Share Your Story: Doug Haddaway, Fedex Pilot, Author of Smuggler's Moon

Welcome to the sixth "Share Your Story" post. Pilots from around the world write in, to the blog, featuring their flight experiences, promoting their blogs, websites, social media, etc. These posts show future aviators the diverse range of careers available to them. More details are here: Click Here and Get Involved

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My name is Doug Haddaway and I am a pilot.  Since I was 4 years old, I’ve only wanted to be a pilot. Growing up in a village on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, I thought this to be an unobtainable goal.

At eighteen I took an introduction flight in Easton, Md. It changed my life. I shortly afterward joined the USN and was attached to an A-7 squadron out of N.A.S. Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Fl. The next 4 years included a Mediterranean cruise and a north Atlantic cruise on aircraft carriers. The Navy was the best thing that I had ever done; it fueled my love of aviation.

After my enlistment was up, I was hired as a ramp agent for Piedmont Airlines at National Airport (DCA) and eventually transferred to Baltimore (BWI). In a little airfield near Bowie, MD is where I learned to fly at. Freeway Airport was 2200’ long by 30’ wide bordered by high tension wires. I soloed there and to this day remember screaming at the top of my lungs as the Cessna 152 leaped into the air, no longer burdened with my instructor.

Freeway Airport

My next transfer involved moving to Charlotte, N.C. I received my instrument and commercial licenses. The instrument rating brought up my skill level considerably and the commercial license made flying fun again.

By now I had made up my mind to become a professional pilot. Working for an airline had opened some doors, but I still needed the necessary hours to get hired. One of the ways I built time was to ferry airplanes all over North America. I learned how to operate in high-intensity ATC environments, severe weather and mechanical issues.

My first job was in the right-seat of a corporate King Air Be-200. Though it was only part-time, it taught me that flying the airplane is only half of the job. Good interpersonal skills are essential in aviation.

I flew cancelled checks in a Beechcraft Be-58 throughout the southeast and that helped me to land my current position with Mountain Air Cargo (Fedex Feeder). I fly a Cessna 208 Caravan mainly in the Florida, Bahamas and the southeast. I’ve been with Mountain Air Cargo for 12 years now, this is a great job.

What do I like the least about flying for a living? You’re gone from home a lot. I’ve missed numerous birthdays, school functions concerts etc. My family has grown accustomed to me being gone and there is a lot of time I’m on reserve waiting for the phone to ring. What do I like the most? The view from the office is great. All I’ve ever wanted to do is be a pilot. Is this for everyone? No, you have to love it.

One of the things about being on the road is that you spend a lot of time in hotels. That’s how I started writing. I’ve written a book; Smuggler’s Moon-Underneath the Radar, which has done well (pictured above). I’ve also written numerous aviation-based newspaper and magazine articles.

Fedex Cessna 208 Caravan on Approach

Thanks so much for sharing your flying story Doug! I really enjoyed reading about how you got to where you are today, finally flying as a professional pilot. Your love for the career has inspired me, and I am sure it will for others. 

Thanks again Doug!

Swayne Martin

Martins Aviation / From Private to Professional Pilot

Twitter: @MartinsAviation

Youtube: MartinsAviation1 

Review: One Six Right - The Romance of Flying

After a fun and challenging flight lesson today, I decided to re-motivate myself by watching the movie "One Six Right." With heavy and gusty crosswinds , today was a pretty poor day for me landing-wise, so I was definitely in need of some motivation! 

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The opening scene of the movie is great, showing some of the most beautiful aircraft flying through awesome scenery. 

"Asking someone why they love to fly is almost like asking someone why they like Picasso. The beauty is the fact that you can't really describe it, it's something that you have to behold. Flying takes you into another dimension, literally. We see, feel, and experience things that people who don't fly will never know." -Barry Schiff, Aviation Safety Expert / Pilot

The history of the Van Nuys Airport is given, showing the significance of general aviation to surrounding communities. It's incredible to see how to busiest general aviation airport developed from a dirt landing strip. 

The use of the airport as a military aircraft factory in WWII was interesting to hear about. Van Nuys Airport exploded after the war because of all the returning pilots. When general aviation began to grow during the 50's and 60's, the airport became set in stone, a permanent feature for the area. It was there to stay.

One part of the movie discussed the closing of general aviation airports all around the country. It used Meigs Field (Chicago) as an example of the poor treatment of airports in our country: 

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There are ups and downs in learning to fly. It was great to watch this film and remind myself why I love to fly. The footage is top quality and definitely worth watching for any aspiring pilot. 

The film is available from a variety of sources including Amazon OnDemand, iTunes, Youtube (purchase), etc. More information can be found on their website: One Six Right

Check it out if you haven't already! Have a great week,
Swayne Martin 

Martins Aviation / From Private to Professional Pilot
Twitter: @MartinsAviation

Share Your Story: Ben Davison, PPL

Welcome to the fifth "Share Your Story" post. Pilots from around the world write in, to the blog, featuring their flight experiences, promoting their blogs, websites, social media, etc. More details are here: Click Here and Get Involved

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When I got my pilot's license on October 16 of 2010, I was completing a journey that began almost exactly ten years earlier in September of 1998. That was when my parents let me sign up for an introductory flying lesson at the Lewiston-Auburn Municipal Airport in Auburn, ME. (KLEW.)

I remember my first instructor fairly well. A middle-20's CFI named Colleen, she took me up for my first few flights and showed me the ropes. Turns, stalls, steep turns, and even a few trips along on State Fire Patrol rides got me hooked on aviation. The flight school put me with a few different CFIs, and I learned a little something new from each of them.

Around 12 hours, they were beginning to talk of soloing me when I was old enough. But it never came to pass: for some mysterious reason, I stopped flying with around 15 hours under my belt.

I finished high school, went off to college, and entered the professional world. I moved out, moved on, and moved forward with my life. Still, I always thought back to my time behind the yoke and remembered the unique mix of awe and freedom and peril that flying brings. Every time I heard an engine, I'd look up, peering into the sky to see who was up there and wonder what they were doing...

...And then one day in 2010, I was sitting on my patio with a cup of coffee. Suddenly, a distant rumble became a huge roar, and to my delight a formation of planes rumbled over my house, looping Southeast and disappearing out of sight. Moments later another group of planes rumbled over, headed Southeast. The place was Lakeland, Florida and the time was Sun n Fun of 2008. I lived near the biggest airshow in the Southeast and never had a clue until those planes roared over. I was in the car on my way to the airport in minutes, and when I arrived Matt Younkin was delicately rolling his black Twin Beech through the air. The sensations and memories came flooding back...I was meant to fly. 

Sun n Fun reached into my brain and flipped the switch. From that moment on my head was in the clouds. I'd grown up wanting to be an airline captain: what the heck happened? Why was I a respiratory therapist and not a 747 pilot? Where did I go wrong?

I set out to right these cosmic injustices in the best way I knew how. My parents once again bought me an intro flight at St. Pete International, KPIE, and shortly after that I was back in the left seat, learning to fly under the tutelage of my instructor Brian at Tailwheels Etc, then located at KGIF.

Learning to fly was hard work. I had moments of frustration; learning to land seemed impossible. Chart reading was cryptic. Airspace was confusing. It was all too much, but my desire to fly pushed me on. Close to 30 hours, I soloed. I took my cross countries, passed some intimidating stage checks, and woke up on October 16 to face the FAA's designated pilot examiner. 

Two and a half years later, I still love to fly. I read about flying every day, try to learn more about the art and science of aeronautics. My goal is to be the safest, best informed, and most enthusiastic pilot that I know. I am in school to be an air-traffic controller, and just in case that doesn't happen I'm working on my aircraft dispatchers license. Before my next BFR, I'd like to be instrument rated or glider trained, whichever happens to come my way first.

A good pilot is always learning, growing, and striving for perfection. If you want to fly, you can do it! It might take you twelve years to get there, but I promise you it will be worth it. 

Thanks so much Ben for sharing your flying story here on the blog! I know that you'll do well as an ATC or dispatcher. Once you get there, I can't wait to see what you could write about next! 

Thanks again Ben!

Swayne Martin

Martins Aviation / From Private to Professional Pilot

Twitter: @MartinsAviation

Youtube: MartinsAviation1 

Share Your Story: Nick Marconi, 16, Massachusetts

Welcome to the fourth "Share Your Story" post. Pilots from around the world write in, to the blog, featuring their flight experiences, promoting their blogs, websites, social media, etc. More details are here: Click Here and Get Involved
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Looking skyward has been something I’ve done for the past decade and I know that in the future that another kid like me will be looking skyward at my plane in the sky. That child will have the same aspirations as myself, being an airline pilot. I got hooked into aviations from the yearly vacations my family and I have taken to locations south and west (mainly south) on the big jets was and still is, always my favorite part of the trip.

I’ve flown into many airports, all of which I know by their FAA designation, BOS BDL PVD, MHT, TPA, SRQ, MCO, ATL, BWI, SEA, ORD. My favorite is easily Tampa International Airport because of it’s simple nature and modern look. I’ve flown into TPA twice, two times with Southwest (into Airside C) and once with JetBlue (into Airside A).

Tampa International Airport

I live in Central Mass, north of Worcester, and am right now a sophomore in high school. I have 12 hours of logged flight time with my instructor at the Worcester Regional Flight Academy and am progressing towards soloing a plane before a car. The WRFA has provided my with some unique experiences, such as working at Discovery Weekends each summer to show the world of aviation to young adults, going to Worcester Sharks games (San Jose’s AHL affiliate), and being attending an aviation club meeting once a month to discuss and learn more about the world of aviation. ORH (FAA designation for Worcester Regional Airport) is a perfect place to learn to fly because it’s a controlled field, and has unique visitors.

Worcester Regional Airport

I fly in a Cessna 172P Skyhawk, N53996. The high wing allows passengers to see breathtaking sights, especially in the fall, of the beauty of Central Mass. On clear days in the air, and atop the 1,000 ft MSL hill ORH is perched on, you can look to the east and see the high rises of Boston. When I look towards Boston I can’t help but think of the approaches into BOS I will be making in the future.

The Cessna 172 Nick Flies

Flying in the Cessna 172

Being an airline pilot seems like a dream to me, although the dream is very reachable. Once I graduate I’d like to attend Embry Riddle in Daytona, FL to expand my flight training and get a degree in Aeronautical Science and enroll into the Delta Pilot Pathway program to get to the reality of my dream, being an airline pilot starting out as FO on the Boeing 757!

Thanks for sharing a little bit about yourself Nick, I know that one day you will achieve success and make it as an airline pilot! I can't wait to see in what place you'll be in just a few years. Maybe I'll see you at ERAU if I look into it! 

Everyone head over and follow Nick's Twitter: @nickmarc19


Thanks again for sharing Nick!
Swayne Martin 

Martins Aviation / From Private to Professional Pilot

Twitter: @MartinsAviation

Youtube: MartinsAviation1 

Flight Report: American Airlines 737-800 Chicago (ORD) to Reno (RNO

American Airlines Flight 1487 Information:

• Flight: Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) 
• Flight Time: 4 Hours, 5 Minutes
• Aircraft: American Airlines Boeing 737-800 N837NN
• Seat: 13F (window)

Our plane at the gate in Chicago O'Hare

Taxiing out of ORD

Here is the video from our takeoff at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. You can find more videos like this on my youtube channel: MartinsAviation1

We had a good flight over the western United States. It was especially fun to fly over Big Bear Lake in Utah/Idaho which was surrounded by desert. I used FlightRadar24 as we were flying so that my brother and I could look out of the window and see what we were flying over. 

American Airlines 737-800 [N837NN] Interior

Our route flying from ORD to RNO

Flying over Big Bear Lake, Utah

The video from landing at Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Nevada: 

Thanks for reading and watching!
Swayne Martin 

Twitter: @MartinsAviation
Youtube: MartinsAviation1

Share Your Story: Matthew Martin

Welcome to the third "Share Your Story" post. Pilots from around the world write in, to the blog, featuring their flight experiences, promoting their blogs, websites, social media, and much more. More details are here: Click Here and Get Involved

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Flying. 

Flying has consumed my life. 

After taking a trip to KBNA back when it was still allowed to go past security checkpoints to pick up loved ones from their flights is where my journey has started. 

I was three years old and after seeing my first Southwest Airlines plane up close I knew from then on that flying was going to be the thing for me.  

Since then I have been known to play sports and drop footballs because I mistook three black birds for fighter jets or playing catcher in baseball and just totally going off into left field (pun intended) watching planes on final. 

Not Matthew, but you get the point

I attended the great tennessee airshow in 2012 and saw the plane I will train in at college and told "her" that ill be back for her. 

But here recently I have really got my act together and since flying a piper Seneca with a buddy of mine in November 2012 I have found a promising flight instructor, recieved my ground school study materials and taken my first actual lesson in a simulator in January at smyrna regional airport in middle tennessee. 

And in just the past few weeks while at work, a guy came in and I was nervous to ask him if he was a pilot but I did... And that has made all the difference. He is the lead pilot for the state of tennessee and flies the governor around along with a bunch of other government officials.  He is willing to help me along the way to my ATP and also landing some internships with the state. 

It is looking to me that ill be flying in mid July and hopefully soloing by October.  

I encourage anyone that has the slightest desire to fly to go out and reach for that goal.  I haven't even started my first true lesson and already feel more accomplished then half the people in my grade. 

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Thanks so much for sharing your story Matthew! I wish the best of luck for you in your upcoming flight training. I can't wait to see what your first solo will be like!

Everyone head over and follow Matthew Martin on Twitter: @matthew23martin

Thanks again Matthew!

Swayne Martin

Martins Aviation / From Private to Professional Pilot

Twitter: @MartinsAviation

Youtube: MartinsAviation1 

Share Your Story: Ace Abbott, Author, F-4 Phantom and 727 Pilot

Welcome to the second "Share Your Story" post. Pilots from around the world write in to the blog featuring their flight experiences, promoting their blogs, websites, social media, etc. These posts show future aviators the diverse range of careers available to them. More details are here: Click Here and Get Involved

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Ace Abbott (Allen Morris) spent his youth on a hardscrabble-farm in Upstate New York. Upon graduation from college at SUNY (Cortland) in 1965 he entered the U.S Air Force and became an F-4 Phantom fighter pilot based in the Far East. In 1971 he left the Air Force and became a Learjet charter pilot in South Florida. The next eight years he was a Learjet Captain in many diverse and challenging situations, including extensive operations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In 1980, through a fortuitous bounce of the airplane employment ball, he became a Boeing 727 Captain. The next 22 years, until mandatory retirement at age 60, Ace was employed as a 727 Captain with several airlines during the unstable airline post-deregulation era. His 727 experiences took him to most of the countries in Latin America, The Caribbean, and included an assignment to Cairo, Egypt and Malta. Ace retired in 2002 after travelling to 44 countries with 25 employer changes.

Ace has now returned to his roots in the scenic Finger Lakes of Central New York where he keeps busy with book marketing activities which include: book presentations at aviation events, airshows (including the Oshkosh Air Show as a featured author), fly-in pancake breakfast events, along with events at book clubs, libraries and book stores. He is a “snowbird” and spends his winters in Delray Beach, Florida where he also stays busy with book promotion activity. When The Rogue Aviator makes the NY Times best seller list he intends to return to the golf course.

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Not only is Ace a successful pilot, but has had success as an author. His book, The Rouge Aviator has 31 reader reviews on Amazon.com Many of the reviews read "This book should be read by all aspiring pilots." 

Here is an excerpt from his novel: 

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--“but his cadre of friends remained intact. The many conversations of aviation-related romantic nostalgia with former pilot friends would carry far more value than a sailboat excursion in Martinique—they inspired him to write this book!

       Ace, and many of his colleagues who also spent time in the trenches of “the back alleys of aviation,” validated the notion that the variety of one’s life experiences, along with eternally bonding, quality relationships, will always outshine large portfolios and meaningless stuff.

       Ace ventured into the retirement phase with no retirement pension program, but the richness of his aviation experiences and relationships will leave him forever wealthy.

THE END

Thanks so much for sharing your story and novel with all of us Ace. I can't wait to read it! Your piloting career was a full one with many twists and turns. It sets a great example for all of us young aviators who want to fly professionally one day. 

Check out Ace's websites and blog below: 

-The Rogue Aviator: http://www.therogueaviator.com/

-Dead Tired-Pilot Fatigue: http://www.deadtiredpilots.com/

-The Blog: http://therogueaviator.wordpress.com/

-Aviation Talk Show: http://webtalkradio.net/

-Amazon Customer Reviews

Thanks again Ace!

Swayne Martin

Martins Aviation / From Private to Professional Pilot

Twitter: @MartinsAviation

Youtube: MartinsAviation1