Month: September 2013

“Renaissance Field,” Greg’s November column

Citizen Brown, Flying Carpet column

4-GregBrownFT1113_0001Smw1200The airport that saved itself

“Galt Airport scheduled for auction block,” trumpeted the Chicago Tribune.

Jean and I had patronized this cozy country airport through dating, marriage, and kids. Sure, my grade school, “stinkin’ Lincoln,” is long gone. And my childhood home yielded to a parking lot. But dying airports are rarely replaced with new ones. One more sky haven, one more community of aviators, lost… Dejected, I phoned Galt.

“I can’t imagine it won’t continue as an airport,” said manager Justin Cleland, subscribing me to the Galt Traffic newsletter for updates. I’ve heard such optimism before, however, rarely with happy endings. After all, this airport was $16 million in the hole. In my funk, I jotted memories for an “In Memoriam” column.

I was just a college kid when I met this cute girl from Woodstock, Illinois. Unlike other girls I dated, Jean thought flying was cool rather than scary, and viewed my piloting as a positive credential. (“Want to fly on Saturday?” I asked one girl before Jean came along. “Sorry,” she replied, “I always do my laundry on Saturdays.” I proposed other days but apparently she maintained a pristine wardrobe.)

2-GregBrownFT1113_OldGalt__033eSmw1200In January, 1975, just two months after our first date, I flew Jean from Champaign to visit her parents at Woodstock. My Sectional chart indicated that Galt’s main runway was paved, and at 2,800 feet plenty long enough for a Piper Cherokee.

I didn’t know until arriving that in those days the main runway was hardly wider than a two-lane road; a hangar impinged on one side, and tall trees obstructed the end. It was to be the first of many aerial journeys from central Illinois, Indiana, and ultimately Arizona to tiny Galt Airport…

Read the whole story in this month’s Flying Carpet column, “Renaissance Field.” (Mobile-device version here.) 

Top photo: Galt Airport pilots gather for a celebratory gift photo, presented to new owners Claude and Diane Sonday. (Ingrid Karolewski photo) 

Lower photo: Galt Airport, Illinois, as it appears today. (Justin Cleland photo) See more photos here.

(This column first appeared in the November, 2013 AOPA Flight Training magazine.)

©2013 Gregory N.Brown

Visit Greg’s “Views from the Flying Carpet” photography exhibit at Sharlot Hall Museum

Greg's photographs

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Jean and I flew to Prescott last night for the opening of my new Views from the Flying Carpet Fine Art Aerial Photography Exhibit, at Sharlot Hall Museum.

As you can see, exhibit designer George Fuller did an a spectacular job of design, installation, and lighting. Running on a large screen in the exhibit room is Derek Ellis’s film about my flying and photography. I’ve never before enjoyed the opportunity to see my work exhibited like this, and boy was it a kick!

After the opening, Museum Director John Langellier and Curator Sandy Lynch treated us to a delicious dinner at Iron Springs Cafe – highly recommended! Flying home to the golden light of a full moon was a perfect ending for this wonderful evening.

SharlotHallMuseumFCexhibit_0029-EditeSmw1200My Sharlot Hall Museum exhibit runs daily through April 27th, 2014, and I do hope you’ll get the opportunity to get over and see it. (Here’s the Prescott Daily Courier article on the show.)

Many thanks to my new friends at Sharlot Hall for inviting me to exhibit, and to all who attended the opening!

©2013 Gregory N. Brown

PS: Museum admission is $7 for adults. Fly-in visitors can get there via Legend Aviation‘s courtesy car, or book rides with Classic Taxi.

“Clouds Kiss the Earth,” Greg’s Aerial Fine Art Photographic Print

Greg's photographs
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In this month’s View from the Flying Carpet, “Clouds Kiss the Ground,” a wall of vapor blocks our route near Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

It’s no surprise that clouds are a constant weather factor for airplane pilots. But it’s rare to encounter a vertical wall of clouds extending from flight altitudes directly to the ground. Shortly before, Jean and I had scooted our Flying Carpet under low ceilings through New Mexico’s Glorieta Pass.
We emerged into blue skies for a few minutes, only to discover this barrier blocking our route. It was a powerful sight — and a good day to be instrument rated! (Read the story of that flight in my January, 2010 Flying Carpet column, “Homeward Bound.”)

“Clouds Kiss the Ground,” debuts in Limited Edition  27″x40″ and 24″x36″ prints, and Open Editions of 16″x24″ and 10″x14″. Print prices start at $175. See detailed pricing and ordering information.

Like all my Views from the Flying Carpet, this photograph was collaboratively tuned for print with Master Photographic Printer Richard Jackson, who prints for the world’s finest photographers. Each individual print is meticulously crafted, mounted as appropriate, and packaged for shipping under Mr. Jackson’s supervision.

Learn more about my Views from the Flying Carpet Fine Art Photographic Prints, including available images, and our process for creating these marvelous prints.

View a video about my aerial photography, and subscribe for email updates.

Hope you enjoy this month’s view from my cockpit!

Greg

PS: Visit Greg’s upcoming exhibit from September 21st through March 2, 2014 at the Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott, Arizona!

©2013 Gregory N. Brown

excellent video introduction to the new ATP rules (airline transport pilot)

Greg's piloting tips, Greg’s flight instructor tips, Job Hunting for Pilots, turbine pilots

fc-cover-photo-smFor all you pro and aspiring-pro pilots, here’s an excellent video explanation of the new ATP (airline transport pilot) certification and training requirements, from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Finally, the speculation (if not the controversy) is nearly over!

Greg

Media coverage for Greg’s “Flying Carpet” photography exhibit at Sharlot Hall Museum

Greg's photographs

FC S-H_cover_AviationForWomen_Page_1Many thanks to Aviation for Women magazine, for this month’s generous coverage of my upcoming “Views from the Flying Carpet” exhibit at Sharlot Hall Museum, in Prescott, Arizona.

Aviation for Women is published by Women in Aviation, International (WAI), the terrific organization dedicated to advancing women’s careers in aviation.

FC Sharlot Hall Exhibit_WAI-SO13_croppedI was delighted to learn that Women in Aviation will celebrate its 25th anniversary at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott this October, while my exhibit is installed right downtown.

Coincidentally, I first met WAI founder Peggy Baty at Embry-Riddle−Prescott that very same year, at a flight instructor renewal course she taught with legendary author and instructor Bill Kershner.

Hopefully many WAI attendees will find time to visit my show at Sharlot Hall Museum. (See bottom of page to plan your visit.)

Hope to see you there!

Greg

©2013 Gregory N. Brown