Hi everyone ~ with Zane's permission now that I've joined your group ~ I'd like to first offer the important topic information:

As most of you know, Sparky Imeson is one of the most respected teachers of safe Backcountry/Mountain Flying technique in the world. His "Mountain Flying Bible" is just that ... a valued "Bible" for those who aspire to fly the backcountry and mountains safely.

For those of you on the West Coast, I wanted to share that Sparky is going to do a rare seminar in Northern California at 069 in Petaluma, CA on Saturday May 17th. Also, Rob Hunter from "Prepared Pilot" will be joining Sparky to discuss pilot safety/emergency equipment and preparedness.

The cost is $30 per person. Sparky's 3 hour seminar runs from 9 a.m. to Noon; a BBQ lunch will be available for purchase at minimal cost from the local Pilot's Assoc. from Noon to 1 p.m.; from 1 to 2 p.m. Rob Hunter will do his presentation; and from 2-3 p.m. Sparky and Rob will be available to answer your questions.

This is the first time Sparky has been in this area to present his seminar, and for those of you so inclined that live on the West Coast and especially in the Bay Area or NorCal ~ this is a wonderful opportunity. Rob Hunter's knowledge and insight regarding pilot survival and the equipment necessary to survive in the wilderness, is the perfect compliment to Sparky's flying expertise.

Please contact me at [email protected] to reserve a seat or to get additional information!


And now a quick introduction as to who I am & why I'm here!

I post under "Flywriter" but my name is Susan. I'm a writer in Northern California working on a book of real-life "stories" about pilots.

Although not a pilot myself (yet); I bring a life-long love of flying and aviation to this book; my father was a 37 year career employee of UAL and I grew up on airplanes.

This project was inspired by a good friend, Gary (who is a member here and is hosting Sparky's seminar at his home airport of 069); and his adventures with his 182 learning to mountain/backcountry fly with Sparky Imeson. LONG story; but the book project has taken off (pardon the pun; although Sparky would like it!) beyond my wildest dreams since then.

Gary and Sparky himself first agreed to let me write about them 2 years ago. Since then, I'm now blessed to say that with the support for my idea and help of Brian Terwilliger, producer/director of the wonderful film "One Six Right" ~ they now are in the company of an amazing group of aviators including pilots from the film; aerobatic pilots Wayne Handley and Jacquie Warda; a NASA Shuttle Astronaut; a Lockheed Test Pilot; a Marine Top Gun F-18 pilot who started out flying in a Cessna as a kid in Texas ... and many other pilots representing varied types of aviation from GA to WWII Aces ~ there are numerous great stories out there from truly inspiring aviators that I'm blessed to be able to write about.

As part of my research and background for the book, it is helpful for me to get perspective and insight into "pilot mind". I'm hoping that you might not object to my posting questions here occasionally along the lines of your feelings and thoughts regarding the type of flying you do; what being a pilot means to you; what motivated you to fly?

I fly when I can. Lucky to go up with Gary in his 182 occasionally; been fortunate in the past year to experience aerobatics in a Pitts; hang my knee over the Sonoma Country hills at 3,000 feet in a Trike (much to the chagrin of my husband!) If I didn't have horses to financially support I'd have my ticket by now ~ but I promise to bring a genuine passion for the doing and enough knowledge to a discussion to not make myself sound "too" ignorant!

But most importantly for now ~ if you can make it ......

[email protected]

E-mail me to reserve a spot. Come see Sparky Imeson and Rob Hunter at 069 in Petaluma, CA ... May 17th!

Well Flywriter, Welcome! - I think.

Flywriter wrote:hang my knee over the Sonoma Country hills at 3,000 feet in a Trike (much to the chagrin of my husband!)

Was it with that French guy who has the Air Creation Clipper? I can't remember his name, but I flew with him at Santa Ynez one time. Funny guy. He called the large bolt that hold the delta wing to the pod "the Jesus Bolt."

1SeventyZ wrote:

Flywriter wrote:hang my knee over the Sonoma Country hills at 3,000 feet in a Trike (much to the chagrin of my husband!)

Was it with that French guy who has the Air Creation Clipper? I can't remember his name, but I flew with him at Santa Ynez one time. Funny guy. He called the large bolt that hold the delta wing to the pod "the Jesus Bolt."

LOL ~ Michael Globensky of Spirits Up at 069 Petaluma ~ that crazy French guy? Name ring a bell ... although heaven help us if there's more than one of him up there flying!

All kidding aside ... super nice guy and I had a great time flying with him. Did touch n' go's in a cow pasture and got some priceless photographs.

Small world!

Skystrider wrote:Well Flywriter, Welcome! - I think.

Thanks ~ and anyplace with pilots with sigs quoting Douglas Adam's has to be fun!

I'm going to give you a chance to see if you really welcome me or not and start probing into your *pilot minds* here shortly with some questions for you guys.

Sparky and Gary have already convinced me pilots that do this kind of flying are slightly different to begin with (in a good way, in a good way!); let's see if that holds true!

Hey, As you say, I am quoting Douglas Adams! What kind of mind could I possibly have?

I have reserved a spot. Anybody else. Would like to make a weekend of it. Is there any place interesting to go to from there (o69).

Tim

1SeventyZ wrote:

Flywriter wrote:hang my knee over the Sonoma Country hills at 3,000 feet in a Trike (much to the chagrin of my husband!)

Was it with that French guy who has the Air Creation Clipper? I can't remember his name, but I flew with him at Santa Ynez one time. Funny guy. He called the large bolt that hold the delta wing to the pod "the Jesus Bolt."

The "Jesus nut" is the one nut that holds the entire rotor system on a UH-1 Huey. It even began to be called that in official publications.

I'll be in Sonoma that weekend, but I'll be working .

Still have room....
Sparky Imeson and Rob Hunter on the West Coast; how often does THAT happen?!

Weather is going to be warm & beautiful; no fog to deal with.

Come on....you know you want to.

Avgas still under $5.50 at 069!

Prime-Rib sandwiches.......

Looks like cus of misc woes with plane, I will be driving 4.5 hrs rather than flying just under 2 hrs. Pisser.

Tim

I'll bet the trike flying was a little unsettling for you. Most GA pilots view them as something to be avoided. I started in gliders, moved to 172s and now fly trikes as well. It is the purest form of motorized flight there is. You don't fly the plane, you fly the wing.

Good luck on your book, I look forward to reading it.

John Cortesy

I would love to go, can't get there.

Sparky is not to far from me, I was hoping to get there and spend some time flying with him. Don't know if I could, or if he would for that matter.

qmdv wrote:Looks like cus of misc woes with plane, I will be driving 4.5 hrs rather than flying just under 2 hrs. Pisser.

Tim

Tim ... as I e-mailed you this a.m.; hope you'll still brave it and come ~ Sparky's driving 15+ hours (sold his 180 and looking for another plane) if it's any consolation that somebody will have it worse than you.

Probably not though

soaringhiggy wrote:I would love to go, can't get there.

Sparky is not to far from me, I was hoping to get there and spend some time flying with him. Don't know if I could, or if he would for that matter.

You should ~ super nice guy; great teacher. Moved recently to Helena though ... contact him through his website.

trikepilot wrote:I'll bet the trike flying was a little unsettling for you. Most GA pilots view them as something to be avoided. I started in gliders, moved to 172s and now fly trikes as well. It is the purest form of motorized flight there is. You don't fly the plane, you fly the wing.

Good luck on your book, I look forward to reading it.

John Cortesy

Hi John ~ thanks for the kind wishes re the book; I look forward to getting it written ... although the process of doing so I have to admit, has turned into a grand adventure!

And as for my trike flight ~ naah ~ not that I'm fearless, but I almost am when it comes to flying with people I trust. And not yet a pilot myself, I brought an un-biased perspective to the experience.

Michael of Spirits Up at 069 that took me up was great; came highly recommended, and made the whole experience from start to finish so much fun, I didn't have time or the inclination to get unsettled! Would do it again in a heartbeat ... and you're right; unlike going up with our friend in his 182 ~ there is definately a more acute sense of feel for the wing and the flight itself ... in a trike. I loved it!

"I look forward to getting it written ... although the process of doing so I have to admit, has turned into a grand adventure!"

What you say here is absolutely true. I love reading stories; from pilots about pilots and all the crazy stories that have filtered down to me through the years, some true some not, but all entertaining just the same.

I take pictures when I fly to spectacularly scenic sites and I have friends that shoot video to capture the majesty of the landscapes that we fly over and through. Still the photographic evidence of our adventures pales in comparison to the well crafted tales as told by master storytellers recounting the sometimes heroic, sometimes hilarious, and sometimes downright stupid situations that all aviators will eventually encounter.

For some one like you to attempt to correlate a collection of stories into a book is most definitely a grand adventure. I wouldn't want to leave anything out and would wind up with way too much information. Good luck.[/quote]

Just got back from Peteluma (O69). Sparky was good and so was the Rob Hunter.

Tim

Thanks qmdv. I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was good to see you and several other BCP members there.

I wish to offer a big thank you to Flywriter and the Petaluma Pilots Association for all of their work in organizing the event! There was a great turn out, things went smoothly and the few minor glitches were easily overcome. Lots of people stayed to ask me questions afterwards which I always think is a positive sign.

You sure live in a beautiful part of the country. The flying here looks great. I wish I did not have to go home tomorrow.

If you want to watch my flying progress as I fly home tomorrow you can see it at: http://share.findmespot.com/shared/gogl ... kVpI3UzOeD

P.S. If after I depart O69 my forward progress seems to stop and multiple track points come from a place that is not an airport would you please tell the SAR team where to find me.

edited to correct link

qmdv wrote:Just got back from Peteluma (O69). Sparky was good and so was the Rob Hunter.

Tim

Did Sparky say how his student in the Husky from last year was doing?