Friday, March 24, 2017

Celebrating Women in Aviation

Article Source over here: Celebrating Women in Aviation

Independence Aviation's celebration of Women's History Month continues with this story about the new film showcasing the accomplishments of women in the aviation industry.

As the premier pilot school in Colorado, we support the encouragement of girls and women to enter STEM careers and realize their potential. To start your training, call Independence Aviation today.

http://www.newschief.com/news/20170321/indie-atlantic-film-produced-in-lakeland-highlights-women-in-aviationIndie Atlantic film produced in Lakeland highlights women in aviation - News - News Chief - Winter Haven, FL “In modern society, we still have that ingrained — that girls don't go into STEM (science, technology, engineering and math fields) because they don't do those things,” said Wiatt, who’s making her directorial debut with the feature-length film "Fly Like a Girl" to dispel that myth.

Women like Mae Jemison, the first black female astronaut to fly into space in 1992; Patty Wagstaff, an aerobatic pilot; and Olivia Lisbon, a recent graduate of Polk State College; and so many more are examples of what women can accomplish. “We need to tell their story: What women were doing in history and what women are doing today,” Wiatt said. “We have to show girls there are people out there doing great things.”

Wiatt said she wants to show a variety of women in various fields, such as women in the military, drone pilots, helicopter pilots and more. “Some people are very interested in supporting this, and those who have higher-level achievements, like the first Thunderbird pilot. But there are also engineers who are part of major corporations, NASA, scientists, sociologists. We want to tell all aspects of this story.”

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Thursday, March 23, 2017

2017 Outstanding Aviator Award

First Posted right here: 2017 Outstanding Aviator Award

Major Heather Penney will be awarded the 2017 annual Outstanding Aviator Award! The award will be presented by the Wings Club Foundation at their annual meeting, and International Aviation Womens Association (IAWA) during a presentation that will take place on March 29, 2017 at The Yale Club in New York City.

As soon as Congress opened combat aviation to women, Penney applied to the Air National Guard to fly F-16’s, and was the first woman in the 121st Fighter Squadron.

Penney is being recognized for her service to our country when on September 11, 2001,  she was one of two pilots asked to take action and protect the airspace over Washington D.C that morning. Her mission was to take down the hijacked airliner United Flight 93 by any means necessary. However, because of the urgency of the situation, there hadn’t been enough time to actually arm her F-16. It was obvious she had been sent on a suicide mission.

When asked about being ready and willing to fly a kamikaze mission, she stated, “Because there are things in this world that are more important than ourselves.”

Today, Penney works for Lockheed Martin as the Director of Air Force Aviation Training Systems, specializing in capture management, government relations and strategic business development. She has worked with the F-16 and F-22, and is currently working on the F-35 project.

Since it’s commencement in 2010, the annual Outstanding Aviator Award has been presented to exemplary recipients such as the Tuskegee Airmen, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), the Doolittle Raiders, Patty Wagstaff, and Bob Hoover.

Independence Aviation would like to say Congratulations!

Friday, March 17, 2017

Flying the new Cirrus SR22 G6

First Posted on: Flying the new Cirrus SR22 G6

This a great story about the first experience flying the new Cirrus SR22 G6. The new Perspective+ Avionics and cockpit improvements are all explained through Stephen Pope's perspective.

As a Platinum Cirrus Training Center, we look forward to learning more about this new model and getting some flights recorded.

http://www.flyingmag.com/we-fly-cirrus-sr22-g6We Fly: Cirrus SR22 G6 | Flying Magazine

My introduction to the G6 SR22 included a half-dozen flights over the span of three days in mid-December. By now the secret is out and the G6 is the talk of the Cirrus-owner community — but at that time flying the new model required stealth since it was among the most closely guarded secrets in all of general aviation.

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Monday, March 13, 2017

Mountain Flying Course

First Seen on: Mountain Flying Course

Flying in the Mountains

If you've never flown in the mountains, you don't know what you're missing. Our instructors fly in the mountains all the time and we'd love to share the experience with you.

Visit us and we'll talk about mountain weather, density altitude, A/C loading, route selection, survival gear to carry, planning, communications, and we'll get you to as many airports as your schedule allows. Our specialty is operation in and out of high altitude airports close to skiing, hiking and fishing.

Mountain flight experience programs are tailored to your needs and wishes using your plane or one of ours. Our simulator will enhance the experience to demonstrate high density altitude operations, terrain avoidance using ODP's and planning.

IA's Mountain Traiing Options

Our mountain training course includes a ground discussion of topics specific to mountain flying safety and survival techniques. Then we go out and fly!

Typical Scenarios

  • Obstacle departure procedures in the mountains
  • Challenging mountain instrument approaches
  • Equipment failures & emergencies
  • Mountain range crossings
  • Circle to land approaches

The typical flight plan can include stops in Buewna Vista (KAEJ), Leadville (KLXV, the highest airport in the continental US), Aspen (KASE), Steamboat Springs (KSTS), and Eagle (KEGE, Vail).

The fun can be accomplished in one of our fleet aircraft or your own aircraft that meets some minimum mountain requirements. The training may also qualify for a flight review, instrument proficiency check, or part of a Cirrus Transition Training.

Feel free to call the Independence Aviation office for information on all we offer at our Colorado flight school locations.