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  John Slemp 11:00 pm on February 1, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

  Air Operations in Haiti – A Personal Account… 

  

  I write this entry today with the knowledge that General Aviation has taken a beating in the press lately, mostly as a convenient whipping boy. There is no rational reason for it, other than an unexplained bias that seems to be inherent in our media. Although only indirectly related to GA, what follows deals with military aviation, and with what a well trained, organized, and coordinated group can do, in a short time, and under extremely trying circumstances.

  Some of you may know that I’m an Army veteran, having served almost 11 years in various command and staff roles as an Armor officer, both in the USA and Germany. My dad was a Green Beret for most of his 22 years of service, including two tours of duty in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. My little brother followed in my dad’s footsteps, and just retired two years ago, also as a Green Beret. He retired as a Lt. Colonel, having commanded a Green Beret battalion in Afghanistan…twice. Needless to say, my family has an intimate knowledge of what it takes to serve, and we still follow with great interest the activities of our military.

  Today my brother sent a blog entry from one of the first people on the ground after Haiti’s devastating earthquake. It outlines steps that were taken to get supplies into the airfield in Port-au-Prince, safely, effectively, and without any outside help. It also outlines the complications that can occur when people act thoughtlessly in chaotic situations.

  Upon reading this account, I can appreciate the complexity of quickly getting the airfield up and running, and the sheer perseverance needed to get it organized and functioning properly. It took a team of selfless individuals to get it done, and I’m very proud of our servicemembers, and the job they do daily.

  I think you will be too…

  John Slemp

  P.S.: You can read more about the relief mission in Haiti on this US Department of State blog.

  
   

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  John Slemp 10:59 pm on January 26, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

  Shooting the Challenger 604… 

  

  Upon seeing the images below, a friend asked how long I had waited for that light. Here is my response…

  Yea, sure…waited for days! Well, we did in a way, because this was just after the torrential rains that we had this fall in Atlanta. The Chattahoochee River is just behind the far trees in the background, and was still very much above flood stage.

  In actuality, we’d been inside the hangar shooting interiors all day, and right about 1800 we moved outside. The tug driver asked me where I wanted it, and I positioned it in relation to the background elements, which I was trying to minimize. Off to the right, planes were parked on the far ramp, with several FBO buildings in the background. I usually like my shots very simple, so that the eye doesn’t really have much of a chance to wander from the primary subject. It just seems “stronger” to me in that way, and many of the images that I like, whether they be portraits, still life, or aircraft, have that common theme. It wasn’t too difficult to remove the offending objects, and I think it looks much better because of it.

  The original shot is below, followed by the retouched image. I’m sure you can see the difference. And to answer your original question…once the aircraft was positioned, it just so happened that the light from the setting sun came right in between the hangar and the fuel storage area. I was smart/experienced/wise enough to position it so that the light would “rake” down the side of the fuselage, and in fact had that in mind when I asked him to park it there. We just got lucky on how well it all worked out, as I had never shot at this location before. And when the sun is going down, you literally only have minutes to work. So once the light started getting “good”, I shot like a mad man for about five minutes, and then it was over. Like a lot of other things in life…

  

  Challenger 604 before "tweaking". © 2009 John Slemp

  I try not to go “overboard” with the retouching, as it can quickly get to the point where it looks “artificial”. Marks on the ramp are a fact of aviation life, and I generally don’t do much to retouch out what others might consider to be “extraneous stuff”. Some of it adds character, and of course, trash is never welcome.

  

  Image of a Challenger 604 after "tweaking". © 2009 John Slemp

  One of my other favorites, with the light going almost directly into the intake. No artificial lighting here! Fortunately it was nice and diffused, so it wasn’t too “harsh”.

  

  Engine intake of a Challenger 604. © 2009 John Slemp

  And the final shot, which is typical of aviation marketplace advertising…

  

  Image of a Challenger 604, lit by strobes. © 2009 John Slemp

  For my money, I think the natural light shot is more effective, and more striking. So, there you have it. A full day in the hangar and on the ramp, making images…Enjoy!

  John

  P.S. – Love the Challenger? A beautiful calendar will look great in your home or office!

  
   
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  John Slemp 10:43 pm on October 15, 2008 Permalink | Reply  

  Oshkosh…and What It Means 

  

  

  The Boeing Dreamlifter sits center stage at the 2008 Airventure, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. ©2008 John Slemp

  For those in the know, just the mention of “Oshkosh” brings an instant glimmer of recognition. It is simply the “Mecca” of aviation, at least in the United States. The largest General Aviation (GA) show in the country, it is said that at any one time, 10% of the GA fleet in the USA is at Oshkosh during the week of the fly-in. It is a fly-in, a trade show, an airshow, but it is also much more.

  I didn’t fully realize this until I went for the first time this year. Not only are there several thousand (yes, thousand!) GA planes in the area, but the scope and variety of aircraft covered is just about limitless. Everything from pontoon equipped sea planes to single-seat paragliders, to all manner of current and past military aircraft, from the very small to the gargantuan. The Boeing Dreamlifter is the largest aircraft in the world, by volume, and is just overwhelming in a visual sense. Who knew you could cut the fuselage in several different places, and then add to it? The folks at Boeing obviously did, and by creating this aircraft have also created a market for it’s use. Smart thinking…

  Although the aircraft on the grounds are of all shapes, sizes, vintages, and are meant for different missions, the variety of people is equally fascinating. Many have attended every year, for many years, and wouldn’t be anywhere else this time of year. There are even a fair number of volunteers that come a week early, just to get ready, and stay throughout the show. I”ve been around passionate people before, but I’d have to say that airplane people rank right up there with artists, musicians, actors, and the like. They are just “nuts” about aviation, and everything associated with it.

  It might even be classified as an addiction, or a sickness…take your pick. But one thing is for certain, the passion is real, and they love sharing that passion. Did I mention that they are a bunch of genuinely nice people too? I haven’t met anyone in aviation that I haven’t liked, and they are ready to share their favorite tip, trick, advice or story at the drop of an aviation hat. It’s a well-mannered, generally well-educated group too, and leadership seems to run deep throughout. Find out who the aviator’s are in your community, and you’ll find the leaders too…

  I made about 1100 pictures this year over the course of the week, which is a “light” week for me, visually speaking. I’m already planning on what to shoot next year. If you get the chance, grab your camera and come along too…

  
   
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  John Slemp 10:40 pm on July 27, 2008 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: electra junior, lockheed 12, lockheed 12a, Lockheed 12A Electra, lockheed 12a electra junior   

  The Lockheed 12A Electra Junior 

  

  

  Lockheed 12A Electra Junior...at the gas pump. Fayetteville, Georgia. ©2008 John Slemp

  
  After one has walked on this earth for a few years, we accumulate a set of experiences and memories that we often draw on to put in context our new experiences. Many times those new experiences must be of a truly “memorable” nature to cause one to emit an audible gasp…or better yet to voice the only word that comes to mind…”Wow”. Such was the case last Thursday evening as I had my first glimpse of a true aviation icon, the Lockheed 12A. With lines that I’m sure make a lover of fine aircraft just drool, the smaller version of the Lockheed 10, which is famous as Amelia Earhart’s airplane, is no less striking.
  

  

  Joe Shepherd, a retired Northwest Airlines pilot, fuels his restored Lockheed 12A Electra Junior. ©2008 John Slemp

  
  As the owner, Joe Shepherd, pulled it over to the gas pump, he mentioned (and not without just a bit of consternation) that it is often confused for a Beech 18, even by those who should know better (air traffic controllers!). While the lines are similar, if one will look closely, the differences become readily apparent. I’m not gonna spoil it for you here by telling what those differences are…you’ll have to discover that for yourself!

  I will share that this aircraft has been lovingly restored to it’s former glory as an everyday working airplane. Joe said that there are some folks out there who pointedly believe that this airplane belongs in a museum. I was stunned, and asked him if he was serious. “Yes” was his reply. I mentioned that in my youth, I had owned a very nice sports car, and used to park it as far away from humanity as possible, and had just about shined the paint off. After a time my attitude changed, and it became an everyday car, something to be treasured for sure, but enjoyed nonetheless. I’m sure that Joe feels the same way about this beauty, and in fact, just the next day after our shoot, he flew it to California, in an effort to resurrect another Lockheed 12 from oblivion.

  There were only about 130 of these aircraft ever built, as World War II came along, and the focus shifted to producing military aircraft. Until I had done some homework, I was unaware that this aircraft was very much ahead of its time. An all-metal skin, and retractable landing gear were new developments in aircraft of the 1930’s. It was also faster than just about every fighter plane in the US military inventory, with a maximum speed of 225 mph. She had a crew of two, and could carry six passengers, with a total payload of about 2885 pounds. The prototype first flew in June, 1936, and Joe’s aircraft bears a data plate production date of 3 December, 1936.

  If you ever have the opportunity to see this aircraft up close, perhaps at Sun ‘n Fun or Oshkosh (where it has been an award winner by the way…), I’m sure that it will conjure up memories of how aviation used to be. It did for me…

  

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  John Slemp 10:51 pm on March 26, 2008 Permalink | Reply  

  Women In Aviation International – Atlanta 2009 

  

  

  Attendees walk the floor at the 2009 WAI Conference in Atlanta. ©2009 John Slemp

  Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend the Women in Aviation International (WAI) Conference, held here in Atlanta. To say it was an “eye-opening” experience would be an understatement. Not only was it a good chance to network for the attendees, but it was a celebration of everything positive in aviation. One thing that I noticed right off was the fact that probably a third of the attendees were military flyers. While this is no surprise to me, having been in the military in the 70’s and 80’s, the ratio to the overall number of attendees (about a third…) was a bit of a surprise. It is obvious that the military has come a long way in offering positions of leadership and responsibility to women, and it was also obvious that they have more than met these challenges.. Rarely have I seen a more intelligent, competent, and motivated group.

  It was a real treat to have a conversation with a young Captain (which I once was…) who flies the C-5 Galaxy, the largest cargo aircraft in the world. She flies from the US to the “middle east” in support of the US military mission on a regular basis, and talked about it as if it were “routine”. Another young woman (a lieutenant commander in the Navy) was a helicopter pilot that had twice deployed on an aircraft carrier. Her job was to provide security to the carrier, in the form of hunting for submarines, and to occasionally conduct search and rescue operations.

  

  NOAA Hurricane Hunter shoulder patch. ©2009 John Slemp

  Quite interesting also was the young woman (another Captain) who routinely flies into hurricanes (on purpose!) to gather weather information for the NOAA. Again, it was just “her job” to do so, and I’m sure these ladies don’t expect any great fanfare or accolades because of the fields they had chosen to enter.

  The fact that so many capable people, who happen to be women, are flying for our military services, is not overlooked by the civilian workforce either. Many of the major airlines (Delta, Northwest, Airtran, FedEx, UPS) were in recruiting mode, as they have apparently recognized the excellence and dedication these young people bring to their profession.

  All in all, I was quite impressed with the organization, and the members. And did I mention that I made a few images for them? They published a small newsletter during the conference, and I was happy to contribute. Aerographs had a small booth also, which offered our aviation-related wares, and the work was enthusiastically received. That was a good feeling too.

  

  Jessica Cox, pilot and motivational speaker. ©2009 John Slemp

  
  As a testament to the power the WAI now enjoys, several high visibility speakers made the trip to Atlanta, including the new AOPA President, Craig Fuller, who presented the rebuilt “glass” Archer to an attendee in the audience, Karoline Amodeo. Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, himself an aviator, welcomed the group to Atlanta, despite having a wicked cold. And a young lady, Jessica Cox, literally “wowed” the group when she tied her shoes on stage. Why, you ask is that such a big deal? Jessica was born without arms, and has become a private pilot too. Such is the stuff heroes and role models are made of, just a bit of which was exhibited at the WAI 2009 Conference. If you have the chance, you should plan on being there next year in Orlando. Otherwise, you’ll miss a good opportunity to be inspired…

  Blue Skies!