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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The daily airshows, scheduled from 1-5 p.m. EDT, promise to deliver thrills courtesy of renowned performers such as Patty Wagstaff, Rob Holland, and Michael Goulian. Additionally, the night airshow and pyrobatic fireworks will illuminate the skies on Wednesday and Saturday, kicking off at 7 p.m.

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For aviation enthusiasts, the Commemorative Air Force is set to offer vintage aircraft rides, including the iconic B-29 Fifi, and various other warbirds. Interested individuals can secure their ride bookings through the Sun ’n Fun website. Spectators can look forward to captivating performances by the U.S. Air Force F-35A Demo Team, Air Force Thunderbirds, Patriot Parachute Demo Team, and Warbirds Arrival Show on April 9, with additional warbird events sprinkled throughout the week. The official website provides a detailed event schedule.

On the ground, attendees can partake in workshops, explore opportunities at an aviation career fair, and provide young aviation enthusiasts with inspiration at a dedicated kids corner. Aviators flying into the show can benefit from available discounts, while those seeking an elevated experience can opt for preferred seating, available on the event’s website. The Sun ’n Fun event promises an immersive experience for aviation enthusiasts of all ages.

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Hosted by Sporty’s team of subject-matter experts and training partners, these interactive, multimedia, educational webinars cover a wide range of topics, including tips on pilot proficiency, avionics, and updates on new products and services.

Recent webinars have been hosted by experts such as aerobatic legend Patty Wagstaff, air traffic controller RJ Ratliff, and FLYING contributor and retired American Airlines pilot Capt. Les Abend. 

To join, all you have to do is register for free. 

Although they’re later posted on Sporty’s YouTube channel for on-demand viewing, watching these events in real time offers the key advantage of being able to ask questions. 

The remaining 2022 Sporty’s webinars are:

• iPad Proficiency Check
  Wednesday, September 21, 3 p.m. ET

• A Pilot’s Guide to Headsets
  Wednesday, October 12, 3 p.m. ET

• Advanced Flight Simulator Tips
  Wednesday, November 16, 3 p.m. ET

To register for free and to see the updated schedule, go to Sporty’s webinar page.

The post Sporty’s Expands 2022 Live Aviation Webinar Series appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Airshow Stars

You can catch the ultimate in airshow stylings in the air above show center—but did you know there are opportunities to meet and greet the performers themselves once they come back to terra firma? Stars like Michael Goulian and Patty Wagstaff often host meet-ups at their respective sponsors’ booths—for example, look to Whelen Aviation Technologies and their big black-and-yellow exhibit near the flight line for Goulian’s schedule.

You can also track down other top names on the airshow scene, such as Matt Younkin, Vicky Benzing, Chuck Aaron, and the AeroShell Aerobatic Team. And if the warbird flyovers cause your pulse to race, head over to the Warbird area on the show grounds to find your favorite airplanes—and their pilots.

Patty Wagstaff’s Oshkosh Schedule (all times local)

Forums Fantastic

Phil Lockwood, CEO of Lockwood Aviation Supply and Rotax engine guru, always draws a crowd for good reason. This year at AirVenture, he’ll host a forum on the Rotax 9-series powerplants, with service and maintenance tips pulled from his position leading the No. 1 service provider in the U.S. Catch Lockwood on Wednesday, July 27, from 1 to 2:15 p.m.

You won’t run into EAA legend Paul Poberezny, as he flew west in 2013. But you can learn from those in his legacy, at Paul’s Vintage Hangar. A&Ps Jim Hamilton and Don Bartlet take participants through the ins and outs of those skills needed to make a serious restoration project fly, such as welding and fabric covering. First session: Monday, July 25, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Get Your Training On

Want to know some real stars at the show? Head over to the new Pilot Proficiency Center and meet the rockstar CFIs leading the training sessions there. You’ll want to plan some real time to focus on your proficiency, featuring instruction in the center’s flight training devices from Redbird Flight Simulations. FLYING’s own Meg Godlewski is one of those star instructors this year.

The FAA has returned to AirVenture after a pandemic-induced hiatus, and you can find them—and forums for WINGS program credit—at their new location in the International Federal Pavilion at Hangar D. They join forces with agencies from the U.S., Canada, and the Bahamas. In fact, one of the sessions is on flying to the Bahamas—a great tool for pilots if you’ve never been there, or if you haven’t been in the last couple of years. The first session (of several) is on Monday, July 25, from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. at the Pavilion.

Low-Key Rock Stars

Want even more proficiency tips? Check out the Fly Like a Pro Panel with Sean Elliott of EAA, Charlie Precourt of Northrop Grumman Space Systems, Karen Kalishek of the National Association of Flight Instructors, Mike Goulian, Mike Graham of the National Transportation Safety Board, and Richard McSpadden of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. With a focus on attitude, technical knowledge, realistic scenarios, training, equipment, and debriefs, this august group of experts will provide you with rock solid advice you can apply to your own proficiency plan—and it takes place on Friday, July 29, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Forum Stage 5.

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There are also pioneering women who return to AirVenture each year—and you can catch a number of them at the WAI Connect breakfast hosted by Women in Aviation International. You’ll need to sign up for tickets ahead of time. The gathering takes place on Wednesday, July 27, at 8 a.m., and this year it’s at the PHP tent on the EAA grounds near the Forest Home. Past speakers have included astronaut Eileen Collins—and you never know who will show up this year.

All times and locations subject to change—check the main EAA AirVenture schedule on eaa.org/airventure for updates and to build your own calendar to track them at the event.

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The course’s teacher is Patty Wagstaff (yes, that Patty Wagstaff), who in addition to being one of most skilled aerobatic pilots in the world, also has decades of experience flying as a bush pilot in Africa and Alaska. 

The Course

Sporty’s Tailwheel Course consists of more than two hours of instruction using multiple camera angles and 3D animation to explain the nuances and techniques required to fly a tailwheel-equipped aircraft. 

Wagstaff takes the learners through theory and practice necessary to become safe and efficient pilots, beginning with the physics of taildraggersas they learn about the stability, inertia and why ground loops happen. (Spoiler alert: they are more challenging to control on the ground than their nosewheel-equipped counterparts—for the unfamiliar, it is a bit like pushing a shopping cart backward.)

Learners will be exposed to best practices for preflight inspection of a tailwheel aircraft, and techniques for taxiing, takeoffs, and the different types of landings, including three-point and wheel landings.

The course “classroom” ranges from the classic Piper J-3 Cub on grass, to the more technically demanding turbine-powered de Havilland Otter on glaciers—with the Citabria, Cessna 180, Extra 300 and Super Cub in between.

Wagstaff talks the viewer through the maneuvers as multiple cameras make it possible to see the aircraft from every angle, including the all-important position of the yoke or stick during takeoffs and, especially, landings.

If You Need More

The course includes an advanced section where the learners are schooled on the use of flaps, slips, and common mistakes that can happen during soft-field landings. A few bush pilot techniques have been thrown in for good measure.

You can expect to gain new respect for the use of the rudder as a tailwheel pilot—there are those who say a tailwheel endorsement improves your overall airmanship.

There’s also a chapter on The Recreational Aviation Foundation, an organization that encourages operations from “unimproved fields,” giving tailwheel pilots places to use their newfound skills.

The course joins a series of instructional offerings that Wagstaff and Sporty’s have collaborated on, including sessions on aerobatic flight training.

The post Sporty’s Offers Tailwheel Training Course appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Aerobatic flight captures the imaginations of many pilots. Though it isn’t for everyone—and it should be approached with diligence and care—the latest training course from Sporty’s features aerobatic champion Patty Wagstaff as she continues her quest to lay a great foundation for pilots who wish to understand these compelling maneuvers—and learn to execute them safely and with style.

This second course in the Sporty’s training program, Basic Aerobatics, features the initial elements that make up a budding acro pilot’s repertoire: loops, rolls, and spins. “The flight instructors at Sporty’s Academy and Patty Wagstaff Aviation Safety share the same goal: to make flying safer and more fun,” said Wagstaff. “These courses do exactly that, by taking pilots beyond straight and level to see what high performance flying is all about.”

Wagstaff coaches new and experienced pilots alike through the steps of each maneuver, just as though the pilot was down in St. Augustine, Florida, where Wagstaff conducts training throughout the year. She shows off the moves in her Super Decathalon, and outlines how each maneuver should be accomplished even if the aircraft you’re flying doesn’t have inverted oil and fuel systems.

“We’ve worked hard to make it feel like you’re riding along with Patty in the airplane,” said Sporty’s Academy’s president Eric Radtke. “Beautiful HD video shows the pilot’s perspective for each maneuver and split-screen segments simultaneously show the flight controls, flight instruments, and views out each window. The course even includes bonus 360-degree videos showing Patty flying each maneuver.”

Basic Aerobatics follows Volume 1, Intro to Aerobatics ($49.99), and can be purchased for $99.99 from Sporty’s or in the Sporty’s app on iOS or Android, or AppleTV or RokuTV. The set can be had for $129.99.

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