First AOPA Air Safety Institute Seminar Accident Case Studies, Richmond, Virginia

I highly encourage fellow aviation enthusiasts and pilots to attend this Free AOPA Air Safety Institute seminar. This was the first one I've ever attended. I have been looking forward to checking it for some time, since receiving notification last month that it was going to be held in Richmond, Virginia, at the Virginia Aviation Museum. 

I received both something in the snail mail and an email about this event. Do keep an eye out for these invites and take advantage of them.

Entering into the venue, there was a sign in area and giveaways <-- Yeay!:-)

This seminar kicked off with some mention of local aviation related efforts. Civil Air Patrol, Angel Flight, Pilot and Paws, and the Ninety-Nines were a few local initiatives mentioned. 

3 cases were reviewed. Discussion about each accident, possible contributing factors, witness recounts and interviews. I defininetly picked up a few food for thought pieces.

Again, I highly recommend anyone in aviation attend these free seminars. Not only did I gain insights through the case studies, I also made new pilot connections. Always enjoy that aspect of meeting other pilots and hearing their passion about where to go and where to fly in and eat. Just never a dull moment and I dig it!!

Happy and Safe Flying, Always!

Here are a few action shots I snapped that evening.

Welcome table. I particularly liked the Sectional Map & the Virginia is for Flying Lovers bag!

Just arrived. I really enjoy this museum. Magnificent aircrafts high & low!

Nice!!

Seminar kicks off!

Freebies!:-)

Talk about Festival of Flight. Sounds like Flying Fun! The big talk is that there will be drones at this event. Check it out!

I likie!!!:-)

Ever attend AOPAs ASI seminars? 

Also, I saw this and it's a good follow up to that ASI seminar I went. Two of the three accidents covered dealt with wx 

Some good info in this post: www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/got_weather 

A few links to a few aviation groups mentioned:

PilotsNPaws http://pilotsnpaws.org/about/

Angel Flight http://www.angelflightsoars.org

Civil Air Patrol http://www.govirginiawingcap.com

Ninety-Nines http://m.ninety-nines.org

Spring into action! Ready to take flight.

Quick post to say I'm excited Spring is here in Virginia. I've got two aviation posts I'm working on so stay tuned for the inspiring action! 

For now, just sharing a couple shots of things that are getting my happy feet ready for take off!:-)

LOVE my AOPA Flight Training magazine. Was starting to wonder where my latest edition was... then waalllllaa this beauty arrives in my mailbox. Now, THIS is what's up.  I have got to make a point to meet just the right skilled pilot who has done and wants to fly somewhere exciting like this spot. So cannot wait for that experience!:-)

Here was me thinking deep thoughts by the James River. Ok, not really deep, more thinking, "hmmm, is that swarm of gnats coming this way or going that way?" Luckily, I moved before they invaded my space.

Fantastic flowers here in Virginia. Full bloom BOOM!

Gorgeous day.

Two upcoming routes I will take on. I'm going to get more Virginia Aviation Ambassador stamps! This route would take me from New Kent Airport to Hampton Executive to Franklin to NKA.

This route would be NKA to Accomack to Tangier to NKA. Really excited about this one!

Looking forward to both!

Have you flown to these airports? 

If so, any must sees?

Any exciting weekend flying plans? 

Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society Auction, Richmond, Virginia

Fellow flying friend Jack, who happens to be my 2nd Featured Pilot Spolight interview (check out his interview in my Aviators Lounge blog!), told me about an aviation auction the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society (VAHS) was hosting at the Virginia Aviation Museum. I actually blogged, not too long ago, about my very first visit to this museum. This place is a Must See for any aviation enthusiast! It is a blast seeing great planes in various shapes, models & sizes. There's even an Army helicopter, too! I Love the Choppers, too!:-)

Jack said I had to attend this event. Well, I'm happy to report that I went and it was a great time! I plan to attend again. 

I enjoy the things I learn chatting it up with newly introduced pilots. They've seen and experienced more flight in the left seat than I have (so far;-)), so I listen intently when they share "insider details" like where they love to go, where to flyin and eat (3 votes tonight for Cambridge FBO in MD for crab cakes), what to do when approaching or landing at a particular FBOs, and much more. I often leave with new discoveries to explore myself or hear someone's personal experience about a FBO I have my eye on for a future flight. Love when that happens!

I even found out Jack and his fellow flying friend Ray, who I also met there, were the first Dudes to get all stamps as part of the Virginia Aviation Ambassador program. Say what?!!!! YES! Wild! One of my previous blog posts showed a picture I took of my VA Aviation Ambassador passport progress. I am intent on visiting new FBOs to collect my stamps. It is neat to make deeper connections like this one, meeting the first two in Virginia to get all the stamps. Plus, to kick it up a notch I met the original Virginia Aviation Ambassdor poster woman at this event as well, Sara Parmenter. Learn more about the program and Sara here:  http://www.doav.virginia.gov/vaap.htm#Honorary_aviation_ambassador

Attending these types of functions allow you to meet others passionate about flying, learn more, share stories, relate and be a part of efforts to support aviation.

My joy in sharing aviation posts is that I get to share unique interviews, some of my sights and information I come across to promote this Awesomeness called Aviation. One of my mantras: Flying in the sky is when I feel most alive. 

Do you fly? Then your know what I mean!

Here are a few of the action shots I snapped tonight.

Thanks to Bill Lange for taking this picture. I had my eye on this gorgeous plane, looks just right for me!:-)

Shrimp cocktail and planes, oh yes!!

Great set up by VAHS and the museum. Silent auction items were available to bid on, along with a live auction to follow.

More food and auction items.

Live auction items lined up.

Massive chocolate fountain and the fantastic sight of this gorgeous plane.

More auction items. I like this Grumman A2F-1 Intruder poster. There are a few missles covered with blankets and a tag over them saying, "SECRET".

A cheese moment with Jack. Again, glad he recommended this event!

More cheesing with planes!:-D

Auction action in full throttle!

Thanks to Stew Guidry for snagging one of these DVDs for me.

Auction online flyer.

I recommend checking out a future auction, if you love aviation! It was a great time and opportunity to meet new pilots. 

Learn more about VAHS: http://www.vahsonline.org/

Learn more about the Virginia Aviation Museum:  http://www.vam.smv.org/

Do you have any "must see or attend" aviation events that you recommend? Leave a comment and share details!:-)

Happy and Safe Flying, Always!

Intercepting VOR Radials

My instructor, Jim, has been teaching me how to VOR nav. I like it! It will no doubt come in handy for my cross country solo.

I came across this video through a post on LinkedIn's AOPA group. It was shared by Lucas Noia, CEO of Pilot Training Solutions. I found the video helpful for me to review. Thought I would share it with others who may benefit from it. 

http://youtu.be/q2ZJPD8L1Bk

If you have any particular tips in using VORs to navigate, please feel free to comment!

Question for Aviators that use the iPad

Aviators! 

I'm perusing aviation external GPS devices to plug into my iPad Air to use with ForeFlight. 

I would love to hear what you are using and recommend. Comment here & share your feedback!