Last year I was live on-air, doing the Morning Warm Up show for Sun 'n Fun Radio, when in my excitement stated the word: "Damn".  That got me kicked off the live broadcast platform... Yeah, a bit harsh, I know.  But still a volunteer for the station and will be doing remote pre-recorded interviews.

But in the meantime I've been asked to produce the IMC Club Radio program, which is live, and produced On The Back Deck of Sun 'n Fun Radio (which is actually a cooler place to be).

The IMC Club is for pilots with advanced studies and qualification to fly in other than sunny skies.  The object is to help keep people proficient in their skills and so fly smarter and safer.  Not a bad group to be part of.  

You'll find me leading the discussions live from Noon to 4pm April 22-25, 2015.

The Times They Are A'Chang'n!

OK. I haven't placed a post since 2011.  I lost focus and motivation... but have regained faith in G-d and country and back in the saddle again.

Instead of filling in the past, if you're interested in my aviation escapades visit: www.aviationisland.info.  That should do.

I've put video production on hold for now and have placed all my attention back into my mental health profession, gaining license and certification so as to serve the people of Martha's Vineyard as best I can.  So forgive me, friends in the MV Choir, my band, USCG AuxAir, and other volunteer work that I've put on hold... for now. I'll be back.

Meanwhile you'll find me at Martha's Vineyard Hospital as a full time Emergency Services Clinician, running our D-24 Drugs and Alcohol Education program, and the Second Offenders programs here on-island. So don't ask me about kids and substances unless you want a long heated discussion. But if you do, you'll leave in a better space.

So with that I invite you to peruse my past chirps- join me on Twitter when I'm "on the move", go visit www.aviationisland.info, and drop me a line with any questions: 508-687-0068.

I was unable to get my "Support Corporate Sponsorship" spot on AOPA Live at Hartford.  Truth is I was way behind the 8ball on that one, and although the content and message are good, I will be redesigning the piece and marketing it through a new association with the Flying Musicians Association, a two year old non-profit created out of the realization that over 50% of aviators are also musicians, and have designs of complimenting the two passions for a common goal: develop new arts and sciences students to enrich our country.

AOPA Hartford was exciting because it was in our neck of the woods this year.  Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate and it did keep the numbers down.

I had the joy of reconnecting with old television production friends, Sid Levin and Jim Arnold, formerly of Arnold/Levin Productions for whom I worked in the early 90's.  They each now have their own production companies producing content for major cable programming.

My new association with the Flying Musicians Association is truly invigorating.  Their mission is to merge the passions of music and aviation and help promote both at high schools and colleges.  To date we have three chapters, but a dozen more in development.  We are looking for evangelists.  For more information check out the web site at: www.flyingmusicians.org.

In an attempt to help grow the FMA, it's possible we may walk the National Business Aviation Association convention  NBAA  in Vegas next week, but with such short notice the odds are not good....

Joined FMA Flying Musicians Association http://flyingmusicians.org/ and helping them grow by performing at the AOPA conference in Hartford this month.  I've also created a 4 minute film highlighting the struggle new students are having and making the suggestion we create a corporate sponsorship program (got to start somewhere). We'll post it soon.

My Trip To EAA Airventure- Oshkosh WI

With gracious hospitality of those including the Uncontrolled Airspace Podcast gang, The Flying Musicians Association and Michael Goulian, I took my first pilgrimage to the largest gathering of aviation enthusiasts held in America- Airventure!  Fate and luck on my side, I actually got a room at the University Of Wisconsin dorms and shuttled back and forth in busloads of aviators from around the world.  After a night learning Australian slang my Aussi friends and I were treated to a week of glorious weather, and experience the phenomenal diversity of aircraft.  The trade show facilities presented the latest innovations and accessories, and the Lecture Pavilions hosted instruction and introduction to many aviation products, construction methods and history makers in aviation, and the FAA FAST Safety Seminars offered continuing education credit lectures, several which I made time to attend.  You'll smile to learn that an FAA staff actually gave me a ride on her golf cart clear across campus to make a time-sensitive meeting- Yes, the FAA really helped me out that day (THANK YOU AGAIN)!  Attending the AOPA Airport Support Network dinner gave me the chance to meet with Craig Fuller, President of AOPA and share my vision and news of progress in completing this documentary, of which he expressed a great deal of interest.  As if that wasn't exciting enough, attending Airventure gave me the opportunity to meet with a large number of potential sponsor companies, share my vision with them, and begin the dialogue that are the first steps in what I hope may be a long and healthy relationship. We'll be looking to meet many of them at the AOPA Conference in Hartford CT this September.

New Students

Good weather and mild winds have made the first half of the summer at Katama Airfield an active and exciting place to be.  In addition to the students we expected, almost a dozen more have made their way here for primary flight instruction in July.  Resident Primary CFI Paul Santopietro shares that this number of students is about the same as last year, and considering the economy this is a very good sign.  It's been my good fortune to find many of them available and willing to be included in our project, so expect to see the names Sean, Colleen and Paige in upcoming posts.

Skycatcher over Katama

Got my first hour in a Cessna Skycatcher earlier in the month.  John Miles from Maine Aviation flew down for a customer demo.  Unfortunately I had to meet them at KMVY as it's a demo airplane and didn't want to muddy the wheel pants. (He wasn't aware that 1B2 is hard pack and well drained... but does now).  I can tell you it's more powerful than it looks, love the "stick" and feels much more stable than the 1320lbs.  A rare aircraft, orders now expect delivery in a year. We'll keep you posted.