Take 'em Flying!!!

Next month I will share with you an event that I have been wanting to do for several years.  Most of you know that I live and publish this magazine from a small town in Arkansas.  To my knowledge northwest Arkansas is the only area of the state that has been providing an aviation camp for the youth.  I know that there have been aviation camps for years in other states for the youngsters. 

This project of putting on a kid’s aviation camp was a challenge to me.  With a little work and promotion, we have thirty kids ready to come to the camp scheduled for August 1-5.  The next issue will provide readers with the results of our first Aviation Camp for Kids.  We have several organizations involved with the project at this time.  The response has been fantastic.  If we can reach just a couple of these boys and girls, we have accomplished our goal. 

If you know of aviation camps for kids, please send the information to us.  We would like to have information on where and who they are.   

Slipped the Surly Bonds

The photo above was taken recently as the grandson of a friend and I went for a ‘rocket ride’ in the Zlin.  Jake Sieverling was the passenger and his sister Abby took the photo.  Jake had a great time as we “slipped the surly bonds of earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds--and done a hundred things you have not dreamed of - And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod The high unsurpassed sanctity of space, put out my hand, and touched the face of God.”  These famous words from High Flight by John Gillespie Magee Jr. seem to say it all. 

TFR, TFR!!!

It seems that the VIPs (President and Vice-President) move across this country more than any frequent flyer.  The list of TFRs has grown to the size it was during the election year.  I recommend that all pilots call FSS before departing.  Even a short local flight could put us in a real ‘pickle’ of a mess.  A sixty mile TFR chews up a big hunk of airspace and there are no red flags in the air to warn of the TFR….  Only FSS holds that red flag.  So call them and always ask for the TFR NOTAMS for your intended trip.

Most of the VIP TFRs are announced well in advance.  We post them on FLY-LOW and there is a link from www.fly-low.com to the FAA site from which we retrieve the information.  I recommend pilots get on our TFR Notification List that sends out e-mail to pilots concerning the newest TFR.  On an average one notification a week will go out… but on a good week a pilot may get one ever other day.  Again, it depends on the TFRs posted by the FAA.  Our information is NOT to be used for navigation.  It is advisory, only.  Call the FSS for up to date information and fly safe.   

If you want to be on the FLY-LOW TFR list, simply email your request to notams@fly-low.com.