With a career spanning over four decades, Wagstaff has not only made her mark as one of the premier aerobatic pilots in the world but also dedicated herself to the critical mission of aviation safety and the education of budding aviators. 

Wagstaff’s journey into aviation began in the late 1970s. She earned her private certificate in 1980, and it wasn’t long before her skill and passion for precise flying led her to aerobatics.

Known for her flair and daring spirit, she has captured the hearts of aviation enthusiasts and peers alike. Her breathtaking performances at airshows and her role as a key figure in the aerobatic community have earned her numerous accolades, including multiple titles as the U.S. national aerobatic champion—she was the first woman to win the title in 1991. 

However, Wagstaff’s influence extends well beyond the spectacle of aerobatic routines.

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Recognizing the importance of safety in aviation, she has become a staunch advocate for best practices and risk management. Her commitment to safety is not just theoretical but deeply personal, reflected in her meticulous approach to both her own flying and the broader aviation community. 

Education is a cornerstone of Wagstaff’s mission. She has taken on the vital role of mentor and educator, striving to pass on her expertise to the next generation of pilots through her school, Patty Wagstaff Aviation Safety, based in St. Augustine, Florida.

She and a team of carefully selected flight instructors work with both aspiring aviators and experienced pilots to foster a deeper understanding of aviation principles. The school’s approach to teaching is characterized by an ability to distill complex concepts into accessible lessons.

In addition to her professional achievements, Wagstaff’s writing serves as a beacon of wisdom for the aviation community. She has previously served as a contributor to Plane & Pilot magazine, sharing narratives that are crafted with a genuine desire to uplift and educate. Her ability to connect with readers on both a technical and personal level has made her contributions particularly impactful.

We delve into Wagstaff’s perspective on aviation safety and her vision for the future of pilot education in this Q&A interview: 

FLYING Magazine (FM): You are well-known as an aerobatic champion and performer, but what a lot of people don’t know about you is that you’ve dedicated yourself to educating other aviators. Was there a particular moment or event that inspired you to found an educational program?

Patty Wagstaff (PW): Airshow pilots often wear many hats. They run their own businesses, some own FBOs, flight schools, or work as airline pilots. It’s rare to find pilots who exclusively fly airshows, even if they fly a full season of 18 to 20 shows a year.

I’ve been a CFII (certified flight and instrument instructor) since the mid-1980s. As I got more into competition aerobatics and airshow flying, I didn’t have the chance to do much teaching until, in 2001, I started training the pilots of the Kenya Wildlife Service Airwing. I found it fun and incredibly rewarding, and the program continues today.

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All along, people kept asking when I was going to open an aerobatic school, so it was in the back of my mind. Then one day in 2014, the planets aligned—I had an eager student, the right airplane, and office space became available. I had a broad vision, but, as I like to say, I had the forest in sight but not the trees. I had a lot of help, even from the ideas my students had, and it has developed organically into the busy airmanship, aerobatic, and upset training school it is today.

I’m really proud of Patty Wagstaff Aviation Safety. We’ve attracted students from around the globe, offering a variety of courses, and we have exceptional instructors. I might be the conductor, but everyone in the band is passionate and committed to helping pilots become more skillful and confident, and ultimately enjoy flying more.

FM: Can you talk a little about the challenges facing aviation today as the number of students increases dramatically each year?

PW: The skies in Florida are very busy with flight training these days. You really have to keep your head on a swivel and be extra vigilant for traffic. The other day, I flew to Daytona Beach in an Extra and was No. 10 on final for landing. This truly seems to be a most optimistic time with abundant opportunities for aspiring flight students to make aviation a career.

We do, however, face challenges in flight training. It’s understandable that a private pilot course can only cover so much, but many student pilots today are missing out on some fundamental skills that were traditionally taught, such as pilotage, spins, upset training, and more. For example, we often fly with newly minted private pilots who lack rudder skills and who have never done a deep stall, but these basic airmanship skills are crucial to becoming a good aviator and for handling emergencies.

Recently we started the Patty Wagstaff Aviation Foundation. Our goal is to provide students with much-needed upset training. We will soon launch our website for those interested in supporting pilots who face financial challenges in getting this critical training.

FM: You have a fantastic career full of achievements. What would you say is the most important lesson that aviation has taught you?

PW: Thank you. I’ve been really fortunate in so many ways.

Aviation is always such a metaphor for life—it’s a constant challenge and a lifelong learning process, and it keeps you humble. Just when you think you’ve mastered it or have it figured out—bam!—it has a way of reminding you that, no, you’re not that good.

You’ll never have it completely nailed, and that is precisely what I love about it.

Aviation is also a very small community. If you are in the business of aviation, you will run into the same people over your entire career, and because of that I think it keeps people honest and forthright.

FM: What has been the most rewarding part of educating other aviators?

PW: Watching them learn what the rudder is for! That’s part of it, but we take our jobs very seriously in that we are teaching habits that could very well save their life someday.

We are totally committed to imparting the right information to improve a pilot’s overall airmanship—and that is very rewarding. The other part of it is watching the fun light come on. Other than making pilots more skilled and competent, my ultimate goal is to help people enjoy flying more.

FM: What is something you wish more people understood about flying?

PW: I wish there wasn’t such a fear factor about aviation, especially general aviation (GA). I’d like to assuage their fears by letting them know that accidents caused by mechanical failure are rare.

That a well-trained pilot who uses good judgment and consistent procedures is a safe one. 

That aviation is the best way to get around, and much safer than driving on a highway. 

That a four- or five-hour trip by car can take only one hour in a small airplane 

That aviation is available to everyone, not just wealthy people.

This feature first appeared in the September Issue 950 of the FLYING print edition.

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Lorie Robertson, chief development and marketing officer for Patriot Airpark, highlighted the development team’s goals for the project.

“Patriot Airpark is a beautiful 400-acre site that was formerly a cattle farm here in Pocola [Oklahoma],” said Robertson of the city located just west across the border from Fort Smith. “The property is being carefully transformed into an aviation community with a master development plan that includes hangar homes, traditional residences, commercial and retail spaces, and outdoor amenities. The geographic location in the middle of the country creates a perfect hub concept for pilots and businesspeople with interests (and family) in other states.

“The flight time is dramatically less when you start from the middle. Combined with the low cost of living in the region and the incredible cultural and outdoor adventure opportunities in eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas, this is a fantastic place to live.

“Our typical hangar homes will be 5,000 square feet with 2,500 for the hangar and 2,500 or more of living space above or beside the hangar. Ideally, these will be ‘barndominium’ style homes built from red steel and metal siding, but traditional wood construction is also an option. Phase one includes 14 1-acre lots that are ready to go. We also have a construction company that can build homes according to the buyer’s specs, so they have a lot of flexibility with the design.”

Robertson, who previously spent many years in community and economic development, has been friends with Patriot Airpark’s founder, Alex Cardenas, for about 15 years. The two ran into each other one day at a local restaurant, where he asked her to come aboard and help provide additional lift to the fledgling project.

“Alex, the owner of the property, spent the last year and a half building a lake and other amenities,” she said. “The lake has a 1.5-mile trail around it, and several peninsulas that offer dry camping sites and picnic tables. It’s a really nice amenity that is great for camping, fishing, and kayaking, and it will complement our future RV park. Alex has invested considerable time and money to lock in the right outdoor amenities at Patriot Airpark. He has built a footgolf course [played with a soccer ball], cleared land for soccer fields, and started building mountain bike trails through the woods on the north side of the property.” 

Cardenas, a veteran and entrepreneur, already has moved to Patriot Airpark and is raising his family there. 

“We don’t want to overbuild the community,” Robertson said.  “We want to protect the rural lifestyle and the outdoor opportunities for adventure—the sports, the trails, the fishing, and everything that goes along with what makes Patriot Airpark special. In the initial concept plan, there are around 230 [lots]. Not all of those would be hangar homes, though. The property is naturally split by the orientation of the runway.

“Lots on the west side of the property will be aviation homesites, and the east side will be traditional single-family and multifamily residential. Airplane hangars are also a part of our master plan, as well as commercial, retail, and restaurant spaces that will bring homeowners together as a micro-community.” 

At Patriot Airpark, there is one newly constructed hangar, which is the site of a skydiving operation, Adventure Skydive Center. This is one of many businesses that the development team expects will be based on-site. The airport runway, recently designated by the FAA as OL42, has been established for more than 20 years and will soon host an exciting aviation event.

“We are hosting a National STOL Series qualifier event, Arklahoma STOL, on May 24-25,” she said. “This will be our first event, but our goal is to host the national finals [for the National STOL Series] next year, or at the latest, in 2026. We really want to bring that event here to the central United States.”

The National STOL event is expected to attract pilots from around the country as well as at least 1,000 aviation fans. Spectators are welcome to fly in before the competition starts. Choctaw Casino & Resort is less than five minutes away in Pocola, Oklahoma, and there will be a shuttle running to and from the hotel. Camping and RV spots are available before, during, and after the event through the holiday weekend. The event schedule and camping information can be found on the Arklahoma STOL website.  Registration for pilots is on the National STOL Series website.

Robertson advised that the interest in the area hasn’t been limited to attendees of the short takeoff and landing competition. Rather, Fort Smith and its surrounding communities have been the focus of aviation headlines for other reasons as well recently. 

“Within 15 minutes of Patriot Airpark, you have Fort Smith Regional Airport (KFSM) and Ebbing Air National Guard Base, which is home to the Arkansas Air National Guard. Ebbing was chosen by the U.S. Air Force to be the new site for the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program,” Roberterson said. “The Air Force estimates that as many as 1,000 families or more will be relocating to this region. The housing market is tight, so it’s great that Patriot Airpark is already established. We have real estate, and we are ready to build homes. We could start pouring foundations next week if we wanted to. Talk about impeccable timing.

“Everything seems to be falling into place—the development, the event, the amenities. It’s the perfect place and time to start this development because there’s nothing exactly like it in the market. We’re inviting prospective buyers to come on over to OL42 and ‘land where they’ll love to live!’”

The post Development Underway for New 400-Acre Fort Smith Metro Area Airpark appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Allen Wood was introduced to the airport as a kid, and the airplanes flying there were the early inspiration for him to become a pilot.

“I was born and raised in the Keys, so my earliest memories of Tavernaero, the airport, was that it was just a grass strip with one or two houses on it and a boat basin,” Wood said. “I remember as a kid riding my bike through here and being intrigued with the airplanes. Back then, it was open and not a gated community. I never forgot about them and would look up at every airplane flying by.” 

Not only would Wood make his boyhood dream of becoming a pilot a reality, but he would also eventually call the airport home. He said this year marks his 35th year of living at Tavernaero Airport Park during which time he has owned three different homes in the fly-in community. 

“When my kids were young, I had built a house elsewhere in Islamorada,” Wood said. “Once I sold it, I had heard about a house that was a fairly good buy here at the airport, and that was my first house here. At the time, I was already a pilot and flying a Cessna 182—so living here at the airport worked out great. Now I’m in my third house in the same neighborhood. I always thought that I would love to live here, and it actually worked out!”

Living at the airpark is a relatively unique opportunity. While there are a considerable number of homes that surround the runway, according to Wood, it’s rare that one is listed for sale. 

“Like I said, I’ve lived here for a long time and it’s a great place to live,” he said. “My current home is in a nice location. It’s the only lot that’s on the water—as well as the runway. When a property here goes on the market, they go quickly. There was a house recently that went on the market, and it sold in 18 hours. It was a brief bidding war and then it sold. They go fast, for sure. Sporadically, houses will go up for sale and what people down here do is they will buy an older house then knock it down. That’s not just in the airport but all of the communities down here because there are limited building permits available.

“So, you have to go through a process of ‘building allocation,’ and the easiest way to do that is to buy an existing house. They will buy one to either remodel or knock it down to build a new one.”

Wood pointed out why he thinks the airpark community is as popular as it is—-its “proximity to paradise.” Not only is this section of the Keys highly regarded for fair weather and an array of recreational opportunities, Tavernaero is a quick flight from notable tropical destinations.

“You are very close to the Bahamas, and you are just a hop to anywhere there, pretty much,” he said. “So that’s one of the primary flying destinations for those living at Tavernaero. Just a little bit further away is Grand Cayman and Mexico, as well. In my [Cessna] 182, I used to fly to Mexico quite a bit, and it would only take about two hours and 10 minutes. It couldn’t have been much longer than that, anyway, and it also takes about two hours to fly to Grand Cayman. You can get anywhere in the Bahamas in probably an hour to two hours, depending on where you are going—since they cover a pretty big area. A lot of the people that live here focus on these types of flights.” 

Not only are the professional and personal backgrounds of those who live in the fly-in community varied, so are the types of airplanes they pilot. 

“You have to live here to fly in on a regular basis, but guests are welcome as guests of homeowners,” said Wood, who owns a Daher Kodiak 100 and shares ownership in a Piper J-3 Cub with seven other Tavernaero residents. “But Tavernaero Park Airport is private.” Most people that live here have a plane, and it basically consists of the whole Cessna collection of singles. The only twin that we have on the field right now is a Cessna 310. We have a brand new 206 that just came in and a new 182 coming at a later time. There is also a 172, as well as a couple of other 182s. We also have an A36 Bonanza, an RV that’s getting built, and a couple of other kit planes as well.

“Pretty much every house has an airplane, although we have had people that have bought in this neighborhood just for the marina.”

Not only can residents quickly reach other countries by air, but this is one of the few fly-in communities where boats are also a part of the equation.

“The association, or the airport, has its own marina with probably 50 boat slips in it,” he said. “So, all of the people that live here have a boat, or have the ability to, in the marina. The dues are extremely competitive at something around $1,250 a year per lot, funds which are used to maintain both the runway and the marina. It’s extremely reasonable for an aviation community. I lived at another one before where it was almost that much every month for their [homeowners association] dues.”

The post Tavernaero Airport Park Special Due to Its ‘Proximity to Paradise’ appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The past year has been an eventful one. From wallet-crushing engine maintenance to memorable flights with good friends, the challenges have been many but the satisfaction great. 

Looking back, I’ve learned many lessons, both large and small. Here, we’ll explore three underappreciated and least-anticipated lessons that emerged in my first year of ownership.

1. Aircraft Maintenance: It Requires Involvement and Curiosity

As a new owner, your drive to learn about and monitor the various systems onboard your aircraft should be as motivated and as enthusiastic as the intensity with which you follow your favorite sports team or partake in your favorite hobby. You needn’t be able to recite your propeller or engine serial numbers by memory, but you should have a general idea of roughly how much calendar and flight time have passed since they were last overhauled. 

Similarly, you should have a rough idea of the condition of other components like your magnetos, brake discs, etc. An awareness of which items are coming up on the end of their lifespans will help to more quickly identify problems that crop up, and will also help you to plan for their replacement or overhaul.

In my case, I identified a handful of items that were beginning to wear out and began my research early. By the time my annual rolled around, I had done my due diligence and had selected and purchased specific replacement parts for my mechanic to install. This prevented me from having to wait an additional week or more to get my airplane back.

One common way to stay ahead of routine maintenance is to hang a dry-erase board in your hangar with the dates and/or hours listed for each upcoming inspection. Annual, oil change, ELT inspection, GPS data card, pitot-static check, etc. Not only does this help to ensure you never miss a service or inspection, it also helps to keep you engaged and thinking about your systems and their condition.

Similarly, having an idea of which items might need replacement helps with budgeting and cash flow. Equipped with this knowledge, I made sure to save a bit more money every month leading up to my annual to lessen the impact of the final bill. Every little bit helps.

It’s entirely acceptable to own an airplane and take a completely hands-off approach to maintenance. Not all of us have the time or ability to perform basic maintenance or assist in annual inspections. But even if you never turn a wrench, involvement is key, even if it only means monitoring your aircraft systems and staying engaged with your mechanic. The knowledge and familiarity with your airplane and its systems will make you a safer pilot. 

• READ MORE: Prepping for Your First Annual Inspection

2. Don’t Underestimate the Importance of a Good Hangar

Prior to owning an airplane, I thought I knew everything there was to know about hangars. You contact your preferred airport, you request a hangar, and a short time later, you’ve got a place to put your airplane. Problem solved.

In reality, there are many nuances to consider, and not all of them are obvious. Depending on your location, demand for hangars can be fierce. So fierce that people spend several years waiting for their number to come up. Had I known then what I know now, I’d have gotten on my desired airport’s hangar waiting list two or three years ago, and I’d potentially have a hangar there today. 

Location is critical. The closer your hangar is to your residence, the more convenient it is to pop on down to the airplane for an impromptu flight. A conveniently located hangar will help you to fly more often. Conversely, the farther away you live from your airplane, the more likely you’ll find a reason to blow off a flight. 

I learned the hard way how important it is to have a fully enclosed hangar. Aside from the obvious protection from wind, dust, snow, ice, and the rest of the harsh elements, a fully enclosed hangar with snug-fitting doors also keeps the majority of wildlife away from your beloved airplane. Gone are the worries about showing up for a flight and finding nests and droppings adorning your pride and joy. 

A good, well-sealed hangar will have a concrete floor as opposed to dirt or gravel. This helps to keep moisture out of your airplane, keeping corrosion at bay. It also makes it easier to roll your airplane into and out of the hangar. 

Those of us living in northern climates have additional considerations. A hangar door with southern exposure will be less likely to become blocked by snow and ice. A good power outlet gives you a place to plug in your engine heater, and Wi-Fi is a luxury that enables you to turn such heaters on from your phone a few hours before your flight.

When sub-zero temperatures aren’t a concern, a good hangar setup can create a clubhouse of sorts—a hangout away from home. With some additions like party lights, an old couch, a mini fridge, and Boston’s Greatest Hits filling the air, your hangar becomes a general aviation version of Cheers, a place for sharing post-flight beverages and some good laughs. 

When I began shopping for an airplane, a hangar was an afterthought, something to be arranged when a purchase was imminent. Over the past year, I’ve come to realize just how fundamental a good hangar is to being able to enjoy your airplane. 

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3. Engage With Your Local Flying Community

Like a good hangar, a vibrant and active local flying community is something I didn’t think much about until after purchasing my airplane. I figured I’d simply come and go on solo flights and maybe bring an occasional friend with whom to share the experience. It wasn’t that I was opposed to interacting with other owners at the airport, I simply didn’t think about it much.

As it turns out, I happen to live among a pretty amazing general aviation community. From the time I damaged my engine and needed cylinders, to my need for assistance with breaking them in, the generosity of my fellow aircraft owners has been staggering. When they hear of another owner in need of assistance, they sound the proverbial horn and the group comes out of the woodwork to lend a hand and save the day.

The key is to always jump at the chance to return the favor, and perpetuate the goodwill. The second I learned that a hangar neighbor was in need of being shuttled to and from his airplane as he dropped it off for its annual inspection 50 miles away, I assured him that whether in my airplane or my Volkswagen, I’d ensure he would get to and from his airplane as needed. As relieving as it is to find help when you need it, it’s even more rewarding to be that help when the time comes.

A great local group of owners is there for the fun times as well as the challenging ones. Over the past several months, I’ve met up with several great people for spur-of-the-moment mini adventures. Nothing livens up a Friday evening like a text proposing a meetup at an airport diner the following morning.

I’ve also had a great time joining friends on short flights to nearby airports to learn the lay of the land. Maybe it’s learning about a certain grass runway’s unusual quirk. Maybe it’s understanding how certain winds can create specific mechanical turbulence at an unfamiliar airport. In any case, the learning is beneficial and far more enjoyable when shown and demonstrated by others.

Not every area is like this. Like many other communities, cultures vary, and jerks abound. I got lucky and fell into a great local flying community, but now I understand how important and enjoyable it is to seek out good people and engage with them early on. 

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Checking My Six 

Looking back at the past year, there have been some fantastic highs and some miserable lows. With any luck, the steepest part of the learning curve and most tumultuous times are behind me. But regardless of what the future holds, I’ll remind myself that, if my biggest problem is related to aircraft ownership, well, that’s a good problem to have and I’m fortunate to be in a position to experience it.

Thanks so much for coming along on this journey with me as I experience what it’s like to be a new owner.

The post Three Lessons Learned From a Year of Airplane Ownership appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The county is the airport sponsor. The fuel ban is one on a laundry list of potential safety issues and alleged violations at the airport.

How this happened

On December 22, the FAA sent a letter to Eric Peterson, director of Santa Clara County Airports. The letter listed the complaints being investigated that allegedly rose from actions taken by the County—notably the decision to ban 100LL at both Reid-Hillview in San Jose and San Martin Airport (E16) in Morgan Hill. 

Read more: Aviation Community Livid With Santa Clara County Over Looming 100LL Ban

The ban was enacted last summer by a county resolution to “expeditiously eliminate lead exposures from operations at Reid-Hillview Airport (KRHV) in San Jose, and [pursue] any and all available paths to early closure prior to 2031.” The federal grant assurances state the airport is obligated to remain open until at least 2031.

The decision to ban 100LL was triggered by a study into blood lead levels (BLL) of local children. Supporters of the study maintain the airport is largely responsible for elevated levels. Others argue that the area is filled with older homes and businesses—and a water system—that were built at a time when lead was a common component in their construction.

The FAA expressed concern that the county has indicated that it will become the sole 94UL fuel provider at the airport, although the FAA has no proof that the county has the staff who have been trained in fueling practices.

The FAA also stipulates that the banning of 100LL will force about 40 percent of the aircraft that use the fuel to refuel elsewhere or possibly be refueled incorrectly—potentially resulting in an  uncommanded loss of engine power and subsequent accident.

In addition, the FAA maintains that the county’s refusal to allow the sale of 100LL violates the commerce clause in the U.S. Constitution.

Leases and signage challenges

The FAA also alleges the county is violating grant assurances by not offering long-term leases to four tenants at the airport with leases that expire soon. Instead, these businesses have been offered month-to-month leases, while another five businesses are not being allowed to renew their leases that expire at the end of the year. Some tenants and local pilots have described the county’s behavior as a “de facto means” of closing the airport by economically choking their operations.

Read more: Reid-Hillview Airport Battles Misconceptions

Federal authorities will also look into allegations of non-standard signage, overgrown vegetation, and wildlife issues that potentially create safety hazards at the airport.

What the county says

The county has a different view of events, noting that the Part 13 investigation is the latest shot fired in an ongoing skirmish between the FAA and the county of Santa Clara that goes back several years and can often be traced to remarks made during the public comment session of the board meetings.

For example, during a meeting on December 4, 2018, a suggestion was allegedly made that the airport be closed and the 180-acre site be redeveloped into housing. The FAA learned of this and sent a letter to the county reminding them of grant assurances that require the airport remain open until 2031, therefore the decision to close the airport for redevelopment was not going to be allowed to stand. The letter also remarked on potential safety issues created by “non-standard exit signs located at the southeast end of Runway 13L/31R.”

The county replied with a letter dated January 16, 2020, stating that the board did not decide to close the airport. The letter went on to state that some of the FAA’s concerns about signage had to do with signs that were approved by the FAA for installation.

Stay tuned

Local pilots, airport business owners, and county officials note these issues are ongoing. Normally, an airport sponsor has 30 days to respond to a Part 13 investigation, but given the seriousness of the allegations, the FAA has reduced the county’s response time to just 20 days, beginning on December 22.

The post FAA Investigates Alleged Safety and Grant Violations at Reid-Hillview Airport appeared first on FLYING Magazine.