Good Read - HL 150 (3)

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From: "Jon B" <barton66@mindspring.com>
Date: November 30, 2012, 10:54:18 AM EST
To: <misc@pilotcommunication.net>
Subject: book review - endorsement

Mark, I just posted on Amazon.com, the review below of Final Approach by retired NW Capt. Lyle Prouse. The book was also mentioned in the latest Forbes. Please feel free to quote me. Keep up the great job.

Jon Barton

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Final Approach

five stars

title: Pages iii through xxiv are themselves worth the price.

If someone gave you this book, and you read the two-page Introduction by Ted Koppel, it is very
unlikely that you would stop reading there. People who will be touched by Lyle's story include pilots, alcoholics, fathers, husbands, wives, lawyers, judges, those who have escaped being alcoholic, military officers and men, and most everyone else.

I knew Lyle when we were both young kids flying dangerous aircraft. I saw his courage, learned
first-hand his technical expertise, and admired his gregarious personality.

Many people who describe a tragedy in their lives, tell of people or circumstances that are to blame. Lyle is not one of these. In taking full responsibility for his life, he becomes an inspiration to the rest of us.

The book is not presented in chronological order, but cleverly moves back and forward in time to
explain the significance of Lyle's childhood, family, military career, and trusted friends.

Final Approach is a fantastic story with numerous surprises and a happy ending, told expertly by a
man we all should truly respect.

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From: Dick <dickblizzard@gmail.com>
To:
I met the editor of the Beechcraft Magazine at the "Beech Party" in Tullahoma. She read some of the articles on my blog and asked me to write an article for the Magazine. I attached the article and a couple pictures. It's not fiction, it happened to me. Later, the marine pilot pulled the wings off a T-28 doing an unauthorized air show over his girl friends college. He was killed.
Dick Blizzard - Author/Public Speaker

Beech Party 2012

By Captain Dick Blizzard

 

My dog and I were headed to the Beechcraft Heritage Museum in Tullahoma.  Our 40 foot, diesel powered, RV was negotiating the colorful mountain curves of Tennessee’s State Highway 68 with ease. Nibb was riding ‘shotgun’ and chewing on his restraint harness most of the way.

 

I was driving the big rig, but I was thinking about the time when I was upside down over Texas in a Twin Beech.  The Navy SNB was not an aerobatic aircraft, but my young Marine instructor was practicing loops and rolls.   My training session was complete, but I was trapped (and strapped) in the left seat, while he pretended he was flying a jet fighter. 

I was concerned! (That’s aviator talk for seriously scared). 

Lieutenant Macho was flying the twin engine tail dragger from the right seat.  He did a Split-S out of a poorly executed barrel roll.  I watched the airspeed indicator zoom past the red line like it was greased.  My concern turned to dread!  I was holding on to the seat cushion with my butt!  I knew we were going to exceed the aircraft’s ‘G’ limit recovering from our head first plummet toward the green pastures below.   A high ‘G’ pullout to stop the acceleration was his only option.  The orange and white navy instrument trainer groaned and shuddered, but it held together.  We were finally straight and level and the cockpit was quiet, very quiet.  Cadets do not reprimand Marine Officers, but attempted murder did cross my mind.   

 After landing, I was emotionally fractured, but the sturdy Beech aircraft was intact, even though the frustrated fighter pilot had grossly exceeded several parameters of airframe limitations. 

It was obvious to me then; Beechcraft builds a very resilient aircraft.

There were several versions of the Twin Beech at the annual ‘Beech Party’ in Tullahoma this year.  The Navy’s SNB; the Air Force’s C-45; the civilian version is the D-18. 

The Twin Beech is a time tested favorite, but it was not the star of the show.  The star of the Beech Party event was the ‘Staggerwing’.  Eight of the beautifully restored and meticulously maintained Beechcraft Staggerwing’s had flown in from around the country.  They were tied down in a straight line, right in front of the RV parking.  For the first time in my life, I got a good look at this ageless aeronautical masterpiece.  The very first Staggerwing was created by Beech in 1932. Hundreds were built, and over two hundred of the single engine, bi-wing’s served in WWII.   

On a walking tour of the grassy aircraft parking area, Nibb and I saw many Beechcraft creations:   V tailed Bonanzas, Bonanzas with straight tails, Barons, Debonairs, Twin Beeches, a King Air and many others. 

Over 90 aircraft were flow in for the 2012 party, including a T-34 in navy colors.  I instructed in the T-34 at Saufley Field in Pensacola way back in 1960.  It was the perfect primary trainer.  Students were scheduled to solo after their 12^th flight –most did.  Everyone in Navy flight training enjoyed flying and had respect the T-34 Mentor. 

Each day during the ‘Party’, there were impromptu air shows conducted by the fly-in guests.  On occasion, the sky would become completely filled, with colorful sky-divers circling quietly toward the air field.  

Airplanes and air shows are entertaining, but meeting with old friends and making new friends is at the heart and soul of the gathering.  Five of my former Delta Air Lines pilot buddies were present.  We enjoyed talking about the good times – one story leads to another; there is no end to the tales from days past.    

Beech Party 2012 started on Wednesday and closed the following Sunday.  Two meals were served each day and there were complementary coffee bars open every morning to get things started.  A cocktail bar was available later in the day for those who favored the spirits.  Excellent evening meals were served at a different location each night.   A special dinner at the ‘Barn’ featured a talented group of Bluegrass pickers and singers.  

‘Beech Party 2012’ was great fun and it is getting bigger and better every year!

 

Note:  The Beechcraft Heritage Museum is open to the public year round.  It is located immediately adjacent to the Tullahoma Regional Airport in Tullahoma, Tennessee.  The museum has several large, attractive buildings.  There are three hangers with aircraft on static display.  When you go for a visit, don’t miss the Beechcraft Starship on display in the Bonanza/Baron Museum building.  This large aircraft is a futuristic, twin pusher propjet with a canard wing forward.  Innovative vertical stabilizers and rudders are located on the tips of the wings.  Carbon fiber was used, instead of aluminum, way back in 1980.  They call it the Star Ship, but it looks more like a Space Ship.

 

About the author:  Captain Dick Blizzard is currently certified by the Coast Guard to command ships (not airplanes) up to 100 tons.  Dick was a Naval Aviator for seven years with over 200 carrier landings.  He flew for Delta Air Lines for 33 years and retired as an international captain.  Read more of Dick’s flying and boating experiences:  http://dickblizzard.blotspot.com           Email:  dickblizzard@gmail.com   

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