LadiesLoveTaildraggers

Check out Gail Schipper flying Basic in her beautiful, baby-blue Bucker Jungmann video. Gail is based at Longmont, Colorado (KLMO).

Gail & her Bucker Jungmann

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Here’s a brand new video I just posted on YouTube featuring some of our newest lady taildraggers! Take a look; maybe you’ll see yourself and smile. The great music is by Vanessa Hudgens, “Never Underestimate a Girl”, and you gals prove every day how true that is.

This video is from the New Tribes Mission blog and forwarded to me by Cy Galley. The pilot is Brian Pruett who along with his wife are missionaries serving in the Philippines with Aviation. Brian says “This post is for all the pilots and dreamers who enjoy this kind of stuff. I filmed some landings and takeoffs at three of our more interesting airstrips. We are getting into rainy season now and I am learning that these airstrips are completely different when wet. It’s not only the slippery surface that’s a challenge, but all the rainy weather and low clouds make for a challenging trip as well.”

Watch and listen; F-16 on a dead stick approach and landing – picture perfect.

Amelia Earhart

Is Nikumaroro Island the final resting place of Amelia Earhart? If you’re paying attention at all, you know there’s evidence indicating the remains of both Amelia Earhart & Fred Noonan may be on the island of Nikumaroro. I was skeptical when I heard the report last week; after all, it’s been 73 years since they disappeared. Countless books have been written about them and a never ending supply of theories about their disappearance continue to trickle in. But this latest report to make headlines is, without a doubt, the most compelling ever published and actually sounds possible. The final determination could be months away but in the meantime, I’m waiting for the DNA testing to return  - like everybody else.

According to Executive director of the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery, Ric Gillespie, “After 22 years of rigorous research and ten gruelling expeditions, we can say that all of the evidence we have found on Nikumaroro is consistent with the hypothesis that Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan landed and eventually died there as castaways. Whether or not the phalanx bone yields human DNA, there is a sufficient preponderance of circumstantial evidence to continue our research with hope and determination.”

The following link is to a story done by “Good Morning America” that’s intriguing and sure to get your mind wondering if… just maybe, the mystery might soon be solved!

Link: Amelia

I love it when people tell me or send me info about amazing women pilots, especially when there’s a taildragger involved. Check out the link sent to me by Ray Johnson of his earlier interview with Margaret Ringenberg; pilot with +40,000 hours, many time Powder Puff Air Racer, World War II ferry pilot, instructor, and who in 1994 few around the world!

Series #32 Part #1 Fly/In Cruise/In Video Magazine we visit with Margaret Ringenberg in her home. Watch as Margaret shares her remarkable life story. Produced by: Inge Harte – Ray Johnson

This is a radio transmission worth a listen to all pilots…

“Here is a radio exchange between Cleveland Center controllers Stephanie Bevins, Marvin McCombs and Kalitta 66, a Learjet based in Ypsilanti, Michigan. KL66 suffered an insidious leak which caused depressurization of the aircraft. Listen to the audio and read the dialog as ATC figures it out.”

“Following Bevin’s initiative, McCombs begins bringing the aircraft to the lowest altitude available in order to alleviate the possible oxygen deprivation. Unable to answer questions, the pilot is only able to respond to direct commands that the controllers now begin to voice.”Descend and maintain,” they repeat.”

Good Stuff!

Many thanks to Ray Johnson  of the Fly/In Cruise/In  and Inge Harte ( Producer Fly/In Cruise/In Video Magazine) for pushing me to be interviewed and for producing their video featuring Ladies Love Taildraggers. Turned out they made it fun and, the icing on the cake was flying formation with them after the interview! Ladies, don’t be surprised if you see yourself ! Ray & Inge, thanks for your tremendous help in spreading the “gospel of taildraggin”  to ever more lady taildragger pilots.

Ladies Love Taildraggers Video, by Fly/In Cruise/In Video Magazine:

Tina Thomas sent me this great video with a note, “more insanity Steve produced at C77 this summer”. Tina, all I can say is, if this is insanity…bring it on!! I really love the passion you two have for everything ‘tailwheel’ and….. the cloud shots in your video, the grasssssss strip, the Beech, the Bird, the Waco….!

Poplar Grove Airport, Summer 2010