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Gates's BlogGone Missing
When asked about the search and recovery efforts he has observed and assisted in, Macha says that, "Ninety-nine percent were pilot error, weather related. Not the failure of the aircraft or the systems." We have heard this statistic before, but when it comes to missing aircraft, it really rings true.
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Pilot error is the key to most accidents. Gathering evidence in a search for missing aircraft and trying to discern the pilot’s thought process and estimate his final actions can be very difficult. In Fossett’s case, only the discovery of his personal effects by a random hiker eventually provided searchers the final clues to the location of the crash. According to Macha, most often debris from missing aircraft is stumbled upon during the search for another. "To find these aircraft, you have to think outside the box," he says. Clues, witnesses, and evidence play a crucial role in Macha's efforts and hazards do exist in the search of missing aircraft. "Folks don't realize that when you search for a missing airplane, sometimes you lose searchers. In California, we have lost more than 15 aircraft in our searches."
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"Not only is my goal to find a missing aircraft or assist the process, it's to present closure for the families and to mark the site with a memorial," Macha explains. December Issue of PilotMag!
As I walked through the 2008 NBAA Convention in Orange County last October and the AOPA Expo in November, I noticed a reserved group of manufacturers, marketing managers, and business owners that seemed to carry a sense of realism. For years, these companies have gone to lavish expense to introduce new technologies and out press-junket each other. There have been secretive product announcements and countless rumors. Once I visited with these companies during these events, however, it was apparent that their challenges are great and the responsibility they carry is very heavy. No one was really flexing their muscles or overdoing it at NBAA or AOPA. I think the reality has sunk in. We all need to work together to build, grow and attract more people to our industry. As we look ahead to a new year, it is even more important to lend a hand and inspire those young pilots and young companies rising up from the bottom In a small way, the staff and contributors of PilotMag and PilotLounge.com are trying to make a valuable contribution to our industry. We are pilots, mechanics, museum owners, and aircraft owners creating a medium to inspire. We are young and old entrepreneurs that make up the future of this industry. Take Steve Hinton, Jr. or Eric Tucker, for instance. Their fathers are legendary, but they represent the talent coming up through the ranks. In this issue, we take a look at the youth emerging from the shadows and the impact that fathers—and parents—can make on industry youngsters. We want the population to see the opportunity and be inspired by their stories. In this issue, we also explore the niche discipline of aerial application. With the need for food, fiber, and bio-fuels always increasing, the agriculture industry is seeing unprecedented growth. The need for ag pilots, therefore, is growing as well. Join us as we take a look at some of the aircraft and training programs in the quiet, little world of crop dusting. Also, you may sense a theme in this issue. Vintage aircraft and their preservation is extremely important. PilotMag is joining the effort to preserve aviation history for future generations by sponsoring the 2009 National Aviation Heritage Invitational at the Reno National Championship Air Races next September. Look for our two-page spread this issue that features the 2008 contestants and winners of NAHI’s 10th Anniversary event in Reno. So from NAHI to Barnstorming, from ag pilots to flying cars, this issue takes a look back at the aircraft of yesteryear. I understand that we have to earn the respect of this community before we can become a credible resource. We are taking a humble approach toward our sustained growth in this industry, and trying to create an adventurous network of individuals that will inspire others, in and out of the hangar. We need your help to do so. Please send us a note at editorial@pilotmag.com with any of your suggestions or comments on how we can improve our mission.
Also, newly launched PilotLounge.com has already inspired many young pilots to build profiles and upload photos and video to tell their stories. Between PilotMag and the newest pilot network, PilotLounge.com, you would be hard-pressed to find a more progressive medium supporting this industry. I appreciate your support of our magazine and thank all of those who have trusted in us in 2008. Pheasant Hunting in South DakotaPheasant Hunting in South Dakota! I am always trying to find adventurous and exciting uses for aircraft. They are the ultimate transport from A to B, however it is the practicality of the aircraft that makes the difference.
The Approach in Gregory, South Dakota, Runway 31 Some friends had invited me to drive up to the No Wives Ranch in Gregory, South Dakota from Denver for some pheasant hunting. It is a 7-hour drive. No way was I going to spend a day and a half in a car driving to South Dakota. I have a family and leaving them is hard enough, but adding another two days to the trip is not going to happen. We tried to get an Enstrom 480B Helicopter for the trip, however it couldn't be retrieved from the Montrose area. Then came along a Cessna 180 taildragger. I hadn't had any time in a taildragger (tricky landings), so three guys rented it and flew two hours + up to Gregory. We were hunting that afternoon where I took tow bird.
The No Wives Ranch - Brook's Hunt The town of Dennis, South Dakota is an interesting place. Along main street, which is like 1/4 mile long, is a strip club and a steakhouse called Frank Days. Now this is a realm guys weekend. The Renegade Ag PilotFrom the Ground Up! From the ground up, pilots who are currently entering this industry are trained in all aspects of aerial application, safe pesticide use and entomology, all the while minimizing the risk to the environment. Without pesticide use, the world’s food supply would be reduced by 40 to 50 percent, resulting in an increase in food prices estimated at more than 50 percent.
A new meaning for fly-fishing!It was June 2007 and, as is customary in the Rocky Mountains, the weather was totally unpredictable. On the eve of what was to be an incredible flying adventure, the mountains of Wyoming received about six inches of fresh snow and my hopes of flying the Continental Divide seemed to diminish with every flake that fell.
HELI-FLY FISHING TO THE ELK HOLLOW LODGE in Wyoming
I got a call from Dave Sturm, managing outfitter of Silver Spur Ranch in Encampment, Wyo. “We got some snow up here, do you think you’ll still make it?” Dave asked with some hesitation. “Why don’t we see what the evening brings, and make the call in the morning,” I replied with a steadfastness, hoping that nothing would get in the way of my fly-fishing adventure. As morning broke, seven of us walked out onto the ramp at the Steamboat Springs Airport (KSBS). The snow and clouds had pushed east and we were amazed by the crisp, clear, cool day that was upon us. Two of our helicopters stood on the ramp as eager as we were to get going. I was flying a 1980 Enstrom 280C. The other—a Bell Long Ranger B-3—was to be piloted by John Witte, who operates Zephyr Helicopters (www.zephyrhelicopters.com), a flight training and charter operation in Steamboat and the northwestern region of Colorado. John is my primary instructor for mountain flying and, with just over 300 hours to my name, has always been a kind of mentor in the mountains for me. The Enstrom is a two seat, turbo-charged piston engine helicopter very capable in the mountains. What makes the Enstrom a great helicopter is the combination of certain items. First, being turbo-charged, the aircraft performs extremely well in high, hot conditions. Second, with a rotor head and blade system that weighs more than 300 pounds, the Enstrom has very slow and gentle glide and hover capabilities. With the ability to fly up to three passengers, 60 pounds of fishing gear and speeds of 100 miles per hour, these are very popular helicopters to own and train in. As for the Long Ranger...well, it’s a Long Ranger, what more do I have to say?
Visit Honeybear Helicopters for a round trip flight at: http://www.honeybearheli.com or 303.725.6790 Moving into a New Year!As we roll toward a new year, the community of aviation looks back on a topsy-turvy year for corporate insolvencies, a weaken economy, management departures, and an election to boot. As I walked through the Orange Country Convention Center for the 2008 NBA Convention last October, I noticed a fairly reserved group of manufacturers, marketing managers, and business owners that seemed to carry a sense of realism. Many of the things that make aviation great is the exclusivity of the discipline. For years, one has postured on the notion that they are special. Companies have gone to lavish expense to introduce new technologies and out press junket each other. There have been secretive product announcements and countless rumors. Once I visited with these companies during the event, I have to admit, their challenges are great and the responsibility they carry is very heavy. No one was really flexing their muscles or over doing it at NBAA. I think the reality has sunk in. We all need to work together to build grow and attract more people to our industry. In a small way, the entire staff and contributors of PilotMag and PIlotlounge.com are trying to make a valuable contribution to our industry. We are pilots, mechanics, museum owners, and aircraft owners creating a medium that inspires. We are young entrepreneurs that make up the future of this industry. Take Steve Hinton Jr. or Eric Tucker, for instance. Their fathers are legendary, but look at the talent coming up through the ranks. In this issue, we take a look at the youth emerging from the shadows of our future and the impact that fathers, and parents, can make. We want the population, outside the room, to see the opportunity and be inspired by their stories. In juxtaposition, we take a look at individuals that have exploited the industry and have mismanaged businesses for their own personal gain; putting our personal and financial security at risk. We also take a look at niche disciplines like aerial application. With the need for food, fiber, and bio-fuels increasing, agriculture is seeing unprecedented growth. The need for pilots is growing as well. Join us as we take a look at some of the aircraft, the training programs and the quiet, little world of crop dusting. I understand that we have to earn the respect of this community before we can become a credible resource. We are taking a humble approach toward our sustained growth in this industry, and trying to create an adventurous, network of individuals that will inspire others, in and out of the room. We need your help to do so. Please send us a note at editorial@pilotmag.com with any of your suggestions or comments on how we can improve our mission. Also, PilotLounge.com has inspired many young pilots to build profiles, upload photos and video to tell their story. By utilizing both PilotMag and the newest pilot network around, PilotLounge.com, you would hard pressed to find a more progressive medium to support this industry. I appreciate your support of our magazine and thank all of those who have trusted in us. Publisher's NotePeople have often asked me over the last few months if we were crazy to start introduce a magazine into the already saturated, aviation market. I have consistently answered each one of those questions, yes, we are crazy, however we understand an editorial void that exists in aviation media. At this year’s EAA Airventure show, PilotMag made its much anticipated debut. The overall reception was beyond our expectations, and we appreciate all of readers support as we grow our medium. I believe we have entered a cycle of aviation that is struggling to attract new pilots and retain the support of the existing ones, however the media that currently exist hasn’t adapted new ways of communicating with its population. As I watched the air show at Oshkosh this year, admiring the P-51s, the Corsairs, and all the aircraft of yesteryear, I kept asking myself and those around me, ‘who will be flying these aircraft in 20 years?’ It is disconcerting to think what pilot population will have the skills and experience to fly these incredible ships. Some industry executives say that America is no longer a ‘do-it-yourself’, take-charge society, and that includes fly-it-yourself. However, walking the streets of Camp Scholler and the rows of kit aircraft, the passion and the individuals that are setting the right example still exist. However, there is still a fear that we won’t have the pilots to man these aircrafts. It is also fascinating that as immersed as our society is in technology, people are turning away from a technologically savy industry due to this fear that stems from a sociological and psychological change in family and purchasing power. As you read through our second issue, please consider the ways that you can reverse the trend that exists in our community. Jamail Larkins is an individual that persevered and made something of his aviation career. Soaring or even Air Combat could be the next thing that keeps you in the game and helping others to achieve the same dream. Also, remember that we need to hear from you. You are the community that can respond to these challenges and the educated group to find solutions. Our mission at PilotMag is to provide a medium that adapts new ways to inspire, motivate and challenge conventional wisdom to bring the excitement and enthusiasm back to aviation. No matter what type of aircraft or what type of individual who flies them, we want to publish exciting, editorial stories that promote safety and displace the myths of aviation. We all know them to be untrue. We now need to voice them to everyone in the non-aviation world. So, talk with your wife, your children, your loved ones. Educate them on the benefits, opportunities, and technology that spawns from aviation. Help them to understand what our community can do to enrich their lives. Gates L. Scott |
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It is estimated that there are 900 missing aircraft in the state of California, according to Macha, an aviation archeology expert and retired high school history teacher. Macha has dedicated his retirement to searching for vintage, World War II aircraft, having investigated more than 1,000 disappearances. Because of his wealth and contribution to aviation history, Steve Fossett’s case captured the attention of the media and held a great deal of notoriety. But he certainly isn't the only one to go missing in this rugged country. "We can learn from these mistakes. Let's not replicate them," says Macha.
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