Among my favorite movies is The Seventh Seal, directed by famed Swedish director, Ingmar Bergman. In the film, an aging knight recently returned from the Crusades plays a game of chess for his life against Death personified. Just as the knight is about to win the game and achieve immortality, he intentionally makes a bad move and throws the game.

“Why did you do that?” asks Death, surprised. “You’d have beaten me.”

“Because I wanted to learn your secrets,” says the knight.

“There are no secrets,” replies Death, grimly. “I shall return to take you away.”

What does that have to do with financing your flight training?

It’s simple, “There are no secrets.” If the excitement of piloting is what you seek, odds are you’re going to have to come up with a way to pay for it. That’s really no different than other careers or avocations. Like everything worthwhile in life, one must decide whether to dedicate the energy and tackle the risks required to play the game, or not. To paraphrase the old saying, “If you think getting an education is expensive — try not getting one.”

If you can earn a scholarship to pay the cost of your training, or if you or your family can afford to cover the costs of your pilot education, more power to you.

But for many of us, it may not be that easy. You may have to go without a new car for the next several years, wait tables in a restaurant, or share a bedroom with a roommate. You may need to invest hours and days and months pursuing scholarships and loan opportunities to help finance your dream. There will likely be interruptions in your training while you work an extra job to save money, or you may need to borrow and pay it back later.

This is not intended to be flip, or harsh, or mean. It’s just a statement of reality to ease a few people’s nail-biting and speed them on their way. The vast majority of pilots will agree that flying whether for fun or profit is worth every ounce of dedication and effort it takes to get there. Some would even argue that the harder your route along the way, the more you’ll appreciate the ultimate accomplishment. But if you really want to do it, lay out a plan, roll up your sleeves, and make it happen.

But to everyone’s question about the secret to paying for flight training, there truly is only one honest answer, “There are no secrets.”

©2012 Gregory N. Brown

“Superstition Mountains Mist” (left) is a personal favorite in capturing the mysterious aura of these peaks, with their craggy crowns and giant Saguaro cacti.

“It’s misty this morning as I approach Phoenix, the result of rare recent rainfall. Glancing eastward toward the dawn, I savor a scene both pilots and authors can appreciate: misty layers of the Superstition Mountains torn from shades of monochrome paper. To a pilot it’s a photograph. To an artist it’s a painting. To a poet it’s verse. For me in my Flying Carpet, it’s a someday story hiding in an amazing view.”

Read Greg’s October, 2008 Flying Carpet column, “Writers’ Rendezvous,” where this image first appeared.

“Texas Irrigation Circles” (right) was photographed over the Texas Panhandle near Dalhart, on a long journey from South Carolina to Arizona.

As amazing as viewing the work of nature from the air, is surveying the veneer of civilization applied by humankind to the land. Read Greg’s December, 2009 Flying Carpet column, “The Longest Day,” where this image first appeared.

“Superstition Mountains Mist,” and “Texas Irrigation Circles,” are debuting in Limited Edition sizes of 27″x40″ and “24″x36″, and Open Editions of 16″x24″ and 10″x14″. Prices range from $175 for an unmounted 10″x14″ print, to $1500 for a museum-mounted 27″x40″, with numerous options in between.

Like all my Views from the Flying Carpet, these photographs were collaboratively tuned for print with Master Printer Richard Jackson, who prints for the world’s finest photographers. All are meticulously crafted, matted and/or framed, and packaged for shipping under Mr. Jackson’s supervision. Click each image for pricing and ordering information.

Click here to learn more about my Views from the Flying Carpet Fine Art Photographic Print series, including available images, my collaborator Master Printer Richard Jackson, and the process we use to create these marvelous prints. You can also subscribe there for email updates.

As usual, these prints are “good enough to eat,” thanks to Mr. Jackson and his terrific team. Consider adding one to your collection!

Sincerely,
Greg

©2012 Gregory N. Brown

“Air France 447 Flight-Data Recorder Transcript – What Really Happened,” from Popular Mechanics.

I rarely post links to outside stories on my blog, but this is just so provocative, so telling, and so downright scary, I decided to do so.

“Black people don’t fly.” That’s what DeAndre Jamison heard, when as a little boy he inquired about becoming a pilot.

Though DeAndre and I had never met in person, we’d corresponded for several months when he emailed that he and his wife Christine would be visiting friends in Page, Arizona, where they’d lived before moving to Indiana.

Page is only 45 minutes from Flagstaff by Flying Carpet, but I hadn’t flown there in years. This seemed a perfect opportunity to meet new friends and revisit cherished terrain. Page perches along stunning Lake Powell, on the Utah border. When I wrote, “Can I fly up and meet you for breakfast?” DeAndre responded enthusiastically.

I launched northward for Page that Saturday morning, pleased to be traveling without novice passengers. For although skies were clear, howling southwest winds generated devilish turbulence downwind of the 12,000-foot San Francisco Peaks, and then along the eastern edges of the Grand and Marble Canyons. Soon cobalt Lake Powell filled my windshield, pierced by golden buttes hinting at those of Monument Valley 60 miles away. I wrestled the airplane to a landing, and was opening the door when a young couple approached.

“I’m DeAndre,” said the young man, pumping my hand, “and this is Christine.”

How cool, to meet a black general aviation pilot! I thought. Then I pondered the strangeness of that reflexive response. Why aren’t there more minority pilots? I vowed to question DeAndre if the opportunity arose…

Continue reading Greg’s February Flying Carpet column, “Carrying the Flag,” here. (Please allow a moment for the article to load.) This column first appeared in AOPA Flight Training magazine, 2/12 issue.

Photo: Pilot DeAndre Jamison checks out the Flying Carpet at Page, Arizona. See more photos here.

©2012 Gregory N.Brown

Like each of my Views from the Flying Carpet, this photograph was collaboratively tuned for print with Master Printer Richard Jackson, who prints for the world’s finest photographers. (The day I met Richard, he was printing Steve McCurry’s iconic “Afghan Girl,” who 25+ years after gracing National Geographic’s cover remains among the world’s most-recognized photographs.)

“Sunset Over Window Rock” is debuting in two sizes, 16×24 and 10×14, both open editions. Prices range from $175 for the unmounted 10×14 print, to $545 for the 16×24 print archivally matted and framed, with numerous options in between. All are meticulously crafted, matted and/or framed, and packaged for shipping under Mr. Jackson’s supervision. Click here for “Sunset Over Window Rock” pricing and ordering information.

I thought you might also enjoy learning how these superb prints are created, including photos taken at last week’s refinement session. Click here for more about my Views from the Flying Carpet Fine Art Photographic Print series, including available images, my collaborator Master Printer Richard Jackson, and the process we use to create these marvelous prints. You can also sign up there for email updates.

As usual, these prints are “good enough to eat,” thanks to Mr. Jackson and his terrific team. I hope you’ll consider adding one to your collection!

Sincerely,
Greg

Photos: Above left, Greg’s “Sunset Over Window Rock,” Fine Art Photographic Print. Above right: Greg examines proof prints emerging from the printer.

©2011 Gregory N. Brown

“Seems a lot shorter, when you stop for fun along the way,” observed Jean. “And like more of a vacation, too.”

Usually we fly from Arizona to Chicago in a one-day marathon – 10 hours each way with a refueling stop at Garden City, Kansas. But this trip we’d planned in a more leisurely fashion, overnighting with friends in each direction. Flying east, we’d called on new pilot acquaintances in Iowa.

Now westbound toward home, we were headed to visit longtime buddies Julie and Mike Filucci at their new home on Lloyd Stearman Field near Wichita. Julie and Mike enjoy a lifestyle that most pilots would envy – they live on an airport and both fly professionally. Mike is an American Airlines captain, while Julie is Cessna Pilot Centers Manager. The two originally met, appropriately enough, at a formation-flying course.

Just 3-1/2 hours after departing Chicago’s Aurora Municipal Airport, we joined Stearman Field’s traffic pattern at Benton, Kansas. We’ve landed at residential airparks before, but this would be our first time actually staying at one.

“Where’s the fuel pump?” I radioed after touchdown.

“Continue to the north end of the runway, and you’ll see it on your right,” replied Julie’s voice from the ether. Sure enough, a gaggle of parked airplanes soon materialized ahead. Next to them, however, was a surprise. Just steps from the self-service pump we discovered the Stearman Field Bar & Grill’s bustling, boisterous outdoor patio. To the chattering of diners and the aroma of grilling burgers, we topped our tanks.

“Here comes Julie!” said Jean as I teetered on the refueling ladder. Up rode our friend on a reproduction 1940s British military bicycle. Instead of bearing urgent dispatches befitting her steed, however, she delivered welcoming hugs.

“I could direct you to our house,” offered Julie, “but it’s probably easier to just follow me back.” So we cranked up the Flying Carpet, and trailed our bicycling host down the parallel taxiway past residences and airplanes, and across the runway to an imposing new home and hangar. There, Mike greeted us with the couple’s treasured Visla hunting dogs, Fred and Mirra.

“First time we’ve ever followed a bicycle in our airplane!” chuckled Jean… Continue reading Greg’s January Flying Carpet column, “Follow that Bicycle!” here. (Please allow a moment for the article to load.) This column first appeared in AOPA Flight Training magazine, 1/12 issue.

Photo: Stearman Field Bar & Grill outdoor patio, Benton, Kansas. See more photos here.

©2011 Gregory N.Brown

In past years, some of you have received Views from the Flying Carpet photographic wall calendars I made as holiday gifts for my immediate family and friends.

That led to requests to buy them as gifts for others, so this year for the first time I’m offering them for public purchase.

These full-color 12-month wall calendars come in two sizes, Standard 11″x17″ (upper left) for $19.99*, and Oversize 13.5″x19″ (lower right) for $29.99*, and can be shipped directly to you, or to others as gifts.

Click on each calendar image for details and ordering, including previews of the included monthly photographs. (Photos are similar in both calendars except for size and cover image.)

©2011 Gregory N. Brown

*As usual, shipping and sales tax (if applicable) are additional.

Hi Folks!

As you know, I recently introduced “Sunset Rains,” my first Fine Art Photographic Print. More prints are coming, and I’d appreciate your input as part of the selection process.

Please visit my pre-selection gallery and “Like” 3-5 of your favorite images. (If possible, share comments as to why.)

If you can’t post your preferences in the gallery, please name them via comment form below.

I realize there are limitations in evaluating small-format images, especially prior to fine-tuning, but your preferences will help immensely in my selections.

Thank you! Thank you!

Greg

©2011 Gregory N. Brown

Bound for a Chicago wedding, we’d been enticed to stop here by a photo of Glen and Linda Anderson evoking Grant Wood’s iconic painting, American Gothic. These modern-day farmers, however, posed with an airplane instead of pitchforks. I was examining the only other airplane on the ramp, a rare but derelict pressurized Mooney M22 Mustang, when the Andersons drove up.

“Welcome to Madison County!” said Linda. “The main covered bridge from the movie is just a few miles away. And John Wayne was born here in Winterset.” Following introductions, they helped install our airplane amid undergrowth in an aging doorless hangar. Then they introduced Red Bird, their crimson 1966 Cessna 172 purchased for just $27,000. I appreciate practical airplanes that everyday people can afford.

“Shall we dine in town? Or grill steaks from beef raised on our farm?” asked Linda, checking her watch. “Winterset has a really good Pizza Hut,” added Glen.

“Let’s eat at your farm,” said Jean, sidestepping Glen’s hint. “Nothing beats Iowa steaks!” I’d expected flat, open fields like those in Illinois where Jean and I grew up, but instead we traveled densely wooded hills to the Anderson farmhouse. Inside, stuffed animal heads peered down from the walls…

Continue reading “American Gothic,” Greg’s December Flying Carpet column, here. Please allow a moment for the article to load. (This column first appeared in AOPA Flight Training magazine, 12/11 issue.)

Photo: Linda and Glen Anderson with their 1966 Cessna 172, Red Bird. See more photos from this story here.

©2011 Gregory N. Brown

I’ve long planned to offer fine art prints of my photographs, but the views on this particular flight and the resulting images were so unique and so stunning they inspired me to action initiating the program.

Like each of my upcoming View from the Flying Carpet images, this photograph was collaboratively tuned for print with Master Printer Richard Jackson, who prints for many of the world’s finest photographers. (On the day I first met Richard, he was making prints of Steve McCurry’s iconic “Afghan Girl,” who 25 years after gracing National Geographic’s cover remains among the world’s most-recognized photographs.)

“Sunset Rains” is debuting in four sizes to fit a range of locations and budgets. The largest, 27×40 inches, is available in a numbered Limited Edition of 90 prints. The second largest format of 24×36, is limited to 180 prints. The two smaller sizes, 16×24 and 10×14, are open editions. Prices range from $175 to $1500. All are meticulously crafted, matted and/or framed, and packaged for shipping under Mr. Jackson’s supervision.

Click here to learn more about “Sunset Rains,” including my new View from the Flying Carpet print series, my collaborator, Master Printer Richard Jackson, pricing and ordering information, plus sign up for email updates.

These prints are “good enough to eat,” thanks to Mr. Jackson and his marvelous team. I hope you’ll consider adding one to your collection!

Sincerely,
Greg

Photo: Greg with “Sunset Rains,” 27″x40″ Limited Edition Fine Art Print on museum mount.

©2011 Gregory N. Brown