation in 1978 had ushered in a turbulent period for commercial aviation."

Karlene: You were a military helicopter pilot? Amazing experience. You had quite the resume. But we know that timing is everything in this career. Despite your vast experience, I’m sure those doors weren’t opening rapidly. What happened?

Mike: "After 16 years, 5,000 hours of flying time (civilian, military, corporate), and practically every possible license and rating (except glider and lighter-than-air), I was 32 years old (1986). I had grown weary and determined that my dream of becoming an airline pilot had slipped away (very few airlines were interested in hiring pilots over the age of 30 unless they had a logbook full of jet time). With a wife and two young children, my focus had shifted from chasing the uncertainties of an airline career to the growing demands of my family."

"I had given up completely on the airlines and was planning out a new career when an old Air Force buddy called (late 1986). He had recently been hired by American Airlines. In 1984 American implemented a B-scale pay plan for new hire pilots and planned to become the largest airline in the world. My friend encouraged me to give the airlines one more try."

Karlene: That’s what friends are for—to support and encourage. I think there is encouragement and messages all around, if we’re willing to listen. It appears you took your friend’s advice.

Mike: "If it had not been for my friend (and many others along the way) reaching out to help me, I might never have given it “one more try”. I am constantly reminded that everyone who achieves much success does it with the help of others. The world-class motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, put it this way: “If you help enough people get what they want, you’ll get what you want.”

Karlene: I love that statement. I too have had a wealth of support along my journey. So when did you actually get hired at American?

Mike: "I joined American Airlines in November 1987 (33 years old) and retired in December 2008 (54 years old). Looking back, I am forever humble to have been given the opportunity to enjoy the greatest career ever and blessed with a wife who has been my greatest encourager during the entire journey."

Karlene: You worked hard for the opportunity, and you took it. Your motivation and inner strength amazes me. Where does this come from?

Mike: "From my first flying lesson in a Cessna 150 on November 30, 1970 (16 years old), to my checkout as a Captain for American Airlines on May 11, 2000 (46 years old), there is one quote that best sums up the motivation for my persistent journey."

“When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”

Karlene: I love that quote, and your inspirational attitude toward life is woven into your words. Do you have a most inspirational flight?

Mike: "It was in 1988 and I was based at DCA with American Airlines. We were in the last few minutes of boarding passengers in El Paso for a trip to Chicago when the flight attendant came to the cockpit and mentioned that there was a first-class passenger with whom she was having difficulty communicating. She said the passenger was deaf.

A little background: My wife graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with a specialty in Deaf Education. After moving to Virginia (DCA) with American Airlines, I began learning Sign Language. After becoming fairly proficient, I joined my wife and volunteered to work with the deaf in our local church. In addition, while on my trips with American, I was always sensitive to passengers who were deaf and found many opportunities to interpret for a gate agent or flight attendant.

On this particular flight, I offered my help to the flight attendant. She said that would be nice as she was not certain of the man’s drink request. I excused myself from the cockpit to go visit with the deaf passenger. After a few minutes of introduction, the man signed to me, “Where did you learn Sign Language?” I explained how I had learned through a class in my local church. He signed, “No. What book did you use to learn?” I stumbled trying to remember the exact title of the book and tried to explain what it looked like. He signed, “Did it have a white cover?” I signed, “Yes!” He signed, “I wrote that book.” I signed, “Then that makes you my teacher. How exciting to meet you.”

The man’s name was Terrence J. O’Rourke and the book was the best selling A Basic Course in American Sign Language. T.J. O’Rourke graduated from California School for the Deaf, Berkeley, and Gallaudet College (where he later taught English for eight years). He was author of two of the nation’s all time best-selling sign language texts; national director of the National Association of the Deaf Communication Skills Program, president of the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities; and founded T.J. Publishers for the purpose of publishing deaf-related books. It was in January 1992 when I learned of Mr. O’Rourke’s passing.

As one of my mentor’s, meeting Mr. O’Rourke was an inspirational and encouraging moment. I continued my work with the deaf to include teaching classes to the deaf in my church, interpreting, and conducting mini Sign Language courses for flight attendants and pilots at American Airlines.

In my second novel, “Flight into Darkness”, one of my characters is deaf and will be a key character in the final book of the Flight Trilogy, “Flight to Freedom.”

Karlene: Wow. What are the chances that that man was on your flight? An amazing story—definitely on top of anyone’s inspirational list. I’m sorry for your loss of such a mentor, but he carries on in your work. I’m curious as to your greatest life challenge.

Mike: "By late 1986 (prior to being hired by American Airlines), I had accumulated debts totaling nearly $700,000 (personal and business). Through a series of circumstances and a lot of prayer, it became clear that we needed to get out of debt. After learning of Christian Financial Concepts, a nonprofit organization started by Larry Burkett dedicated to teaching the biblical principles of handling money, we surrendered our financial lives to God, set up a budget and began our journey towards financial freedom. By 1996, we were totally debt free (including our mortgage).

In 1996, I founded the non-profit teaching ministry, Christian Oriented Education, Inc. Through the trials and experiences of our lives we are better equipped to help others as they walk through their dark time. Again, as Zig Ziglar said, “If you help enough people get what they want, you’ll get what you want.”

Karlene: From rags to riches, you’ve mastered success. But it wasn’t easy, and many steps along the way you could have given up, and you didn’t. That speaks volumes. What was one of your greatest moments in your career?

Mike: "While living in Nashville (based at BNA with American Airlines), I was fortunate to have been mentored by Dave Ramsey (best selling financial author, talk show host of The Dave Ramsey Show aired on the Fox Business Network). From 1993 to 1997, I worked as a part-time counselor and seminar instructor for Ramsey’s company, The Lampo Group, Inc.

I recently published the first of a three part series on personal finance titled: Solving the Money Puzzle. Part 1 is available as an e-book from Amazon and other online book retailers for .99. Once I complete the entire series, I plan to combine the three parts into a paperback. My website, FINANCIAL FREEDOM, offers free education and budgeting tools for anyone interested in personal finance."

Karlene: That’s a great offer to get free education on budgeting. I’m sure in today’s world we can all use a little help. Now tell me about your writing. As you know I just wrote my first Flight novel. What inspired you to write fiction?

Mike: "Pilots are typically logical, sequential, rational thinkers—“left-brained”, while artists are typically random, intuitive, creative thinkers—“right-brained”. Although broad generalizations are often made in popular psychology about a person being predominately left-brained (logical) or right-brained (creative) these characteristics in fact exist in both sides of the brain.

I believe my desire to write was born from my love for stories—stories being the essence of life’s deepest desires and experiences. I am particularly interested in stories about the human experience—the struggle to find satisfaction in life. I believe fiction presents the perfect platform for the transfer of these experiences. The fictional stories I write are derived from the real world—where we all live—stories about the world as it is, strange and real, yet full of grace.

The material for stories is found all around us. As one author said, “I find my greatest ideas for stories when I ask, what would happen if...?” During my twenty-one years with the airlines, I observed and listened to the life stories of many pilots and flight attendants. Many of these stories inspired me to write the Flight Trilogy.

As individuals, we are unique works of art, but within our human experiences—successes, failures, and heartaches—we are connected by a common thread. It is my goal that each story I write entertain, evoke emotion, and leave my readers with a message of hope for a better tomorrow—stories for the head, heart, and soul."

Karlene: Mike, your words on this page speak volumes of your eloquence with the craft. Thank you for the wonderful interview.

Now for the readers—I read the first of Mike’s stories. Flight to Paradise. Well, I almost finished it. My last fatigue-induced flight, with a 0130 wake up followed by a flight to Haneda, Japan, I was snuggled into the bathtub enjoying his story. Then, after a quick seven-hour nap and a 6 p.m. wake up call for a midnight departure, It wasn’t until I was on the bus headed to the airport that I’d realized I left it in the bathroom. My loss is someone else’s gift.

I did find the concept of Mike’s book fascinating because of the subject and the man behind the writing. At first glance, one might think that this tough male-military pilot would write about death and violence. And the mother/grandma, who is a romantic at heart who bakes cookies, would write romance—our first two books are just the opposite. Don’t be mistaken, this book is for all those who love the journey of life, intertwined with the desire to live the passion of aviation.

As I said, Mike is giving away one of his books… so let me tell you a little bit about them.

Flight To Paradise

Eighteen year old Keri Hart’s life was turned upside down when her Southern high society mother insisted, “Now Sugah, I think it would be best if you ended it with Ryan Mitchell…” only days before his leaving Atlanta to attend the United States Naval Academy.

Fast-forward nine years, Keri is a Miami-based flight attendant; Ryan is a Navy fighter pilot based near San Diego and soon to be airline pilot. In hopes of reviving a love once lost, Ryan writes to Keri. Before the letter is posted, Rex Dean, Ryan’s laid-back, self-absorbed roommate, intercepts and alters the letter—the beginning of a deviously concocted plan that blindsides the hometown hopefuls, thrusting them into rebound relationships.

With Ryan’s marriage a train wreck and Keri engaged—her wedding only weeks away—fate arranges a coincidental New York layover. A morning stroll through Central Park awakens their undeniable love for each other, forcing them to question everything they thought they knew.

Flight To Darkness

Fifteen years have passed. It’s July 11, 2002. Ryan Mitchell is living in Southern California with his wife, teenage son, and five-year old daughter when he is thrust into his deepest, darkest hour—a nightmare of gargantuan proportions.

Samael Janus, a delusional lunatic, travels from Istanbul, Turkey, to Southern California on a personal mission of revenge. All that stands between Samael and the success of his twisted plan is Captain Ryan Mitchell’s willingness to sacrifice his life in exchange for the lives of his wife and children. As Samael puts it, “If you do exactly as I instruct, your family will remain safe. Otherwise, they will all die, starting with your youngest child.”

Flight into Darkness Is a story of struggle between fear and faith—evil and good—and how love can empower the human spirit with divine strength. A flight filled with suspense and surprise that promises to thrill. Welcome aboard and buckle up as Captain Mitchell takes off into turbulent skies asking readers to “please, remain in your seats with your seatbelts fastened”, have faith, and pray.

Mike Coe, born and raised in Dothan, Alabama, currently resides in Southern California with his “wonderful” wife, Sue Marie. These two high school sweethearts recently celebrated their 35th anniversary—January 2012. Mike says, “she is my “Paradise”. Their daughter, 25, lives in San Clemente, CA., and their son, 30, lives in Austin, TX.

Mike and Sue

When I asked Mike if he had any words of Wisdom for the American Airline employees he said,

“Our lives are not defined by our jobs and the companies that employ us, but by the people in our lives—our families, friends, and fellow employees—never forget. We live in a broken world. Tough times allow us to see the needs of others more clearly. Giving ourselves to others almost always takes our mind off our troubles. It might only take a smile to brighten a person's day. We need each other more now than ever before. What often appears to destroy us is what eventually defines us and takes us to a better place.”

I couldn't have said it better!

Thank you, Mike, for the incredible interview and the lesson in patience yesterday. Your story is amazing and you are an inspiration to all. Tomorrow I'll be heading to Austin to babysit my grandson for a night, as my youngest lives there. Maybe one day I'll meet your son during my journey.

Please visit Mike at COEBOOKS and of course on his Flight Trilogy Blog.

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene

Thank you!

Thank You ALL for your overwhelming Support on

Flight For Control

Your Paperbacks are being shipped today!

Your Hardbacks next week!

And 11 Kindles have been upload to anxious readers!

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like
wrapping a present and not giving it"

William Arthur Ward

Thank you for the gift of support.
We have 29,999 books to go and then we can buy a plane.

"Dream Big or Go Home"

Darby Bradshaw

Enjoy the Journey! And read yesterday's post if you haven't yet.

XOX Karlene

FLIGHT FOR CONTROL!

My aviation Thriller has become reality!

Today is all about
Flight For Control!

Purchase on: Amazon
or
Purchase on: Barnes & Noble
or
Purchase on this blog for an Autographed Copy.
<<<<<<<< Look Left. 

Flight For Control has arrived!

For your Kindle Edition click:

Flight For Control kindle

For your Nook Edition click

Flight For Control Nook

STORY:

Three airliners have crashed in the last year and nobody knows why. After a ten-year leave, Kathryn Jacobs has been invited back to the N.T.S.B to investigate this series of unexplained airline crashes. But her husband, Captain Bill Jacobs, has his concerns. While her twin daughters are off at camp, and Bill is actively campaigning for the Pilot Union Presidency, Kathryn secretly begins her investigation.

What she learns will shock the nation.

Flight For Control is a thriller that reads like a mystery. But to Kathryn, there is no mystery on the condition of the airline industry—it’s broken. Planes are crashing. Pensions are lost. Pilots are financially and emotionally bankrupt due to fatigue, furloughs, and loss of seniority. It’s time that someone takes control before it’s too late—unless it already is.

Your life is in your pilot’s hands.
Do you know who’s flying your plane?

WARNING:

Please be advised this book is for mature audiences only. Okay... you don't have to be mature, but you should be old enough to deal with some serious real-life issues. While fiction, Flight For Control harnesses the current airline environment, economy, and the stress your pilots face daily. Where is the union? What is the FAA doing? What is management's fiduciary responsibility? Flight For Control also contains strong sexual content. When on the big screen, it will be R-Rated. Be ready for the flight of your life, it may be your last.

If you can handle the flight, then you will love the action and adventure of Flight For Control.

Read what the experts say:

Flight For Control is a fascinating debut and a truly terrifying insider's take on the airline industry by an author who knows what she's talking about. You will not want to get on an airplane after reading Petitt's book.

Mike Lawson—Author of The Political Thriller of the Year

House Divided, House Secrets and House Justice

“A strong debut with a complex plot that keeps the reader guessing until the very end.”

Robert Dugoni—Lawyer and New York Times Bestselling Author of fiction

The Jury Master, Cyanide Canary, and Damage Control

“Flight for Control is a powerhouse debut novel. Karlene Petitt combines her insider knowledge of the airline industry with her impressive writing skills to create a spellbinding thriller. Why did Flight 39 crash? Could there be more to these air disasters than meets the eye? And what can Kathryn do about it? I was hooked on the first page and never stopped reading till it was over.”

William Bernhardt—Over 10 million novels sold. Bestselling Author of

Capital Betrayal, Nemesis, and Hate Crime

“I have a mental map of the book, and boy, is this one ever a labyrinth. Think three-dimensional Midwestern corn maze. It's quite a wild ride. A lot of it scares me, but it reveals a lot about the current state of the commercial aviation industry, stuff that most people don't even think about or can imagine happening..."

Christine Hollingsworth, Pilot

NOTE: Flight For Control is the first in the Flight Trilogy~

Flight For Safety, and Flight For Survival are on their way.


Thank you all for your support, encouragement, and for being one of the first to read the next Best Selling Thriller...

Flight For Control! The Sequel Flight For Safety is coming soon.

Read what the readers have said about Flight For Control by clicking on:

Amazon Comments

If you want to be an extra in the movie...

send an email to 

FlightForControlTheMovie@gmail.com

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene

General Aviation verses Airline Flying

Last week I received a great set of questions from a general aviation instructor, Noah. I thought it would be for everyone to hear the differences too. I know that you have more to add, so please do so in the comments.

Noah Rice just before takeoff

Questions and Answers:

I know that the training that I'm doing now will help me when I get to the airlines, I know there will differences but I'm just not sure how big the differences will be.

1. How different is the flight planning process at the majors from the flight training level?

Flight planning at the major airlines:

Answer: Somebody else plans our route. Determines required fuel. Determines alternates. Provides weather and Notams. Creates and files the flight plan. We review the paperwork. We have the ability to request more fuel, but usually that’s not an issue if our dispatcher is doing their job—which they normally are very good.

DA-42

2. Are there things that I can do now as a student pilot and as a GA pilot that will help me prepare for a career at a major?

Answer: Learn discipline, communication and management skills, and practice living like a Captain. What is a Captain? A leader. Click HERE to read how to be a CAPTAIN.

Over Utah lake downwind to PVU

3. Are there things that you have learned in CRM at the many airlines you’ve worked, that I can apply to my own flying? One thing I do is I confirm everything with my instructor when we're flying such as, runways before we enter them, and takeoff and landing clearances. Last year one of my best friends was up with his instructor and they had an accident, neither of them made it. It really made me be a lot more careful and I really wanted to have more communication myself and my instructor.

Answer: I’ve learned so much at the many airlines I’ve worked. Standard Operating Procedures is the key. Doing the same thing, the same way, and knowing your procedures so well you could do them in your sleep will enable you to shift your attention to an emergency if it should arise. If you have to tax your memory on the normal stuff, when the abnormal stuff happens, you won’t have enough brain cells to deal with the emergency. Know your normals. In addition, when flying with other pilots everyone knows what is expected. When someone deviates, you’ll know, and won’t assume it’s a technique.

Anticipate any contingency that “could” happen will enable you to prepare early. Don’t ever think it couldn’t happen to you, because it could. Be ready.

Plan, review, brief, and prepare for every flight is essential.

Listen and encourage feedback. We all have something important to say, and can learn from everyone.

Treat the plane and your job with respect. Have fun…yes. But you owe the best you can be to your passengers. This means… be healthy, rested, and prepared.

Noah in the CRJ-200 Frasca sim

4. I was out with my friend tonight, who is one of the people who wants to fly with me told me that she's afraid of flying. Would it be better for me to take her up or advise her to fly on a commercial airline before flying with me?

Answer: I would take her up and allow her to fly the plane. Explain what is happening and the basic concepts of flight. She’ll be so focused on what she’s doing, she won’t have time to be scared.

Walking on the Ramp.

5. I've flown many different aircraft, C172,DA-20,DA-40, DA-42 Twinstar ( I train in this), and a Cirrus SR-22. What are the main differences between flying a "Heavy" jet and flying light GA aircraft? I want to think that the fundamental skills still apply like knowing when to flare, recovering from stalls etc... but I just want to know if my thinking is correct.

Answer: I’ve been recently taking an Instrument Flying Ground school and learning the differences all over again. I personally think it’s easier at the airlines. Easy is a relative term. We have a lot more responsibility, but we also have more of a support team.

In the commercial world we are more protected by the “system.” Our focus is more on flying the plane and dealing with emergencies if they should arise. ATC takes really good care of us. We have a team... flight planning, etc.,

Landing at Spanish Fork

The flying is very different from what I remember because we do it more on automation than the GA world. We also do everything IFR. But, with that said, I’ve noticed that the pilots who fly small planes on their days off, have excellent skill flying the big jets. Weight. Lift. Thrust. Drag. All the same in any plane. We have more options to create more drag with speed brakes on the jets. The bigger planes fall out of the sky faster without their engines too. The landing is a bit different, too. (In some planes)

A 747 lands like a big 172. Height of the flare is an issue going back to the little planes. But flare and the process (other than it’s heavier) is very similar. The Airbus A330, however, is different in landing because we don’t really flare, but stop the decent rate. When the mains are on the runway, we fly the nose down to the runway.

One thing that I realized is the shift of power and pitch between jets and general aviation planes. In jets, on final approach, thrust is airspeed. Pitch keeps us on the path. I was told during my instrument class that when I “break out” during my instrument approach, in my general aviation airplane, that I need to switch from this concept I’m used to, and “fly speed with pitch!” Speed with pitch—how can that be? Thrust gives you speed. This is going to take some getting use to.

VSI in small planes lags. Air transport aircraft have IVSI—instantaneous. It’s a great tool.

Mt. Timpanogas

Managing the mass, despite the size, is the key to flying. Knowing your plane is equally essential in all types. General aviation has far more work getting ready for the flight because you do it all yourself. We have a team called dispatch.

Traffic on final. I was number 3 for takeoff. DA-40 on final,

Excellent questions~ I hope that one day I can come fly with you. And please, anyone who has anything to add… we would all love to hear your comments! And thanks for the great photos Noah.

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene