WingsConnect - Making Aviation Connections

Showing posts with label AOPA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AOPA. Show all posts

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Helicopters, Planes, Drones, Heli Tours, Social Night ~ Oh My!! Featured Pilot Spotlight: Meet Mark Robinson, Chief Pilot at Revolution Aviation. Living it UP & helping So Cali pilots Find Their Wings!!

Hello my Fellow Fantastic Fierce Flying Friends!! I hope the year has started off strong for you. It has for me with two awesome flights and my first 2015 Featured Pilot Spotlight to share with you all! WooHoo!

I'm THRILLED to introduce you to Chief Pilot Mark Robinson, head of Revolution Aviation. Check out this picture! 
In my best Archer impersonation ~ DANNNGGAAAA ZZOONNEEE 
Looking great, Mark!

Revolution Aviation caught my eye last year in the way they were using Instagram (IG) to promote their business and services. Good vibes, energy & FUN pop out in what they share in their IG feed. 

Initially, I thought they just did helicopter training. Checking out their site, I found an impressive array of services!! In flight training they cover include helicopter, plane and UAV drone training. They have a slick pilots lounge, are loaded with flight resources, weather/flight planning, handbooks, maps, and more. 

They're setting themselves apart from other flight schools, from what I am seeing, in using digital promotions and showcasing the fun they are having while effectively training a future wave a pilots. They do a social event and are actively using a variety of social media channels. Great ways to grow and keep their aviation community connected, both in person and online!

Without further delay, it gives me immense pleasure to introduce to you Chief Pilot Mark Robinson and share his Spotlight Pilot Interview responses. Enjoy the ride!!


Question 1: Tell me your Love at First Flight story and how you fell in love with aviation - where & when was your first flight? Also, what did you fly?
My first flight was in London, England when I was working as a Currency Broker. We achieved our targets and were rewarded with a helicopter flight from our office to London, Heathrow. I was hooked. After that on every vacation I took a helicopter ride. We flew on a Bell Longranger. I didn't know that at the time, haha.
 
Question 2: What is the best advice you can give to fellow pilots?
I was recently featured in an industry magazine called Rotorcraft, Pro. They asked me the same question. I said Touch everything - this means before and after flight. Make sure you walk around and make sure doors have pins in, fuel and oil caps are on etc. I want to emphasize to always do a walk around before and after flight to not get complacent.

Question 3: What is your favorite part of being involved in aviation?
  • I didn't really know it at the time, it has taken me years to realize how fun aviation is. I would travel a lot as a child, teenager and for work. I always loved flying. Then one day I needed a new challenge and decided to learn how to fly. Having finished my studies and being hired straight out of flight school I realized that this career path can literally take you anywhere. I've flown for police, sport stars, Robinson Helicopter Factory, Goodyear Airship and now have my add-on in planes! It is SUCH a fun industry and now we've met you while I work for Revolution Aviation as Chief Pilot!

Question 4: What is the best eating spots you've found in your aviation travels?
Catalina by far. The trip over from John Wayne Airport is fun, it's beautiful and the Buffalo burger is making me hungry just thinking about it! Lucky for us here in SoCal there are many restaurants. 
 
 Question 5: What are your favorite airports that you've flown into and why?
I really like Burbank Airport north of Los Angeles. This is because I do a lot of training. When students have to talk on the radio several time and switch between intersecting runways I'd say you've got your hands full. I like a challenge and what better way then the deep end at a Class C. Not recommend for student pilots however.

Here are a couple more action shots. Blue skies, big smiles & looking great!
High altitude Cheese:-D ROCKS!!
Live in Southern California? Find your wings at Revolution Aviation!

Mark, thank you SO much for sharing your time and responses with me. I really enjoyed reading about how you found your Wings!!:-) I also appreciate the tips and insights shared. The aviation world is something truly unique. I, too, knew during that first flight that flying was something I love. 

I have gratitude for great CFIs, like yourself, who are helping train the next wave of pilots and being a positive, active part in their journey to Find their Wings!! Also, big shout out to organizations like AOPA & EAA who make a difference in our ability to do what we love... Living it UP!!:-D

I value each Featured Pilot Spotlight interviewee because they have shared time to provide responses that delight and inspire! A great story is meant to be shared. I genuinely enjoy sharing them and getting to know each pilot better through the process. The pilot community is a fun filled, stimulating one. I'm grateful to have found my passion for flight and to be a part of it!

Mark, when I'm back to visit friends in So Cali, I'll have to swing by for a flight. Question is, could I fast rope rappel from your helicopter?!! Done safely, that'd be some Revolutionary adventure! ;-)

Happy & Safe Flying, Always!

Flying Friends! Follow Mark & Crew on Instagram. They do a great job promoting their services, upcoming deals in fun/cool pictures shared: http://instagram.com/ieatsleepfly

Check out their main site for all the services they provide, plus their blog and more information: http://eatsleepfly.com/

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

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

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

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?